Hyrule : Journey of the Gerudo
Chapter 6 : A broader view
The caravan members were reunited once more in their temporary camp before taking the road. They shared a breakfast, took the time to talk, then prepared the wagons for their imminent departure.
Once Ushara harnessed their mount Tessoro, she looked at her sister. Komara did seems tense under her eldest scrutinizing look. "You will be in charge of leading the wagon today. I planned something and will join you back later." Leaving the reins in her hands, the soldier then started to walk away to the end of the caravan formation. Her relative bent over the bench and tried to follow where she was going.
What was her surprise to see Ushara join the Gorons. They got into an excited talk. Bogozigo, the youngest one with a sprout of hair-like filaments, would make large gesture while making explanation. The oldest with his rugged face, Ragano, kept his arms crossed and would add details here and there.
Before they could finish their talk, the chime of a bell could be heard at the front of the Caravan. Master Devon had given the signal and the group started to move forward. Ushara climbed into the top of the Zonai buggy and would grab hold of the structure there. It was the source of her interest and she took time to study it.
This pre-made structure would go under the code name Wing. It was shaped like some sort of bird, from this jade green and copper specific to this Zonai technology. It's large span and the sharpness of it's form was suppose to create something called 'Aerodynamic.' Ushara could not pretend to understand all the details of it, but she grasped the idea. By the difference of speed and pressure from the air below and above the glider, it would make a 'push' that allowed it to raise in the air.
At the centre of its mass was a control stick. That handle that raised from the middle was to be bent in order to allow the structure to tilt. By changing the angle she could expect to gain more speed or a greater lift. There was a few extra modification brought by the Gorons. First of all, a rail by the control stick so she could anchor herself to the structure. You would not want to slip from the Wing while soaring through the sky. Then below the structure was some hook. The glider would stay connected to the buggy at all time by a long rope. This way the buggy would drag the aerial section. They will then reel it in once the rider would give a signal.
Before the Gorons would deploy their gliders, they made a bunch of safety check with their equipment. Ragano would bombard the Gerudo with specific questions about what they just explained. Ushara thought that all Goron would have the kindest disposition like the other brethren was. She had to guess that not all Goron were from a unique mould. At the same time, the way this Ragano acted reminded her of her instructor in the army. This roughness was a way to have the people under their care ready. She acknowledged that this was his way to ensure her safety and Ushara proved him that she was worthy.
Once preparation were made, Bogozigo grabbed something from their tools. He handed her some tubes with coloured cap. Those were suppose to produce smoke when cracked open. He kept one and attached it to a weird organic bit. It was an Octo Balloon, a monster part that allowed their respective monster to gain buoyancy. The young Goron squeezed the organ and it caused its inflation. Before it would leave his hands, Bogozigo deployed the smoke and a column started to raise in the sky. He used it to determine the direction of the wind and how it would behave at higher altitude.
The softer Goron kept following the trail up in the sky until he was satisfied. "All good! Miss Ushara, put on the gear." She followed by clamping a belt harness. This was to tie her down to the glider. Then the soldier went to slide some darken goggles over her eyes. They would reduce the intensity of the sun and protect her from swift air current. She gave the signal she was ready. "Grab hold of the stick. Remember to push it forward to stabilize yourself." Added Bogozigo.
Once the rider was ready to be deployed, Ragano worked some of the levers from his seats. The glider slowly pushed up before being tilt to a 30° angle. Ushara gripped more tightly, getting tense with anticipation. "Green light, all security clear. Launch imminent." Ragano mumbled while making his final check. "Oh, and try to not bite your tongue." With no more sign, he activated the launch pad. A twisted coil under a platform unleashed.
The spring sent the Wing in the air at high speed. Ushara grasped at the control stick while the air whistled by her ears. She did like instructed and pushed the control to have the glider gain a stable position. She slowly started to lose speed in that ascension. She could hear the rope hooked below sliding. Then with a loud thud, the rope reached it's max length. The glider shook violently but that was she been warned about. She adjusted her positioning and started to move smoothly in the air.
In accord to her training, she cracked the lid of a green smoke tube. She was safe and reached max height. All this happened so quickly that she had no time to look around. Her eyes were focused on the trail of smokes stranding behind. She swayed gently from side to side to shake the coloured trail. She then started to zoom out. She was now standing far above the walls of the Gerudo Canyon. The smoke, becoming thin at the end of the tube before its green emmanation lead her eyes behind her.
This was the path they been travelling. Thus, standing behind her was the desert of her birth. Shinning from the morning sun, the gentle paleness of the sands brought her amazement. She had such a wide view, it was a moving sight to see her home under a different angle. Crowing in the middle of it all was the Gerudo City. It felt small and she enjoyed scooping out her hand to have her hometown fit in her palm. She kept starring for such a long time. Her throat tightened. It was now behind her, only for this life to feel tinier and tinier.
