Chapter 17

"Are you sure there isn't anything you can do?" Daruk asked.

"I am sorry, but there is not much I can do right now," Mipha responded as she massaged her hands. "I have no experience with fireproof elixirs, and even if I did, I still wouldn't know what to use for Ritos and Hylians."

"It may not be the worst thing," Urbosa murmured thoughtfully. She knew that Daruk hated the idea of splitting up, but it was looking like there wasn't any other option. They had been warned that the path to Death Mountain was dangerously hot. So much so that everyone but Daruk would fry to death long before they reached their destination. Link was the only one who could join Daruk and that was because the same traveler who had given them the warning had sold Link fireproof elixirs.

"What do you mean?" Daruk questioned as Urbosa took another look at the map.

"Even if we can't all help with the next Divine Beast, that doesn't mean we have to sit around moping. There are still two dragons for us to track down. Two birds, one stone."

"I suppose," Daruk sighed as he began pulling at his beard.

"You three," Urbosa said as she pointed to Link, Mipha, and Revali, "we're getting an early start tomorrow. Make sure that you'll be well stocked on supplies." She motioned for Daruk to follow her away from the others as Link began pulling supplies out the satchel on his hip. "You okay, Big Guy?"

"I just hate splitting up."

"I know that, but you've fought this harder than back before we went to the Domain. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I don't know," Daruk muttered as he sat down. The Goron closed his eyes as he scratched at his beard for a moment. "I guess I'm just worried about what I'll find up there."

"You're nervous about getting your memories back?" Urbosa didn't really understand the fear of it herself. She had devoted serious thought as to whether or not she wanted to remember her past. She had decided that she did, no matter what she would learn.

"I never really thought about getting my memories back, but now… I don't know."

"Why exactly are you worried?"

"Because I don't know what I don't know." Urbosa was surprised by his answer. Daruk, while a fine leader, usually didn't think more than a few steps ahead. The more immediate the situation, the more of his attention it received. It was the same for group matters as it was for his own personal affairs. Sometimes though, his foresight surprised her. "What?" he asked as he frowned at her.

"I suppose I'm just surprised that you've been thinking about this. You normally don't think too far ahead."

"I haven't really needed to," Daruk muttered as he scratched the side of his head. "Thinking ahead was your specialty. I mean, you're good on your feet and all, but you're way better than I am when it comes to the big picture stuff."

Urbosa tapped a finger on her chin thoughtfully as she inspected the disconcerted Goron, thinking how best to approach the issue.

"So, what will you do first?" she finally asked as she set a hand on her hip.

"First? I guess we need to make it to Goron City, right?"

"Right, and where is that?"

"Just along that path?" His answer sounded more like a question as he stared at her uncertainly.

"So, follow the path to Goron City. Then what?"

"Uh… we pound whatever monster Ganon put on the Divine Beast into oblivion."

"Too far," Urbosa replied, "take a few steps back."

"Whaddya mean?"

"Why go to Goron City in the first place?"

"Um… oh right! We're gonna need information and supplies!"

"Right, so?" she asked expectantly.

"Go to Goron City, learn what we need to, then pound the monster into oblivion," Daruk finished as he pounded the palm of his hand with a fist.

"Good enough," Urbosa sighed. He still wasn't accounting for the potential return of his memories, but it looked like his usual confidence was returning. "Just remember to avoid dogs and breaking Link's back and you'll be fine."

"I'm not scared of dogs!" Daruk replied quickly. "I guess I just didn't care for them back then."

"Sure, sure." Despite her typical joking nature, she didn't doubt his statement. It seemed that no matter what he had remembered, he really didn't seem too bothered by them. He wasn't terribly comfortable with them, but his reactions didn't strike her as those of someone who was afraid of them.

"You're impossible, you know that?"

"Yep. It's one of my finer qualities."

"If you say so."

"I do. Now then, shall we get back to the others?"

"Yep. Gotta make sure we're gonna be ready for tomorrow."

Urbosa waited for Daruk to stand up and join her before turning back to the others. She was surprised to see Link and Revali side by side comparing the supplies and working together to rearrange two piles in front of them while Mipha was cooking something in the pot.

"Well, I wasn't expecting that," Daruk muttered.

