Hello readers! Chapter 176 is here! This week Link has emerged victorious over Governor Balterius, but he still has a bigger issue to contend with.
"Linky-poo, there you aaaare!"
Link had walked back into the medical room of Hyrule Castle in silence, only to see Nabooru, Sarami, Impa, Princess Zelda, Prince Darius, Malon, Ruto, Zopem, Hemeron, Darunia, Link-Goron, Meifa, Petra and Saria's guardian fairy Faete all eager to see him.
He also noticed some of the Hylian Parliament members were there being treated or their injuries. Duke Geronim was now in a full body cast, Judge Isambard had a number of bandages across his arms and chest, and while Minister Odleh didn't look too injured, she was busy resting herself. He noticed Captain Andreas and Marquiss Haralden weren't there.
"We were so worried about yoooou!" Ruto exclaimed, running up and throwing her arms around him and giving him a big smooch, burying her face in his shoulder.
"H-Hi Ruto. It's fine, I'm okay." Link chuckled lightly.
"Okay nothing!" snapped Sarami in a fit, examining the cuts and bruises on his arm alone, "Look at all these injuries! Sit yourself down, you need to be treated immediately!"
"Ack! Okay okay!" Link yelped as she brought him over to a stool to sit on. As she began treating his many wounds, Nabooru walked right up to the young king.
"Hey Link, glad to see you made it back in one piece." she smiled warmly, "I'm under the assumption Balterius was defeated by you?"
"Y-Yeah…" Link said, hanging his head down, confusing Nabooru. He looked over to the others and saw they were being treated for their wounds by the medical staff as well.
"Listen, I'm glad you're all okay, but did anyone find the Toxiplume? Balterius didn't have it."
There was an awkward pause in the room, as Nabooru sadly gestured to two of the medical beds, where he saw both Saria and Countess Veraan Le Roesia both laying back on them, Saria had a purple tint to her face, while Veraan's was more of an odd pale green. They were both in a similar state of pain as Aviel and the others.
"What? Saria!" Link exclaimed, trying to get up, but Sarami and Nabooru forced him to sit back down, "What happened to her and the Countess?!"
"Oh Link, it was my fault!" sniffled Faete. The fairy flew up and hugged at his arm, as she explained everything that happened at the conservatory.
"You weren't able to find the flower after that monster bee was defeated?" Link exclaimed, "No… and to think Veraan had gone through all of that as well..."
"They've both been badly poisoned," Sarami spoke sadly, "I don't know what we can do now without the Toxiplume flower!"
"Right, we can't just use any antidote, we have to know the right kind, otherwise it could potentially make things worse for them." Link pondered.
"I told you, just give me whatever antidote you got until it works!" Reirousa shouted out from her bed, "It's fine, I can take it! Just as long as we can help everyone!"
"Ms. Reirousa, we already told you that's too dangerous!" Meifa scolded her.
"But at this point we may not have much choice if it comes down to it..." Impa spoke grimly, she looked to Odleh who looked exhausted, "Take a rest Mystic, you've done enough for now."
"I suppose… I... have to…" Odleh spoke with a gasp, lowering her glowing hands from Nemisa, "My healing power is hardly strong enough to hold back this poison…"
"My… queen…" Kaidon groaned to Ruto weakly, "I'm sorry for all the trouble… I should be the one protecting you, but…"
"No, not at all!" Ruto said worriedly alongside Zopem, "You need to focus on staying alive!"
"This is bad," Link spoke, looking over at Malon holding Togau's hand with tears in her eyes, "Isn't there anything else we can do?"
"I had an idea, and I sent the knights try to and handle it." Zelda spoke, "We can only hope that-"
"Ugh…" groaned one feminine voice, they all turned to see Countess Roesia slowly sitting up and rubbing at her head, though her face still seemed somewhat green, "What happened…?"
"Ooh, Countess!" Meifa said, running over to check on her, "You shouldn't be trying to get up! You've been badly poisoned!"
"Poisoned, what are… O-Oh… that's right…" Countess Roesia realized, she looked around to see all the Gerudo passed out on the beds, "So they were all affected by that chili… this is awful…"
"So was what Lady Saria said before true Countess?" Darius asked, "You had no part in this nefarious poisoning?"
"Not at all! I was completely against any type of assassination attempts!" Roesia said, "But they went ahead and did it anyway!"
