Chapter Four
The Elder Princess
Two Days Later..
It had been two days since Midna met with Trixi in the jungle, and the girl still found herself hanging around, even if out of sight of the others. Like now, as she lounged around in the canopy of a tree as Nik made himself useful around the small fishing village. It had been a long couple of days, with the growing feeling of wanting to be closer to the slightly younger voe growing by the hour, it seemed. Several times did Trixi find herself about to leap out of the trees and jump him only to somehow rein her emotions back in. She really didn't know what to do with herself.
"Still sulking in a tree, are we?" Came another voice as Trixi jumped, scrambling to keep her grip and hold on the tree as she looked to see Melva, surprisingly.
"What do you care? Why do you all keep bothering me?"
"Because, sweetheart, if you didn't care to be a part of this, you'd have found yourself able to leave, take yourself wherever your feet want to go. But you haven't. Instead, you've sulked around the village practically stalking Nik."
Trixi rolled her eyes, despite the pang of guilt at her actions she felt. "I'm not sulking and I ain't stalking him! Again, why do you all care about this so much? You and your sister are being roped into it just as much as I am."
Melva laughed. "That's true, no one will tell you otherwise. But, neither of us really care much for the King and the devious ways he runs the Kingdom, so siding with the boy who is prophesied to take over seems like a better choice. Not to mention, it isn't like he's forcing us. Yeah, it's kind of like a compulsion to be close to him, but it seems Midna figured it all out first, you know? She accepts that her fate is tied to Nik and because of that she isn't bogged down by compulsory feelings. Probably why Purah isn't going insane trying to get to Nik right now, although maybe she is from how Midna always teases Nik about the messages sent between them."
Trixi scrunched up her nose. "So that's it? I just have to accept it? This whole situation still feels like some horrible nightmare."
Melva hummed. "Let me ask you something, then. Maybe after you hear what I have to say, you'll feel differently about this.."
Meanwhile, Hyrule Castle..
Ganondorf could easily say he was bored, but what would that accomplish? His Court scrambling to entertain him? Old hat. His daughters consoling him that he already ruled the land? No, with Zelda imprisoned and Sonia off on her own trip abroad from the Castle, that wouldn't be possible. There was always.. No, no that wasn't an option either since Urbosa absolutely refused to allow him to even touch her once Zelda had been born. And with no heir in sight from all his Harem-building, Ganondorf figured it may have been the best decision, although his extended rule was already looking like a good time for the Demon King.
His smirk faltered as a guard pushed open the door. "Your Highness, the reports are in from your, uh.. Demons. According to them, the time since the last Blood Moon has been full of slaughter on your forces. No descriptions of the culprit exist other than a very vague description a Bokoblin gave the Captain, saying the one who slaughtered your men was a monster of a man despite his slender build. Unfortunately, no other details could be gleaned as the Bokoblin then dropped dead on the spot." The guard reported.
Ganondorf's eyes narrowed. My Demons, defeated? That makes enough sense as most of them aren't hard even for a farmer to handle. But for one of them to become so scared they died after giving only a partial report? That's practically unheard of since the taboo times of the first Princess Zelda.. Interesting. "Do we know where this mystery assailant may be?"
"As a base of operations? Absolutely not and as for current location, we can discern they may just be somewhere in Faron, judging by the last Demons being killed being near Lurelin Village. Of course, this was over two days ago but there have been no reported loss of troops since."
"Lurelin, huh? Sonia is supposed to be out near Faron, correct?" The guard nodded, being her duty to know what the two princesses were usually up to. "Send her a message asking her to check out the village. If this person who dares attack my army is hiding out amongst the fishermen and women, then Sonia will be able to single them out with her abilities."
"Right away, my liege." The soldier saluted before closing the door.
Using his expansive magical powers, Ganondorf summoned a very ancient tome to his hand, opening the book to a set of pages with a full illustration, one of an ancient battlefield where a single man stood, wielding a glowing blade and the only hints to this mystery person's identity being the Holder of Courage. "Could it finally be? Has my family finally outrun our avoidance of the Sacred Prophecy?" Ever since his forefathers had found out about the Prophecy, the Dragmire dynasty had made it their mission to always stomp out the otherwise light side of the conflict, which was one of the many reasons Hylians were short on supply nowadays, even with the few still born of their Gerudo mothers slightly evening the odds otherwise. Closing the book, he glared towards the door of the throne room, thoughtful about what the slaying of his Demons could mean, even if not the Holder of Courage.
