Mipha and Link sat together at the top of the Veiled Falls, having finished their walk of the Domain. The only sounds filling the air were the water flowed rapidly beneath them as it cascaded down into the pond below. Spray from the falls listed in the air, which reflected sunlight into small rainbows.

This was one of Mipha's favorite spots for a reason, and she couldn't imagine a better way for her to spend some quality time with Link.

She turned to look at Link. Touring the walkways with him earlier was as pleasant as she had hoped. They strode along the Domain's walkways aimlessly, simply taking in the sights and sounds of the day's beginning.

When they came across any familiar Zora, she yielded his attention to those wishing to catch up with the Hylian. Mipha didn't mind. It was not her temperament to hoard him away like some precious treasure. They had an entire week to reconnect. An entire week of Link with her, Sidon, the Bazz Brigade, and others.

His unexpected visit was already enough of a pleasant surprise.

Though Mipha did thank the Goddess that Muzu was tied up with Sidon this morning. Her mentor's strict insistence on her royal studies meant free time was usually relegated for the evening. She would have struggled not to ditch Muzu if he had instructed her today.

There was also no way Muzu could have known Mipha's intentions either. While he possessed a brilliant mind coupled with being a scrupulous advisor, Muzu possessed very poor emotional insight. The old Zora never once could get a read on her feelings. He often confused her calm demeanor for barely contained annoyance, anger, or exhaustion. There was no doubt should she ever decide to make engagement armor, Mipha was sure the old Zora would be flabbergasted.

Mipha took a deep breath, the crisp air filling her lungs, all sour thoughts of Muzu dispersing into nothingness. She was here now with Link. Both of them enjoying the last vestiges of the morning. She couldn't have asked for a better way to start her day.

"Beautiful." Link's voice rang out of the blue.

The word caught Mipha by surprise. Turning her head to the Hylian, she found Link was looking right at her.

Shock suddenly bolted through her core. Her mouth opening slightly ajar, cheeks suddenly feeling hot and prickly. Mipha felt her chest filled with a rushing sensation as blood pumped through her thundering heart.

Did he just call me beautiful? She thought.

"The Domain. It's beautiful," Link continued. "I can picture it in my mind when I am at Hyrule Castle. But nothing I imagine even close to the actual thing. I'm always reminded of this whenever I come back here."

Right. That's what she thought. Why would he even think to call her beautiful?

Link suddenly turned his head and looked at her, concerned. It left Mipha confused.

Oh. Right. Her mouth was still agape like a Hyrulian Bass.

Mipha's lower jaw snapped up, her sharp teeth clacking together. How did he manage to get that kind of reaction out of her? Misinterpretation aside, she had to guess it had to do with the previous incident.

Like some funny joke, her subconscious right then decided to bring brought forth the image of Link's state of undress. How was her mind capable of recreating the immodest image perfectly? It only further deepened her blush and causing her composure to slip further.

He should not be able to unravel her so easily.

I'm doomed.

"Y-yes," Mipha sputtered, "I fear it's something I take for granted far too often."

She needed to change the subject and fast, lest she becomes a dribbling mess.

"How is knight's training?" She quickly asked him.

Link's face fell to her words. That was hardly the outcome Mipha had been expecting.

All wistful feelings of infatuation fluttered away as she scooted closer to Link.

"Tell me," she said quietly. Not demand, but an invitation for him to talk.

"I'm going to be knighted," He responded quietly.

Mipha perked up. Knighted? So soon? His training only began two years ago and they were already going to give him his knighthood. By the Goddess, she knew he was talented. Besting adults at sparring when he was a mere child foreshadowed his exceptional prowess. But to be knighted at such an age was unheard of.

"Congratulations! That is wonderful to hear!" She exclaimed.

"Thanks." He said, a smile tugging at his lips. "My Captain told me just yesterday. She's still working out a few logistics before they announce the official ceremony.

Link rubbed the back of his head. "Which is kinda why I'm here now actually. She gave me a week while they get all the pomp and circumstance assorted."

"I cannot believe it," Mipha remarked. "Two years, and already a knight."

"To the praise of some and jealously of others," Link followed. "The youngest Hylian to reach knighthood."

