Chapter 3

Dark Depths

Zelda took a moment to breathe, her left hand holding a small amount of her blood that she just coughed up. Urbosa, worried for Zelda's health, picked her up and brought her back to her room.

"Urbosa I'm ok," informed Zelda. This upset Urbosa, clearly Zelda wasn't ok and Urbosa cares deeply for Zelda. Urbosa remembers when the queen died, King Rhoam was stricken with grief. He was never the same afterwards, fearing he would lose his daughter, Zelda, King Rhoam became protective. This was also the first time Urbosa met Zelda after her birth. Zelda was three years old when her mother passed, Urbosa found it heartbreaking to tell a little girl that her mother will never wake up again. Sadly it's still a mystery on how the Queen died. She was in perfect health, yet somehow died to a heart attack.

Zelda's coughing snaps Urbosa back to reality "Zelda you aren't ok, you may be coming down with something. So I'll go get a doctor, who'll be the one to decide if you're fine," explains Urbosa. Zelda nods, and lays down on her bed.

Urbosa closes the door to Zelda's room behind her, sighs, and looks to the rest of the Champions. Not uttering a word to the rest of the Champions, Urbosa leaves looking for a doctor. Once Urbosa found a doctor, she explained that Zelda might be ill. Not wanting the King to worry for his daughter the Doctor agreed to examine her and was taken back to Zelda's quarters.

"Now I need time with the patient, so I would advise you all to say out here just in case. I would hate for the Champions to also get ill," informed the Doctor. Urbosa gave the Doctor 'Touch her inappropriately I kill you' look and compiled, along with the rest of the Champions.

Mipha was worried, she believed that Zelda was infected with the same plague as Archivist Mike Langast. Link noticed Mipha's behavior and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Around thirty minutes of pure silence among the Champions until it was broken by the door flying open, as the Doctor exits Zelda's room and looks towards the Champions.

"I don't know what is wrong with the princess, this disease I've never seen anything like it. I can identify similarities to other diseases, but I doubt that the medication will help," explained the Doctor.

"What are the symptoms?" Asked Daruk.

"Well… a strange rash, it's like nothing I've even seen before. The coloration of the rash is abnormal, it looks like a sickly brown. She has started to scratch at the rash, which she shouldn't. I suggest she gets the rashes bandaged daily, furthermore her throat is swelling. She's also occasionally coughing, which leads her to throw up her own blood. I still don't know what's causing blood to form in her mouth, but her condition may change," the Doctor described, "if you excuse me I need to inform the King about this. I'll keep you all posted on her health."

It seemed as if somehow Zelda got infected with the same disease as Archivist Mike Langast, that seems impossible right?

Mipha worried, if Zelda dies then so does all of Hyrule, maybe this is what Zeth was talking about. Either way they needed to find a cure. "We need to go back to the library, we need to find more information on this Nurk," stated Mipha. A thought lingered in Mipha's head, maybe the book Zelda was reading was still there. On the other hand Urbosa doubted that Zelda was infected with a 23,000 year old disease.

"Well with my phenomenal reading skill this should be no challenge at all, I will locate this Crallak Nurk and find a cure for Zelda," Revali blurted out.

"But I thought you said Crallak's don't exist," retorts Urbosa.

"Well I was miss informed," replied Revali.

With a huff Link grabs Mipha's hand and starts making his way towards the library. "Keep an eye on Zelda for us, we will look more into this," commands Link.

Link respects Revali but there are times he isn't helpfully, especially right now. The doors to the library opens as both Link and Mipha enter. They scoured the hall for hours but didn't find anything they couldn't find the book Zelda was reading from earlier. They checked every bookshelf over and over again. Both Link and Mipha were getting tired. It seemed as if all hope was lost, until another leather bound journal tucked away and forgotten behind several books within the endless bookshelves of Hyrule Castle. Link with renewed energy diggs it out, opens the book, and begins to read aloud to Mipha without hesitation.

