A/N The Shrine of Resurrection isn't going to be relevant to the plot of this story, however due to it being sort of iconic at least for me in BOTW I still wanted to incorporate it into the story. Therefore I have decided to use it as a base for the Yiga like it is in TOTK. Obviously there might be some slight differences involving layout etc.
I also wanted to add that I had planned in the very first chapter for the blood moon to occur in seven days, unfortunately I realized that just wasn't enough time for events to play out so I had to change it to one months time instead.
Thank you for favs, follows and reviews are also appreciated.
Chapter Warning: Graphic violence, Minor cussing.
Chapter Three
Link woke to a boot nudging him awake.
He winced, before his eyes finally fluttered open, his surroundings somewhat blurred—hazy. All he could establish at this point in time was that he was lying face down on a dirt floor in what looked to be some kind of underground chamber lit by flickering torch light.
"I said wake up!" The boot slammed into his side again.
"Hey, stop that!" Link snarled through clenched teeth. Although his mind was still groggy and disorientated he was able to catch a glimpse of his assailant. It was another blademaster, his tall, imposing stature looming menacingly over him. The assassin was almost tempted to split him open with his sword, however he soon came to realize that wasn't going to be possible due to being stripped of all his weapons.
The blademaster reached down and effortlessly hauled Link to his feet. "Master Kogha has requested to see you, he'll be down shortly."
Link let out a tense breath and relaxed his muscles. Now that he was upright and fully awake he was able to focus on the situation more clearly. He was in a large cavernous room. It was windowless with a single tapestry displaying the inverted Sheikah eye, several crates of bananas, two guardian deities and a large metal cage. He couldn't tell if it was day or night or even how long he had been there.
He heard the sound of heavy footfalls before a familiar voice echoed through the cave. "Link!" Master Kogha exclaimed. "I'm glad to see you're finally awake. I was becoming rather concerned that the teleportation process had yielded some rather disastrous results."
Link's mind boggled. "Teleportation?"
"Yes. I thought it was simply the most convenient way for you to be transported here."
Link attempted to unravel his memory and it all came rushing back to him. He recalled how after he had left the Spring Of Courage he was unexpectedly accosted by two Yiga blademasters. He distinctly remembered them chanting something indescribable and then in an instant the world had gone blank.
Seeing the confusion etched onto Link's face, Kogha explained. "As natural the process is for us Yiga, unfortunately it's never been fully tested on Hylians before. The good news is the only discernible side effect we encountered was that it seemingly depleted your energy and sapped your strength, meaning you've been out cold for almost two days."
It was a dizzying thought. "Two days?!"
Kogha smiled. "Such a small price to pay for the benefit of fast travel, and an even smaller price to pay for bringing you here. There is no way you would have been able to scale the sheer walls surrounding the Plateau otherwise."
Sheer walls? Plateau? "Wait, so where exactly am I?"
"Our new base of operations," Kogha declared, cheerfully. "Do you happen to like the decor?"
Link would never admit it, but there was nothing spectacular about it. The only thing remotely of interest was the cage. "What is that for?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Now, there is more I want to show you, come, follow me," Kogha instructed, leading him to a ladder resting against a far wall.
Link steadily followed the Yiga upwards, through a hole in the cave ceiling which required him to climb two separate ladders in order to reach the top. When he emerged out of the hole he found himself standing in a medium sized chamber complete with an altar and several talismans.
"I heard that this cave was once a shrine and home to the most advanced Sheikah technology of its kind. That was of course until the king demanded for it to be dismantled and its parts used for scrap metal. He said no-one should have access to that kind of power and it could easily be abused by the wrong kind. Well woe betide that pitiful, pathetic fool! I guess it is quite ironic then how this will act as the perfect place to worship Lord Ganon."
The Yiga then whirled around dramatically and continued leading him through the cave, finally pushing past a bunch of leaves draped over the exit.
It was broad daylight outside and Link had to shield his eyes from the sun's intense rays.
"Welcome to the Great Plateau," Kogha announced. "This place was rumored to be the birthplace of Hyrule so it is only fitting to prepare for the rebirth of The Calamity in this very place too."
The assassin walked a little further, coming to a standstill at the precipice of a steep cliff. He stared out over the vast landscape completely secluded from the rest of Hyrule. From his viewpoint he could see as far as Hebra Mountain to the east, Hyrule Castle, Duelling Peaks and Death Mountain to the west. "What's that over there?" he asked, pointing to a large structure a little way in the distance.
"That's the Temple Of Time. I'm afraid my knowledge is rather limited, except that it was used for sacred rites and to offer prayers to that bitch of a goddess. I'm telling you now, Link. That'll be the first thing to be struck down upon Ganon's revival."