A Short While Later, Outside Lurelin..
Princess Sonia frowned as she looked around at the thick jungle that surrounded her. "Seriously, why did I agree to this for father? I hate the Faron region. It's too hot, it's muggy, I feel disgusting.." the purple-haired princess sighed, flipping her hair over one shoulder as she trudged along.
With her mumblings, she almost stumbled into someone, another Gerudo by the small glance she got as she kept walking, but it made her turn her head as she realized that, while it was in fact a Gerudo, it was a voe with blonde hair as bright as the golden parts of her younger sister's own. She briefly wondered how Zelda was as she called out to the voe. "Hey, you!"
The young man, barely older than Zelda if Sonia had to hazard a guess, turned around. "Who, me?"
The princess rolled her eyes. "Yes, you. The voe who even father thinks doesn't exist this Cycle." Nik looked at her, worried. "Where in the Heroines have you been hiding out? Father has been wondering where the throne would go next. Why haven't you contacted our father at the Castle?"
Nik looked side to side in panic, wondering where Midna suddenly was before sighing with a muted curse. "He is not our father. I have no father to speak of. And if you see through the illusion, then you'll understand soon enough. If you'll excuse me, I'm currently running an errand, princess." He turned away for a moment. "How does it feel knowing you're named after not only your great-great something grandmother, but that she was also the first Ganondorf's victim? Killed to take that Stone the King always wears."
Sonia scoffed. "I did, actually. I don't care what my family has done in the past, such a distant one at that. What importance does that even have? I should bring you to father, myself."
"You'd only be dooming the Kingdom to more cruelty. I've heard you care more for your little sister than almost anything else. I happen to know that Zelda is currently being kept in the Castle dungeons, on your father's orders. Some big sister you are, huh?"
Sonia looked shocked. "No way. Zelda may be a bit chaotic but she means well and father sees that. He wouldn't do that to her. Liar."
Nik chuckled. "So naive, and you're the older of the two? Why do you think you haven't heard anything from her lately? Purah told me she was locked away when she found me." Nik smirked. "You know, I've seen you once before. At a distance, obviously. Gotta say, though, you definitely look better up close."
Sonia couldn't stop her cheeks from reddening. "Well, thank you I.. guess.. What did you mean before? About it being too late?"
Nik shrugged. "It's something my girlfriend has been saying to women who have been around us or can see through the illusion spell she cast on me, which does work. We've proven it already. Anyway, I really do have to get going, but it was nice truly meeting you, Sonia." Nik turned and walked away, stopping several steps away. "Oh, and as a hint, if you need one, think about how the Rule of Succession is carried out." With that he continued down the road to wherever his destination was, leaving Sonia thinking about his words.
It can't be true. Father would never lock Zelda up.. I need to speak to mother. She thought, walking off in the opposite direction before she stopped and cursed. I never got his name, but he knew mine. Curious.. He's lucky I've decided to postpone returning to the Castle.. Filing it away to ask the mysterious boy if she saw him again- and she had a feeling she would- Sonia began trekking towards the desert, where her mother would let her know what was really up. Urbosa didn't lie to her children, at least.
Later, Jaki's Family Home..
"You told her what?!" Delphine looked at Nik like he was crazy as he told the others what had happened earlier with his chance run-in with princess Sonia. "That puts everything in danger, doesn't it?"
Midna giggled. "I think he handled it admirably. I would have told her the same things and confused her just the same. But, you actually called me your girlfriend?"
"Well, yeah? I mean, you're.. what is it called again? The first girl, right? That would entail you being of some romantic attachment. And I mean, we are with the way you-" She covered his mouth only to retract it when he licked the inside of her palm, laughing all the while.
"Ugh. Such a child." Midna smiled softly. "Anyway, you were right to tell her that. Maybe that'll take away the challenge of keeping it a secret from her daddy dearest. I have to say though that using her affection for her sister against her father like that? Devious."
"It's the only way she would see something was up with it all. She's ignorant to a fault, but that eventually backfires. I just showed those seeds in her mind to think about." He turned his head to the new head in the house, already sound asleep by the sounds of it. "When did she give in?"
Melva giggled. "She hasn't. Not fully. But, she understands and we understand more about her and why she's so against it. She's part of the family, but she needs to be eased into the romance of it all. Give it time, she'll come around." As the oldest of Nick's found future wives so far, Melva had taken it upon herself to be the motherly figure of the group, a role Midna also seemingly delighted in playing, herself. The twenty-eight year old was just happy she could be of help in breaking Trixi out of her shell a little bit.
