Zelda insisted they leave right away, making sure they hit the desert in the morning. Everett had barely been able to rest his body before realizing they were back on the road and headed towards Outskirts Stable.
It was a long trip in Everett's mind, and he couldn't push the fact that Impa had accused him of stealing some sort of exclusive tribe fighting technique. It wasn't like he knew it or knew of it, he didn't even have control of what he did most of the time in that fight. But then again, there was only two people in Hyrule that he was certain would believe.
Olas and Boto would be happy to see him, and of course the feeling would be mutual. He would at least have them to talk to; with these two he never felt alone.
The only one who really spoke was Zelda, and even then she'd make it blunt and short. Ordering them around, or her short rants about how hard it was for her and how easy and perfect they were. Those were the worst.
"You'll never understand," she would always scold him; he would flinch, wondering what he did to deserve her hatred. "You've never had to endure the devotion, pain, and despair I have. You're perfect; you can lift the heavens with a mere whim. You don't understand anything."
She was wrong. He did endure despair. He felt life was empty without his mother. He endured pain. He had been dying for months before he finally kicked the bucket and left the last remaining member of his family. And he tried devotion, devoting himself to living a better life, but unfortunately for him, it didn't seem to be going as planned.
According to the slate, we should arrive at Outskirt Stable within the next two hours," she said from atop her steed. "Sir Everett, you say you hail from Outskirt Stable."
He tensed up before answering. "What about it, Princess?"
"Stable prices have been steadily rising due to inflation," Wow, here too? Everett thought. "I was hoping you could coax them into giving us a discount."
Everett grimaced. It didn't cost that much to stay at one, especially at Outskirt Stables. But that was practically his new home, and he didn't have to pay to sleep there since when he wasn't on duty watching the Princess, he had been busy helping with the horses. Something he didn't think he'd enjoy.
Horses don't judge you. They don't scold you or get angry at you for things you have no control over; they just love you for you. Like dogs, as long as you show them affection, they'll return it.
"You won't need any discount, Your Highness. They'll let us stay. I'm sure of it."
"You've said you've known two of the stable-masters for quite some time; would you tell me about your relationships with them?"
"Maybe another day," Everett quickly shut down the conversation, feeling the frown that Zelda wore.
That was the end of the conversation; he wasn't surprised because that's usually how Everett and Zelda's conversations ended. A few words, then boom, back to silence. It didn't help that Link was practically nonexistent. He had been perched atop his brown horse, keeping watch over his surroundings. His blue eyes darted towards a bird that had flown away.
It took them until nightfall to finally make it to the stable. Just like Everett had thought, the two greeted him with open arms as if they hadn't seen him in years. The gesture filled him with warmth, knowing that at least someone in this world cared for him.
"Everett!" Boto practically leapt into his arms, making Everett drop the bag of supplies. Olas had slowly walked up to him, letting a hand rest on his broad shoulder with a nod. It took them a few moments to realize the princess had been standing behind him with a stern look. Olas quickly bowed, keeping his face aimed at the ground.
"Sir Olas," Zelda said with sternness in her voice, clearly recognizing the failed soldier.
"Your Highness, what an unexpected pleasure to have your presence here. How can we make your stay at Outskirt Stable as pleasant as possible?"
The Princess nodded graciously. "Well, I request for the largest bed you have. Along with the breakfast that is served here in the morning."
Olas nodded obediently before turning towards one of the stable workers and informing him of her orders. He then looked towards Everett and quickly added, "Let me handle business, we'll catch up later tonight."
Everett nodded and began to unpack the supplies the three had bought together. Link had worked fast with him, handing Zelda her sleeping clothes who had practically snatched them before muttering a weak apology. She had swiftly turned before throwing the curtain over her figure so she could change.
Everett walked out of the stable and into the cool night air; he took a deep breath before fixing his gaze on the full moon that had just revealed itself. It seemed so much closer than the moon did back home, like it was…bigger? He heard a furious voice followed by a barrage of insults.
"You two are insufferable! I asked that one of you bring a sleeping potion, and you couldn't even do that? Goodnight, hero. Do not disturb me for the rest of the night."