"Neither was I." Urbosa had been expecting the two to avoid each other. Their relationship hadn't improved in the slightest even after Revali had brought Link news of his deceased friend, so to see them working together was an unexpected, but welcome, surprise. The two exchanged one last glance and silently agreed that neither one would openly acknowledge what they had seen.

"I'll take ice arrows," Link murmured quietly as he moved a pile of the ice charge projectiles towards him.

"You sure you'll be able to use those?"

"I think so. Even if I can't fire them, they may make decent bombs."

"Bombs?" the Rito asked skeptically.

"How is it going?" Mipha looked up at Urbosa and must have seen that the Gerudo wasn't really listening.

"Extreme temperatures don't mix," Link replied absently as he continued picking through their inventory. "Using one should make an even bigger explosion than the bomb rune."

"If you say so. Shock arrows?"

"I'll take a few. Here's some extra bow strings."

"They've been working together really well," Mipha whispered with a small smile.

"That's a nice change of pace," Daruk muttered as he sat down to watch her.

"Yes. I figured I should leave them alone." Mipha continued stirring the contents of the pot.

"If only they always worked together this well…"

"Maybe one day," Urbosa responded. Though their relationship had remained static, Link appeared to be improving. He was still largely quiet, but he was far more emotive than he used to be. Over the past few days, he had smiled more often, talked just a little bit more, and had even taken to spending more time with Midna, either through hunting or "playing." She wasn't entirely sure how repeatedly tackling or being tackled by a blue wolf was healthy for his mental state, but if that was what it took, then she wouldn't complain.

Revali, for his part, wasn't quite as standoffish. The normally sharp-tongued Rito had lost some of his bite over the past few days. His compliments, still few and far between, had also become remarkably less backhanded and were more sincere than they had been in the past. When she had noticed the budding behavior, the Gerudo Champion had tried to cultivate it by giving Revali a little bit more praise when she noticed, to which he responded with pride. Again, she wasn't sure why he felt the need to preen himself whenever she or Daruk gave him positive feedback, but if it brought him further into the fold, then she was more than willing acknowledge him.

She could only hope that the individual improvements would lead to improvements between the two younger Champions.

"You got everything you need?" Daruk asked as Mipha carefully spooned the contents of the pot into a bottle.

"Unfortunately, I am not as prepared as I would like, but I'm afraid it can't be helped at this point," she sighed. The Zora Princess held up her elixir for Daruk to see. "I made this for you. It should help if you are hurt again."

"Thanks," Daruk replied with a grin.

Mipha smiled as she took a few steps back from the fire and settled on the ground. Despite her normally reserved nature, something about the way she stared into the fire worried Urbosa.

In truth, the Zora Champion had been her largest concern over the past few days. Ever since she and Link had returned from the Library, the younger woman had been reading the works that the monk had given them almost obsessively. The Gerudo had been forced to take the Slate from her on more than one occasion because Mipha wouldn't pay attention to her surroundings and would continuously trip. A part of her wondered darkly if she would find it humorous when the little Zora fell into a hole because she wasn't watching. Even so, Mipha's near obsession with the Slate was only part of the problem.

When she didn't have the Slate in her hands, the Zora had taken to getting lost in her thoughts. In that state, she was almost as oblivious as she was when she was staring at the Sheikah Slate. The two eldest Champions had been forced to pull her aside in an attempt to discern exactly what was going on with her. It was then that Mipha had told them about a hero she had been reading up on who had somehow stopped the moon from falling; however, Urbosa had noticed how the young Princess had continually pursed her lips during the conversation. Something about the story had intrigued her so much that she was becoming distant from reality, and whatever it was, she knew that Daruk and Urbosa would not approve.

It was something she planned to discuss with Mipha at length over the next couple of days.

"If we ever run into Hestu again, we need another one of those stupid pouches," Revali grumbled as he joined them. He dropped a pack unceremoniously and sat down, staring just as deep into the fire as Mipha

"We haven't exactly been looking for those seeds of his, though," Daruk muttered thoughtfully.

"Wasn't Link the only one who could see him anyway? He needs to find more."

"He has a point," Urbosa replied quickly as Daruk opened his mouth to respond. Though Revali's voice had taken on a dangerous edge, she had to admit that the Rito had made a valid statement. None of them had been able to see Hestu or even hear his voice. Link was the only one who was able to interact with them in any capacity. Link would just have to start searching again. "Speaking of, where is Link?"