"If I may ask? Why do you look so downhearted when I asked earlier?"

Link appeared to hesitate a moment. "Being knighted so soon caught me by surprise. I'm happy to be sure, but I never expected it to come so quickly.

Link looked down at his lap and wrung his hands together, sadness appeared to have taken a hold of him once again. "Though it makes sense, being a Captain's son..."

That's when an epiphany hit Mipha. Of course, why didn't she see it at first? Link's father was the root of it. Here was her friend, about to be the youngest knight in the history of Hyrule. Yet his father, counted as one of the Hylian Kingdom's greatest Royal Guards, was not alive to witness it.

"I'm sure he would have been proud of you. Both of them," Mipha said quietly. She knew it was not just his father that Link missed, but his mother as well. Their passing was the sole reason he grew up in the Domain after all.

"I know I am," Mipha said, her hand instinctively finding his.

Links gaze turned back to her with an expression of mild surprise.

"No one is more deserving of it than you," Mipha continued not looking up at him. She pulled his hands apart, taking one as her webbed fingers slowly wrapped around his.

"If you'd like, I'll even be there for the ceremony. There probably would be some complications with that, but I want to make it work."

Complications indeed. She couldn't even imagine the diplomatic nightmare caused by the Princess of the Zora's visiting Hyrule to simply witness a Hylian be knighted for the Hyrulian army. Not to mention the potential for great social-political implications to be stirred up as well.

And what did it mean that the possibility of scandalous rumors did not bother her at all?

"I would have to come up with a good reason," she pondered out loud. "Perhaps I could convince Father to help me with some sort of excuse."

"Are you sure that would be a good idea?" Link asked.

She turned her gaze to look up at him.

"You know if he could, he'd be there himself."

Her father was quite fond of the young Hylian ever since he arrived in the Domain all those years ago. Sometimes she thought Dorephan treated Link an adopted son with the way he would dote over the Hylian.

"Father is going to be as proud of you as I am. And as an honorary citizen of Zora's Domain, it's only right that a Zora is there for your ceremony. So, please tell me when they'll be holding it in a letter, and I'll be there."

"Are you sure?" Link asked again.

Mipha nodded. There was no way she could be convinced otherwise by him. She inherited her Father's stubbornness after all. Though she knew Link was aware of this far too well.

"I think I'd like that," Link said softly with a smile.

The two soon found themselves staring at one another, hands still clasped. Mipha suddenly felt as if she was falling into some sort of trance. She was unable to look away from him as if an enchantment had been cast on her.

Her heart felt as if it about to whisper out a proclamation. That it did not want this moment to end.

I'm doomed.

"Princess!"

Another voice shattered their delicate captivation. They separated fast. Link's hand recoiled back quickly from hers. Mipha leaned away from her, nearly falling over from how fast she moved.

They sought out the voice that had called them. That's when they noticed below them, a Zora guard with silvercale armor swimming up the waterfall.

Kick after kick, the guard's legs propelled himself upward until finally, he had reached the top. The speed at which he ascended gave the Zora guard a small boost into the air. He rotated his body to smartly land on the platform just off to the pair's side.

Link and Mipha swiftly picked themselves off the ground and moved to where the Zora had landed.

"Princess, you must come to the palace with all haste," the guard began as the two approached him. "Your father has called for an emergency council meeting and requires your attendance."

Link and Mipha both tensed up.

"What's going on?" Mipha asked him.

"I don't know," the guard replied with a shake of his head. "I was just told to retrieve you as quickly as possible."

The guard then turned his gaze to Link.

"You as well, Master Link. Dorephan wishes for you to be there too."

Link looked confused but for a brief moment before giving the guard a stoic nod.

"Thank you," Mipha said to the guard. "Please, go on ahead and inform my father that we are on our way."

She then turned to look at Link, a smile playing on her lips.

"I must help the Hylian down the falls."

"Of course," the Zora said. After giving the two a smart salute, he then turned and dove off the side into the deep waters below.

Mipha turned back to Link. She held out a hand, palm open in invitation. Her smile grew wider with her sharp teeth peeking out from under her lips.

"Shall we?"

Link nodded, taking her hand as he moved closer.

