As Link rode towards the Zora domain, his thoughts were consumed by the looming possibility of failure. This was a new sensation; he had always been confident in his abilities. The sound of his horse's hooves echoed through the quiet night, and the wind blew through their hair, causing them to wonder if this would be their last chance to defeat Ganondorf.
Despite their doubts, Link continued on, determined to succeed. They had passed Thims Bridge in just five minutes and were nearing Zelo Pond. The darkness made it difficult to see, but Link's horse was adorned in knightly armor, making it even harder to spot at night.
Link couldn't help but contemplate the consequences of failure as they rode. What would happen to Hyrule if Ganondorf succeeded in his plans? he didn't get to see what happened after they left. Some of him was glad, but another wanted to know so badly. These thoughts only served to fuel their determination, and they urged their horse to go faster.
Finally, after an eternity, Link arrived at the Zora domain entrance just at the turn to the Akkala region.
Link finally arrived at the Zora domain entrance near the Akkala region's turn after what felt like an eternity. He quickly dismounted his horse and walked towards Inogo Bridge, leaving his horse and Diablo hidden from the path but within view. He continued walking until he reached the edge of the bridge, where he heard a familiar voice shout from above.
"Hey, old friend! We meet again in the same place," exclaimed the voice. Link couldn't help but smile as he looked up to see his closest friend, Sidon.
"As always, I'm glad to see you safe and sound, Sidon," Link replied, smiling. Sidon leaped down from his night watch perch and hugged his friend tightly. Link returned the embrace, though not as strongly as Sidon, who was bigger and stronger.
"Sorry I couldn't make it to the meeting, my friend. The Zora have increased their night guards, and I couldn't leave without being spotted," Sidon apologized.
"Don't worry about it. Everyone's fine, and they were worried about you. That's why I'm here. I'm actually surprised you were able to get out of the Zora domain," Link said.
"My friend, passing the guards was no easy feat, but I am willing to do anything to meet with you tonight," Sidon beamed with his usual cheer. Link simply rolled his eyes and redirected the conversation.
"What have you discovered about your temple?" Link inquired. "Everyone else seems to have ideas about how to reach their temples with the help of the Divine Beasts. Is it the same for you?"
"Yes, I have found that the Divine Beasts' assistance will make things easier. However, when I attempted to approach Ploymus Mountain with the Divine Beast, it caused quite a commotion among the Travelers and Zora at the major sites. I did my best to keep the Divine Beast at a safe distance."
"I understand that it may pose a challenge, but I believe that by working together, we can successfully transport the Divine up the mountain without raising any suspicion. I have devised a plan that outlines the order in which I will assist each group, prioritizing the least risk of getting caught," shared Link with his close friend. "My first stop will be with the Rito, as they possess exceptional eyesight and can easily spot any potential threats."
"I agree; it would be wise to tackle the more challenging Gerudo temple next," added Sidon, recalling his experiences.
" and then after that I'll come here and then go straight to the Goron... Almost likely go to that one alone with Yonobo." Link stated
" I do not think that is a good idea link... What if something happens" Sidon said as he worried about his best friend
"It's nothing I haven't handled before... Anyways it's going to be too hot for you and everyone else, so I would like to know if you guys want to be there.
"Remember, the volcano is still active during this time," Link said as he tried to get Sidon to bring up the idea of going with him.
"But let's consider your safety," Sidon expressed concern.
"Don't worry, Sidon. I've defeated Gohma in the fire temple before, and I can do it again. And if anything goes wrong, I can teleport out or call upon your spirit guardian or anyone else's for help, you know that," Link reassured him.
"I understand, my friend, but I'm just thinking about your well-being," Sidon replied.
Link interrupted him sternly, "I appreciate your concern, Sidon, but this is something I must do. I won't jeopardize your life or anyone else's if it's unnecessary. I'm the hero, after all."
Sidon tried convincing his companion that he did not have to face the challenges alone. However, they were interrupted by a sudden voice behind them before they could continue their discussion. The spokesperson said, "He's the hero of your story." Surprised by the interruption, the two men turned to see a young Zora hiding under Inogo Bridge.
The older Sidon immediately rushed to his younger self and asked him what he was doing there. He was concerned for his safety and quickly lifted the young Sidon, who raised his hands to be picked up. The older Sidon held him securely and gently rocked him to check for injuries. He scolded the young one, saying, "I told you to go straight home. Why didn't you listen?" The older Sidon's concern was evident as he held the younger Sidon, ensuring he was alright.
"I apologize," the young one uttered, his voice filled with regret. "You always share your incredible adventures, and I wanted to be a part of them."
Link couldn't help but smile at the young one's eagerness. He wondered if Sidon was just as enthusiastic about exploration at this age. Despite his amusement, Sidon knew that caution was necessary.
"Adventures can be dangerous, especially for someone as small as you," Sidon cautioned, his tone firm but gentle. He noticed the young one's eyes fill with tears and felt sympathy. "Fortunately, you have two skilled adventurers with you today. However, you must remember that you cannot venture out alone until you are older and taller, at least as tall as I am." Sidon knelt down and used his hand to indicate his height as he spoke.
The young one nodded solemnly, his expression betraying both disappointment and understanding. Sidon knew it was difficult for the young one to comprehend the potential risks of adventure. Still, he also knew that as a responsible mentor, he had to instill a sense of caution in the young one.