"So then how did you end up with the Toxiplume flower, Countess?" Hemeron asked.
"Well I confronted Judge Isambard back at the meeting room, and I guess he must have dropped it near me." Roesia explained, "I swear, I didn't know what it was until Saria told me… but at the time I was too certain that King Link had been… been…!"
"Hey don't worry about it, Countess." Link spoke up.
Roesia looked over to the young king, who was now shirtless as Sarami and a royal nurse were working on his injuries, though the two of them were rather flustered about his bare upper body,
"After what Faete told me you went through with that wasp I'm glad you're okay."
"I… thank you." Roesia spoke, feeling somewhat uplifted by not just Link being okay, but how good he looked shirtless, she had a hard enough time seeing him back at the pool a few days ago,. She gestured to Saria, "Honestly I owe your little one here for saving me…"
"That's Saria for you. She always works so hard for everyone..." Link nodded, looking down to her with a sad smile.
"Your Highness!" a knight, as well as one of the head medical staff doctors came running into the room and saluting to Zelda, "We've completed our inspection of the conservatory!"
"Good, were you able to salvage of any of the poison left behind?" Zelda asked.
"Unfortunately no..." the doctor spoke sadly, "The majority of it has already evaporated, presumably due to the monster using it being destroyed. As such, we were unable to get a usable sample."
"No... that was our last resort!" Sarami spoke with tears swelling in her eyes, "If we don't do something soon, everyone will… will…!"
"Grrr, I can't believe this!" Prince Darius shouted in frustration, he turned and grabbed at Judge Ismabard, who was laying back on a medical bed unconscious, "I swear if they don't make it out of this, I'll have your damned head, you bastard!"
"Darius, please!" Zelda put a hand to his shoulder, "The judge will pay for what he's done, but first we must focus on our friends!"
"Right… many apologizes, my dear Princess." Darius sighed, putting his hand over hers.
Link stared sadly over at his brides Aviel, Nemisa, Saria, Togau, Reirousa, Kesuta, Korume, as well as Halei and Kaidon, all with a purple tint to their faces, and it was only getting worse. Meanwhile Ruto was crying her eyes out against Hemeron's shoulder, as the zora mystic was doing his best to comfort her.
"What can we do for them now…?" Ruto sobbed, "All this power I possess, and I can't even save my family with it…!"
"Poor Queen Ruto, this is just like what happened to her mother," Hemeron spoke, "There must be something else, maybe we could try an extraction or something!"
Roesia reflected on Hemeron's words. She looked over at the victims of the Toxiplume flower, the very plant she had happened to find after attacking Isambard at the meeting room. Without even knowing was it was, she had taken it with her to the conservatory, but by the time she realized what it was, it was too late, as the vile wasp monster had already been free to take control of her...
"This is all my fault…" Roesia whispered, "Just like him… I caused them to…"
She looked over to Link, who despite all his injuries was trying his best to comfort Aviel. The young Gerudo lady was shaking as he squeezed at her hand.
"Link… please, I-I don't wanna die…" Aviel trembled.
"Don't worry Aviel. We'll find a way to help you, I swear it!" Link said desperately.
Roesia stared downward, looking at her hands, as she felt a strange sensation within her. She looked around at all the girls, as well as the lone zora who had been poisoned.
"I wonder…" Roesia whispered to herself, "But… could I really do something like this…?"
Roesia took a deep breath and nodded to herself, before she slowly stood herself up and walked over to Link and Aviel. She leaned forward and looked the bird girl over, saddened by how much pain she was in.
"Countess?" Link spoke, looking up to her, "You should really be in bed, you're-!"
But oddly enough, despite the pale green tint to her face, Roesia didn't seem to be in pain at all. She was just staring down silently at Aviel.
"King Link, with your permission," Roesia started, "Would it be okay if I tried to do something for her?"
"Don't fall for it!" Zopem shouted, "She's probably going to hurt her further!"
"Sir Zopem, please stop!" Hemeron pleaded, trying to hold him back.
"I…" Link looked up into Roesia's eyes curiously, noting the serious stare she made. After a moment, he nodded to her, "O-Okay, if you really think you can do something for her, please do."
"You're certain of this Gerudo King?" Zopem asked.
