Autum let out a sigh as she got to her feet. She looked at the door as Link's group walked in. She could hear them talking as they walked up. She knew she just needed to get this over with. Walking up to Link "Come on. Navi stay here." Autum spoke as she walked out of the room.
Link stopped and looked back at Autum. He bit his lip as he thought about what he wanted to say to her. Looking to Navi as she jumped off his shoulder fluttering. "If she dare hurts her, you better kick her ass…" Navi spoke up and then flew over to Celtic.
Impa watched Link follow Autum. She would have to ask Autum when she returned. Looking to Navi who flew up to Celtic. She could at least chat him up and find out more about their plans as Link didn't seem to know the details of anything.
Navi plopped down on the table panting a little. She looked at Celtic who clearly was watching her. "I'm fine!" She waved at him smiling. "Just a little excitement is all." she explained to him. "Just need to sit down probably, you know doing too much."
Celtic pointed his finger at her. "No more flying. Please." He spoke up. "You need to rest still ok. So no more pushing yourself." He expressed his concern to her. He watched her nod. He looked to Impa who walked over to bother some of the other guards.
"How's the baby sitting?" Navi looked to Atl who clearly passed out from too many drinks. "Eh.. Maybe let him have too many." He laughed, it thought it was better than having to worry about him sneaking off.
Autum walked up to a door opening it. Looking into the room it was empty. This would work, looking to Link as he started to walk towards her. Going into the room she got some distance from her and the door.
Walking into the room Link closed the room. He was still trying to gather his thoughts. He looked at Autum who clearly was waiting for him to start. Clenching his fist he turned to face her. "I thought you were letting me lead this!" he snapped. "Instead you have gone on a rampage. You killed Rider without a second thought! What more you what you did to Ganondorf was uncalled for!"
Autum listened to him express himself. It was true she took over this, but this wasn't the Hyrule he knew any more. She thought about telling him that this wasn't Hyrule any more. This wasn't like a fairy tale coming here and slaying the evil man and everything would be fixed. She held her tongue, knowing she didn't want to be cruel to her friend. She had plenty of time to think about what to say. It was probably better that she did, so she could deal with this calmly.
"Tell me this. How am I any different killing Rider than if the 'villain' was Ganondorf and you just came and killed him?" Autum questioned him.
Link stared at her. It was not what he expected her to say. He was expecting her to say something snarky or tell him he needed to suck it up. He was tossed off guard by the question. He stepped back as he tried to think of an answer. He looked away from her.
How was it different? If it was Ganondorf there was no question he would fight and slay him. But Rider, was he evil? He took over the land like Ganondorf would have done, enslaved people.. And possibly killed others. His heart sunk the more he thought of it.
"I will tell you why, it might perceive different, but isn't. "Autum spoke up as walked up to him. "You know a hundred percent that Ganondorf is evil in that scenario. You know it's what needed to do to save everyone. For what I did, I had to make that decision that he should be killed. What his deeds he did here would deem him evil in many eyes. I made the choice that he was better off dead because of what he has done to Hyrule. Not some destiny made it, I made that choice. I wouldn't change if I had the chance. A person like that would spend years in prison when he deserved death."
Link looked away running what she said in his head. She was right in the end he was taking a life, but it would end all of the war. Killing Rider doesn't end it, stops a piece. Though it does save a lot of people. Was that death worth it?
The two stood quiet as Link tried to gather his thoughts. Breaking the silence he looked to Autum. "Are your going to kill them all?" He questioned her.
"That isn't the question you should be asking. You already know the answer to it. The question is, if you put in the position are you going to be able to kill one of them?" She turned the question back at him.
Link's ears went low. He didn't have an answer. Part of him still didn't believe these people were evil. He looked down, he couldn't answer her. He felt her hand on his shoulder, but he didn't look at her.
"I don't expect an answer Link. But this is something you need to think about. I feel when we go help the Rito, that will help you make your choice." Autum spoke up as she thought about how you would keep a winged species from flying.
"The rest of this you will know the plan. Not be caught off guard like I did with Rider." Autum explained as she walked up to the door.
"What if I can't kill one of them, when it is needed? Link asked her.