With that, he saw Link stalk out of the stable before heading in his own direction. A look of mixed anger and frustration crossed his face. He could relate; he felt like everything he did, he was constantly getting scolded or shot down with insults. Everett had walked a little ways from the stable, finding a stump to sit on.
He didn't feel tired; in fact, he felt like he could rip another Lynel apart, and that wasn't a good thing. As much as it gave him a thrill, he hated fighting now. He hated being sized up for simply how he looked and having to constantly prove himself by lifting something, punching someone or killing a monster.
Maybe that's what they saw him as, a violent killing machine ready to snap someone's neck at the slightest whim. He saw how civilians avoided him, how they quickly moved out of his way. It made him feel outcasted. He curled his fist into a fit of rage, trying not to show it. That wasn't him. He wasn't a violent person, he only did what he had to do to protect himself. How was he going to be peaceful when people constantly antagonized him?
He sunk lower to the dirt ground, letting his body slide off the slump in a defeated way. He bought his legs to his chest, resting his head on his knee. He didn't feel tired, exhausted; but not tired. He deeply sighed, letting himself wallow in self pity.
He missed his real life. Not whatever or whoever stuck him in a fucking video game. Were the people here even aware that they're in a game? Are they even real? Or is he going insane? Wait, that doesn't make sense. Because in order for him to be going insane, he has to be alive. Which he is now. But that doesn't make sense either, because he died.
He had wracked his brain trying to dig deep into how this is possible. How it makes sense. But it was useless as only millions of questions flooded his mind so no answers, he began to feel overwhelmed with his thoughts and shook them off.
"C'mon Ev," He whispered to himself. "Get ahold of yourself."
He rested his head back on his knees, and he didn't realize he had fallen asleep by the stump. In a fetal position, with his head in his knees and his back against the tree stump. He had awoken to soft thuds of footsteps, and his eyes began to slowly open. He had squinted them as the orange glow from the morning sun invaded his eyesight, lighting him up with the color.
Olas stood in front of him with a serious look. By the look of it, it was the crack of dawn. Olas was always an early bird, and he somehow kept enough energy to get through the whole day without napping. He squinted his eyes at Everett.
"Morning," Olas simply greeted.
"Morning." Everett greeted back.
"C'mon. Let's get started." Olas simply said, he turned and walked away from the stronger man before he could response. Everett already knew what he meant, and instead just followed the older man.
Zelda had awoken slowly as the bright morning sun began to creep into the stable's opening. She shielded her eyes from the bright light in the stable that for some godforsaken reason had been turning on, as if the sunlight couldn't light the entire room up. She looked towards what was suppose to be Link's bed, but it had been empty. It looked touched, and was slightly wrinkled meaning he did indeed sleep last night.
Everett's bed didn't even look like he touched it, the sheets were perfectly laid over the bed. The same way she remembered it being. It's almost like he hadn't come back when she scolded the two. Mostly Link, but she knew Everett heard it too.
She stood up, feeling her bones adjust from being laid for hours. She stretched, feeling a yawn run through her body. She had felt hungry, and coincidental the young man Boto had appeared back in the stable with a plate of oatmeal and fruit. Specifically apple slices, she felt herself salivate at the smell and sight of it.
"Breakfast, Your Highness." Boto had greeted laying it down on the table next to her bed.
"Thank you, Sir Boto." She had grabbed one of the apple slices before she looked toward Boto again. "Have you seen Sir Link and Everett?"
"Sir Link is currently outside cleaning up the cooking pot, and preparing you're steed. Everett had went out to the field just a mile from here with Olas." He explained.
She chewed on another apple slice with a raised eyebrow. At least Link had stayed around in case anything happened to me. She grimaced at her words towards the hero, but she felt justified. They seem so perfect with their abilities, whilst she fails over and over again.
"Would you take me to them?" She requested, he bowed before stepping out once again. She quickly got herself freshened up and ready before Sir Boto returned with Link. The same stoic look on his face pierced her soul as he slightly nodded.
Should she apologize? No, she didn't think he earned it. He'd ignore her at every turn and probably deeply hates her for her incompetence, so she'll keep that apology to herself.
"Right this way Princess," Boto had directed them to an open field. Sir Olas had been standing sternly looking towards the field, he had his back turned towards the three. You could tell he had his arms crossed, and his posture straightened as he examining something.
