"Can you feel that? Ah, shit…OH WAH AH AH AH!" Heh heh…I need to stop making nu metal references.
Anyway, I wanted to do a bit of rambling before this chapter; pardon me for such. In this particular entry resides most of the content that inspired me to write this entire story in the first place. It will set in motion the main framework of The Heroes of Hyrule. So yeah, I'm pretty excited about this one – mostly what it is preluding to.
Just as a warning, there will be some sexually mature stuff going on in the latter portion of this chapter. I will give off a warning, beginning and ending any of the smuttiness with parentheses so that those of you who don't want to read that stuff can just skip over it.
Here we go :)
– Vengeful Cam
–:–:– Part III: Ferocity –:–:–
Chapter X
Nearly two weeks had passed since the Crimson Yiga had attacked Princess Zelda. Since then, no other enemies had presented themselves to test the might of Hyrule's Royal Guard and the forces of Zora's Domain. Royal meetings commenced regularly, in which Princess Zelda and King Dorephan spoke of an ancient prophesy and a great evil that would come to plague all of Hyrule. Link had no clue what any of it meant, or what in the burning hell Divine Beast Vah Ruta was, but he was thankful that he was included in these seemingly important matters – all thanks to Mipha of course who convinced her father that the wielder of The Master Sword should be present for meetings such as these.
During the meeting of the Hylian's second week in Zora's Domain – to the day – Princess Zelda spoke to the Zoran King of excavations. Link found himself yawning – these meetings had begun to grate him down to the very barest of boredoms. However, he felt his ears perk up at the mention of known-Sheikah, Impa. He turned his attention to the Princess.
"…is leading the excavation team as they uncover the great lizard, Vah Rudania, from Eldin Canyon. In time, her team of Sheikah will make their way South to assist with the finding of Vah Ruta. Their advanced technology will prove useful in such occasion," she spoke with a sparkle in her eyes.
"Indeed, princess," King Dorephan stroked his strong jaw thoughtfully. "So the Divine Beasts are truly here? I, myself, believed them to be naught but a tale – similar to the story of Hylians, Madah, and Ive, who cursed our kind with mortality by eating of the forbidden fruit."
"Who are we to say that the tale of Madah and Ive is false, your grace?" the princess responded with a raised eyebrow.
The king strained a smile but did not comment.
"Well, I suppose there is nothing more to discuss. I will continue my stay here with leisure until the clan of Yiga arrives to offer their recompense," Princess Zelda huffed.
King Dorephan bowed low, "It is our pleasure to have you, your majesty."
Princess Zelda smiled thanks then exited the throne room – or 'the fish' as Link called it. Link followed behind her, adjusting his Royal Guard cap nervously. Mipha skipped alongside the young knight but halted when her father called.
"Mipha, child, I wish to speak with you," the purple king called.
Mipha deflated, Link noticed, but she forced a smile all the same, "Yes, father."
As the two Zorans spoke quietly to one another, Princess Zelda spoke.
"Some of the Royal Guard are headed to the nearby mount to attempt to hunt down the red-maned monster there," she said matter-of-factly.
Link nodded. He knew.
"Will you be accompanying them? I know you mentioned this Lynel when – well – I…sometime ago."
Link glanced at the princess. Her eyes were cast down, and her fingers intertwined afore her. She seemed…frightened?
"I don't like killing, princess. In answer to your question, no, I will not be accompanying them," Link explained truthfully. He didn't want to see any more death. His stomach tightened at the thought of it.
"Oh?" the princess seemed surprised.
Link recalled some choice words he used for the Crimson that had snuck into the domain.
"I will cut you apart bit by bit…I will march you up the mountain to the beast that awaits there."
That sounded quite like someone that enjoyed killing. Link didn't understand what had changed, he just knew that when the princess's life had been on the line, all sanity had seemingly left. All he could focus on was rescuing her. Truly, he didn't intend such vile things?
