Chapter 11

"You can't be serious."

"I am."

"Okay. Let me get this straight: you bought an elixir from a shady merchant, named Beedle for the love of Farore, and now you want to use that elixir so that you can travel to Zora's Domain?"

"That's pretty much it," Daruk replied confidently.

"Oh, for the love of- this is something that I would expect from Link, not you!"

"Calm down Revali."

"I am calm- " Revali snapped as he brought a winged hand up to his face, "but this has to be the worst idea I've heard yet."

"Glad I keep my mouth shut more often then," Daruk muttered dryly.

"I can't believe you- "

"Look," Daruk interrupted patiently, "I am just as worried about them as you are- "

"I told you I'm not worried!"

"And you're a poor liar. I told Urbosa that we would wait here for them unless an opportunity presented itself. Well, an opportunity presented itself."

"An opportunity? There is no way that elixir is safe. More than likely it will just- " Daruk listened without interrupting as the Rito continued his rant. The Goron champion found it almost humorous that even though Revali claimed to not care about him or the others, most of his arguments revolved around a variety of possible things that could happen to the Goron. "- has it even occurred to you, anywhere in that rock-filled brain of yours, that it may not even protect you. It may just prevent you from feeling ill."

"Yeah, it occurred to me but it's a risk I'm willin' to take."

"Dinsake," Revali groaned. "Fine! We'll go and put this extraordinarily ill thought out plan of yours in action. When you collapse, don't expect me to carry you out of there," he finished as he threw up his wings.

"We'll be fine."

"Whatever."

The two continued along the trail in silence, leaving each to their own thoughts. Daruk had decided that they would have to take the longer route, rather than the shortcut straight through the Wetlands. It was too risky to travel around so many lakes and ponds. As Revali liked to point out, he would sink like the giant rock he was.

He looked over to Revali every so often. The Rito Champion was looking everywhere but at Daruk. If the Goron didn't know any better, he would have said that Revali had something weighing down on him.

"Is this really what we should be doing?" Revali asked, finally breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?"

"Shouldn't we have faith that they can handle this themselves?"

"I do have faith in them. That's why we let them go on ahead without us."

"Then why are we going now?"

"Just because I have faith in them doesn't mean I wouldn't rather be there if I can."

"So, you're going to risk your well being for them?" Daruk frowned at something he heard in the Rito's voice. He couldn't quite put his finger on what the quality was. "What?"

"Nothin'. You're just acting funny again."

"I'm not. I just don't understand why you care about them so much," the Rito replied dismissively.

"Sure ya do. You've already done the same for us."

"What?"

"You've stood beside us even when you don't like the decisions we make. You helped Link get into the Crynosis shrine after he got shot in the leg, and even though you won't admit it, I know you're concerned about the others. Far as I'm concerned, you're a brother," Daruk finished as he slapped Revali on the back.

"Hmph!" Revali looked away again as he crossed his wings. "We aren't brothers."

"If ya say so," Daruk replied with a grin.

"What in Din's name would make you- Let's just move!"

"Huh?"

"Well if you're so determined to be useful, then shouldn't we pick up the pace? At the rate we're moving, they'll be dead of natural causes before we get there."

"Alright, alright." Daruk scratched his head. It seemed like every time the Rito was about to open up, he would clam back up tighter than before. Ever since their last conversation about Revali's inner thoughts, he had been in a foul mood. Maybe what he needed was a friendly competition to cheer him up. "Hey, I've got an idea."

"I think you've had enough of those for one day."

"What about a race?" Daruk asked, ignoring his companion's comment.

"A what?" the Rito scoffed.

"A race to Zora's Domain."

"Supposing I go along with this ridiculous idea of yours- " Revali sighed as he rubbed his eyes, "- what, exactly, would be the point?"

"Braggin rights," Daruk grinned as he pumped a fist into the air.

"…fine."

"Knew you'd see it my- "

"But, don't whine about how unfair it was when I grind you into the dirt," Revali said with a smirk.

"You're on!" Daruk started his charge up the path before Revali even had a chance to ready himself. It was fair though. The Rito could fly after all.