The morning air had been crispy as she breathed in the cold chill, she had came closer to Olas before she realized an boulder in the open field. A huge boulder, maybe average Castle Town house sized. She didn't realize that chains had been wrapped around it tightly, and latched onto a body. Everett had strained, pulling the boulder by the chains; they were much bigger than the average chains she's seen. He had them wrapped around his shoulders and under his arm, she saw the sweat on his exposed arms and struggled pulling the boulder by the chains.
They finally made it next to the older man who had nodded at Boto and Link, but slightly bowed to the Princess. He had a serious look on his face as he continued watching Everett heave the boulder by the chains.
"Pull with you're mind! Get into that mental state you told me about." Olas quickly yelled, startling Zelda. He had quickly glanced before making a face to a apologize. Before she could ask what was going on, Bito had stepped forward.
"What's with the chains?" He simply asked, before he squinted closer. "Jeez, where did you even get chains those size?"
Olas smirked. "Those chains came straight from Death Mountain. Goron made, I put an order in to someone I'm close too over there."
"How long is he suppose to do this for?" The Princess asked astonished by the fact a simple hylian was able to perform such feats of strength. She saw Everett struggle a bit, being almost pulled back by the chains. He had strained himself for a quick second, before she saw the boulder slightly move and then pick up speed.
"Until he gets it to the other side of the field. As you know Princess, I was in charge of training knights at the castle before my resignation. Ever since I've met Everett, he asked me to train him for that strength competition. I've had him on a very hardcore and strict training regime since then."
Boto butted in. "Don't let him fool you; he has no idea what he's doing." Olas chuckled, making Zelda chuckle. She had glanced in Link's direction, as usual. No emotion in his face.
"I've never trained someone as strong and prolific as Everett. I don't need to train him with weapons, he's somehow a weaponry expert. I've let him use my old weapons to show me what he can do, I've never seen anyone handle a claymore or spear like he can. So far, I've only trained him to control his strength."
"So what's this "training regime" and how much does he do it?" Zelda pried. Olas sighed before he seemed deep in thought, he then looked towards the sky and then back at Everett.
"Well, today I've had him do five hundred pushups and sit-ups, squat that boulder a hundred times, now he's pulling the boulder across each side of the field ten times."
Her eyes widened, that enough to kill a regular person. "Well, how long will that take? I'm eager to get to Gerudo Desert."
Olas had looked at her as if she was infuriating for a hot second, before his face softened. He held his posture form with his arms still cross before he had answered her simply. "After he gets it past that section of the field."
Everett eventually dragged the gigantic boulder towards the part of the field before looking back towards Olas, his eyes widened at the sight of Link and Zelda startled they had been watching him. Olas had nodded his head before Everett had sighed in relief. He slipped himself out of the chains before he tiredly walked over, he looked exhausted. And it wasn't even noon, somehow that had infuriated her. They still a bit ways to go until they make it to the desert.
Olas simply looked up at the taller man. "Wasn't expecting different Everett, you've gotten through one of the insane things I have chalked up for you." Everett chuckled. Olas continued. "The Princess is ready for departure, she came out here to retrieve you for the journey."
He looked behind Zola's, acknowledging both the hero and Princess before he nodded. He sighed before putting his hands on hips.
"We can head out, I'll just need a moment to change my clothes." Everett then walked off towards the stable silently, hoping the Princess didn't scold him further for not acknowledging her.
The group had made they're way back to the stable, Everett had quickly retreated inside the stable grabbing his fresh pair of clothes that presumably one of the other workers brought for him. He swiped them off of his bed, before quickly changing into them.
He hoped that Gerudo Town had some kind of a shower, and a place he could clean himself. It felt a bit dirty being sweaty and putting new clothes on. He hoped he didn't stink, he was sweaty but somehow didn't reek of onions. He hoped it just wasn't him being used to his scent.
He came back out to a waiting Link and Zelda on they're horses. It seemed he had been walking again, he had sling the bag that Link had tasked him to carry around his shoulder before grabbing the claymore Dayru gave him.
He sheathed it, and nodded towards the two. He was ready to head off before Everett felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and was greeted by Boto with a jet black horse behind him. He raised an eyebrow in confusion, needing an explanation.