Mipha pulled him into her and wrapped her other arm around his waist. She then took a hold of his belt, making sure he was secure.

Link looked a little puzzled as she guided them to the rim of the falls. Just a hairsbreadth away from the edge, Link spoke up.

"Mipha?" He said with a tinge of worry in his voice.

Mipha ignored his apprehension as she let herself tip over the edge, pulling Link alongside her.

Link did not resist as he too fell into the open air with her.

Mipha quickly used their momentum to twist their bodies over, so that their feet caught the surface of the waterfall. Much to Link's surprise, the cascading water was somehow solid enough to give their feet resistance.

With the grace of a dancer, she guided herself and Link down the falls. She occasionally twisted and turned during their descent to control their speed.

Waterfall surfing. It was a technique that Mipha had taught herself while Link was away. It was something she wanted to show it off to Link. Now, she was relishing in her ability to do so.

The Hylian in question shouted in excitement as he felt the friction of water underneath his boots. He had been expecting a joined dive down into deep waters. He hardly imagined the two of them surfing down the falls, as one surfs down a hill on a shield. They were moving fast, the wind whipping by them in a loud frenzy. Adrenaline to pump through his veins, adding fuel to his elation.

It was the exact reaction Mipha had been hoping for.

Their decent only lasted a few seconds longer before she kicked off the water, sending Link and her back into the open air. Like synchronized divers, they both angled their bodies for a proper dive.

The two sliced through the surface with a slight splash, plunging into the depths of the pond.

When their heads reached the surface, Link let out a loud shout.

"That was incredible!" Link exclaimed. "When did you learn to do that?"

"A few months after you left," Mipha replied as she guided them towards the shallow edge of the pond. "After watching you shield surf for so long, I thought to try it with the falls around the Domain."

It was the truth. Link and the Big Bazz Brigade often made shield surfing one of their activities years ago. Unfortunately, she never had the time to try and join them. Fortunately, it had inspired Mipha to consider her ability to swim up waterfalls. She was embarrassed to admit it, but the idea was simply formed by thinking along the lines of 'it might be fun'. Weeks were spent alone by herself at various falls, attempting the create the brand-new technique. Much like Link's own efforts to learn shield surfing, hers did not come without some painful mistakes. But eventually, she had mastered it.

She was just pleased that he found it as thrilling as herself.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to do that," Link said as he waded into shallower water. "You always manage to remind me how incredible you are whenever I'm back home."

Mipha let Link slip out of her hands as she stayed behind. Her head was just above the surface as she watched Link pull himself out of the pond.

Once again, she felt her heart flutter. How did her friend's words manage to send her emotions into overdrive? She should not be so vulnerable to Link's praises. Even small statements that might not relate to her directly set her off. Her earlier reactions more than confirmed her witling composure.

It was almost as if she was falling for him.

Oh, Goddess. ...

"I'm doomed," she whispered to herself. She felt her stomach drop. She had the answer to these feelings that have been creeping on her these last few years.

She was falling for Link.

Said Hylian held out arms, his limbs trembling as his body came down from his previous adrenaline rush. He was doing his best to let himself dry in the air. In hindsight, they should have just walked down, owing to his now soaking attire. That was fine though, he could get changed before the meeting.

Link then stared at Mipha from the shore and wondered why she was lagging behind.

"Mipha?" Link called out to her.

The Zora Princess shook herself out of her reverie and swam towards the shallow end of the pond.

"I'm coming."

She was going to have to deal with this profound affirmation later. Right now, more important matters were at hand. She hoped whatever was going on wasn't too serious.

On the opposite side of the Domain, below the high walkways above the lake, Rivan climbed out of the water and onto one of the lower platforms. Once his webbed feet touched the hard stone, the rust-colored Zora immediately broke into a run.

He weaved through the large pillars holding the upper platforms with as much speed as he could muster. If Kodah beat him to the headquarters again, he would never hear the end of it.

Soon, he came upon a shanty of wooden planks, cloth, and stone nestled against one of the luminous pillars. This was the pride and joy of the infamous Big Bazz Brigade; their secret hideout and headquarters.