"Shock arrows?" Link asked with a slight frown. He only had a couple of the electrically augmented projectiles. It wasn't that they hadn't picked up plenty along the way but that he had given nearly all of them to Revali.

"Yes. We don't keep a supply of them within the Domain for obvious reasons. Muzu may know where we can find some," Sidon replied with a frown of his own. The Prince had been rather quiet since their meeting with Dorephan had concluded. He had also grown uneasy after Link had replaced the Zora armor with his Knight's tunic. It wasn't that Link disliked it but whatever it signified was causing strife. He had decided that he would only don it again when it was time to fight the Divine Beast.

Link nodded and set his shoulders back. It had been nice to catch up with his friends in the Bazz Brigade. He was shocked to learn that Bazz had, against all odds, become captain of the Zora Knights. He had laughed with the others as Rivan shared some of the struggles of fatherhood. Gaddison had asked after Owen. He and the purple Zora shared a brief moment of mourning made worse by the fact that neither knew what had befallen the Knight. Even so, the mood had passed quickly, and soon they were all back to laughing about their escapades as children. As fun as it had been to reunite with his friends, it was time to focus on the task at hand.

"Perhaps I should do the talking."

"Maybe…"

"Hmm?"

"I should apologize."

"Link… you know that you have done nothing wrong, right?"

Link shrugged. He had somehow upset Muzu and wanted to do his part to make it right, even if it was just so he could be at peace with himself.

Sidon nodded and wordlessly led him towards the center of the Domain.

"He can often be found at the foot of Mipha's statue," Sidon murmured as the effigy of the Zora Champion came into view. In front of the statue stood a lone figure.

"Mipha? What are you doing here?"

"Ahh… well, I came here to speak with Muzu about… that is to say I- "

"Did he wave you off?" Sidon asked quickly.

"Not exactly, no. It was almost like he was unable to see me," she replied sadly. "So, I stayed here to think and…" she trailed off as she stared up at her own image. "Why was this made?"

"To honor the memory of our beloved Princess."

"But I don't deserve- "

"Of course you do! There is a reason we were all so distraught when we had heard that you would not be coming home."

"Sidon…"

"I'm right, am I not, Link?"

Link nodded with a small smile. Mipha returned it with a pained smile of her own as she finally looked at him. He watched her smile falter slightly as she took note of his outfit.

"See? You are indeed beloved!" Sidon cried as he threw his arms out.

"Maybe," she mumbled.

"Sister… you wouldn't happen to know where Muzu has gone, have you?"

"He said something about needing to talk to someone named Laflat."

"Laflat? What could he need from her? No matter," Sidon said as he shook himself, "we can worry about that later. Will you join us, Mipha?"

"No, thank you. I think I will stay here a while longer."

Both Sidon and Link stared at her. The Princess stared at the statue above her with the most conflicted gaze that either had ever seen on her face.

"As you wish." Sidon turned away slowly and made his way back to the upper levels of the Domain as Link stood, looking at Mipha a moment longer. He followed after Sidon when he realized that he wouldn't be able to decipher what was bothering her.

Link watched his childhood friend and guide as they walked along the rainy walkways. He remembered Sidon being an open book but now the only thing that hinted at the Prince's inner thoughts was the frown he wore.

"You okay?"

"I… I hadn't expected this to be as hard for everyone as it has been," the Prince muttered.

"I'm sorry."

"Huh? For what? If anything, I should be apologizing to you. A host should not share their troubles with a guest."

"You're not my host," Link murmured, " you're my friend." Sidon's eyes widened at that.

"Thank you!"

Link nodded enthusiastically. Sidon had always had a way of passing his optimism to those around him. It was one of his finest qualities.

"I'm sorry that I cannot remember much of you. I suppose that we will just have to make new memories! But first, we need to take care of our home."

Link struggled to keep up as Sidon's gait increased with his focus on the task at hand.

"Ah! There they are." Link saw the Elder with his hands held behind his back. He was accompanied by a female Zora who held a blue object in her hands. Muzu's eyes narrowed as he took in Link's attire but thankfully, he chose not to comment on it.

"Prince Sidon, how many times must I tell you not to run through the streets?"

"I am sorry Muzu, but we need your help."

"Well at least that blasted animal is no longer following you around," Muzu griped. "What do you require my help with?"

