Chapter 4- Battle of the Big Bad Bazz Brigade
"C'mon Link now's our chance!" Bazz pulled Link along to one side of the chamber as people moved across to talk about what had just transpired. Link looked around for Zelda but she was nowhere to be seen.
"Quick before anyone sees us." Bazz gestured to the exit.
"Where are we going?" Link hissed back at him.
"I'll tell you in a bit, I'll need your help. First we need to get the brigade together."
The Zora was clearly up to something, the devious grin on his face was similar to the one he wore before he had taken Link's charm.
They rushed down the stairs.
"Crap it's my father." Bazz whispered.
Both of them jumped over the banisters splashing into the water bellow and hid underneath the stairs leading to the throne room. Seggin along with three guards rushed overhead, likely being sent to quell the outrage in the hall.
"They should be by the fountain waiting for us," Bazz said.
Walking cautiously back out from under the stairs, Bazz walked to the platform that overlooked the fountain area.
"Fluffy white clouds! Clear blue…" Bazz called out over the wall.
"Zora!" Gaddison called out from below. Bazz vaulted over into the area below with Link flowing shortly after.
"Did you find it?" Bazz whispered as they walked over to the hiding spot of Gaddison and Rivan.
"Yeah right here." Rivan proudly held up the map of the East Reservoir Lake, there was a clear X on the peak named 'Shatterback Point'.
"What are we doing?" Link repeated his question trying to sound annoyed and not let the rush of excitement he was feeling slip into his voice.
"You hear about the mechanical beast?" Bazz asked. Link nodded remembering his parents talking about the search for the ancient divine beast that had been used to defeat an evil monster 10,000 years ago.
Bazz continued. "Well that's where it should be, the Shieka came into the domain several days ago after it was found and since then we haven't been let near the reservoir. Not until you came along."
"I heard it was bigger than a mountain," Rivan breathed.
"Yeah like one of those beasts old Nana said they had in the east, only even bigger," Gaddison nodded along.
"Shatterback Point, isn't that where…" Rivan began, but puttered off fear consuming his words.
"The Lynel of Ploymus Mountain lives, yeah," Bazz finished the sentence. "We won't go near it don't worry. Besides it's hardly a match for the brigade, right Link?"
Link nodded. He heard that Lynels were the most fearsome of all monsters and that his father had gained prominence in the Kings guard for killing a Lynel on his own. But it didn't scare him he had defeated a ChuChu before, all monsters were soft.
"Just imagine we'll probably be the first of the Domain to even set eyes on it. Link will lead the way, he clearly knows how to climb. You know where we going?" Bazz asked.
Link studied the map before tucking it into his back pocket. "Let's go."
He had been on adventures before around Hateno but, now for the first time Link was not alone and with the Brigade at his back. Link felt more excited than he had ever felt in his life.
Night had fallen heavily on the Domain. The blue lights that shined calmly and gracefully did little to show the chaos that was unfolding below. Oblivious to the harsh news that had just befallen the kingdom, the four children reached the foot of the stairs leading to the East Reservoir Lake. Rain began to patter down gently from above and soaked into Link's shirt turning it a deeper shade of blue.
"I can't climb when it's raining." Link announced.
"Ha! We weren't taking that route anyway." Bazz claimed puffing his chest out proudly.
"Bazz you don't mean-" Rivan began to protest.
"Too right we're going up that waterfall."
Link stared at him confused. If he couldn't climb of the rocks whist they were wet with rain how did Bazz expect him to climb up a rock face with torrents of water crashing down on him every second.
Bazz waded into the pond that lay at the foot of the waterfall. It towered above them all cutting itself into the mountain itself.
"You first Gaddison you're the best at this." Bazz commanded.
Gaddison nodded and then walked through the water eyes fixed on the waterfall. She turned back sending a wink towards Link before jumping up into the water. She flipped and twirled through it gliding through it with somewhat impossible ease. Link was transfixed at the elegance of it. She reached the top bursting out of the water with a flip and disappearing into the overhang. He looked to Bazz with amazement who smiled at his expression, clearly content that he had returned the favour for Link shocking the hell out of him earlier.