"He and Midna went hunting a while ago. Apparently, he wants to make a special meal tonight."

"Special?"

"Do I look like I know what that means?"

"it means that he'll cook everyone's favorite, or at least what he thinks is your favorite," Mipha inserted quietly. "Oh! I should clean this!" she exclaimed as she quickly removed the pot from the fire and rushed away. Her urgency probably had something to do with how upset Link had been the last time she had used the cooking pot to make an elixir for Daruk. Urbosa grinned playfully as the Zora Champion nearly fell as the pot collided with her legs.

Link gasped as he broke the surface of the water with salmon in hand. Midna backed away from him as he threw himself on the shore, throwing water everywhere as he did so. Fishing with his bare hands reminded him of simpler times in the Domain. Often, he and Sidon would have competitions to see who could catch the most fish.

Those had been happier times.

He tried to shake himself dry, but it was to no avail. Resigning to a wet walk, Link tied up the fish and hung them on his belt along with some boar meat they had acquired for Urbosa. After they were secured, he placed his hands on a boulder and began pushing it. Thankfully, Naydra's blessing had given him a significant boost in strength and stamina. He imagined he was still lacking much of his power, but still, the improvement was extraordinary. Behind him, Midna was carrying a small package of poultry with her teeth.

Link wasn't entirely sure of his choices, but it was the best he could do with so little time and knowledge. He just hoped that they would suffice.

As the Hylian continued heaving against the stone, his mind traveled back to his childhood home. Since the group's visit to the rebuilt town, he had regained a few more trivial memories. Most of them involved him and Owen either getting in trouble with their pranks or going on what felt like giant adventures just outside the town. It had been on one of those excursions they had first encountered a Zora.

Kodah, his first friend among the aquatic species, had gotten lost on her first fishing trip with her father. The currents of the river had been just a little too strong and she had been swept away, finally washing ashore far away from any landmarks she knew. Luckily, Link and Owen had been nearby and had quickly offered to bring her to the village while she waited for her father.

Even within the safety of the Hylian settlement, the Zora girl had been scared. Even his normally gentle mother had found it difficult to calm Kodah. Until she had given her some nicely cooked fish with hot chocolate. Not long after, Kodah had lost her nerves and had eagerly played with Link and Owen until her panic-stricken father had finally found them hours later.

After the incident, Kodah would come to play with them every few weeks as her father was worried about losing her again. Of course, there had been a few times where some of the villagers tried to have her banned because of her involvement in Link and Owen's mischief, but his mother wouldn't hear of it. If her son was allowed to stay in spite of the trouble he raised, then the Zora should be allowed to stay as well. And so, he and Kodah became close friends.

He thought it was interesting how one little meeting was what had guided him to Zora's Domain after Ordon had been razed. Had he and Owen never found Kodah, he may have made an attempt to find Daruk on Death Mountain, which would have surely resulted in his death. He wondered distantly if that had been Hylia's intervention or random chance. The more he thought about it, the more certain he became that it was the Goddess who had arranged that particular event. It led to the Domain, which led to Mipha, who would later become a fellow Champion. He saw no other explanation.

He was roused from his musings as the sounds of his friends' chatter reached him.

"What is he doing now?"

"I believe Mipha said that he would be cooking our favorites. Perhaps you could help him carry it all rather than asking pointless questions."

"He seems to be managing just fine," Revali replied snidely.

"Don't worry, I'll help the Little Guy out." Link felt the ground shake as Daruk approached. "Hey Little Guy, I'll take this for ya," Daruk said as he hefted the stone up.

"Thanks," Link replied gratefully. He straightened as he and Daruk made their way back to the campfire slowly.

"So, Little Guy, why're you going all out with the cooking tonight?"

"I thought it might help… everyone's been on edge all day. Maybe some food will help."

"Food, huh?" Daruk responded thoughtfully. "Great thinkin! Food does help to solve just about any problem."

Link grinned as he nodded. Food, to him, was the universal problem solver… well, that and tackling his pet wolf. He chuckled to himself as he thought back to his and Midna's "play dates." There wasn't a whole lot of variety, but there was something soothing about rolling around in the dirt.