Nik nodded. "Alright, I can do that. Thank you, too, Mel. For being so understanding of all this."
"Are you kidding? There's a thrill in all of this I haven't felt in years. You're leaving soon, then?"
Another nod. "Just got word from Purah. Knowing Sonia was just here, she wants me to move on to keep suspicion down. She doesn't know who I'm here with, and all she has to go on is maybe a name or two, not even mine. Purah just wants us to be careful, although I'm sure Sonia will come back to us eventually with no ill content. Unless the Royals can just naturally see through Midna's illusion."
"Impossible. Unless they have Twili blood, I would find it hard to prove such a thing. No, she's one of us, I'm sure of it. Now it's unknown if Zelda may be as well, but time will tell. You are not ready to rush into that Castle."
"I know. Purah said someone would be waiting for me to help train me better in swordfighting as well as some bow training. Which would be welcome, since I have a lot of bows from killing Moblins and such but I'm a horrible shot."
"Then give me one, I have eagle eyes!" Jaki said excitedly as Delphine frowned, crossing her arms.
"For what? The last time I allowed you to use a bow, you almost killed a horse!"
"She walked into my line of fire, noty fault." That made everyone laugh as the moon glowed brightly in the unpolluted skies.
Two Days Later, Early Morning..
Nik awoke to a bo staff poking him in the ribs, making him almost jump out of bed with his silver longsword drawn. The white feathered humanoid bird smirked at his reaction. "Almost good enough. You should have been able to awaken before I first touched you."
"Yes, well. I enjoy my sleep, thanks. It's still dark out, why the fuck in Hylia's name are we already up at this?"
The Rito's top warrior Teba- on a favor from Purah- had shown up at their camp the night before, explaining he was there to travel with the group for a short while as he taught Nik more advanced fighting techniques. When he felt Nik was ready, Teba- would make his way back to Rito Village, where Ganondorf had no other power than a reigning governess who, if what Teba said when mentioning her was true, would not be much of an issue when and if Nik and his growing harem would need to travel up to Hebra.
Melva, meanwhile, had decided to stay in Lurelin just in case anyone came snooping around after Nick's departure while Delphine had come with them, now wearing a cloak she said also doubled as a fishing net if she needed it to. Now the group traveling numbered four since Trixi usually trailed behind the other three, writing down whatever it was in one of her journals. She said it was nothing to worry about, but with how detached she tended to still be, it worried Nik a little bit. As it should. Midna had told him the day before. It's what makes you a good man, Nik. You care, a lot more than Ganondorf seems to about his wives, and that's why you will win against him, Hylia-infused blade or not. Phi had objected this from her place inside the Ocarina, but Nik had tuned the voice out, knowing Midna was right about how much he cared.
Teba frowned, the corners of his mouth beyond his beak turning down and causing his face to look much older than he was. "This isn't a game, Nik. I am an elite Rito warrior, the best my Tribe has produced for two generations ever since my grandfather Revali graced Hyrule's skies." Most children grew up learning something of Revali, the infamous Rito who almost- somehow- took out the reigning Ganondorf at the time- the current King's father- with a bombing run of Hyrule Castle with technology no one could identify to this day, as all traces of the technology Revali had used turned to particles and disintegrated after use. "You must know how to truly handle a sword and a bow for your future fight against the King, and this favor I do not take on lightly, mind you. I only do this because Purah helped my son several years ago."
Purah had mentioned such a tale to Nik during the few days she stayed at the farm in Zora's Domain. She had happened upon a small child Rito wandering around in a blizzard, cold and hungry. She nursed the little guy back to health and signaled the Rito Tribe via a smoke signal when the storm had cleared. Teba, beyond worried about his young son, pledged himself to help Purah if she ever needed anything, and training Nik had been the first and only thing asked of him, since. "I know, Teba. I hate knowing you're being taken from defending you home against the King's continued attempts at total control over your people. But I am grateful beyond measure that you took up the task. Knowing you're Revali's grandson gives me hope you can make me good enough in a fight."
The bird-person smirked. "Honeyed words, Nik. But thank you for the vote of confidence. Grandfather Revali was not revered much at home, but for what he almost did his name is feared across Hyrule. Now, up and at 'em. We have a lot of work to do." Begrudgingly- mostly because Midna was nestled in his arms still asleep- Nik got up and took hold of his longsword again as he followed Teba outside of the tent him and Midna were sharing, the other tent in their little camp housing Delphine, Jaki and Trixi.