"Link you'll go with Rivan, he's strong enough to take you up." Bazz announced clearly he had been planning this.
"C'mon Finless," Rivan said dragging him out into the water below the waterfall, where Link could feel the spray of water in his face darkening his blue shirt. "Grab hold of my back."
Link grabbed onto the tail on his head and prepared himself.
Rivan took a deep breath. "Here we go."
He leapt up meeting the water with an intense crash the water hitting Link hard, reminding him to stay down. It was hard to know if they were moving or where they were at all. Water drummed into him hard, his grip on Rivan's back screaming to be released, his joints ached with that familiar pain. As though to sense him slipping Rivan called out. "Don't worry Link almost there." Sure enough the water was running out beneath them and the open air rushing forward. Reaching the end Rivan leapt into the air crashing into yet another sheet of falling water.
"There's more?!" Link called out apprehensively looking up at the next two sheets of water.
Rivan laughed at him. "Don't worry I think you're getting the hang of this Finless."
He was right Link felt his body move with the water; he felt its power its rage bearing down on him. It wanted him to fall, it wanted to rip him off but somehow Link felt how that power seemed to also force them up, they could bend it's wild power to them. The two burst up from the water Rivan landing with a nimble roll and Link slamming head first into the grass.
He groaned and spat the dirt and grass out of his mouth as Gaddison and Rivan chuckled in unison.
"The first time is always the hardest; you know what it is to be a true Zora now," Gaddison claimed.
With a wild shriek Bazz flew from the waterfall landing next to link laughing proudly. "Too right now let's be off."
"What about old Ploymus" Rivan hissed, clearly referring to the Lynel they mentioned earlier.
"What about him," Bazz replied nonchalantly.
"I heard he killed the last party who came up here," Rivan claimed.
"Yeah he shoots lightning at anyone who comes near him and chases after them as fast as a horse," Gaddison added.
Bazz waved them away. "We're not going to wake Old Ploymus we'll just sneak around him and make for the Shatterback point."
"Oh yeah, that simple?" Rivan remained unconvinced.
"Just that simple," Bazz walked up to him so that their faces were just inches away and began to stare him down. It was clear to Link why this was the Bazz Brigade and not the Rivan gang, the boy practically leaked authority much like the princess or King did.
Within a few seconds Rivan broke. "Fine, let's just be careful, he spots us and we're dead."
"C'mon where's your sense of adventure?" Bazz made his way up the slope grinning back at them before jumping into the final waterfall laughing at shock of his fellow gang members.
Link lay on the grass panting desperately.
Damn that's harder than they make it look.
He looked around the plain they had landed on. It seemed the mountain was beginning to flatten out the rocks slowly bending down into what looked like a small plateau above. Deeply rooted in the tree in front of him was a jagged arrow.
"An arrow…" Bazz murmured bending down to look at it. He reached towards it tentatively before retracting his hadn't with a yelp as electricity arced out towards his hand.
"I guess we know what the lightning is now," he groaned rubbing his hand.
Link forced himself to his feet and grabbed the arrow easily from the trunk. He had heard from his father that the Zora were vulnerable to lightning, which was why storms terrified them so much.
"Let's keep going," Link spoke firmly; the danger was just beginning to set in to the group. It was clear the atmosphere had changed to one of tension.
The four walked up the slope to the plateau. Trees and rocks lined the outside and in the clearing Link saw it. The monster was huge rippling with muscles, its body much like Epona's but, where the graceful head and neck of Epona would normally have been sat a hulking head. Red hair spurted out of its back and beard lined the bottom of its face. In its hand it held a bow larger than Link had ever seen.
"Get down," Bazz whispered as they all rushed to the rock for cover.
"In Ruta's name, why did we do this that thing is huge," Rivan was visibly shaking.
"Shut up we just have to get around it. Move when it looks away to the next but of cover. You two go me and Link will signal when it's safe," Bazz spoke with a quivering voice. Clearly his courage was beginning to leave him also.
