A/N: Don't worry, this one is only partial Lipha brain rot.
"And break!" Daruk called.
Mipha gasped as she collapsed. Fighting to remain on her knees at the very least. Even years of training with Seggin hadn't prepared her for one session with the Goron Champion. Now, black spots appeared in her vision, her lungs were crying out, and her arms and legs felt like jelly.
Her eardrums throbbed with the sound of Daruk's laughter. "Gotta say, little sister, ya got a lotta heart. I'm not sure my brothers back home woulda put in half the effort ya did."
"Thank… you," Mipha managed to pant out. The burning of her lungs didn't exactly allow her to appreciate the compliment fully; however, she knew he meant well. Besides, training with her mentor had taught her that a compliment not fully appreciated at the moment could be relished in later.
Daruk plopped down next to her, causing the ground to jump beneath her. A moment later, a breeze rushed past her, mercifully cooling down her overheated scales. Looking to the side, she saw that her trainer for the day was using his Boulder Breaker to fan her. "I'm proud ta call ya a fellow Champion."
Taking a few deep breaths, Mipha finally regained control of her breathing. "I can say the same," she croaked. Good grief, she was glad that Link had been unable to join them. Daruk, eager to spend more time with the appointed knight, had invited him to train with them. At first, Mipha had found the idea enticing. Now, she was thankful that he had gotten tied up in other matters.
She looked up, finding the Goron Champion studying her intently. "Why did ya want to train with me?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I've trained with a lotta warriors in my day. Very few of 'em lasted past tha first hour." The Goron Champion hummed quietly. "Ya said you wanted ta be strong enough to stand by someone's side. Link?"
Mipha felt her heart flop around like a fish out of water for a moment but only for a moment. Her new friend was watching her with such a sincere and compassionate gleam in his eyes that she highly doubted she would have to explain that part of herself. "Y-yes." She was silent for a moment as she summed up her thoughts. She had been hoping to discuss this with her father but she knew, based on the last letter she had received from him, that he was still trying to accept her title as Champion. While her father was wonderfully supportive and understanding, Mipha abhorred the thought of using that to assuage her own feelings. "There is more to it than that though."
Daruk waited patiently, his dark blue eyes inviting her to continue.
"Not long ago, my home was attacked by a Lynel and my baby brother…" Though it had been over and done for quite some time, the Zora Champion still struggled with the event. At least the nightmares had left her a while ago. "... He tried to fight the Lynel off on his own." She shuddered as she remembered the sight of Sidon holding a spear several times his size, small legs shaking as the monster bore down on him. "Had it not been for Link, I'm not sure what would have happened."
The Goron Champion wore a thoughtful frown as he folded his arms.
"After that, I started to wonder how I could ever hope to lead my people or protect my family if I was not even strong enough to defend against a Lynel."
"... I think yer plenty strong as is."
Mipha's eyes widened as she looked up at him.
He must have understood her confusion as he continued. "Havin' muscle is important but that only makes ya so strong." He took a hand and patted it on his chest. "This is where real strength is. And, I think ya've proven that yer plenty strong where it counts."
Mipha took a moment, trying to process what Daruk was trying to tell her. Of course, she knew that physical strength had its limits but wasn't that where she was lacking? Wouldn't she be able to help them more if she were just a little stronger?
"I know ya want to be able ta stand next ta tha Little Guy, and protect yer family but don't think yer muscle is all ya've got ta give. Ya have those healin' powers and ya've helped us all settle in. Even Link and Revali are more at ease around ya." Daruk grinned as he set a hand on her back. "I'm not sayin' ta skip out on your trainin', but I don't want ya forgettin' what your real strengths are."
Her real strengths? She wasn't entirely sure she agreed with the Goron Champion but she was willing to admit he had a point. Seggin, unwilling to indulge in idle flattery, had praised her spear work extensively. She had also noticed that, when it came to physical power, she was no small fry. Her physical prowess didn't compare to Link's and Daruk was in a league all his own but she had noticed that she was stronger and more skilled than the average foot soldier.
Maybe he was right.
"Thank you, Daruk."
"Anytime, little sister." A wide grin split his face. "Now, when can we do this again?"
Mipha favored him with a weak smile. "Perhaps we should wait a day or two."
Daruk leaned back, his laughter booming through the training grounds. "See?! Plenty strong! And don't worry, this time, I'll get the Little Guy here too. Extra motivation," he finished with a wink.
"Oh…" Mipha resigned herself to whatever plan Daruk had in mind. She had a feeling she wouldn't be able to stop him anyway.