"Don't look at me like that. I know you'll appreciate riding this horse after Hylia knows what Olas put you through this morning."
Everett chuckled before giving him a nod. He walked towards the horse that had already been saddled. Lodging a foot in the stirrup, he had kicked his leg over the horse. He had been given basic horseback lessons by Boto during the week of training Olas assigned him too, so riding one shouldn't be too hard.
The horse's name was Raven.
"Stop...being so difficult." Huffed Zelda as they arrived at the next stable. The horse had tried going off the path again as Zelda struggled to keep control of it. She finally managed to get it back on path so that they could stable them.
Putting the horses up was easy, a simple paper that Everett signed with a sloppy signature and was presented with a lecture about how they'll be happy to have them again. Everett sighed before turning around to face the hero and Princess, he nodded ready to begin the journey in the desert.
"We will need elixir's to keep us cool from the desert heat, we'll burn to a crisp without them." Zelda informed.
It would only take a couple minutes before they headed into the desert. Hopping down a steep drop, the three had stopped in the sand. Everett unzipped the bag he carried before dropping an heat elixir into they're hands. He watched them drink it with an look of disgust on they're face, he'd share the same look when he downed his.
They trekked through the deep sands of Gerudo, a what looked like a rest area named Kara Kara Baazar has been stamped in the middle of the journey. It had been thriving with all sorts of races that had inhabited the lands of Hyrule. They had a big pond of water in the middle, and Everett wondered if he could just take a dive.
They had slipped and slithered they're way through t eb crowded bazaar as they came to the entrance of the desert. Everett had concluded that this must be the path to Gerudo Town. He could see the town in the distance, and it indeed did look like aways ahead. He didn't realize that three Gerudo warriors were walking towards them. They had stopped before them and bowed towards Princess Zelda, not acknowledging Link nor Everett once.
"Captain Vata," Princess Zelda greeted the middle guard, who had looked more of importance that the other two guards to his sides.
"Princess, The Chief is awaiting your arrival." Captain Vata greeted. "We are here to escort you the rest of the way, as voes are not allowed beyond this point."
"Voes?" Everett questioned earning a look from Zelda.
Captain Vata nodded. "Men are not allowed in Gerudo Town."
Everett didn't know whenever to feel shocked or angry. Not only did the woman dragged him halfway across Hyrule, past an entire canyon and an scorching hot desert. But now the town doesn't accept me? This was where he drew the line.
"This has to be a joke, right?" Everett felt himself boil with anger, not the kind he felt he could control. This was the final straw for him, and he was gripping the atoms of reality to try not to snap. "I didn't just walk halfway across a damn desert to be told that men aren't permitted."
Captain Vata frowned defensively, and took a step towards Everett. "Regardless of you're opinion, you are not permitted to step in Gerudo Town."
Everett scoffed before looking at Zelda with an annoyed expression. "Do you enjoy putting us what you put us through?"
Zelda flinched before she balled her fist in a fit of rage. How dare he!
"I should be asking you the same question, or maybe you as well Link. You two do nothing but pity and mock me as the failure I am, you two despise me more than you realize and I think you're finally showing it." She spat back. She wasn't quite finished as she looked up towards Everett. "You will not keeping speaking to me like this, my father will know-"
"Good! Let him know! I'll fight a hundred lynels! Maybe I'll even fight this calamity you all are so afraid of!" He yelled angrily towards her, she flinched before she quaked in anger. She was hoping it wasn't ending him fighting a lynel, more so that it would end in him being beheaded.
"You foul peasant! I will tolerate your insolence no more! I hereby dismiss you of you're duty!" She angrily yelled towards the brute.
He turned towards Link who had been trying to ignore them but his facial expression had wore an hint of anger. "Are you not angered? We run around all day for this fucking kingdom and we get treated like horse shit. We dealt with that guardian, and we didn't even get a thank you. Are you to going say anything?"
Link had clenched his jaw, almost biting his tongue to try and keep his himself form out bursting. The man and Princess was testing his patience. He didn't want to act out of character, but it was extremely difficult not to get out what's he's been feeling.
Everett became even more angered by his silence. "Are you not pissed?"