With Bazz Link looked out from the side of the rock. The beast was looking away shooting an arrow into a tree on the other side of the plateau. They waved at the other two to go and they rushed forwards. Gaddison dived into cover behind a rock and Rivan slid behind a tree and was now trembling with fear. The monster continued to remain occupied with the tree and the two Zora were able to find cover in the bushes where the mountain began to extend towards Shatterback Point.
The two of them smiled back giving the thumbs up, clearly relieved to have reached the other side. It was their turn now.
Link made his way across the grass Bazz close behind him and ducked beneath the rock. It was too damned easy. The Lynel was retrieving its arrows from the tree, all they had to do was wait for it to return to the centre and start shooting. Then they would be in the home stretch of the point. He looked to Bazz who had placed a hand on his back; already he had a pleased grin on his face. Looking over the rock he turned to Link and nodded.
Link rushed quietly across the ground. It was just like all sneaking out all those times to steal the farmer's radishes. He didn't even like radish that much just the rush that he was feeling in this very moment. As he reached the last bush he decided to slide forwards on his knees. He skated across the wet grass his trousers soon turning a dirty green on the knees. It seemed they were in a constant war of impressing one another. He extended out his arms at the end of his inspiring performance and opened his eyes to see their reaction.
But the smiles or laughs weren't there in fact they weren't even looking at him. They looked past him horrified.
Link turned to see it. Bazz had brushed an arrow lodged in the ground which had shocked him. He was lying on the floor frozen. He looked at them with pleading eyes.
Link mouthed: Don't move.
The Lynel was now looking straight at Bazz studying him with wild eyes. Bazz was trying his best not to shake but it was too much. Link's stomach lurched, the seared meat he had earlier threatening to make reappearance. Why wasn't the Lynel doing anything? It was just looking at him. Bazz looked to them. He was beginning to break down. Legs shook like branches in a storm. His breath was visible in the air. Rain crashing down harder and harder as though the sky was about to burst. Bazz looked to the Lynel again. Link knew what was going to happen next. Bazz moved. He sprinted forwards arms outstretched.
"RUN!" Bazz yelled.
The Beast roared rearing up. It began its pursuit. Seggin and Rivan had already left making their way towards Shatterback Point. Bazz was nearing them now too. He was going to make it. Link got ready to sprint after the others waving Bazz forward. A huge booming noise exploded from beyond the peak. The blast sent Bazz flying onto the ground next to the tree. Link was pushed to his knees. Bazz was not moving.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
Link looked the two members had reached the peak and looking at him with panicked eyes. He looked to Bazz again who was struggling to stand clearly hurt. The Lynel had recovered from the explosion and was now approaching the Zora slowly.
It knows it's won.
Link had no choice. He ran out into the open challenging the beast his wooden sword in hand. Old Ploymus roared with glee as though it was enjoying the whole show. Link had caught its attention that was the main thing. The monster sat back idle and aimed its bow towards Link.
The boy ran for the tree leaping up it. An arrow embedded itself into the floor where he had just been arcing electricity towards him. He felt it buzz around him. He climbed up securing himself on one of the branches. Reality had hit hard. Link wasn't going to kill this thing there was no chance. He just had to get Bazz out alive...but how? Link thought hard looking frantically around him. Old Ploymus approached slowly with sword in hand, it was preparing to get Link and take the tree too by the looks of it.
Links hand gripped around the shaft of a shock arrow that had embedded itself in a branch a plan forming in his head. He moved further into the tree where the Lynel could not see him and waited for it. The Lynel approached, it brandished the sword with elation, the isolation and boredom of being alone on the mountain made moments like these special to it, if it could even feel in that way. It brought the sword to the side preparing to chop the tree clean from the ground.
Link burst from the leaves. He leapt over the beasts head arrow in hand landing heavily on its back. The beast turned almost as confused as Link was. Before it could react Link plunged the arrow down into its hide. It shook violently sending Link flying across the ground. Thankfully he was now but a few feet from Bazz.
Thanks weird horse thing
The Lynel lay stunned on the ground. Link rushed forwards to Bazz. He put an arm around his friend and pulled him up. They moved towards the point where Rivan and Gaddison were.
"JUMP!" Link screamed across at them.
They did so without hesitation diving straight of the point of the mountain. Link and Bazz stumbled forwards. The beast roared behind him.