•=•=•=•=•

Heather Vivdo current date 4/13/20,232

It's been 10 years since my mentor Gabriel Thiurs has gone missing. He told me he was researching an ancient report about a leviathan. I too have done research and found the old document. I'm curious how these beasts grow to such size. I hypothesize that Crallak's can live as long as they have a stable food supply, and the only way for them to die is by combating it or starvation. Sadly I can't test my theory, for I need alive Crallak.

Heather Vivdo current date 4/16/20,232

I've been invited to join an exploratory team, who will be traveling past the northern part of Akkala. We will be following the eastern coast. Unfortunately I'll be the only Gerudo on the team, it's good to see that my skills are recognized.

Heather Vivdo current date 6/5/20,232

For the past two months we've seen spectacular things. The coast is more rocky and uneven which are completely different from the ones back in Hyrule. It also allows for new creatures to hide in between the rock. Sadly I haven't found any yet, but I'm sure I'm close to discovering something new.

It all changed over night, when preparing for camp along a cliffside close to the ocean we heard some loud thuds. When looking outside my tent I looked on with both aw and fear. Two scythe-like forearms slammed down on the ground. Pulling itself up to the cliffs edge was a Crallak, my heart rate increased as I could do nothing but look. The eyes were much larger then Archivist Mike Langast Initially described them to be. 15 feet in diameter, over three times the original Crallak Archivist Mike Langast saw. I quickly noticed that the scales weren't black but a pale white. It's mouth curled into a smile, I should be running the other way, but this wave of calmness washed over me. That's when the miracle happened, I'm lucky I keep this journal on me.

"What are you?" A female voice rang out in all of our heads. Crallaks aren't mindless beasts, they are just as intelligent as us. It's eyes scanned each of us, until I brought up the courage to speak.

I told her, I'm a Gerudo and my companions were Hylian. I also told her we were from Hyrule, just south of here.

"You're from the south, then you must've met Aruzzen," the she Crallak informed us.

I had to explain to her that none of us have met this Aruzzen, so much for brave Hylian voe none of them had the balls to speak a word.

"Oh, I'm not surprised, she has a distrust for all land folks. Oh my, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Nezzura, at your service," Nezzura babbled. "What are your names?" She shifted her posture, she took one of her scythe forearms and over lapped it with the other then rests her head on top.

We each took turns to introduce ourselves, it didn't take long for the four other voe to say their names. Finally I introduced myself, she seemed excited to meet us. This was my opportunity to gain more information on Crallaks, things we've missed in the past. So I asked her how long Crallaks live for, as I gestured at her.

Nezzura tilted her head to one side. "You've named my kind Crallaks? Interesting, anyway to answer your question I don't think we die of old age. We die either to starvation or in combat," Nezzura spoke, confirming my theory. "But I do know of one, we call it The One That Hungers. My hatcher told me about it, said it was big and scary, ate all those who ventured into it's maw. Also ate bad hatchlings, and those that left at night."

I felt that this One That Hungers was some sort of children's story that parents would tell their kid to make sure they did stay out at night. By her expression, she still believes in it, How sad.

"I'll confess, I get lonely out here and it's nice that none of you ran away in fear. Anytime I try and talk to any land creature they end up running away. So I thank you for giving me a chance to speak," Nezzura confided.

My stomach dropped, we didn't run because we were frozen in fear. How long has she been out here, alone. Each of us looked at each other, shame washed over all of us. We presume she would kill us, but she only want to talk.

"Well it was nice meeting you all, but I have to get something to eat. Oh and before I forget, if there is anything you need help with don't be afraid to come look for me. I would love to help," Nezzura stated. She then pushes herself off the cliff, diving back into the water.

•=•=•=•=•

Link stops reading, this journal had nothing to help them. No clues, is Zelda damned to die? If she does it will also be the death of Hyrule, and he would've failed.

Mipha also feared for the worse, she worried for her little brother and her father. However this Nezzura said that she was willing to help Heather, maybe she could help them. She also found it odd that Heather never found Archivist Mike Langast's journal. Which confirmed that these Crallak's are sentient before she did.

"This is a dead end, where do we go from here? Do we keep looking, hoping we stumble across an answer. I can't sit and do nothing," Link grumbled. Mipha couldn't agree more, she wanted to seek out Nezzura, and maybe she'll have an answer for them.