"Yeah, it's okay." Link nodded to the zora, then looking up at Roesia, "I trust you Veraan."
Deep down inside, Roeisa felt her stomach flutter just a little ta his words, and she nodded to him.
"Very well, please give me some room."
Link nodded and stepped back, while Roesia stared down at Aviel.
The countess gulped a little as she slowly reached out and gently cupped her hands on Aviel's cheeks. Zopem was trying his hardest to step in and stop Roesia, but Darunia stepped in and held him back,
"Hold on Mr. Zopem, let's see what she does." Darunia said, "If my brother trusts her, than I will too!"
'Here goes nothing...' Roesia thought to herself.
With that, the countess slowly leaned over... and put her mouth over Aviel's.
"H-HUH?" exclaimed everyone in the room.
"W-What's she doing?!" Zelda asked in confusion.
Roesia kept her lips pressed over Aviel's for some time, the young Gerudo lady was a little confused about what was going on, but she felt a gentle softness pressing against her. It was strangely comforting for her.
Darius was stunned in silence, his face had turned a beet red as he stared at the scene. Without turning away, he slowly brought up his hand to Link-Goron and covered his eyes.
"Hey, I wanna see!" Link-Goron protested, "Is Ms. Aviel going to be okay?"
"I think this is something not for young eyes." Darius commented, trying to wipe away blood from his nostril.
Link himself could only stare a few feet away with surprise at what Roeisa was doing.
Then it happened, the young king saw the purple tint on Aviel's face was slowly going away, and her skin was starting to take on the more light brown color it was before.
"What the heck?"
Link looked up to see Roesia pull away slowly from Aviel, as an odd purple vapor was slowly leaving the girl's mouth, and instead being sucked into the Countess'. Eventually the vapor was fully drawn from Aviel and sucked up by Roesia.
"W-What did you just do?" Link spoke in shock, "Are you okay Countess?!"
"This is…" Roesia gasped, putting a hand up to her mouth. She slowly licked her lips, as she breathed out some very faint purple mist from her mouth.
"...delicious!"
"WHAT?" everyone exclaimed.
"I… I've never tasted something so amazing!" Roesia said with wide eyes and a bright smile, "It's tangy, but with a faint zest to it at the same time!"
She looked around to the others laying on the beds, spotting Saria, and went right over to her.
"Don't worry little one, I'll help you too!"
With that, Roesia brought down her mouth over Saria's and did she as she did before with Aviel. The Kokiri girl weakly opened her eyes, and after a moment she quickly realized what was going on. She was about to get up, but Roesia forced her back down as she sucked at her mouth.
Soon Roesia pulled back and sucked up all the purple vapor from Saria's mouth, clearing the Kokiri girl of the purple tint on her face. The countess herself moaned out a little as she allowed the remnants to linger in her mouth, and Link noticed her face was turning a little more pale green.
"Aaaahh, it's almost like the cocktails they served out in Burgrott…" she spoke licking her lips.
Roesia patted a confused Saria on the head, then went over to Nemisa, who was conscious enough to have seen what she had been doing, and sweatdropped.
"Ooooh no! No no no! No need to help me Countess! I-I can tough it out, I-!"
But Nemisa was silenced by Roesia bringing her lips down over hers. Nemisa's eyes were as wide as dinner plates as Roesia greedily sucked the vapor out from her. The purple tint started to go away like with Aviel and Saria, only to be replaced with a bright red tone from the bodyguard's embarrassment.
"Mmmm… this one had a much more exotic taste… fascinating..." moaned Roesia, "Thank you for the meal Lady Nemisa."
"Geeehh..." Nemisa groaned with spiraling eyes.
Everyone could only stand there in confusion as Roesia went over to Togau to suck our the purple vapor from her mouth, and then went right over to Kesuta to do the same, then to Koume, then a very panicked Reirousa, then to Halei, and fianlly ended it with Kaidon,
Roesia brought up her head from the zora's mouth as she sucked in the very last of the purple mist.
"Mmm… that hit the spot." Roesia spoke as she breathed out a little mist, though more of her skin had turned green she didn't seem sick at all, "I never would had thought poison could taste so good!"
"S-She sucked all the poison out from everyone?!" Meifa exclaimed, "How is she even alive at this point?"
"Hey, I don't feel so bad anymore…" Aviel slowly got up, "In fact, I feel great!"