As luscious as this place was he was sensing that Kogha didn't bring him here for a spot of sightseeing or a history lesson. "So tell me again why I'm here?"
Kogha ambled nearer. "I brought you here because I wanted to inform you personally that there has been a change of plan regarding the princess's demise."
Perplexed, Link furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, change of plan?"
"Lord Ganon has been growing restless. A little birdy also told me that you failed to kill the princess whilst she prayed at the Spring Of Courage."
FAILED? That word rang loudly in his head. He had never failed at anything before. Annoyance flitted through his eyes. He wasn't entirely responsible for the mishap though, it was the goddess. She had manipulated him, influenced him somehow, stayed his hand. Link wasn't about to admit any of this to Kogha of course. If he did then he would be deemed even more unworthy. Instead he sent the Yiga a short, swift glare. "How did you know—"
"Know what? About your foolish error...your mistake!" Kogha scolded. "We have eyes and ears everywhere. You may call yourself a ruthless assassin, Link, however underneath that cold as ice exterior, you are still a man, therefore it is only understandable you would find the princess well...somewhat appealing."
Link laughed, he was both shocked and surprised at such a ridiculous accusation. "Let me make this perfectly clear. I don't have or ever will have feelings of any kind towards the Princess of Hyrule!"
Kogha gave a brisk nod of his head. "Good, because for a moment there I was beginning to think you'd gone soft."
Link ignored his mocking tone. "So tell me. What exactly does this change of plan involve?"
"You are to bring the princess here, to us...alive."
Link shot Kogha a skeptical look. "Wait...so you want me to kidnap her instead?"
Master Kogha mused. "I guess you could call it that."
Kidnapping princesses was not his specialty, but as long he received his payment he supposed he could make an exception. "I'll do it," he whispered.
"Oh and no need to fret, Link," Koha reassured him. "When the time comes, we'll still allow you the honor of spilling her blood, however it will be carried out in the presence of our glorious and emanate master."
Link's eyes gleamed and a look of unabashed excitement tugged his lips into a wide smile. "I can't wait."
"Good, because the blood moon draws ever closer and we can't afford any more mistakes." The Yiga then pulled out a small vial filled with a purple liquid. "Here, take this," he said, handing it over to Link.
Link studied it. "What is it?"
"It's an elixir," Kogha clarified. "A few drops of that will keep our dear princess asleep for several hours. Her holiness may not have unlocked her divine powers yet, but she still has the blood of the goddess running through her veins. You'd be wise not to underestimate her."
Link nodded and then put the vial safely away.
"Once you have the princess in your clutches, bring her back here."
The assassin digested Kogha's reply for a moment, chewing his lip. "Okay, but how do you expect me to get back?"
"Lucky for you we've thought of everything. We discovered some deep underground tunnels that'll lead you right off the Plateau. Sooga here will show you the way. When you have the princess just return using the same set of tunnels, understood?"
"Understood."
"Oh and Link, I once told you that there would be a heavy price to pay for such treachery, so don't fail me again!" The Yiga Master warned. "Next time, I won't be so lenient."
It was raining when he emerged from the small cave that was well hidden in the cliff face. He was still a great distance from the castle so he felt it was time to call Epona. He had been apart from his horse far longer then anticipated, but after one unique whistle she came galloping to his side.
"Hey girl, miss me?" he asked, patting the mare's head fervently before reaching into his knapsack and pulling out a handful of juicy red apples. Epona munched on them vigorously before he mounted her and gently kicked her in the direction of Hyrule Castle.
His plan would be to wait until after dark and then he would simply pluck Her Highness from her bed and then ride Epona back to the cave entrance. By the time anyone came to realize something was amiss, there wouldn't be a thing they could do about it as they would be long gone.
As expected there were extra guards patrolling the castle grounds, probably due to the Yiga sightings that he overheard being discussed a couple of days previous. It was good to know the king was taking adequate precautions, however even with the extra guards it wasn't enough to deter him.
Garbed in dark armor, his hood pulled up to ensure the concealment of his face and his hand wrapped firmly around the hilt of his sword, Link began the short journey towards the princess's bedchambers. At first he contemplated rendering the guards unconscious with the elixir Master Kogha had given him, but honestly he didn't want to run the risk of them waking prematurely. Besides' it had been so long since he'd spilled fresh blood.
His first victim was a lowly guard holding a Knight's Shield and a Knight's Halberd. If he didn't know any better he would say he was fresh out of the knight academy. "Pity," he sneered as he sprang from the darkness, yanked out his sword and swiftly thrust the blade into the man's chest, piercing his heart. His eyes widened and a bemoaned whimper leaked from his bloodstained lips before he crumpled to the ground dead. Link grabbed his legs and dragged him into a nearby passageway and then continued his quest, prowling like an animal stalking their prey.