"So, hunting went well I see," Urbosa commented as he held up his various catches for them to see. "While I'm glad that you are an excellent fisher, I hope you realize that I don't care for fish."

Link responded by proffering the boar meat.

"Much better. I presume you're going to make that steak that I like."

Link nodded, his grin growing larger. He looked at Mipha and motioned with the salmon. She gave him a large smile.

"Well at least three of us are getting what we like," Revali grumbled.

"Rice balls with chicken?" Link asked as he held up the poultry.

"…" Revali folded his wings and looked away. "…fine," he muttered. Link hid his prideful grin as he set everything down and got to work. It was nice to know that his choices were, at a minimum, acceptable to even the most disagreeable of them.

"Here, I can help," Mipha murmured as she knelt next to him. He studied her for a minute before handing her some rice. He had meant to cook all alone as it was his favorite pastime but cooking with a friend sounded interesting. Maybe it would be better.

He considered having her prepare the salmon as she had grown up with them her entire life, but he quickly decided against it. Having her prepare her own food would defeat the purpose.

He filled his pot up with water and placed it over the fire. "Here," he murmured as he handed her the rice, "pour this in and stir it occasionally. When it starts boiling up with the water, you'll know it's close to being done. Make sure you try it first." Mipha nodded and began watching the pot, stirring every so often.

Content that Mipha could handle the rice, Link turned to start another fire. Once it was burning hot, he skewered the poultry and set it above the open blaze.

"You just turn the spit, right?" Urbosa asked as she took the skewer in her hands.

"…"

"You know you can't do this all on your own. Even you will mess someone's up."

"Turn it continuously, otherwise it won't cook evenly."

"I think I can manage that," the Gerudo Champion replied. Link continued watching for a second as she turned the wooden piece in her hand. He was impressed that without having to say anything, she maintained a slow, consistent speed. He wouldn't have to worry about it for a while.

The Hylian Champion built yet another fire. While he was waiting for the infant flames to reach maturity, he turned to the salmon he had caught and begun removing the fins.

"Certainly not a glamorous job, but I suppose somebody has to do it," he heard Revali grumble over his shoulder. The Rito Champion joined him on the ground and watched as Link expertly cut along the spine and peeled off the meat. He then quickly and carefully removed the pin bones from the filet he had created. "So, this requires attention to detail?" Revali mused quietly. "I suppose it's more suited to me than turning a chunk of meat like some sort of savage. I've got this from here," he muttered as he waved Link off.

Link stepped back uncertainly. Revali's attention to detail was unmatched by anyone else. That trait was what made him such an excellent archer; however, that didn't mean he would make a good cook, especially if he didn't care for the people he was cooking for.

He turned back to his third fire to find Daruk already turning the boar meat. "I figured if everybody else was helping, I could too."

"Thanks," Link replied with a wince. The Goron wasn't turning it correctly. He stepped forward and showed Daruk how to properly turn it.

"Oh… oops," Daruk said as he shrugged apologetically.

"It's okay. I think Urbosa would only hit you with one lightning bolt."

"You think so?"

"Yep," Link replied with a grin.

"Oh great," Daruk mumbled. "Well, Little Guy, it was nice knowing you."

"You too." Link gave his companion a smart salute before turning back to check on Mipha. The Zora Champion was still stirring.

"How is it?" he asked as he hovered over her.

"I think it needs just a few more minutes." Even though Mipha continued tending to the rice, Link couldn't shake the impression that she was nervous for some reason. She kept shifting around and refused to make eye contact with him. He finally succumbed to the awkwardness of the moment and left her side.

"I think it's almost done." Link was pleased with the beautiful golden color that the chicken had taken on. He wondered idly if she had done this before. Urbosa looked up at him and raised a brow as she continued spinning the spit.

"You realize she wants your approval, right?" Urbosa asked quietly.

"What?"

"The reason Mipha is nervous is that you, an excellent cook, are going to be the judge of her efforts."

"The rice is for Revali." He didn't understand why Mipha would want his approval if she wasn't even cooking for him.

"After it gets your approval unless of course, you were planning on feeding it to Feathers without trying it yourself."

"Even if it isn't right, we can just fix it quick."