"You know we could go ask Nezzura for help. She was willing to help Heather, who just listened. Maybe she'll help those in need, " informed Mipha, hopping to cheer up Link.

"I don't know Mipha, it seems far fetched. We have no idea where this Nezzura could be. Furthermore, I doubt that she'll help us," explained Link.

"Well we have nothing else to go on, we scoured the whole place and found nothing else. Trust me Link, I have faith Hylia will guide us," encouraged Mipha. Link couldn't argue, Mipha made a good point. What else can they do, they have no other lead.

"Alright, I guess I'll go and look for this Nezzera, and see if she is willing to aid us." Link caves in. Mipha didn't like when Link left her, especially when it's to do something reckless, so no matter what she'll be by his side. She also fears that Zeth's prophecy may come true, and Link will die.

"I'm coming with you Link, and don't think I've forgotten about our promises. I promised you that I'll heal you no matter what. I intend to keep my promise, I would never forgive myself if you got injured and I wasn't there to heal you. So as I said I'm coming with," Mipha conferenced, while giving Link puppy eyes. Link was conflicted, he didn't want to endanger Mipha but knows she can handle herself. As well as they would get to spend much needed time together. Link sighs in defeat.

"Alright you win, but you do understand we have to get up early. We'll need to cover as much ground as possible," Link teased. Mipha's face went from begging to a frown. Link knew all too well that Mipha doesn't like getting up early in the morning.

"Fine, but we get to sleep together," Mipha grumbled. "We also should eat something soon, we've forgotten to eat lunch."

"Right, we'll eat after we fill the other Champions about our plan," Link added. Mipha nodded in agreement, Link held onto Heather's journal and started to weave his way out of the library with Mipha following behind.

Making their way back to Zelda's quarters, Link and Mipha find Urbosa sitting on a chair, placed on the opposite wall facing the door. Both Mipha and Link noticed that there was only one chair in the hallway. It wasn't well decorated; only a few paintings litter the halls, and the occasional desk. A red carpet with a white border leads both ways up and down the hall. But that was ordinary for the halls of Hyrule castle.

Urbosa turned her head towards the approach footsteps, seeing both Link and Mipha a faint smile appeared on Urbosa's face. She was hoping that both Link and Mipha found something to explain the whole situation, and seeing another leather bound journal in Link's hands gave Urbosa more hope.

"Urbosa, where is Daruk and Revali?" Asked Mipha, as she walked up to Urbosa.

"They both went to get something to eat, and Revali still thinks he can single handedly save Zelda. He's wrong, is that another eather book in Link's hands? Please say you found something useful in it," pressed Urbosa.

"Well...it wasn't what we expected, but to sum it up we might be able to locate some who could help us," informed Link. Urbosa's smile fades.

"I see..," trailed Urbosa.

"So me and Link are going to go investigate, and I'm sure we'll find something. I'm sure we can help Zelda, we just need to track down Nurk and find a cure," Mipha reinsured. Urbosa only a light huff, her gaze shifts from Link and Mipha to the floor.

"Mipha's right, we can't give up. We'll investigate this lead we have while you, Daruk, and Revali keep investigating here. Me and Mipha will leave in the morning, but I'm starving you should join us, you need to eat something. I'll make some of my Salmon Risotto," added Link. Mipha's face lit up, she wasn't one for cooked fish, but she loved Links cooking. Urbosa kept looking at the ground.

"I'll think about it, but you two should eat first, you have a long trip ahead of you..," mumbled Urbosa.

With that both Link and Mipha made their way towards the kitchen and dining hall. As Link prepared some Salmon Risotto, as his mind drifted towards his journey head. Will it really help Zelda, or is it just a wild goose chase.

.

You've just met Nezzura, our current smallest Crallak. Excluding the one killed by Odin in chapter 1. Nezzura is the one on the cover for What Lurks Below, which most of you probably already figured out. Furthermore we at TheManifold want to give you the best chapters possible, so updates may be longer. We also want to thank those who support us in this endeavor, and thanks to all those who gave us wonderful feedback.

Also beware of The One That Hungers.