Gerudo Town, Gerudo Desert..
Sonia huffed as she pulled her cloak down after entering the Gerudo palace. "Mother." She greeted, bowing to Urbosa as she sat in the second of Hyrule's main thrones.
Urbosa smiled at her eldest daughter. "Sonia! This is a surprise. What brings you all the way here from the Castle? You much prefer there, don't you?"
Sonia laughed. "Yes, mother. It is good to see you. I had an.. interesting encounter the other day and something was brought up that I thought may be better bringing up with you, if you have a few moments to spare?"
Urbosa smirked. "Of course, any time for my daughters. Come," Mother and daughter climbed the stairs lining the throne room up to Urbosa's personal chambers, where the older Gerudo sat at a small desk. "Now, what seems to be bothering you, my little mage?"
Sonia sat down on the oversized plush chair shaped like a Sand Seal. "Where has Zelda been lately? Father only tells me she is out and about, never detailing what she's up to. And with what I heard the other day, I felt it necessary to confirm her activities."
Urbosa hummed. "And you didn't want to ask your father because daddy dearest keeps dodging your questions?" Sonia nodded, frowning. "Not to worry, my love. Mother does indeed have all the answers." She giggled. "It seems this encounter you've had.. would it have been with a certain voe?"
Sonia's eyes were as wide as a Gerudo shield. "You know he's been out there? And haven't told father?" Urbosa nodded instantly to the first, shaking her head in the negative pertaining to the second. "Why?"
Urbosa sighed heavily. "Because, Sonia, your father may be King, but he has long since lost my respect due to his.. continued building of power. And I only know of the voe due to young Purah, such a sweetheart you know? As for Zelda, he was correct, Sonia. Your little sister is, indeed, locked up in your father's dungeons under the Castle. I believe it will fall to this up and coming prince to bring about true peace to this Kingdom. What else seems to be bothering you, though?"
Sonia nodded. "Something else he said to me. Something about an illusion spell I saw through that his girlfriend put up and how it was too late because of it."
"Ah, so he's being careful, then. Better in the long run. Dear, you know how our family has stayed in power as long as we have, don't you?"
"Of course. The Rule of Succession by building up a harem to bolster.. power.. No.. are you saying?"
Urbosa laughed at her daughter's shocked reaction. "You are absolutely adorable when ruled up, Sonia. And yes, technically I believe it all means you are meant to join the voe. Against your father. Purah told me as much, but she only knew what they did about the spell at that point, which wasn't much only that most saw him as nothing but a Hylian. How does he look?"
Sonia blushed. "Mother.." She said lowly before sighing. "He's no father. He looks more Hylian, so there is truth to the point there's no way he's related to me or Zelda, plus he says his birth was immaculate. He has the muscles and height but he's built more for running, if I had to guess. I didn't get any information otherwise out of him other than Zelda being locked up." The nineteen year old shrugged.
"He is intentionally avoiding the spotlight, and for good cause. If your father hears a Hylian is showing up his monsters or Demons or whatever the blasted things are, he will start hunting. And you know how your father is once he starts a Wild Hunt."
Sonia nodded mutely. She remembered the screams of agony and mutilation from the last time her father had initiated the dreaded Wild Hunt, five years earlier. She couldn't remember what the now deceased had done against her father, but it was one of many reasons she kept herself out of trouble. Daughter or not, she'd done things her father would murder her ten times over for and Sonia did not want to just get killed, least of all by her own father. "Even knowing what he intends to do to father, I.. I do not care to see that voe hurt.."
Urbosa nodded. "Then you will keep your meeting him to yourself once you go back home to the Castle when you decide to confront your father about your sister's very wrongful imprisonment. Eventually, you and possibly Zelda as well will have to be somewhere safe to him and against your father."
"What about you, mother? Isn't there technically nothing stopping this voe from taking even you? Despite being the first girl of father's own harem?"
Urbosa smiled mischievously. "There isn't anything stopping this young man from absolutely stealing me away from your father. It isn't like the love I truly felt for Ganondorf still exists as prominently as it did back then. He wasn't bad in his youth, but with age and the power he's accumulated, always seeking more.. I can't be a part of it without my own opinions anymore. Plus, I doubt a voe your age could handle me, anyway."
Sonia scrunched her nose. "Ugh, mother! That's not something I want to hear."
"Like it or not, Sonia, you'll probably hear much more such talk in the coming weeks. Now, what will you do?"