"You're missing the point. She doesn't care about whether Revali likes it, she's worried about whether you like it," Urbosa stated pointedly.

"Why?"

"Because you're a glutton." He still wasn't getting it. Yes, he liked food, but he wasn't sure why that would affect Mipha.

"… I don't get."

"You're hopeless," the Gerudo sighed. "While you're here, will you check this?"

Link nodded and cut a small portion of the chicken open. He found no traces of pink inside the roasted bird.

"Looks good"

"Good. Now, when you check on Mipha again, tell her the same even if, " she continued, holding up a hand to stop him when he opened his mouth, "it's not."

"All right." He didn't like the idea of giving Revali something that was potentially awful but Urbosa wasn't leaving him much choice.

"If it isn't, then 'accidentally' drop it or something. You'll be able to remake it that way," she said as though she had read his mind. Sometimes, she made him uncomfortable with the way she could pinpoint what people were thinking. "Now," she continued as she removed the chicken from over the fire, "what's next?"

"Shred it."

"Shred it?"

Link quickly showed her how to shred the burning hot bird with a pair of tools. Urbosa took the tools from him and began replicating his actions, albeit with far less panache than he had.

"Link," Mipha called, "I think the rice is done."

The Hylian, now beginning to feel slightly frazzled, rejoined the Zora and tried some of the rice. To his immense relief, it was properly cooked. He would have added a bit more salt, but overall, he was pleased with the results.

"That's good," he murmured quietly. Had Urbosa not informed him of Mipha's desire to please him, he probably would have missed the relieved smile that played across her face. Together, the two dumped the pot out into a crudely constructed colander Link had crafted one night. They would need to let it set before they could start forming it into balls.

He had no time to try and decipher its meaning as Daruk called him over in a blind panic. Link took a deep, calming breath, and steadied his quickly fraying nerves as he went to help the Goron.

"I'm sorry, Little Guy. I promise I was doing the best I could," Daruk mumbled as Link quickly pulled the boar meat off the fire with a wince. The outside had burned in the short time he had been away. He quickly pulled out a knife and began to quickly remove the burned portions. Even though the outside layer had been ruined, that didn't mean the rest couldn't be used. He then cut through to find that the deeper layers looked slightly overcooked. He took a small sample and tried it hesitantly, hoping that the taste of burnt meat would elude him. Thankfully, it did.

"Good job."

"Really? But I burned it," Daruk protested.

Link showed him the inside.

"Is that what it's supposed to look like?"

"Yep. Only the outside was inedible."

"Thank goodness!" Daruk muttered as he drew a hand across his forehead. He plopped down on the ground, looking even more exhausted than Link felt.

The Hylian Champion wasn't sure how to respond. A part of him felt responsible for Goron's unneeded stressor. He should have given Daruk more instruction or kept a closer eye on the Goron's project. On the other hand, it was, as much as he hated to admit it, somewhat entertaining to see the Goron freaking out over food. Then again, Daruk was really the only other person that understood the value of a proper meal. This was serious business for them both.

"My, I would almost think you had never done anything like this before," Revali commented snidely as he presented a platter of fillets to Link. The Hylian Champion began inspecting each fillet closely as Revali continued, "as you can see, I possess talents that could put even your own to sh- " the Rito froze midsentence as Link removed a single pin bone from one the fillets, set it aside, and continued his inspection, missing how the Rito's face had tightened defensively. The fillets were inconsistent sizes, though he was the only one who would notice seeing how close they were. Aside from that and the single bone, there was nothing else that he could see wrong.

"I'm impressed," Link murmured. Revali stared back at him, blinking dumbly as Link took the platter from him and began laying the fish neatly into a pan that he had bought from a traveling merchant. Daruk had expressed concern when he had spent a significant portion of their money on proper cooking supplies, but Urbosa had pulled him aside and convinced him to let it go. He wasn't sure why the Gerudo had sided with him, but he wasn't about to complain.

With the fish sizzling in a satisfying manner, Link turned back to the rice and showed Mipha how to roll the rice into a ball and then make a well. When he was satisfied with her efforts, he moved on to Urbosa, showing the woman how to fill the chicken into the well and wrap it with Hyrule herbs to hold it all together.