"Y-Yeah, me too!" Togau said astonished as Malon hugged her with relief, "That Countess lady really came through fer us!"
"Sister, I think I'm going to make it! What about you, feeling any good?" Kesuta asked Korume.
"Indeed I am, though I could really use some food." Korume rhymed.
"I get she did it to save us, but did it haveta be a kiss?" Reirousa groaned, covering her mouth with her hand, "Ugh, right in front of Link too..."
"A-Am I alive?" Kaidon spoke in surprise as Ruto was hugging him.
"Yes, yes you are Kaidon!" Ruto squealed with happiness, while Zopem just sighed with relief.
"I feel so good now, but what happened…?!" Halei asked, "And why do my lips feel so tingly?"
"I'm not sure…" Saria contemplated as Link and Faete were both hugging the Kokiri, "Countess, how did you manage to do that, and how are you okay?"
"It's hard to say, little one…" Roesia spoke, looking at her now green hand, "I think, maybe when you manipulated the Toxiplume inside that wasp monster to try and poison it… it affected me as well. And when you defeated it, I may have absorbed it's power into my own body."
"Hey, that ain't too different from how I got my Lynel form!" Togau realized.
"I think I get it." Minister Odleh commented, examining Roesia's skin, "It would seem the wasp was trying so hard to assimilate you into it's being with it's absorption power, that it wasn't destroyed by Saria, but rather you ended up assimilating it instead."
"Does that make any sense at all to anyone else?" Zopem asked sweatdropping.
"Well if it means everyone is fine, that's okay with me!" Ruto spoke happily, "What about you Countess, how are you doing?"
"I think I'm okay?" Roesia asked, seeing how green most of her skin had become, "I don't feel sick in the slightest, in fact I feel slightly more energetic than before."
"What a strange phenomenon…" Odleh pondered.
Roesia then realized something and sniffed at the air, "Hm, wait one second."
Everyone watched as she slowly walked over to Sarami, confusing the doctor. She sniffled a little more at her breath, and grinned lightly with pearly white teeth.
"Oooh, you seem to have a little of the poison inside yourself, Doctor." she spoke in a playful tone.
"You can smell it that easily?" Meifa exclaimed.
"Uhhh… N-Now wait one moment!" Sarami exclaimed embarrassingly, "There's don't need to-!"
But Sarami was silenced by Roesia wrapping her arms around her neck and putting her lips over her own. The doctor's face was a bright red as Roesia extracted what little poison she could from within her. It was hard for Link to ignore this, namely how the two women's large breasts were squashing against each other in the embrace.
Zelda glanced over at Darius who was gawking at the two while still covering the eyes of Link-Goron. The princess narrowed her eyes with an annoyed pout and brought her own hand up over Darius' eyes.
"This isn't a sight for monogamous husbands, dear." Zelda said annoyed.
"Ah-ha, but of course." Darius chuckled lightly with his eyes covered.
Thankfully it wasn't long before the countess pulled away, she licked her lips with a devilish smile.
"Mmmm… just a little bit, but I'm glad I could remove it from you Doctor..." Roesia spoke.
"O-Oh my!" Sarami stammered, "I… um, thank you, I suppose?"
Roesia then sniffed the air and looked over to Link, who turned red himself as she slowly and sensually strolled up to him. She bent a hand to her hip and made sure to put her hips into each step. It was hard for him to not gawk at her, she was moving a lot like she did during her song at the Silver Pegasus.
"Countess, i-"
But she playfully shoved him back to sit on a chair, before she sat down on his lap, put one leg over the other, and brought her arms up around his neck. She gazed into Link's gentle blue eyes for a moment, before she closed her eyes and pressed her lips firmly against his. Link's eyes widened as she inhaled deeply, and he could feel something escape from his throat.
"W-Wow…!" Zelda whispered, shocked how bold the countess had become towards Link. But her gaze was blocked by Darius covered her eyes with his hand.
"This is nothing a pure and noble princess should be seeing!" Darius teased.
"Hey, no fair!" complained Zelda.
As Roesia took in the purple vapor from Link, she found herself thinking back to the day she met her dear husband Frederick, how joyous she was that there were survivors of Vividel's destruction, and learning about how Frederick had gone so far to find them all and help them rebuild their lives.