"Link and my sister are in need of shock arrows. I was hoping you would know where to find some."

"Shock arrows? Those will be nowhere near Lady Mipha or Prince Sidon, correct?" the Elder asked Link stiffly.

Link nodded curtly.

"Very well, then I shall tell you where you may find them, but first there is something I wish to say to you."

"Muzu- "

"Quiet," the Elder interrupted tiredly. "I may not understand what our Princess sees in you, Link, and I may not agree with her decision. However, that does not change the fact that my behavior towards you has been… deplorable. I hope that you will accept my apology."

"… I'm sorry too."

Elder and Hylian had a brief moment of understanding as they met each other's gaze. Muzu sighed before breaking the silence.

"Seeing as these matters are out of my hands, I can only choose how I respond," he muttered resignedly. "I have had our secretary, Laflat, search through our storerooms for these," he continued as he motioned for the young Zora woman to step forward. She did so quickly and handed Link a pair of leggings.

"My grandfather used to make these for the Hylians that visited us. They'll help you to swim like a Zora," Laflat said quietly as she handed over a blue pair of leggings.

Link held up the greaves and inspected them. They had been made of the same material as the Zora armor.

"Thank you."

"There is one more thing," Muzu said as he removed his hands from behind his back. He held up an armored headpiece. "This was created to commemorate your victory over a Lynel that threatened the Domain before the Great Calamity. Are you prepared to prove to me that you are worthy of it?"

Link nodded.

"Then I will entrust it to you in good faith. Do not disappoint me." Muzu handed the helm to Link. "You will find the arrows you need with another Lynel that has made its home on Ploymus Mountain."

"Right! He is a beast, that one," Sidon muttered.

"Indeed, but you have killed one before or so I am told. May I suggest you seek the Lady Urbosa's aid. I am certain that she has nothing better to do with her time."

"He said what?" Urbosa asked incredulously as she and Link hiked up to Ploymus Mountain.

"Apparently, he thinks you have nothing better to do," Link muttered as he sidled up to the side of the mountain to pass a particularly thin stretch of the path.

She growled under her breath. The Elder, in the two days she had known him, had managed to work his way under her skin more than Revali ever had.

"Do you suppose he was dropped on his head as a child?"

Link shot her a frown as he continued.

"What? The only way he could have a head that flat is if he was dropped from a high place as a child."

"Why is Midna scared of you?"

Urbosa frowned as her thoughts turned to the wolf. Midna had chosen to stay behind with her when Prince Sidon had led Link away. She had stayed by the woman's side as she had snapped time and time again, trying to remember the power she had once wielded. After far too much time, Urbosa had finally summoned lightning, which had nearly frightened the poor beast to death. After that, Midna had followed the Gerudo Champion from a distance and no amount of coddling had been able to convince the wolf that she wasn't going to hurt her. She ordinarily enjoyed pranks and poking fun at others but her intent was never to terrorize her companions.

"I accidentally scared her earlier. It might be awhile before she trusts me again."

"She's with Mipha. I'm sure she'll feel better by the time we get back."

"I suppose she does have a calming presence," Urbosa mused. She considered prodding the Hylian about his relationship with the Zora Princess but quickly pushed the inclination away. After what she had witnessed in the throne room, she was certain that Mipha's gift had been a traditional method of courting. She had also seen the stress that Mipha was trying to hide when the Zora had seen Link out of the armor.

The Gerudo shook her head. Now wasn't the time to worry about such things. Right now she needed to prepare herself for the fight with the Lynel.

"How many arrows do we need?"

"Muzu suggested twenty."

"Why do I have the impression that you intend to do more than just collect the arrows?" She sighed as Link said nothing in reply. "Can I at least trust that you have an actual plan this time?"

"Yes."

"Alright. I'm going to hang back this time."

"Are you sure?"

"I have a new trick up my sleeve but using it is exhausting." She had nearly passed out the first time she used her power. Thankfully, Purah had been prepared and handed her a stamina elixir. The sheikah scientist had, in her childish wisdom, given Urbosa a small supply of the potion in case she needed to use it again.

Link nodded and said nothing more.