Link, feeling confident that the two women could handle the rice balls on their own, moved on to cutting the boar meat.

"Hey, the fish is starting to peel away from the pan," Revali called as Link was in the middle of slicing.

"Flip them," he ordered as he continued cutting carefully. He didn't like the idea of having someone handle anything without first showing them how to do it; however, he hadn't been lying when he had told Revali he had been impressed with the Rito's first attempt at cutting a fillet from a fish. He would just have to trust Revali's judgment and skill.

Link placed the freshly cut steak on a plate and finished it off by placing some extra rice beside it. As he was finishing with the dish's seasoning, Revali pulled the fillets out of the skillet and placed them neatly on another plate while the girls finished arranging the rice balls nicely.

They all stepped back and looked at their work. Link quietly conceded that even though it was rough around the edges, it had gone far better than he had been anticipating. He actually wasn't dreading trying the salmon that Revali had prepared.

"Hey, uh… are we gonna keep staring, or can we eat now?" Everyone started laughing as Daruk's stomach growled audibly.

Link stepped forward and carefully picked up the fish and motioned for Mipha to join him. The two sat together, sharing the fillets between them as they watched the others retrieve their own food and settle in.

"Thanks for the steak, Big Guy."

"No problem… I think. Thanks, Link!"

"Yes, thank you," Mipha added quietly as she bit into her second fillet. Link nodded around his fourth or fifth. He had already lost count. "How is yours, Revali."

"Passable," Revali muttered just before he took another bite. Mipha and Urbosa exchanged a glance, during which time the older woman winked at the younger. Mipha giggled quietly and nodded.

"Fish is good," Link said as he grabbed yet another and crammed it into his mouth.

"Will you slow down," Mipha complained quietly. "At this rate, I'll only have two."

"Sorry," Link muttered, "it's good, though."

Link caught a small smile playing at the edges of Revali's beak which quickly disappeared when the Rito noticed his glance. The group continued eating in silence, each enjoying their plate of food.

"Ah," Daruk sighed, patting his belly as he sat back, "that was good."

"So," Urbosa murmured thoughtfully, "what's for dessert?"

"Dessert?" Daruk asked.

"Yes, dessert. So, what do you have Link?"

"…"

"I could help if you'd like."

"No!" Link replied quickly. He knew what the sly smile that was growing on her face meant, but he wasn't inclined to care. He didn't think his heart could take any more.

The path up Death Mountain was a little too long and winding for Daruk's taste. All he wanted was to reach Goron City, get whatever info he and Link needed, and then reclaim Vah Rudania. He wanted to avoid recognition at all costs.

His line of thinking was simple: go to the place, do what needed to be done, take five minutes, then move on. It was simple, relatively easy, and left little time for him to wonder about what-ifs. He wasn't against thinking about the unknown, it just wasn't for him. Now, though, he couldn't stop thinking about what he might learn on Death Mountain.

What kind of life had he led before? He assumed that being named the Goron Champion had made him important, but had there been anything else setting him apart? Did he have friends that were still around? Any family?

He stopped the train of thought when it reached family. In all likelihood, he didn't have any family left. It didn't take someone with Urbosa's smarts to realize that he was well past his prime. At best he might have a grandchild or great-grandchild who wouldn't even know him. He snorted to himself. He should know better than to dwell on things that –

"Look out!" Daruk snapped back to reality in time to see a massive, stony fist the second before it crashed into him. The Goron, ordinarily unmovable, tried to process the fever dream he must have been in. There should not have been a monster alive that could do that to him.

Stars danced in his eyes as he crawled out the newest crater on the trail. He shook his head, trying to displace the errant stars as he returned to his feet quickly.

Looming over him was a gigantic boulder that was almost shaped like a torso. Smaller stones were connected haphazardly to form arms and legs. The lopsided Talus launched another strike, it's arms extending towards the Goron at massive speed.

Daruk threw up his protective barrier, grunting slightly as he felt the stones shatter against the nearly impregnable shield. He shrugged off the wave of tiredness that tried to bowl him over and straightened, cracking his neck as the Talus fell over.

What looked to be small, baby Taluses surrounded the Goron's feet. They were called Pebblits. With a few short stomps and one, well-placed kick, he destroyed them all. Daruk sent a quick glance around, searching for Link as the Talus returned to its feet. It looked as though the Hylian's sword had snapped, leaving him with only his shield. That didn't explain why he was using his shield to bash the creatures into oblivion rather than quickly pulling another weapon out.