Sonia frowned, conflicted. "I'm going to go demand father release my sister, for one. Her rebelliousness is only due to father having such tunnel vision."
Urbosa nodded. "Yes, his pursuit for more and more power concerns me. He most likely knows next to nothing about his power being siphoned thanks to all of his.. extracurricular relations since your sister was born. Looking for his heir when, as Purah would put it, Hylia herself put her own stop to the dynasty with this voe out there. Go then, love, and stay safe."
Sonia got up, walking towards her mother as she gave Urbosa a hug. "Thank you, mother. I will send word back on what happens." Without another word, Sonia left the palace and Gerudo Town behind, her mind set on confronting her father.
Urbosa watched her dark-haired daughter walk out of the town, smiling. "It's about time you came out from his thumb, Sonia. Even in power, us vai have to ensure we're taken care of, after all."
Two Days Later, Duelling Peaks..
Nik waved farewell as Teba took off, his job concluded as he assessed Nik no longer needed his guidance in combat. Midna leaned into his side as her, Nik, Jaki, Delphine and Trixi continued on their way, their new destination being the Southern plains of Hyrule Field, where Purah alluded to having left something for the group to find. However, it was beginning to get pretty dark out, and Nik knew better than to stay in plain sight during the nighttime hours. "Alright, we should probably build camp for tonight. Trixi, with me. We need to find something a bit more tasteful than fruits from Lurelin."
Trixi looked at Nik like he was nuts for volunteering her but nodded begrudgingly before following Nik away from the treeline where they would set up camp. For a while, the two walked in silence until Nik hummed. "So, Trixi, how are you settling in? Are you alright?"
Trixi startled where she walked next to him. "Hmm? Oh, no I'm alright. Honestly, everyone has been so nice that it's a bit.. off-putting."
"Really? Everyone's efforts to ensure you're comfortable is off-putting?"
Trixi nodded, her head tilted at an angle. "Yeah, a bit. I mean I get why, but it's more the situation in general that still.. I don't know.."
Nik laughed. "Yes, you do. You're scared to accept it fully. I still haven't, yet, and there's already a line for my ass."
That made Trixi giggle. "Really? The would-be King doesn't really fathom that he's to have a harem?"
Nik shook his head. "It's not that. I understand what the position in life I was dealt entails. What I don't understand is why it's me? Why was my mother chosen to birth not just the Hero but one who still retains the Gerudo heritage of the modern Hylian Monarchy? I would figure balance to be restored to the Hylians instead."
"Maybe you're right, but probably not. There truly aren't enough Hylians to bring the old Monarchy back, and even if there were, the Gerudo genes that carry the Goddess Hylia's powers wouldn't water down to a more Hylian form for generations. It's possible that Hylian sees this world continuing on, just not with Ganondorf at the helm, so to say."
Nik shrugged. "Maybe. Still, though.. I can't help but doubt myself. I can't help feeling the fear of what could happen if I don't come out on top. Teba said I was better than most Rito warriors he's trained, but I don't know how honest those words truly were."
Trixi blushed even as she spoke up. "I think you looked better than good. I've watched Gerudo training out in Gerudo Town, and even some of the more lithe warriors couldn't move as fluidly as you were last night and this morning. As for being scared and fearful? That's the very backbone of being courageous, Nik. You can deny it all you want, but it's obvious that you hold the Spirit of the Hero within you. And we're here to stand with you, whatever happens."
"Including you, then? When did you decide this wasn't such a bad thing?"
Trixi looked away, her face red. "Shut up! It's just more convenient to stop denying that there is something drawing me to you. It's not like I get jealous at seeing you and Midna kiss all day."
"And that right there sounded like a confession in disguise. So you're jealous of the fact that Midna and I show our affection?" Trixi shrugged. "Would it help if I kissed you, then?"
Trixi bristled as she took a short jump backwards. "Nik! Don't do that! I only said I feel jealous of it, not that I wanted it like that.." Although that is a total lie, now..
Nik grinned. "Don't worry, Trixi. I understand. Just don't alienate yourself anymore, then, alright? What's had you so withdrawn lately, anyway?" Nik had seen that Trixi seemed much more in her head the last few days than she had been when first encountering the group.
"I'm fine, really. It's nothing of importance, I assure you. But I may have found something about that Sword.."
"Oh? Like what, pray tell?"