As they came up to the crest of the mountain the two heard the sound of hooves clopping along the ground. Both crouched low and edged behind a boulder. Urbosa listened carefully as the sound of hooves passed them by. She leaned out carefully to see the massive body of a horse stamping away from her. Where the neck should have been was the torso of a man. Strapped to its back was a sword and bow larger than she.

She pulled back quickly as the monster looked over its shoulder.

"What's the plan?" she hissed.

Link held up a bomb.

"And when that doesn't work?"

Link pointed to the hilt of his sword.

"So much for having a plan," she muttered dryly.

Link grinned slightly as he strode out from behind the rock. She shook her head as he whistled for the Lynel's attention. The monster, signaling its rage with an earth-shaking roar, charged at the young Hylian. Link rolled the bomb towards it and waited until the beast's legs were on either side. The ensuing detonation tore the monster's legs to shreds as the Lynel screamed in pain and fell to the ground. The beast writhed around, attempting to reach for one of the weapons that was strapped to its back.

Urbosa remained tense as Link dashed forward with his sword drawn and plunged it deep into the Lynel's chest. The Hylian heaved at the blade but it refused to be removed. To Urbosa's horror, the monster recovered quickly and swung its massive fist. Even though it lay in a heap on the ground with a sword in its chest, the Lynel mustered the strength to knock the Hylian flying mid-dive. Link hit the ground with an audible thud. His chest heaved as he tried to get air into his lungs.

"Link!" She dashed over to her comrade quickly as the Lynel ripped the sword from its body and attempted to get to its feet. She dragged the winded Hylian behind cover as their opponent settled for drawing its bow, remaining in a kneeling position. She thanked the Goddess for the multitude of stones the dotted the summit that could be used as a shield from the beast.

She reached into Link's pouch, searching for a bottle as the Hylian gasped for air. She pulled one out, but cursed as the one she pulled out was empty. She attempted to reach back in but Link beat her to it. He fumbled for a moment but then he pulled out another bottle, this time filled with a deep red potion. Urbosa held his head up as he downed the contents of the bottle.

Link was able to stand on his own. He was slightly hunched over but his erratic breathing had been replaced by a light panting. The relief was short lived as bright yellow lights filled her periphery. She and Link pressed themselves against the rock as shock arrows landed all around them

"If I can make you an opening, do you think you can kill it?"

Link nodded.

"Get ready," she muttered as another volley of shock arrows landed dangerously close. The Gerudo Champion focused on the Lynel's position and readied her fingers. She felt power building within her, more than the first few times she had called lightning. She snapped her fingers together and not a second later a bright flash illuminated their surroundings and a deafening crack ripped through the air around them. Urbosa collapsed onto the rock she had been hiding behind as a wave of exhaustion rolled over her. She clung to her support as Link leapt out of hiding and charged the monster once again, pulling a weapon out of his satchel as he did so. She reached down to her waist and removed one of the stamina potions that Purah had given her.

She stumbled out into the open as Link removed a spear from the convulsing Lynel's neck. The creature fell to the ground, no longer able to lash out as the remnants of Urbosa's lightning coursed through it, leaving it a spasming mess on the ground. Link watched it for a second as a frown painted his face. He took the spear and drove it home one last time. Satisfied that the beast was dead he took in their surroundings with a troubled expression.

"I think we need to talk about your definition of planning," Urbosa panted.

Link ignored her as he strode over to a lone boulder and began pushing it towards the dead Lynel.

"What are you doing?"

"I have a plan," Link grinned as he strained.

"Mipha's going to kill us both."

"Why exactly did you launch the Lynel off Shatterback Point?" Sidon asked as Mipha finished healing the few bruises and scratches Urbosa had received. Shatterback Point was the infamous ledge that extended from the peak of Ploymus Mountain over the Eastern Reservoir. Sidon and Mipha had been waiting for Link and Urbosa on the edge of the lake when they had seen a large object hurtling towards the water below Shatterback Point.

"I wanted to see if Shatterback was an appropriate name. It's a very apt description."

"It was going to come back during the next blood moon," Link clarified.

"Ah. I suppose it will not be a threat at the bottom of the lake."