Daruk had to trust that the Little Guy could take care of himself as the Talus slammed itself down on its side and wobbled back to its feet with a new arm to replace the one it had lost. Daruk, completely unfazed by the Talus' size, charged forward. The Talus wobbled towards him in response.

"Don't you know I eat rocks!" Daruk roared with a laugh as he ducked under a punch and slammed into one of its legs, completely destroying the appendage. The Talus, already struggling to maintain balance, once again fell flat.

Daruk laughed heartily as he pounded his fists into the creature, but no matter how much power he put into his strikes, the body remained undamaged. Not the slightest crack marred the rough stone. Daruk growled in frustration as he tried to hold the Talus down. This thing was really starting to annoy him.

For the second time that day, Daruk found himself flying through the air as the Talus pushed itself up quickly and for the second time that day, Daruk crashed into the earth painfully. He again pulled himself out of a newly formed crater and decided on a different tactic. If his fists wouldn't work, then his large, edgeless sword would have to do. Link sidled up to him as the Goron hefted his Cobble Crusher.

"Can you knock it down again?" the Hylian asked, not tearing his eyes away from the stone creature.

"Of course I can!"

"And can you boost me onto its back?"

"What're you thinkin, Little Guy?"

"I saw a crack on its back. I think we can break it from there."

"You got something stronger than that shield. Another sword? A bomb?"

"I've got a better idea," Link replied.

"All right! Let's do this!" Daruk barreled towards the Talus, activating his shield to block a punch. Again, the Talus' arm shattered, but it managed to stay on its feet. The Goron Champion continued his charge, swinging his massive blade into their opponent's legs, destroying both. Thankfully, it fell towards them. Daruk crouched down and cupped his hands in front of him. Link quickly climbed onto the Goron's hand and was promptly launched onto the Talus' back. Daruk took a couple steps back, trying to see what Link was doing.

The Hylian pulled something with a harsh white glow out of his pouch and rammed it into the Talus' back and quickly set his shield over it. He then curled up. Before Daruk could even question Link's antics, there was an explosion that sent the Hylian flying high into the air.

Daruk sprinted after, doing his best to stay under the falling Hylian. The Goron stopped and kicked himself as Link pulled out his paraglider and began descending safely. Daruk grinned and waved at his diminutive companion. For some reason, Link didn't grin back. In fact, it sounded like he was trying to shout something. That was when he noticed the shadow.

Daruk curled and rolled out of the way as something flew past where his head had been. He felt the shockwaves travel through the ground as he continued rolling, finally coming to a stop a safe distance away.

Daruk laughed as he saw the cracks that spiderwebbed across the Talus' main body. Now, this was something he could fight. He sprinted towards the creature who had become distracted by Link as the Hylian continued to descend. Daruk swung his weapon over his shoulder and brought it down with a mighty crack, shattering a significant portion of the creature's body.

Daruk looked up at Link to see the Hylian falling with his shield in hand. Link, falling far faster than was safe, rammed the edge of his shield into a large crack near the top of the Talus. The strength of the blow cleaved through the inanimate stone, destroying another chunk of the body.

The Talus shivered and fell, the small stones that made up its arms and legs rolling away now that there was nothing binding them together. What was left of the main body lay motionless before them, but even so, Daruk and Link stood side by side with their weapons ready.

"Why are you only using the shield, Little Guy?" Daruk panted after they were finally convinced that the monster was indeed dead.

"When I pulled out my sword, it was warped. I think the heat destroyed the tempering on the blade, so it broke as soon as I hit a pebblit."

"Shouldn't the shield have the same problem?"

In answer, Link held the elegant shield up for him to see. To Daruk's surprise, there wasn't even a scratch on the blue, emblemized surface. Though he was not nearly as sensitive to temperatures as the others, he still put a finger on it. The shield, to his great surprise, was cool to the touch.

"What is this thing?"

"I don't know," Link murmured quietly as he placed the shield firmly on his back.

"Do you have any other weapons that can take the heat?"

"I don't think so."

"Well, then we need to find you something quick."