"Link, I don't expect you to need to ever kill someone. That is a choice, when you are in a position to take a life. If you feel that they don't deserve death by you blade then don't. You better make sure they won't escape, last thing you want is that guilt the get free and hurt others." Autum spoke up.
Link nooded a little, he was grateful that Autum didn't expect him to kill anyone. He watched her walk out of the room. Taking a deep breath trying to calm himself. He felt like it left his mind more in a fog than anything.
Walking out he winced as he bumped into Autum. He didn't expect her to just stop. Looking at her he was wondering what she was going to do.
"No matter how much you think you could have saved Hyrule by staying, you couldn't. You have been with us for two years, yet you still didn't know what the device hit those buildings the other day. You would have been like everyone else here, barely holding onto hope. But since you choose to stay with us, you are much better equipped to deal with these bastards here. What more you have us to help you." Autum looked at him as she gave him a bit of a pep talk.
Link smiled weakly as he looked at her. It seemed that she was also trying to convince him that staying would have been detrimental to saving Hyrule.
Autum walked down the hall. She had a bit of time to think about what she could say. Also she was trying to be level headed about this. She was grateful her mindset was in in warmode. If she wasn't she was sure she would had said something stupid to him.
Celtic yawned as he looked at the door. Well neither of the two didn't look like they had new injuries. They also did not look angry with each other, so it seemed they had a civil chat. Though Autum always seemed to calm down when she talked with Link.
Walking up to the table she sat down across from Celtic. She looked to Impa who walked up to the table. Studying Impa she glanced at Celtic who cleared his throat. He had that look of play nice. It meant that this woman wanted to ask something from her.
Impa watched Autum's reaction. "My name is Impa, I was once part of the king's guard. I want to go with you." she was blunt about it. She needed to help with this war and it was clear that going with this group would be the answer for it. They already had freed this city from Rider's grasp.
Autum drummed her metal fingers on the table. Another person would be bad, she really didn't want to drag any more people with her. What more this woman was clear that she had some sort of status before the war, from how she held herself. She still had a lot of spirit which was good.
"I rather have you do something else." Autum spoke up as she gestured to the set next to Celtic. "Sit…" Speaking up as she was trying to gather the plan in her head. Looking to Impa who sat down clearly waiting for orders.
"I need you to lead these guards and gorons who ever you can gather to the weapons factory. We need you take that down when we hit where the Rito's are. If we hit it early that will but that the ruler of the Rito's will be on the alert, but hitting them around the same time will keep their defenses low. Do you think you would be able to handle that?" Autum questioned Impa.
Impa listened to her, so she would be in charge. "How will I know when to strike?" She looked to Autum who pushed Rider's phone to her. "I'll text this phone. Celtic here will give you a simple tutorial on other features the phone has." She offered up her husband's services. That is what he got for telling her to play nice.
Slowly taking the phone Impa looked at it. "What if I get any messages from the others?" "You and the others have been around Rider more than me and the others of our group. It would be better for you to reply as you know his mannerisms better." Autum answered her.
Link watched the two of them go back and forth. He sat down next to Autum, he was a bit suprised it wasn't a blunt fuck off when Impa asked. Looking to Impa, it still was odd seeing old faces who had aged so much more than he had.
Navi sighed in relief as it seemed the conversation between Impa and Autum was adult-like. She was very concerned about Impa wanting to go. Looking to Link, she could tell that he was lost in his thoughts. She wanted to ask him what she had said to him.
"SO who is the bitch of the hour!" A gruff voice spoke up from the door. Dajra pointed at Autum as he found the one in the bunch who stood out. Ganondorf, frowned as Dajra, repeated what he had called Autum. He was still helping Dajra get around. What more he figured that Autum and her group would be able to help with Dajra's injuries.
Navi covered her mouth trying not to laugh at the comment. She looked at Celtic who was chuckling under his breath. At least he would get in trouble first before herself. She looked at Autum who clearly was taking it much better than expected.
Autum slowly got to her feet as she looked at him. The Gorons were much more sight than she realized. They were a very large race and clearly toned as well. She could tell from his scars as well as his new injuries he had been through alot. Then there were bolts that were still in his arms, she knew what skills she had, she couldn't remove them. That would be something for Eznik, hopefully he got her message.