The girl shrugged. "Can't be entirely sure. From what I could gather, there are several steps involved just to gain the power to forge such a sword, and the first step requires us to have Hylia's powers. Which means that-"
"We need to speak to Sonia or, more likely, Princess Zelda about such a thing." Trixi nodded. "Fuck, and things were going so easily so far."
"Too easy, in my opinion." Trixi giggled. "How do you think you'll work around that dilemma?"
"Well, we already know Sonia is to become a member of this ridiculously growing family, and if I was a betting man, I'd say Hylia herself is out for Ganondorf's blood in a.. rather unorthodox way."
"What's that supposed to mean, then?"
"Simply put? Hylia doesn't just want me to defeat Ganondorf or take his throne, but also to take everything from him as well. The first step, being close enough in age to us would be Sonia and Zelda, the princesses of the Kingdom birthed from his blood. If Hylia is being especially cruel, however, I could see not just the princesses but the Queen as well. Maybe multiple wives."
"Are we conspiring on corrupting Ganondorf's own first girl now?" Came Midna's voice as she shimmered out of the forest that surrounded them. "I'm in."
"Why are you so gung ho about growing this harem in such ways, Midna? What's really in it for you, since you can't return to your Realm."
Midna smirked mischievously. "What can I say? A Queen does prefer her throne, after all. But, you know it also stems from the fact I'm very repressed sexually so the prospect of such things just amuses me. Well, as much as it fuels my imagination just enough not to subject the rest of you to the taking of our beloved's virginity before we all decide the power vacuum has to close the scope of differential powers between the King and Nik."
"Ew, that's actually kind of gross to hear." Trixi said, scrunching her nose as Midna folded her arms across her chest.
"And? Eventually it will need to happen, or the Kingdom could very well already be lost. With you as well as I or Melva or even Impa. The only way Nik truly makes it through this is with the power he gains through the absolutely absurd amounts of sex that comes later on."
Trixi looked mortified as Nik chuckled, just used to Midna's antics by now. "Stop scarring the girl, Mid. Come on, let's just get the stuff for camp. Trixi, don't mind Midna. I know how frustrated she really is." Long talks in the night when the couple couldn't find it in themselves to sleep came to mind, a smile on his lips as Midna looped her arm with his.
"A Hinox couldn't satisfy me with my levels of sexual frustration." Midna laughed melodically as Trixi covered her ears like a child ignoring their parents, another plot at her own amusement as the now trio continued walking down the path.
Meanwhile, Hyrule Castle..
Sonia burst into the throne room, surprising Ganondorf while reminding him of Zelda's same outburst the day he put her in the dungeons. "Father!"
"Sonia? Is something wrong?" The King asked as his daughter approached, a frown adorning her pretty face.
"Is Zelda really traveling? Or do you have her locked up in your dungeons for her attitude again?!" Sonia's hair crackled with purple electricity as Ganondorf felt her magic being used in her anger. "And before you tell me anything, know that I visited mother before coming here."
Ganondorf heard the threat in her words clearly, as shocked as he was to see his eldest daughter acting this way. "Sonia, my dear, what's gotten into you? Why would you think I locked your sister up?"
Sonia fumed as she recognized the tone her father spoke towards her: one which he'd used only when lying to another, usually in his constant obsessive collecting of power. But Sonia was ignorant, for the most part, not stupid. She knew, as soon as that boy had told her about Zelda, that it was clearly the truth and hearing her father confirm it sent her mind reeling, her magic threatening to explode forth in her usually quiet, almost non-existent fury. "How dare you lie to me, father! Your own flesh and blood?! This need for power has completely consumed who you are! The Kingdom is in shambles because of your constant attacks on the Rito, Zora and Gorons. Why can't you just stop this mad dash and try to bring actual peace to Hyrule?!"
Ganondorf stood up, his own magic exploding in an Aura of blood red and black as he growled. "You know nothing, Sonia! Peace is but fleeting, there will always be a new war whether we want it or not, so instead I'll keep this Kingdom in the state I wish to and will not be told how to run it! Especially not from my own daughter! Either you or Zelda! She is not leaving the dungeons, Sonia. Now. Leave!"
Without another word, Sonia stomped her way out of the throne room, magic still crackling around her as the guards waited until she was well out of electrocution range to close the throne room doors back up. Sonia knew she wouldn't be allowed to see Zelda, and therefore needed a way to break her out instead. Perhaps the hidden tunnel? She thought, remembering Purah once saying there was supposedly a secret entrance that led straight into the deepest parts of the dungeons, where Sonia knew the mass grave of her father's unsuitable brides now lay, them and their unborn children. Just the thought of the horrific sight she'd once witnessed made Sonia put a hand over her stomach, imagining such events happening to her with wide eyes as she felt a wave of nausea wash over her.