Despite its shabby appearance, the sight of the hideout managed to fill Rivan with a sense of pride. He and the rest of the Brigade had built the hideout just a month after the group's inception. They toiled for days, scavenging whatever they could find in Zora River and the surrounding banks to serve as building material. The very act was a bonding moment for all of them, and the true first physical accomplishment of the Brigade.

Rivan paused for a moment and scanned his surroundings, making sure that he wasn't followed. He then approached the well-worn curtain that made up the hideout's door. The cloth was one of the old water-proofed curtains from the palace's terrace that had an unfortunate encounter with a storm a few years back.

He then wrapped his knuckles on one of the wooden planks that made up the doorway.

"Hey. It's Rivan. I'm here."

"White fluffy clouds?" came a female voice from the other side of the cloth.

"Come on, you know it's me," Rivan said in response.

"White fluffy clouds?" asked the voice again, not missing a beat.

Rivan rolled his eyes and sighed. "Clear blue Zora."

The curtain was pulled aside, revealing Gaddison, another member of the Brigade. The Zora was a year older than Rivan, and half a foot taller. She had light violet scales, a rarity among Zora kind. Her build was also the opposite of her age. Gaddison had hit a growth spurt before the rest of them, possessing an increase in height and leaner muscles over her companions

"You know I can't let you in if you don't say the password," Gaddison nagged. "It really isn't that hard."

"Whatever. Has the meeting started yet?"

Gaddison shook her head. "Not yet, we're waiting for everyone to show up. Well, mostly everyone. You know who isn't here for obvious reasons. You're the last one."

Crap. So Kodah did beat me here. Rivan thought to himself. His displeasure must have been evident on his face, for Gaddison wore a knowing smirk.

"Not a word," Rivan muttered.

He brushed past her and into the hideout, leaving an amused Gaddisson to check the perimeter one last time. With nothing standing out of the ordinary, she closed the curtain and followed after Rivan.

The two of them moved from the entrance and into the heart of the headquarters. Like the outside, the inside of the hideout reflected its ramshackle nature. Towards the back wall was a couch that had seen better days. It was faded blue, with multiple holes in its upholstery, and leaned slightly to the left. Two wooden chairs and three chipped stone stools were arranged in a semi-circle around the sofa.

Various knick-knacks and collections were scattered about as decorations. Brilliant shells of river snails collected from Zora's River hung on the walls as decorations. Salvaged cloth sheets of a myriad of colors stretched across the ceiling. Set above the sofa were two crossed Lizalfos horns split by a rusted sword forged of Hylian design. A trophy of the Brigade of sorts. The horns and blade weren't acquired through the means of battle, simply scavenged from the murky bottom of Zora River. Despite that, it acted as a symbol of the Big Bazz Brigade: to defend the Domain from any danger and to help those in need.

To that end, the hideout also possessed a salvaged weapon's rack which sat along the left wall. On it rested two spears, a sword, and a bow, all of Zoran design. The weapons were silver in color with the occasional cobalt blue trim. While they were far from being fresh off the anvil, the arms were honed and rust-free. Their condition owed not only to the oxidation-resistant metal that made up the weapons but loving care that the Brigade treated them with.

True to Gaddison's word, Kodah and Bazz were already inside the hideout, sitting next to each other on the dilapidated sofa. They were in the middle of a conversation, though Rivan could not make out what they were saying.

Coming up from behind Rivan, Gaddison called out to the others. "Rivan finally showed up."

Both Bazz and Kodah's heads turned on a swivel towards the entryway.

"About time you made it," Bazz exclaimed as he stood up. "I was beginning to think we'd have to go find you."

Rivan frowned at that. "I would have gotten here sooner, but Dad needed some help."

"With what exactly?" Kodah asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"Dento got a large order for tools," Rivan answered her with the wave of a hand. "Dad wanted to help him with it, so he had me moving crates filled with ore to the furnace."

"Well, you're here now, that's what matters, "Bazz said. Although, this means that Kodah beat you again."

Rivan let slip an indignant huff while Gaddisson snickered from behind his back.

"I just said I was busy!"

Bazz moved over to Rivan from the couch and gave his friend's arm a light punch. "I'm just pulling your fin."

"Yeah! There is always next time, Rivvy!" Kodah said from her seat.