"I would be said bitch." Autum announced herself as she walked up to him. Her guess this was the leader of the group. Looking back at Celtic. "Go back to where the horses are, grab them and bring them back. Snag our supplies off of them." Autum barked at Celtic. She had watched him laughing at the comment.
Looking back at the two. "I am Autum, I am in charge of this little outsider group." She explained to him. "We will help do what we can for your pain and some of the others injuries before we head out."
Celtic got to his feet "Course.." He muttered as he looked at Link. "What to help me wrangle the horses?" He questioned Link who nodded. At least he wouldn't be stuck doing this alone. He didn't really know a lot about the animals and didn't want to risk riling them up.
Celtic headed towards Autum and Dajra. "I would be the husband of the bitch, Celtic." Celtic decided just to go with it. He already was in the dog house so should have some fun on the way in. He smiled and glanced at Autum who was giving him a death glare.
Link stopped in his tracks from Celtic's announcement. He was trying to keep himself from laughing. He barely kept himself from laughing from Dajra. He could tell by Autum's expression she was not happy with him at all.
"I must be off.." Celtic chuckled, he winced as Autum grabbed his wrist and she smirked at him. "I'm sure the bitch's husband can handle himself alone. So you can run off without Link."
Celtic smiled at her. "Welp I'm sure I can" He muttered as he walked past Dajra. He just hoped he could handle the horses himself. Though the smirk she had given him it was clear she enjoyed it, but her mind was on the task at hand. Winning this war.
Dajra chuckled at Celtic's comment. He watched him leave. It was clear he was pushing his wife's buttons. He looked at Autum, she seemed she was a fragile species. He slowly held out his hand when she went to shake his hand. He grabbed her, pulling her into a hug. "I am grateful for what you have done for my people!" he roared out.
Autum gritted her teeth as he hugged her tightly, not what she was expecting. She stood not sure how to even react. Once he had let go of her she stood a couple steps back to stay out of his range. She wasn't one for people invading her personal space like that.
Link laughed a bit seeing Autum clearly out of her element. It seemed Dajra didn't lose his spirit in all this time. What more for whatever the hell he had gone through. He smiled as he was trying to convince himself that it still was the best course to leave Hyrule when he did.
Ganondorf chuckled a little seeing that it had flustered Autum. It seemed there were some things to get under her skin, even with that cold hearted exterior. He looked to Dajra. "Come on, let's get you a seat." He suggested as he started to guide him over to a seat.
"Sit over there." Autum pointed to a table that was near a wall in the back. "Come on Link help me move it a bit closer to the wall." She ordered as she headed to the table. Celtic would be fine without knowing the plan. What more having more people looking at it, might get more information.
Link followed her. He wasn't sure what she was up to, but knew not to question it. Helping her move one of the large tables closer to one of the walls. He looked at Autum as she pointed up to some of the lights.
"Impa, can you or anyone else here turn off some of these lights over here?" Autum yelled out. She stepped back looking at the table and the wall. Looking to Ganondorf who helped Dajra sit down. She walked up holding out her hand. "Phone."
Ganondorf frowned, she was very blunt. Pulling out the phone he held it to her. Watching her take it and start to mess with it. "Sit.. unless you want to stand.." Autum explained as she set the phone on the edge of the table with part of facing the wall.
Looking at Link who sat down, Ganondorf sighed and walked next to Dajra and sat down. He doubt she would pull anything else stupid right? He looked up to the lights as some of them went off. He looked over at Impa who joined them at the table and then to Navi who landed on his shoulder. She thought since Celtic wasn't here she could get away with flying.
Impa looked at the wall as Autum projected the map that Ganondorf and the others had made. She had taken a picture of it. Autum walked up next to it looking at it. "We are going to go over the next steps. As well as give you as much information as I have on the bastards who have taken over Hyrule." Autum explained as she looked back to the group. Looking to some of the other guards who were in the room were gathering around the table.
Autum explained the plan as far as she had planned. Which was getting to the Rito, before they executed the person running the place, taking over the weapon factory. Impa would have to decide if she believes she could take it over or just have to blow the place up. The weapons would benefit the resistance, but if there were too many casualties trying to take it, it would not be worth it. Autum decided to leave it in Impa's hands to make the call.