Mipha's mind drifted away from the rest of the conversation as she moved onto Link. The Hylian sat on the ground, petting Midna as he waited for the Zora Princess to heal him. This reminded her of the last time a Lynel had made the mountaintop its home. She had followed Link when he had gone to battle the monster. She remembered being amazed by his skill and strength, so much so that the initial fear she felt was forgotten. Never had she expected to see a lone Hylian do what a squad of skilled knights could barely accomplish.

Seeing Link injured, even if not mortally, caused anxiety to rear its ugly head. Even if he wasn't lacking in skill, his strength was nowhere near what it used to be. The Zora Princess feared that they were unprepared for what they would find within Ruta but there was no time.

She silently mourned as her thoughts drifted to another memory. It had been atop Ruta's long nose where she had vowed that she would protect him, no matter where or how severe the injury. She had intended to propose that night but again her doubts about timing had assailed her. She had regretted that. She didn't want to admit it but she had long been jealous of Princess Zelda. Link's duties as her appointed knight meant that he had been spending a great deal of time with her. Mipha, though she loathed to admit it, was worried that the Hylian Princess would win the stoic swordsman.

Though she had been certain that her decision to wait once again was right at the time, she now questioned it. Maybe, if she had been able to work up the courage, things wouldn't have gone so terribly wrong. Her proposal, if she could even call it that, had already created rifts between her and those she considered family. A part of her dreaded that it would create even more in the future.

"You okay?" Link asked quietly as her hands moved over his fractured ribs.

"Yes. I was just thinking about the past. So much has changed in the time we have been gone."

"Yeah."

"Do you think… do you think that things will ever be able to go back to the way they were."

"I don't think so," Link murmured.

"I see…"

"Sorry."

"No, no. I just wish that things could be different."

"If wishes were fishes," Link started.

"Then we would have a school," Mipha finished. "I suppose it will do no good to focus on things that can't be."

"But it won't hurt to think about it a little."

"I suppose," she lamented. "We should make a plan now." She finally turned her attention to the massive machine that floated in the center of the reservoir. The Zora Princess had been trying desperately to avoid the machine but she couldn't any longer. Ruta floated motionless as miniature waterfalls spouted from above each of its four joints. The long nose that she had once found so adorable curved towards the sky, pouring an endless supply of water into the air.

"The four orbs above its shoulders operate through the use of electricity. We will have to get you close so that you can swim up the waterfalls and shoot from a better vantage point."

"I will be helping as well," Sidon added as he joined them.

"Absolutely not," Mipha replied.

"Yes, I will."

"It is far too dangerous, Sidon."

"I suppose that now wouldn't be a good time to bring up the giant Octorok, would it?" Urbosa asked with a small grin on her face.

"How do you know about that?" Sidon asked nervously.

"Link and I found some stone monuments on our way here. One of them told us the most riveting tale of your battle with a giant Octorok."

"You did what?"

"It was just an Octorok. Nothing to be worried about."

"Is that what you were thinking after it swallowed you?"

"It did what!?

"Now, before you get upset-"

"It's a bit late for that," Urbosa chuckled.

"- you should know that it was threatening a Hylian village and I couldn't- "

"Did father allow this?"

"Not exactly…"

"Sidon, you cannot simply go and- "

"Let him come," Link interrupted quietly.

"What?"

"He has as much right to defend this place as we do. Besides, we'll need his help."

"But- "

"We both know that Ganon isn't going to let us waltz in. We're going to have to fight every step of the way including just to get aboard and I can't swim as well as a Zora."

"I can get him in close so that he can make it to the top of a waterfall unhindered. After we've disabled Ruta, I will go back to the Domain without complaint. Just please let me help you get that far."

"...very well, but you must promise me that you will be careful."

"I will."

Mipha closed her eyes. This was all becoming a little too much for her. Ruta was suffering, her proposal had not gone at all as she had hoped and was likely misunderstood, and now two of the most important people in her life were putting themselves at risk because she couldn't handle the Divine Beast on her own.

"Now isn't the time to doubt yourself," Urbosa whispered to her softly. Mipha looked around to find the Gerudo Champion walking away. "I'll be leaving this to the three of you."

"Forgive me for saying this, but you do not strike me as someone who sits back while her friends are in danger."