Link nodded with a sigh as the two warriors sent a quick glance around before continuing on their way.

Mipha fidgeted uncomfortably as she felt Urbosa's eyes on her. Normally by this point in the day, she would be lost deep in her thoughts, but today was different. Ever since they had woken up that morning, the Gerudo Champion had been giving her searching looks. For as much comfort as the motherly woman could provide, she certainly balanced it with her ability to make the subject of her attention anxious.

Mipha wished that Revali had chosen to stay with them rather than flying ahead to find leads on the next dragon. She wished that Link and Daruk were still there to give Urbosa others to pay attention to. She would even be content if the woman would just say what was on her mind. Anything would be better than the unbearable silence.

"You know, there's a question I've been meaning to ask you. Now that it's just the two of us, I think it's the perfect time."

"I suppose," Mipha replied timidly. The tone in Urbosa's voice was already telling her that this was not going to be a pleasant conversation.

"Ever since you and Link returned from the library, you've had your face stuck in the Slate. When you're not focused on the Slate, you're so lost in your own thoughts that a Lynel could sneak up on you from the front. What's going on with you?"

Mipha sincerely wished that they could return to the silence. "The Sheikah monk gave us several books that interested me."

"They must be truly interesting." Mipha knew that Urbosa was expecting more. She hoped that she had learned enough in her years of watching her father wade through political waters to give Urbosa just enough to satisfy her without giving everything away.

"They are. The idea that a hero could fight the moon is- "

"Fascinating. Yes, the question is what you aren't telling me."

"What I'm not telling you?"

"The last time you told me about this, you kept pursing your lips. What about this story interests you so much?"

"Well, this hero used transmogrification to help him. There are no other heroes in recorded history who have done that."

"Let's pretend I don't know what transmogrification is," Urbosa said neutrally.

"It's… it's the ability for one to transform from one race into another."

"So," Urbosa murmured thoughtfully as a finger traced her chin, "transmogrification could be something like a Zora becoming a Hylian, or vice versa?"

"Y-yes, I suppose."

"Mipha, I am going to ask you something, and I want you to answer me honestly."

"Yes?" The Zora Champion tried to manage the uncomfortable pit that was growing in her stomach. No matter how hard she tried, it kept growing.

"Is there any part of you that is hoping that if you were a Hylian, maybe Link would have chosen differently?"

"Um… well… yes." She should have known better than to think that Urbosa would be satisfied with anything less than the truth. "I know that it wouldn't really change anything, but… the idea was nice."

Urbosa was silent for the longest time before she finally spoke. "Remember when I told you that eventually, his decision would have to be okay?"

"Yes," Mipha replied sadly.

"Now is the time that it has to be okay. There is a chance that you two can get back to where you were, or close to it. He may even change his mind one day if you are still open to the idea. Right now though, it has to be okay so that you both can grow up a little bit."

"I… I see."

"I don't think you do yet," Urbosa sighed. "I'm not your mother, so I can't tell you what to do, but I still need you to promise me that you won't go doing anything rash."

"I know. Hyrule is still depending on us." She hated to admit it, but a small part of her was frustrated that her duty to the Kingdom conflicted with what she wanted. Even so, she knew what had to come first. It was time to let go of her childish dreams.

"Not just that," Urbosa murmured as her arm wrapped around the Zora, "but you are important to me. I would hate to see you get hurt."

"I promise," Mipha murmured. "And you are important to me too." Mipha smiled as the two walked on in companionable silence. She was surprised at how much lighter she felt. It was as though her chest could finally expand the way it was meant to for the first time in weeks.

"Goodness," Urbosa said suddenly. "I never thought you had it in you to be this persistent. You were rejected and yet here you are, finding new ways to try again. Tell me, what is your secret?"

Mipha stared down at the ground, her face heating up as Urbosa's laugh rang through their surroundings.

A/N: This is what happens when you write fanfiction while watching Hell's Kitchen at the same time. A cooking scene that takes up about half the chapter...

Guest Reviews

Guest: The main reason I favor short descriptions, at least in fanfiction, is that fans know what is being referred to when you use a brief description of the most prominent features. And for the people who don't know, I could spend hundred of words trying to convey the image of it, but no matter how many words I use, the image they form wouldn't quite fit.