They would also coordinate for all of them to turn off the anti-magic barriers. As the weapons facility had one as well. Meaning they would get to turn off three of them at once.
Then continue to explain that they would need to try to meet up with Zelda and get some of the weapons to the base. As for her group would continue to the next place. She explained they would all have communication though limited. As long as Impa kept that phone she would be able to call or message the group.
After the discussion of the plans Autum and Celtic took the medical supplies to help who they could. Autum was going to take the night to talk with Impa on plans for the weapons factory. Also help gather guards and gorons who would be ready to fight. Leaving Link and Navi to their own vices. Link had found a balcony and sat on the ledge with his feet dangling off. He looked out to the small city as he watched the Gorons clearly celebrating outside for getting their home back.
"What did you and Autum talk about?" Navi spoke up as she sat on his shoulder. She looked out to the view. She watched him, it was clear he was in deep thought. She wanted to talk, to keep her mind off of her own issues.
"I told her I didn't like how she was running all of this." Link spoke up. "I thought she was going to toss back one of her ass comments, but.. She just asked me a question. I guess I was just trying to wrap my head around what she asked." He trailed off. He was grateful for the time to just sit and spend with Navi. It would give him time to clear his head.
"What did she ask you?" Navi flew up in front of him. Watching him look at his hands. "Was it really that bad?"
Shaking his head "No. just I guess makes more questions." Link trailed off. "She posed the question of what was the difference between killing Rider than Ganondorf. I mean here Ganondorf isn't even evil." Link let out a sigh of frustration.
Navi's ears went down. She was trying even to get words to say. Not a question she even expected. Looking at her hands. "The goddess tells you who is evil. As for Autum she just picks who she believes deserves justice." She looked at him. "So you are guided by a higher being not just taking it into your own hands. She is acting as judge and jury, serving justice how she sees fit."
Link studied her trying to pull together what Navi said. "But here the goddesses didn't say anything. Does that mean that they are ok with Autum's justice? I mean I thought I was coming here to slay Ganondorf to find he is betrothed to the queen."
Navi tapped her fingers together as she spoke. "I don't know Link." She looked into his blue eyes. "Just, are you ok with her justice? Are you going to follow in her footsteps if you have to?"
Looking out to the city. He didn't have the answers for her. He shook his head. "I don't know what to tell you Navi. I am at a loss for all of this. I guess that worries me, part of me feels that Rider got the justice he deserved. I mean look." He pointed out to the city. "This place was once filled with Gorons, now there is only a handful left thanks to these people. They clearly were used for his own amusement from their scars. Who knows how else Hyrule has been affected by the death these people bring here."
"It scares me." Link spoke as he looked at her. "I am the hero, yet I am letting Autum take justice into her own hands. I am ok with it. What type of hero just throws away his responsibility." He buried his face in his hands. When everything seemed to be going right, Hyrule came back up. Since he got here everything seemed to be making everything so complex.
Navi watched was trying to get the words to aid her friend. She thought about her life that she had before she had met him. She flew up and slowly took one of his finger's pulling on it. "Link."
Navi smiled at him as he moved his hands. "Link, heroes don't always hold a sword. Maybe this life you have a different role as a hero. I mean you lived in another universe for a couple years. You had different adventures than any other hero before you. Now you are the hero that has rallied Hyrule to get back on its feet to defeat the evil that has plagued it. You are here to guide them, you are still a hero Link. Just maybe not the same as why you thought you were going to be."
Link smiled weakly to her. Maybe she was right. He was putting too much on his own shoulders. His life was much different than any other hero. "Thanks Navi." He patted her on the head and looked out to the city. Autum gave him the same talk a couple years back. It seemed those words were true. He wasn't going to be a hero fighting with his sword this life. He knew tomorrow they would head towards the Rito city. He prayed he was prepared for whatever had happened there.
Navi sat down on his leg looking out to the city. Her body trembled some from the pain. It felt since she got near the city she had felt worse. She didn't want to worry Link with her issue, it was clear he was trying to pick himself up.