But rescuing her sister was going to take more than the elder princess' magic or knowledge of the secret tunnel. No, she knew what measures she would have to take. Whom she needed to find as soon as possible. Sonia made her way to her room and packed another bag to leave the Castle. Come nightfall, she'd get herself out through her window and go find the voe. Destined or not- whether to Sonia, Zelda or both princesses- he was the only hope of Zelda escaping their father. But where would he be now? Hyrule was huge and with the few days it had been since she's seen the young man, he could have gotten anywhere within a good three or four regions of the whole country's map. Unless.. He'd mentioned.. That was it! Adding one more item to her bag, strapping it to the front of the shoulder bag, she patted the Purah Pad.
Sonia looked around at her room, a spacious space that suddenly felt miniscule, claustrophobic even. She hated what it did to herself, doing this to her father but she had vowed that nothing would be more important to her than Zelda, and she wasn't going to let her father get away with such activities against his own children. She would contact Purah about the voe later, to avoid suspicion from Ganondorf as to what Sonia now planned to do.
That Night, North Hyrule Field, Border Stables, Border of Woodland Region..
The group had decided to stop off at the local horse stable, Midna suggesting to Nik that they acquire horses of their own eventually in order to make traveling much less troublesome, to which Nik agreed. Now, however, Delphine, Trixi and Jaki had decided to sleep while Midna and Nik sat just outside the Stable, looking up at the stars as Nik's Purah Pad began beeping. This time, however, it wasn't just a text message as Purah's face appeared on the small screen when he opened the message. "Good, yours is working fine. I had to make sure the function worked. But, I have some news to tell you. There's someone who wants to meet with you, Nik. I'd come chaperone the meeting myself but I'm currently in Eldin roasting my ass off with the Gorons. Great hot springs, though," Purah winked and giggled. "Anyway, they said they'll be able to meet you at the cemetery located east of the Border Stables by tomorrow evening. Just.. be careful, okay. I don't want to see you hurt in the off chance this is a trick."
Nik nodded. "Will do, Purah. Hopefully soon you'll be able to freely travel with us."
Purah smiled. "I wish that were true but I don't know when that may be. Knowing I'm already involved with this harem makes me hate being away from you."
"I am more than enough for him at the moment, little Shiekah. Do not worry about our prince."
"I don't know enough about your race to really trust those words, but you've done right by him so far so I don't have much reason to not trust your word. Just know, Midna: you may be first girl, but once I'm there he's all mine, got it? I was technically the first to get to him, you only managed to win his heart first."
Midna giggled. "If that's what you have to tell yourself to sleep better, honey." She teased. "Anyway, I'm heading to bed, beloved. Will you be joining me?"
"In a minute, Mid. I have to discuss something with Purah, first." Nodding, Midna placed a kiss on his cheek before entering the Stables again. "Purah, is everything alright with you? I know this.. attraction gets stronger the longer it exists, no matter the distance."
Purah sighed heavily. "Yeah, I'm alright, Nik. Just.. tired of hiding how much I want to take the King out, knowing you have to be the one to do it. Teba told me he left you all a couple of days ago?"
"Yeah, said I was more than ready for anything Ganondorf could throw at me, so there's that bit of praise. And I'm sure he was just trying to lighten my spirits because the King is way too powerful for me to take on anytime soon, but still.. there's a long way to go."
"You'll figure it all out, Nik. I mean look at the group you've already assembled in the span of a couple of weeks or so. You have Midna, me, Impa- I still have no words that she's involved with this- Melva and Delphine from Lurelin and most likely Princess Sonia because you ran into her and she saw through the illusion Midna has placed on you. You're doing great, and I forgot to tell you something fairly important about the powers that be when it comes to Lineage. See, Ganondorf this time around had a bunch of women impregnated thinking you would be born to him. This repetitively happening made Ganondorf just start murdering all of the mothers, but he still has that power from those women. Their power will only stay with Ganondorf, however, until he uses that bit of power up. Think of it as using a dying plant versus a thriving one for an experiment. The dying plant would stop producing results as it died while the thriving plant will keep creating that energy. It works the same way with the royal power behind the Dragmire dynasty. The mass grave I saw only sustains Ganondorf's immense magic reserves until they're lessened by you, after which the temporary powers will quickly be used up and he'll be on much more balanced a standing against your own by the time you face him in mortal combat. I gotta go, but keep me posted about the meeting tomorrow. I can't be sure even I trust them about this meeting as of yet."