Just keep going don't look back.
They were so tantalisingly close to the point now. Link heard hooves behind him.
Don't look. Keep going.
The hooves were getting closer.
Don't look.
They were at the edge now he looked over it. "GO" Link screamed as he threw Bazz into the lake below. He took a deep breath and dived off after him. The fall into water would kill him he knew it, he didn't know how to dive safely into water like the other children did, the water would crush him like a small leaf. Link unfurled the sailcloth once again gliding down. They had all made it just. The ground was coming up to meet him slowly.
He looked across to the side to see that what had caused the explosion in the first place. The creature was huge, just barely submerged by the lake's vast waters. Whatever creature it resembled Link had never seen anything like it. The divine beast was truly amazing.
He looked back to the point he had just dived off. The Lynel was still there roaring. Then a blinding pain ripped into Link's shoulder sending shockwaves throughout his body. The shock arrow had implanted itself firmly in his shoulder. His hand let go of the cloth and it rippled into the wind.
Link fell with blinding speed as darkness clouded his vision.
"Open your eyes Link."
Link obeyed looking up into Mipha's golden eyes.
She smiled at him. "Nice to see you made it… Please sit still."
Link winced as she put her hand on the arrow lodged in his shoulder. She withdrew it carefully and to his surprise pain did not erupt from the joint.
"Wha…?" She waved a hand over his shoulder green light moving over the deep wound and it soothed immediately, the redness around the cut reduced immediately.
Link looked up at her in wonder. He had never seen magic in his life and had certainly never expected to experience it first-hand.
"Don't work Link, it is my pleasure." She continued to smile down at him blushing slightly. "I already knew you were a reckless child, but going up there was downright stupid." He didn't know she had it in her to sound so damned harsh but her words rang true, he had been stupid.
He was lying on the docks with her, Seggin had Bazz under his arm the other two children cowering away. Surprisingly he looked calm, all things considered.
"Then I heard about what you did and well…" She pursed her lips. "You are also the bravest person I have ever met in my life."
The statement did not lessen the shame Link felt for going up there but warmth was spreading through his body. Whether it was the healing or those words Link had no clue. The colossal shadow of the divine beast towered close to them but its shadow cut short before them. The sun was beginning to rise.
"I would ask you to never do something like that again but it would be pointless. It seems there is something in your blood that drives you forward. But, as your friend if you are ever hurt I will be here to heal you like I am doing now." She looked to Link her stare deadly serious.
"Sure…friend," he said the words made her lips curl up again into a kind smile.
His shoulder was now completely healed save for a small indent which would likely remain forever.
Bazz walked over. "Link if you hadn't been there I would be dead right now. I am forever in your debt."
"Me too," Seggin murmured from behind. The statements lack of effort did not hide its earnestness.
That's when Link noticed at the far end his parents stood, relief painted on their faces in a proud smile. How long had they even been there for?
Bryne looked at son. He had been a complete idiot and sent the domain into even further chaos he should've been fuming at the mess the boy had managed to get into. Yet the stories the other children told and the modest face of the boy…he couldn't help but let pride well through him.
"You're right," Nyssa whispered.
"What?" Bryne replied confused.
"I wanted to shelter him all this time, protect him from the dangers most people don't know are out there." She sighed. "But I cannot protect him from his own nature. This is how Link is, who he is and I can do little to protect him."
"Nyssa it's okay." Bryne began before being promptly cut off.
"Promise me Bryne. Promise me that he will not become one of those stone faced knights so consumed by anguish that they block out the world to remain strong. I want him to grow into something better."
"And what would that look like?" he replied slyly.
"Oh I don't know... Probably something similar to the Knight stood beside me," she smirked at him. It felt good to be back here.
"Damn it all, let's head there to Castletown. We're going to be the strangest family there, hardly the image of a well-behaved merchant family or the unpretentious farmer clan…" She was using that smile again, the one that made all the troubles go away, the smile that would send the calamity running.
"But we'll be a family," she said, eyes truly hopeful.
She looked at him her bright blue meeting the stormy blue of his own.
"So…shall we be off?"
He grinned at her. "I think we might be missing a child."