Link sighed inwardly. The princess must think him vicious.
"I have seen enough death for my liking. I do not care to see more," Link began.
Princess Zelda hummed, surprised. Her gaze left her the floor. That, at least, was somewhat comforting.
"You seem to be acquainted with the princess, Mipha. Are you two…friends?" the princess asked as they began descending the large staircase.
Link was taken aback, "Uh – yes, she's nice. I don't know her all that well, but I suppose we're friends."
He wasn't sure why his ears felt so hot all of the sudden.
"She is to be my appointed Zoran Champion, I'll have you know."
Link frowned. He wasn't too sure what that meant.
"Come again, your majesty?"
Princess Zelda regarded him curiously, "You don't know, do you? I had assumed my father had informed you – but, perhaps, he didn't have to."
"I don't understand, princess."
They had reached the bottom of the staircase. Princess Zelda grabbed his hand – much to Link's surprise – and dragged him to the circular fountain room. She glanced around worriedly, then let go of his hand.
"Do you know of the prophecy of Ganon?" she whispered fiercely, her green eyes alight with an urgent fire.
"No," the young knight responded.
"Hush!" the princess reprimanded. "It is said that a great many generations ago, an evil, unlike anything we've seen before plagued these lands with terrors untold. They called this thing the Calamity, but his name was Ganon. It is said that one day, he will return, and the powers of the gods will unite to destroy him. That day is now."
"What powers? What gods?"
"Your sword, Mipha's healing, and supposedly more amongst the other races. The gods' names have since been forgotten, aside from Lady Hylia. Her power, however, is something special. It manifests within a person much like how the healing capabilities reside within Mipha, but her endowment remains genealogical, passing down from generation to generation."
Link could feel his breathing grow heavy. This was all so strange. Gods? Powers? Prophesies? It was all too much, and still, he felt as if he knew nothing.
"What more do you know of this prophesy, princess?"
"That is all. It was never written down, foolishly, though some scholars suppose it was destroyed by some malicious person – that doesn't matter. The prophecy has been passed down for some thousands of years in the Royal Family, and now, as it begins to become, the words are half-forgotten."
"Are you certain that Ganon is returning now?" Link asked, but even now, he knew it to be true. Why else had he dreamed of terror and heard the Calamity's name?
"Yes, Link. The sword has been pulled. Thus, it begins."
Link sat on the edge of the fountain, hiding his fear and utter unknowing behind his ever-so-useful mask.
Princess Zelda regarded him concernedly when, loud and as sudden as thunder, loud trumpets flourished.
Link glanced up at her with a frown.
"The Yiga Clan is here," she answered his silent question.
Link followed the princess as she made her way back to the stairway and gracefully carried herself back up to the throne room. Mipha beckoned them in, blinking furiously – as if she had been crying recently. Link shot her a concerned glance as he passed under the mouth of the fish, but she didn't seem to notice the gesture.
"Let us see what the fools have to say for themselves," spoke Muzu, a green Zora that Link was not overly fond of. Being the advisor, Muzu sat at the king's side. Princess Zelda seated herself opposite. Link and Mipha stood attentively at either side: the young knight, beside the Hylian princess; the red Zoran, beside Muzu.
King Dorephan sighed unceremoniously, "I care not for such affairs any longer. My mind is weary with the troubles of this world."
No one responded. They waited silently for some time as the Yiga Clan was escorted across the great bridge, into the domain. Link could hear the clanking of boots as they began to march up the stairway to the fish. He unsheathed The Master Sword and pointed the blade against the floor, palming the pommel to keep the sword in place. He wanted to ensure the Yiga Clan knew who he was.
Princess Zelda noticed this gesture and frowned disapprovingly.
Soon after, five crimson-clothed men, sporting the same mask as the attacker entered. Behind them stood their leader, Chieftain Kohga. His face was proud, with defined cheekbones and smiling lips. His eyes were crimson like his entourage's clothes, and shoulder-length, silver hair was pulled back in a tail which rested against his nape.