"Oh don't worry about me, Prince Sidon. I think you and I will be plenty busy while these two handle Vah Ruta."

"Huh? Oh, right! I will need to visit Purah before I meet with you again."

"Well, just remember one thing: it's rude to keep a lady waiting."

"Ah… yes. I will keep that in mind," Sidon replied uncertainly.

Urbosa gave the Prince an approving smile before she sauntered off. Mipha smiled slightly as Midna's gaze switched between the Gerudo's back and the lake. The wolf reluctantly chose to follow Urbosa.

"Alright!" Sidon chimed as he dove into the water. He surfaced and grinned at Link. "Climb aboard." Link hopped on the Zora's back with a chuckle.

Mipha smiled as she dove in after them. It was nice to see that they still got along so well, even all these years later.

"Link, Sidon, please don't overextend yourselves," she called as they swam towards Ruta.

"Don't worry sister, I'm unstoppable in the water!"

Mipha smiled ruefully as she readied her trident. She chanced a quick glance towards Ruta. Her lips tightened as she saw two massive blocks of ice forming in front of Ruta. As quickly as they formed, they shot away from the Divine Beast, one towards her and one towards Link and Sidon. Thankfully, the slate had a function that could handle ice.

Neither Zora changed course as they continued zipping towards the Divine Beast. The first block to shatter into harmless pieces was hers. Link's was not far behind. Sidon rushed forward, leaping into the air and launching Link towards the first of the four waterfalls.

She paused, watching carefully as the Hylian ascended the waterfall, rocketing high into the air. She was reminded of Revali as Link swiftly nocked an arrow and shot one of the orbs far above. It wasn't quite as graceful as the Rito but she doubted there were many that could replicate the feat.

Sidon was waiting for him as he fell back into the water, whisking Link away from the Divine Beast as it launched a new volley of ice attacks. Mipha swam beside them, relying on the disturbances in the water to warn her of impending attacks. She exchanged a glance with Link, who nodded to her. He twisted himself around and aimed the slate at the projectiles following her.

She dove down beneath the surface, curving back, leaping over a projectile chasing Sidon. She spun, using the momentum from her spin to knock away the offending object with the Lightscale Trident. Mipha was forced to reorient herself as Sidon darted towards the Divine Beast once again. She caught up to him, finishing off the last of Ruta's attack in the process.

Mipha and Sidon were forced to retreat as Ruta completely surrounded itself with even more ice projectiles. Mipha barely had the time to send a panicked glance at where Link should have been. What she saw horrified her. The Divine Beast had encased itself in a wall of ice, cutting off all access to it, except from the air. To make matters even worse, Link was nowhere to be seen.

"We have to help Link!" she cried to Sidon as they dodged attacks from every direction.

"Have some faith! I'm certain that he can handle it!" Sidon shouted back.

"But-"

"I know you're worried- " Sidon interrupted as he strafed to avoid a block that nearly struck him in the back "-but there's nothing we can do right now!"

Mipha knew he was right. She did her best to avoid thinking about the worst scenario and instead focused on evading Ruta's onslaught. She eventually gave up trying to destroy the projectiles. There were just too many, and it seemed that Ruta would simply generate another to replace what she had destroyed.

Mipha leaped out of the water to avoid a low sweeping ball of ice, only to be confronted by another block heading straight for her. There was no way she could twist to avoid it. She closed her eyes and braced herself as best she could. The only thing she felt was her body slapping against the water. She opened her eyes to find that all of the ice that Ruta had created was gone.

The Divine Beast seemed to have powered down, its once vibrant highlights giving off only a dull red glow as Link floated down towards a platform that had extended from it. Mipha rushed to his side with Sidon not far behind.

The Hylian was favoring his left leg as Mipha joined him on the platform.

"What happened?" she asked worriedly as she extended her hand to his leg.

"I got hit on my way up the second waterfall," Link muttered with a grimace as Mipha's healing powers repaired the damage.

"Truly incredible!" Sidon cried from the water. "I don't think anyone could manage to swim up two waterfalls with an injury like that," he replied when Link sent him an inquiring look.

"One," he said quietly.

"What?"

"I only swam up one."

"You managed to shoot two arrows from that height? That is truly amazing!"