"Of course I am!" Link roared in anger making them startle. It was out of character for him, but he couldn't hold it in anymore. Everett and Zelda had wide eyes, clearly not expecting the outburst from the silent hero. He had his fists clenched and an expression of rage on his face. "Do you think I want this sword? This title? I lost everything to become this. My family. My friends. Me. I lost my entire purpose when I picked up this damned sword! I lost my life!"
"I've never had a life," The Princess shot back towards them. "My entire life has been devoted to serving a goddess that ignores me! My father uses me as a helpless vessel! At you least you two aren't ridiculous enough to be on your knees all day praying to a god about how hopeless you are!"
Everett snapped. Now it was just an childish argument to see who would pity who more. "You all are hopeless! I'm sick of looking at both of you're dumb faces. I'm outta here." He threw his hands up before marching away from the town, he had heard Link and Zelda about a few words before Link had stormed off in a direction of his own and Zelda stomping her way into the town. "I'm going to throw myself inside Death Mountain if I don't get away from these two."
Maybe he could head back to Outskirt Stable, and lie low there. But surely he was done for, he had just insulted the Princess who he knew was going to let the King know.
Welp, another life wasted. Great going Everett! He kicked the sand, god knows where next he's off too after they inevitably chop his head off. He saw the bazaar in the distance, the crowd had almost disappeared. He walked into the area looking towards the pond in the middle of the bazaar.
It was odd, the place was just bustling with all kinds of people from all over. Now it only consisted of a few stragglers and some Gerudo workers. He had sat by the pond, the water barely touching the tip of his shoes. The calming sound of little waves drifting through the water had eased his mind a bit.
I need a new job. He chuckled at the thought, how ironic it was. He always complained back in his last life that he could never find a job and keep it. He was seriously thinking to begin he was cursed. He lied on his back, the rock had oddly provided him comfort. He watched the clouds float over his head and Hyrule. Maybe being a cloud wasn't difficult.
All he would have to do was float until he was no more. No worries. No cancer. No Hero. No Princess. No world ending monster. Anyway why should he care? This is not his home. Not his world, whatever happens to them is on them, right? It didn't fall on him.
He was broken out of thought when he heard footsteps, and none other than Lady Urbosa stood over him. Luckily she wasn't in a position where he could see under skirt, however he was trying to not to get distracted by her legs.
"Enjoying the view?" Urbosa asked with a small smirk.
"What do you want?" Everett asked bluntly. There was a silent moment in between the question, and the answer Urbosa would give him.
"Heard you, Sir Link and the Princess got into it."
"What about it?" Everett asked, not opening his eyes.
"I came to apologize on my behalf, she can be a lot."
Everett laughed. "You think? She only cares about herself."
He could heard the frown in her voice. "That's not true-"
He snapped up. "But it is. She takes every little bit of anger out on me as much as she can. She belittles me every step of the way and calls me insults for most of the day. You all may have this idea, that she's "misunderstood." But she's not, she's an ass-"
He had calmed himself down before he could barrage the Princess with insults. Closing his eyes, he had breathed slowly before he opened them back up.
"It is simply not worth the stress anymore."
"I have a proposal," She said. Everett had sat up now, before he dusted himself off and stood up to his full height. "A tribe heirloom has been stolen from us by the Yiga. We believe they fed it to a Molduga."
"A what?" Everett asked.
Urbosa sighed, clearly she looked tired and exhausted. "A molduga, a ferocious and fearsome sand beast. Only the most skilled of warriors are able to bring it down."
Everett raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Urbosa sighed once again. "Skies above, I'm asking for help. Link had already accepted, you're going to be here for almost two days. Might as well do something that'll kill the time and smoothen the hard feelings."
"Or I'm being used to do something that a normal person can't, but that's never the case. Is it?" He challenged.
Her smirk didn't fade. "It is what you want it to be."
He sighed, he himself was going to be the death of him. "Show me this..."beast."
Yooo! Back after a few weeks, had some writers block and trouble trying to fit Everett in this part of the story. I'm amazed at how much love and praise the story is getting, I would've never imagined. Can't believe it's blowing up like this. I'm getting new favs and follows everyday.
Thanks for the reads, support and reviews. See you in the next chapter.