"Your grace," he spoke, bowing before King Dorephan. "Your majesty." He bowed to Princess Zelda. He glanced at Link, who shot back a glare. These were the people that tried to kill Princess Zelda; these were the people that killed his father – ugly bastards, all of them.
"I offer my sincerest of apologies to you, Princess Zelda of the Royal Family Bosphoramus Hyrule," Chieftain Kohga began. "I acknowledge and accept full responsibility for the actions of this rogue Crimson of my clan that has disregarded all moral in an attempt to take your life. While I was not personally aware or involved in such a venture, it is with all due remorse that I come before your highness in humbleness and offer up whatever I have to your grace."
"Are you ready to forsake your life for the princess?" King Dorephan interrupted.
"Yes, I would die for our princess," Chieftain Kohga responded with a nod of his head.
"That is well. Zorans! Prepare the gallows for this man. He is to be punished for his Crimson's crimes."
Chieftain Kohga's red eyes widened with fear, and he began stammering useless words that were hidden beneath King Dorephan's bellowing voice.
"Nonsense," Princess Zelda stated with a flick of her wrist. Aloof, she seemed, but Link could see the fear in her eyes. Her facade did not work so well on him.
"I do not wish to see Chieftain Kohga hanged, your grace," the princess continued.
"Thank you kindly, your grace," Chieftain Kohga bowed low – so low, that his nose was pressed into the floor. "Now, please, accept these gifts."
Chieftain Kohga smiled nervously as his entourage approached with his gifts.
"To Mipha, the beautiful Zoran princess, I offer the Lightscale Trident."
Mipha regarded the weapon with awe as it was handed to her, "Oh, it is quite beautiful – and so very light. Thank you!"
The Chieftain smiled, "To his grace, King Dorephan, I offer you the Savage Lynel blade, taken from the beast above. May your brawn wield it well!"
King Dorephan nodded his thanks and eyed the massive curved blade excitedly. It was all too obvious that he was rather pleased with Kohga's gift.
"To the Wielder of The Master Sword, Sir Link, I offer you the armor of the Fierce Deity. Dragon scale, it is made of – hard and light. The fierce mask, also, wrought of steel and melted scale, painted with spirits' dye, I give to you. May this suit protect you well."
Link's blue eyes lit up with wonder as he accepted the gifts, fingering the mask and plates of armor carefully. It was a gift beyond riches; protective and expensive, as it were – something Link could never have dreamed of possessing.
"Thank you, Chieftain. I am honored," he managed to speak.
"And to you, kind and beautiful Princess Zelda Hyrule, I offer the relic of my family, passed down to me from my father, and his father before him, and his before him, and so forth for two thousand years: the Tablet of Seeing."
Princess Zelda took the small slate and analyzed it curiously, her eyebrows scrunching up in adorable fashion – according to Link.
"Thank you, Chieftain, I am honored, though I do not know what this tablet is capable of," the princess said softly.
"I can show you if the breath remains in my lungs for a night longer," Kohga shot a sheepish grin at King Dorephan.
"I hope you know, Chieftain," Princess Zelda spoke, "that I do not put the crimes of one man past you or your clan. I cannot say how my father will respond, and his rage may be against you for all that I know. I should hope not, but I can make no promises that you will survive the Spring. Be that as it may, I will do my best to calm my lord-father if it does come to such things."
"Thank you, kind Princess," Kohga smiled again.
Formalities, apologies, and other promised offerings were spoken, but Link found himself altogether enveloped in awe for the Fierce Deity suit. All through the day, his mind itched to don the armor and the mask, but he would not – not yet. It was wont that he remain ceremonial in the presence of those around him.
Thank Hylia, his mind was taken off the suit as a large feast was held. Tables had been set about in the largest spaces they could, and food and wine a-plentiful were served to the many folks present – the Zorans, the Hylians, and the Yiga Clan. Link found himself having a merry time, sipping wine and chatting amiably with Princess Mipha about careless things. Link had never been intoxicated before, but he found himself enjoying the warm feeling that spread throughout his veins as he drank more and more wine.