"Alright, Purah. Get some rest. Night."
"Night, stud." Purah giggled before the call went dead again, the Purah Pad displaying the slowly-clearing map of Hyrule once again before he pocketed the device away and went to join Midna in bed, thinking about- and having an idea- about this mysterious meeting and with whom it was happening.
Twenty Hours Later, Former Hylian Celestial Cemetery..
Nik was a bit spooked out by the scene around them as the fog blanketed the area in which they stood. The state of the graves, whatever little of them could be seen, spelled destruction and desecration in the site, which may be why the very center of the cemetery was crawling with Stalfo enemies, which was why Nik had told Midna and Trixi- the latter insisting she come along- they would stay out by the perimeter fence since no skeletal foes seemed to be around them. The trio had left the Stables an hour earlier, and now that the night was beginning to set in, the fullmoonglowed ominously upon the ground. Thankfully, there were no red and black Malice strands floating about to indicate it was a Blood Moon night.
"I hope this is over with soon. Cemeteries always give you the creeps." Trixi said with a frown as she leaned against one of the few still-standing gravestones.
"It will be. Whoever is meeting us here shouldn't be much..longer. And there she is, as I thought it might be." Nik nodded towards the distance where a shape emerged from the thickest of the fog, purple hair illuminated by the ball of bright, crackling electricity that sat in the young woman's hand.
Midna hummed. "Oh, is that the princess? The one you ran into near Lurelin last week?"
Nik nodded. "Yup. That's her." He took a few steps forward, trying and failing to use his own magic to create a similar ball of magic as he called out. "We meet again, Sonia."
Sonia frowned from where she approached. "That's still princess Sonia to you, voe."
Nik put his hands up while repeating the line he'd told her the last time they'd met. "Well, excuse me, princess. Why all the secrecy in meeting up? Purah could have said it was you coming."
"I told her to keep it a surprise. You know, keep you on your toes about why I'm even here."
Realizing that thought was just passing through his mind, one hand instinctively went to the hilt of the Silver Longsword on his back, to which Sonia's eyes widened as she took a precautionary step back. "Does that mean I should expect this to be a possible trap?"
Sonia shook her head vigorously. "Hylia, no! I came to you because, as much as I hate to admit it, I need your help. You're the only one who can rescue my sister, whether she like me is to be a part of your harem or not. I'm not here to start a problem. See, after we met, I found myself unable to get you out of my head, you and your vague words as of them. I went to Gerudo Town to confide in my mother Queen Urbosa about it, and she made me realize just what you meant and how it all clicked together. She told me to follow my heart about what to do in the coming days, so I marched straight back to the Castle to confront my father about Zelda's imprisonment- also proven true by our mother. This went as poorly as you'd imagine, with father absolutely refusing to let Zelda back out under any circumstances. So I contacted Purah about it last night and arranged this meeting so my sister can be released from those horrid dungeons."
"So this isn't some plot to have us let our guards down?"
Sonia shook her head again. "No, absolutely not! Weren't you listening? I'm part of this, part of your harem. Despite any free will I have, mine and any other woman enthralled by you compel us to help you. Plus, after seeing my father so pissed off about me wanting my sister back, I don't think I'd much like to approach the man, honestly."
Midna narrowed her eyes. Sonia was telling the truth, she could tell from the genuine panic that had began making Sonia's heart beat faster since Nik moved his hand to the sword on his back. "She's telling the truth, Nik. However, I fail to see how to rescue the princess.."
"There's a tunnel, a secret one not even my father knows of. It leads through an abandoned section of the Castle before winding up in the lower dungeons, exactly where Zelda will be kept."
Nik nodded. "Does sound awfully convenient, something daddy doesn't know about can just bring us to your sister. But, you don't even know my name but spoke to your mother about me, so I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. For now. Understand, Sonia?"
Sonia gulped, nodding. "As clearly as looking through a crystal window."
"Good." Midna said, clapping her hands as Trixi looked worried about the whole situation. "Then let's go rescue ourselves a princess, shall we?" She looped her arm with Nik's as they began walking towards the Castle looming in the distance.
A/N: Another chapter down, even more story to tell, lolol. Lot of exposition for the next chapter and beyond and yes, Midna's rampant pervertedness is intentional. Gives me more Imp Midna vibes.