Rivan shivered with frustration, hands clenching together to form fists. Before he could retort to Kodah's jab, Bazz spoke up.

"Right, now that everyone is here, we can begin."

Rivan shot Kodah a glare before moving over to one of the seats. Bazz took his original spot on the couch while Gaddisson took a seat next to Rivan.

Bazz then leaned forward. "I have big news to start us off. Link is back in the Domain."

"Wait!? Linny's home!?" Kodah's eyes practically shone with elation.

"He arrived late last night," Gaddison responded. "Well, at least that's what my mom said. She was on the night shift when Link, as she put it, 'dragged his sorry self across the bridge'."

"That sounds like Link alright," Rivan said. A genuine smile formed on his lips after the information sunk in. The news rose his spirits, smothering his earlier frustration.

Bazz raised a fist in the air. "As soon as Gaddison told me the good news, I immediately knew what our mission was for today. And that's to welcome our Hylian member back home!"

The others in the hideout all cheered with him, raising their fists as well.

"So, uh, where is he?" Rivan asked seconds later as he lowered his fist.

Kodah sat back down, with crossed her arms and closed eyes.

"I'd bet twenty rupees that he's with Mipha right now," she pointed out nonchalantly.

The Brigade all turned to Kodah and stared at her with mouths agape. Kodah opened her eyes and raised her brow back at her friends.

"What?"

Rivan rubbed the back of his head. "Well, it's just kinda weird hearing it coming from you."

"It's always the first thing he does when he visits," Kodah said with a huff.

"Kodah..." Bazz said, his voice trailing off. The Brigade knew of Kodah's affection for the Hylian, and the bit of jealousy she had for Mipha.

The red-scaled Zora shot Bazz an irritated gaze. "Whatever I feel about this doesn't mean I'm wrong. Let's just ask someone at the palace where the two went and go find them."

Suddenly, the muffled sound of running feet and laggard breathing could be heard from just outside the hideout. Seconds later, a Zora around their age, with dull blue-grey scales, barged in.

"Bazz!" he shouted in a strangled voice. The Zora was tuckered out, his heaving chest and bent over posture. It was clear he sprinted his way here.

"Keji! How many times do I have to tell you not to come here!" Bazz exclaimed in annoyance. "Does 'secret hideout' not mean anything to you?"

"Sorry, sorry. But there is something you should know," Keji huffed back. He gasped for air for a few moments before continuing. "Something big is going on. At the palace."

Icy silence filled the room. Big things never happened at the palace unless it was a celebration or a dire circumstance. And there were no ceremonies planned for today.

"Two Hylians just came over the bridge, looking like pond scum," Keji continued. "I was passing by when I overheard the guard escorting them talk to your da-, I mean, the Demon Sergeant."

"And what did they tell him?" Bazz asked in a measured voice.

"Their village is going to be attacked by monsters."

The news struck like a midnight bell on a quiet night. Eyes moved around the room, each of the Brigade members appraising each other. This was serious business. Monster attacks were rare enough. Outright assaults on villages were practically unheard of.

"Where are they now?" Bazz asked Keji as he took a few steps forward towards the exhausted Zora.

"Your dad, I mean the Demon Sergeant? Brought them to the palace. I think they're going to meet with the King soon."

Bazz turned around to the rest of the Brigade, fire in his eyes.

"Bazz…" Gaddison started in a knowing voice. She could already guess what he had in mind.

"We'll only be listening in, Gaddison. Besides, this is what the Brigade was created for."

"I thought it was created to defend Zora's Domain?" Rivan asked.

Bazz shook his head. "Yes. But the Brigade does not ignore anyone in need of help. Zora, Hylian, or otherwise."

The Brigade leader then moved to the entryway of the hideout, giving Keji a clap on the shoulder as he passed by.

"Thanks for letting us know, Keji."

The rest of the Brigade watched a little dumbstruck as Bazz left the hideout. Gaddisson was the first to recover her wits as she chased after Bazz. Rivan and Kodah were not too far behind her, leaving Keji in the now empty room.

The young Zora paused for a moment, taking in the sights of the hideout with a bit of awe. Though Keji soon realized that the Brigade had left him behind. He quickly turned around, running after the others.

"Wait! Does this mean I can join the Brigade now!?"