Mipha giggled uncontrollably, sipping at her cup as Link balanced a fork on his upturned nose. It toppled over, and the young knight found himself laughing alongside the Zoran princess. Drunk as they both were, Link was surprised that King Dorephan – or even Princess Zelda – did not reprimand them or order that no more wine be brought to the two, yet no such thing happened. It was nearly midnight when Link found himself with a full belly of meat and wine. His mind was spinning in elation, and his nerves, tingling with happy notes. He found that the feast about him seemed to have grown rather hot, and his ears were very pink.
"Princes Mipha," he called, though she sat just next to him, "do you care to go for a walk with me?"
The princess chuckled at Link's drunken state and stood, offering her arm for support, "But of course, Sir."
There was a twinkle in her eye as Link stood, his legs shaking in attempts to find solid footing. The red princess laughed yet again and helped him make his way away from the merrymaking.
They walked in the moonlight, arms linked. Link whistled a tune as a soft breeze blew through the glowing domain.
"You're very beautiful tonight – hic! – princess Mipha," Link slurred.
Mipha giggled, "Thank you, Sir Link, and you as well, appear quite handsome. Wine suits your face well; it puts a smile on it."
Link laughed loudly, his mind numb in bliss. A sudden desire wormed into his stomach and his heart began to beat faster. He wasn't sure why that was, but he liked it – just like he liked the wine.
He led Mipha down a hidden corridor inconspicuously, whistling all the while. Suddenly, he came to a halt, and he turned to face the red princess. He met her amber eyes, searching them for something unknown. All he saw was glee – the same glee he felt in his mind. His stomach though felt no such glee – only want. He pushed the princess against the wall, inches away from her face. He could feel her breath against his face, soft and warm with the scent of summer grapes. He took her clawed hand in his. Still, she did not stop him. Then, he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her softly. He pulled away and smirked as Mipha stared at him with wonder.
( (
She smiled in return and Link pressed against her body, kissing her again – harder, with more passion. A soft moan resonated against his lips as he pressed his hips against hers. He broke their kiss and followed her lead as she led him out the corridor and up a flight of stairs. They wound about rooms and halls that Link could not remember – or perhaps he had never once been here – until they came to Princess Mipha's room.
Link entered, unabashed, and began removing his tunic. They kissed again, undressing each other as they did, until they both stood naked – drunk – in princess Mipha's room. Link pushed her onto the bed and climbed above her, kissing her passionately and mingling his tongue with hers. She moaned into his kiss as he entered her. He began to kiss down her neck to her breasts, all the while advancing into her. She moaned quite frequently in sync with Link's grunts as he made love to her in the night. They went on for nearly an hour, climaxing three times before they collapsed, exhausted.
) )
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Link awoke with an unfurling in his gut. He untangled himself from Mipha's arms and climbed from her bed. He opened the door, stumbling past the halls until he came to a balcony. He threw up over the side. He stood there for nearly half an hour, regurgitating and groaning as the wine burned his throat. After nothing but bile remained, Link sat on the cold balcony with a sigh. His head was searing with pain and the night winds chaffed his naked skin. He breathed heavily and rubbed his forehead as he recalled the events of the night. Cursing himself mercilessly, he made his way back to retrieve his garments.
Princess Mipha loved him, there was no doubt about that, but he did not love her. He did not care for her in the same way she did him. Sure, she was kind and beautiful, and he did like her, truly – just not in that way. Yet, now, he had lain with her in his drunken state. He had made love to one he did not love. Link found himself wanting to throw up again, disgusted in himself as he was. How would he explain to the Zoran princess that he did not wish to see her again? How could he explain to her that it was not her fault, but his? How could he fix his mistake without breaking her?
Link shuddered, May the gods damn me.