Mipha smiled as she listened to the Zora Prince sing the Hylian's praises. It was nice to know that even though he had grown into a fine young man, at heart he was the same excitable Zora he had been as a child.

"Link… take care of my sister."

"I will," Link replied, meeting Sidon's gaze with a determined stare.

"Good. I leave the rest in your hands." With his parting words said, the Prince turned away and swam back towards the Domain.

The platform that she and Link stood on raised itself back up to the Divine Beast. The two companions looked at each other, exchanging a nod before they stepped into Ruta's interior. Mipha could barely hold back the foreboding that gnawed at her insides.

"Are you sure about this?" Purah asked as she craned her neck back to look at the Zora Prince before her.

"I am," he replied firmly.

She frowned uneasily. Even if the armor worked, there would still likely be consequences for aiding the Prince in his plan to aid Urbosa.

"I'm not sure about this…" she trailed off as the Prince gave her a pleading look. "Why are you so dead set on doing this?"

"I made someone a promise and I intend to keep it."

"A promise?"

"I promised my sister that I would defend our home. I do not intend for that to be an empty promise."

Purah mulled the Prince's response over. It was too late for them alter the armor's sizing as somehow the Prince's measurements had been the ones used rather than Seggin's. It was a massive oversight that neither Symin or Dento had noticed during the armor's construction, an issue she intended to bring up with both of them.

"Very well, but you understand that Mipha's going to freak out when she hears about this?"

"It should not be too bad. She is very kind after all."

"I can remember a few times that would make you rethink that."

"Like what?"

"One time Link and I were running an experiment on a Guardian and- " she cut herself off quickly. Now that she thought about it, that story was absolutely mortifying. She hated being lectured like that, especially when it was in front of a crowd.

"What happened?"

"Nothing!" she snapped with more force than she intended. "Come here," she said brusquely as she led Sidon back into Dento's workshop. She was surprised to see Muzu bent over Dento's worktable as the Zora artisan worked. It was even more peculiar as it appeared that Dento was working on Mipha's trident.

Purah led Sidon to the back of the workshop, where a large set of metal armor rested on a counter. Embedded throughout the armor were pieces of highly refined topaz that reflected the dull glow of the workshop.

"It's made of metal," Sidon remarked with no small amount of confusion. "I thought metal conducts electricity."

"Yep. That's why we made the armor out of metal."

"But how does that keep me safe from shock weapons?"

"For some odd reason, it seems that electricity only travels on the surface of metals. Ordinarily, if you were to lose a piece or be airborne, then the armor wouldn't help. That's why we put the topaz in there. It can absorb the electricity and will hold it until you touch the ground or water."

"I see… well not really. This all goes a little over my head but if you are sure it will work, then I have no reason to doubt it."

"Of course I'm sure. Do you think I would give you something that wouldn't protect you?"

"Thank you!"

"How about you thank me after it saves your life," she replied dryly.

"I will thank you then as well," Sidon responded enthusiastically.

"Come on, let's get you in there so we can make any last minute adjustments. SYMIN! GET YOUR SORRY BUTT OVER HERE AND HELP ME OUT!"

A/N: I'm sad right now. I wanted to work in a part where Sidon admits that he read Mipha's diary and have sibling shenanigans ensue. Unfortunately, it didn't fit into any of the places that I tried to write it into. Maybe later...

On the bright side, I'm at least a significant portion into 12 and guess what I have Urbosa do. Tease Sidon because I am determined to make sure that no one is safe from our favorite Gerudo Champion.

One last thing. I've decided that I should at least try to respond to guest reviews. I'm not really sure it's the best idea but I'll leave it at the end of author's notes that way those of you who don't care don't have to read through it.

With that, I am going to respond to guest reviews.

GSC1: For some stupid reason, I forgot to welcome you back. I'm sorry about that and I think you should know that you have been missed.

Rebiele: I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Hopefully, you won't hate me by the end of this arc.

Guest who commented on Muzu's getting burnt: It's only just beginning.

Guest who asked why Wolf Link isn't a real Wolf Link: Because she isn't? Also because I said so.

I am sorry if you are a guest and I didn't respond. There are too many of you for me to go back to the beginning. I think that's a good thing.