His next victim leapt right in front of him, taking him by surprise, The soldier began charging towards him with his Royal Guard's sword raised high, ready to drive it into the intruder. Link easily deflected the blow before he stepped to the side, spun around and buried the dagger deep into his chest. Link wrenched the knife free allowing the guard to fall unceremoniously to the ground.
The next two guards he encountered were stationed even closer to Zelda's bedchambers. The first one of the pair who was positioned at the top of a staircase had no idea his life was about to be taken. As the guard strolled past, Link crept out from his hiding place, wrapping an arm around his neck. The guard struggled, until Link sliced the knife clean across his throat. The guard began choking and gurgling and he was forced to clap a hand over his mouth to stifle the noise until the flailing stopped. He then dragged the corpse backwards towards the edge and heaved his body over the side into the waterfall below. He hoped he wouldn't be found until morning, if he was found at all.
The second guard was pacing back and forth just below a staircase leading directly up to her room. He lay in wait for the footsteps to approach and then he launched himself towards the man, swung his sword, then plunged it into his back. The guard let out a grunt before falling to the ground.
He then quickly disposed of his body in the same way as the previous one. As he began the climb up the first staircase he spotted another guard perched atop a nearby battlement. The guard noticed Link immediately, however he made a grave mistake when fumbling with his bow which ultimately cost him his life. An arrow from Link's Phrenic Bow zoomed through the air with precision, impaling the man's chest and sent him tumbling backwards, hitting the concrete below with a resonating crack.
"Shit!" He cursed, hoping no-one had heard that. Just in case though he scrambled up the stairs and hoisted himself over the balcony outside Zelda's room. As he stepped inside, his hand gripped a dagger, prepared for anything. The room was average size and not particularly lavish. There were various pieces of furniture, including a large bookcase filled with books, a desk, wardrobe and two chairs with a small round table. There was also a fireplace where he found a hidden Knight's Bow. Now what would a delicate little flower need this for? As he crossed the room he realized the floor was a mess. There was an array of various drawings, blueprints, not to mention scrolls everywhere.
Zelda might have be a princess, but domestic goddess she was not.
He tentatively approached the bed, putting away the dagger in order to uncap the vial. He then sprinkled a few drops of the elixir onto a rag which he kept clutched tightly in his hand. Master Kogha was right, it was best not to underestimate her. As he leered over her, he honestly felt like some kind of creepy pervert just staring at her as she slept.
Her features were more prominent in the moonlight, her porcelain skin smooth and creamy. She really was quite beautiful, flawless, captivating and definitely worthy of being Hylia's descendant. It wasn't her fault she had inherited these powers, but because of her lineage she was destined to meet a cruel and terrible fate.
She stirred slightly and he sucked in a breath. Luckily she didn't fully wake though.
He carefully removed the covers from her inert form and noticed she was wearing nothing but a pale pink nightgown which just so happened to be almost as revealing as the one she wore that night on the balcony. "Forgive the intrusion, Your Highness," he whispered in her ear. He then reached down to lift her when he felt it—a spark. It was a feeling like no other. His expression shifted as he stumbled backwards, grappling for the bed frame.
He was just about to regain his composure when suddenly her eyes flew open, her emerald orbs widening in shock, fear evident on her face.
"Wh-Who are you?" She asked shakily.
Link didn't reply, instead he lurched towards her and pressed the cloth firmly over her face, whilst uncharacteristically soothing her. "Hush now, princess."
It wasn't an easy feat as almost immediately she began thrashing, squirming, struggling; anything to get him off of her. Her heart was beating so fast he could hear it in his ears and it exhilarated him. Very soon though it was becoming obvious that whatever was on the rag was causing her to become listless and then drowsy. She was clearly desperate to stay awake, but her eyelids were becoming more and more heavy and she eventually succumbed to the darkness.
Once he was sure she was sleeping soundly, Link hauled her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and sprinted towards the castle exit. Thankfully she was rather lightweight so he was able to carry her with ease. He found it hilarious how he was able to abduct the Princess of Hyrule with such little effort. He hummed happily, not just thinking about the princess's impending death, but the rest of the money he would finally get his hands on.
When he arrived at his awaiting steed, he threw the princess haphazardly over the horse in a horizontal position causing the mare to nicker. She only ever did this when she was concerned for his well-being. Was Epona now concerned with the princess's well-being also? Was she really that smart?
"It's fine girl," he reassured his friend further. "She's not dead, just sleeping." He then mounted behind his captive, pulling her limp body upright, allowing her head to loll against his chest. He then urged Epona back to the Plateau. His mission almost complete.
A/N More to come...