Parting away from that grievous sight, she lifted her head to the sky. Starring right up. The clouds were swaying. Birds making patterns among their swarm. She could then see some of the hanging floating islands. She might be hanging in the sky, but they still felt so distant. How weird that this great Upheaval that altered the world became a sight now comforting?
Feeling some comfort, Ushara closed her eyes and kept her focus on the sensation of cutting through the air. It certainly was an experience like no other. Keeping her eyes closes, she tilted the control and slowly descended. That unknown was terrifying, while also a feeling of something pulling her from behind her belly, that made this stunt exhilarating. She pulled back up, only to dive again or sway to sides. She danced like a bird for some time. Satisfied, she opened her eyes once again.
Her heart racing, the view from the sky felt even more astonishing. Ushara kept doing stunts in the air, getting more agile with the aircraft. She frankly loved that feeling. At some point, the soldier focused on what was waiting in front of the caravan. She could see that the walls of the Gerudo Canyon were coming to an end. Beyond it was another elevation, Hyrule Plateau, that they would need to go around. Thus, the road ahead would first go down a cliff. It would then form a hairpin shape to finish the descent and point north. She could see the reflection of water, sending glimmering rays in the sky, meaning that they were some bridges to be expected once they pull out of this region.
Ushara enjoyed the flight for a long time afterwards, her mind mostly blank and focused on the current moment. Gone were her doubts. No more questioning. She had a journey ahead of her and she wanted to enjoy it. To find more exciting moment like this one. Most of all, she wanted to spend that adventure by her sister side.
Having made peace, she started to pull the glider down. She then cracked the tube of blue smoke. That was the signal that she wanted to return to the land. Soon, the Gorons activated the winch and drag the rope back to their buggy. Ushara proceeded gradually, slowly approaching the ground. She could see the caravan growing in size. Once she could details the travellers below her, the eldest sister could see the little Shinra waving frantically at the airborne apparel. Ushara answered her waving and she could hear her giggling raising up to the sky.
The soldier could not be distracted any longer for the next step was a very delicate one. She had to land on a moving vehicle. They kept reeling the glider closer until it was at a critical distance. Ragano, in his rough way to ensure one would understand the indications, made very clear that this action had to be done in one clear motion. There was a railing, the launch pad, on the top of the Zonai buggy. They had set a rope that would catch the glider hook once it land. What she needed to focus on was to make the glider move at the same speed than it's land craft. Then, she needed to pull down and slide among that railing.
Making sure that her safety belt was strongly anchored to the glider, she clenched her teeth and made her approach. Just like an owl making it's calculated strike to capture the mouse, Ushara closed in on the landing ramp. Speed, angle, height. All were perfect and she anchored to the ground vehicle. It got a bit shaky, but she immobilized safely.
Still shaken by her experience, she could not even hear the words of the Gorons congratulating her for her excellent manoeuvres. Her body still felt weird. Like it was not used to be bound to the earth. Her hearth was still beating loudly with excitement. She removed the tinted goggles and undid the belts keeping her clasped to the glider.
While she was undoing the gear, the sound of a belt resounded all the way to the back of the caravan. This was the signal from Master Devon at the front that they would now be having a break. One could guess he witnessed the glider coming back to the ground and found it a good time for the first stop of the day. Thus, the wagons slowed down to a halt and the many groups went to take care of the horses.
Thanking profusely the rock peoples for that experience, Ushara left the buggy and joined back her sister. Komara was freeing Tessoro from their harness. Without a word, the soldier help her finish that task and grabbed the tools for the aftercare. They took care of their mount together, letting it calm down before cleaning her. Once the animal care were done, Ushara closed in on her relative. Still uncertain, she stood there for some time before grabbing Komara by the elbow. "It's okay sister."
The younger sister was a bit puzzled. "What is it Ushara?" The oldest was looking at her with so much intensity.
The soldier brought her trade-loving sister even closer for a hug. "I don't care that you lied. That you were too nervous and hide things. When I was hanging up there in the sky, it made me realize that the view I had of the world was so narrow. That you miss up on so much if you don't take a step back. I want to be able to see more. To see them with you by my side. You are forgiven little sister. Let us journey together."
Komara being freed of that stress, she felt her body turn languid. She held on to her sister, so glad that the space between them had vanished. They could now enjoy what was ahead of them without any more guilt. Truly, Komara was not aware how much she needed to hear her sister's approval until it was given to her. They returned on the road with high spirit, sharing and laughing like nothing ever pushed them apart.
While this story does not require to have played the game to follow it, there was more stuff introduced in this chapter specific to Tears of the Kingdom.
Thank you for reading this far and hopefully you will see more soon. Bye!