Link's mood was dampened by Sidon's insensitive comment about his height. He had a knack for exaggerating Link's height, making him the center of ridicule and mockery. It was common for Sidon to single him out this way, and Link could see the amusement in his friend's expression.
Comparatively, Link was one of the shortest in the group, with only Tulin measuring up to his height. But Tulin was still young and had yet to grow into his Rito wings, which meant he would soon surpass Link. It was a fact that the others never failed to remind him of.
Sighing, Link replied, "Oh, you're hilarious. So, what adventure do you have planned for us today, young Prince?"
The Prince's face lit up as he recognized the hero from his friend's tales. They began discussing their upcoming expedition, envisioning all the exciting and incredible discoveries they would make. Link and Sidon even taught the Prince how to wield a spear and sword, which he was thrilled to learn.
As the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon at precisely 5:00 in the morning, the group of friends heard the distant sound of hooves approaching. They turned their heads in unison to see Link's horse cantering towards them, its powerful strides kicking up small dust clouds.
Link urgently approached his friends, his face marked with a slight frown. "I have to go," he stated matter-of-factly, his voice tinged with regret as he shared the news. "The guards are coming."
One of Link's friends nodded, acknowledging the situation's seriousness. He understood the need for Link to leave, even though it might be difficult for them to part ways. The other friend appeared puzzled, not fully grasping the situation but still recognizing the necessity of Link's departure. Despite their mixed feelings, the group knew they had to say goodbye and separate.
As Link rode on the back of his trusted companion, Diablo, his black stallion, he made his way toward the intersection of the Akkala region and the Zora domain. However, his path was soon interrupted as he stumbled upon a group of Knights returning to Central Hyrule.
With an air of authority, the group leader approached Link and asked in a rather rude tone, "What are you doing out here?"
Undeterred, Link calmly replied, "I was ordered by the princess to investigate the Divine Beasts. I am currently heading towards Death Mountain to continue my investigation."
Upon hearing this, the leader quickly realized his mistake and apologized for stopping Link so suddenly. "Very well, continue on your way," he said sternly, signaling his men to follow him.
Link watched as they rode into the distance before teleporting away on Diablo, his trusted companion, when they left his sight.
Getting to Rito Village took some time for Link. He arrived in less than a few minutes but chose to wait outside with Diablo to survey the area. In the afternoon, he approached the village, leaving Diablo with the farm hands at the stables.
While going to Rito Village, Link crossed several bridges connecting to the little island. It was a serene journey, with the sound of water lapping against the shore providing comforting background noise. However, upon arrival, he sensed that the locals were giving him curious looks. He realized he was the only Hylian present, but he didn't let it deter him from his mission. Some parents quickly ushered their children inside, while some men kept a watchful eye on him.
Unfazed, he continued to the slippery Falcon shop, a small establishment tucked away in a corner. The shop was dimly lit but had a cozy feel to it. As he entered, the shop worker looked up from his counter and appeared stunned. Apparently, no Hylian had ever asked for arrows before. The shop worker explained the various types in stock, but Link cut him off by placing a bag of money on the counter. He announced that he would purchase all the arrows they had available. The shop worker was taken aback but soon gasped in amazement at the sight of the filled bag. Link had come prepared and, as always, was ready to complete his mission with determination and efficiency.
The shop worker was quick to dismiss the majority of the payment. It is customary for arrows to be priced at 3 rupees per piece. However, in this transaction, the customer purchased 15 packs of exploding arrows, 20 shock arrows, 40 fire arrows, 10 ice arrows, and a whopping 100 batches of regular arrows. Due to the sheer quantity, the customer was charged five times the usual amount. The total number of arrows purchased was 925, and the expected payment was only 2775 rupees. However, upon counting the money, the customer had placed a bag overflowing with 14000 rupees on the table, which was significantly more than the correct payment amount.
Link moved swiftly out of the small shop, carrying a large bag of arrows. The shopkeeper had yet to return his payment, and he wanted to immediately. The shop worker, who had been attending to another customer, attempted to pursue him, but the man was too quick and stopped him in his tracks. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the shopkeeper's generosity in allowing him to purchase all of the arrows he needed at once.
Moved by the man's gratitude, the shopkeeper's eyes filled with tears. She couldn't help but ask the man why he needed so many arrows. The man's response was simple yet powerful. He explained that he was a skilled archer and needed all these arrows to practice his craft. The shopkeeper was impressed and wished him good luck on his journey.
The man then requested directions to the nearby clothing store, Brazen Beak. The shopkeeper willingly offered to guide him and even offered him food and drinks as a gesture of gratitude. However, the man politely declined and thanked her before continuing. The shopkeeper watched as he disappeared, grateful for the encounter and wishing him well on his journey.
As Link went about his business in Rito Village, he couldn't help but notice the curious glances he received from some of the Rito inhabitants. It wasn't clear to them whether Link's generosity reflected his kind-hearted nature or a mockery of their poverty. Nevertheless, they continued to observe him closely as he made his way to a clothing store, where he was met with a similar reaction from the shopkeeper.
Link couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at their reactions to his monetary gifts. He knew that everything would be much more expensive in the future and that he needed to be put in a time when everything cost less than a few rupees. Tulin, however, explained that during this time, there was still a lot of racism against races outside of Hylien and Gerudo, the largest populations in all of Hyrule.
Despite his awareness of the situation, Link wasn't prepared for most of the reactions he received in Rito Village. He couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he navigated through the once-familiar territory.