In a lot of ways, it wasn't too different from the Gerudo after the war. Perhaps that was why she was able to understand them better…
...and in many ways, Link was much like her late husband; a kind man who worked so hard for his people, and a man that truly trusted her...
"Mmmm..."
Roesia reluctantly broke away from Link's mouth so the two of them could breathe, sucking in the last of the purple mist from his mouth. She licked her lips and whispered to him,
"That was quite a lot within you. Are you well now, Gerudo King?"
"Um, y-yeah. I feel a little better than before." Link admitted with a nod, "Thanks Countess Roesia."
"Louhuhuhu… Countess you say…?"
Roesia smiled as she ran a hand through his bleach blonde hair, and stood herself up, giving Link and everyone a chance to fully see what had become of her.
The Countess now had a very solid but pale green color to her skin, but she didn't look the slightest bit sickly. Her hair had changed slightly, having become a more vibrant red then before, and her lips were still a crimson red, though her fingernails had turned purple for some reason.
One of the more surprising things though was her eyes, as the pupils had turned from emerald green to a very vibrant and bright red that matched her hair. It was hard for Link to not get lost in them.
As strange as the transformation was though, she looked even more stunning than before in his eyes.
"Please, I'm no longer a Countess anymore. Just call me Veraan from now on."
"Okay, Veraan…" Link spoke, bowing his head, "I just wanted to say… thank you so much... for saving everyone!"
"Yeah, thanks Ms. Verity!" Aviel squealed out, about to jump up and give the woman a big hug, only to stumble over her bed sheets, "Owie!"
"Ms. Aviel, please be careful!" Meifa said desperately.
"Ayeayeayeaye…" Aviel groaned with her eyes spiraling.
"So what happened to you Ms. Veraan?" Saria asked, "Your body has changed so much!"
"Hm? So it has..." Veraan looked down at her hands, "I'm not certain… but maybe this is a side effect from all the poison I took in?"
"Let me see..." Sarami spoke, looking her over and checking her pulse, "How strange, despite these odd changes, your vitals seem perfectly fine..."
"We'll make sure to have her examined for any possible side effects." Zelda said with a smile, stepping up and giving a polite curtsy, "But I do wish to personally thank you for what you did for the Gerudo King and his people... Ms. Veraan."
"O-oh, but of course Princess." Veraan spoke, surprised to see how friendly the princess could be to her. She gave a bow back, "I only did what I could think to do..."
"Well it sure worked." Nabooru spoke walking up to her, "You took a big risk in saving our beloved people from their fates. I can't thank you enough, we Gerudo are in your debt."
"Um, I appreciate that..." Veraan glanced to the side somewhat awkwardly, "But I have to admit it because of me that they ended up in this situation to begin with… They ease dropped on that conversation I had with King Link at the lounge…"
"Ooh! So that's how it happened!" Meifa gasped.
"Don't worry about it Ms. Veraan, if anyone is to blame it's Balterius and Isambard." Nabooru shook her head and smirked, "Besides, since the day we met, I had a feeling there was something different about you from the rest of the Parliament deep inside..."
She glanced over at Link as Aviel, Nemisa, Togau, Kesuta and Korume were all hugging and kissing at him. He was doing his best to comfort them all, while Reirousa just stood to the side with a proud smile.
"...and I had a feeling that it would be King Link who would bring out that side of you. He's always had a knack for doing that with people."
"Is that so…?" Veraan spoke with a light smile herself, "As head of public relations, I've been working with the people for so long... but I've found his ability to connect with others to be so fascinating… I'd love to get to know him more, and study it for myself."
"Oh of course." Nabooru nodded, only to speak suggestively into Veraan's ear, "Plus I'm sure there's plenty of other fascinating things about Link you'd love to 'study' as well."
The former countess was caught off guard by Nabooru suggestion, but as she glanced over at Link giving Nemisa a gentle kiss, she gazed at his muscular body and the way he held her, and found herself sporting a devilish smile herself.
"That doesn't sound too bad, Lady Nabooru…"
"…I see… I see…" Inspector Turrel spoke as he took down the reports from Ruto and Nabooru, "So both Captain Andreas and Marquess Haralden have met their end…"
"That's correct." Nabooru nodded, "The paper we gave you should be proof of what they tried to do to our people."
"Indeed." the inspector sighed a little as he looked down at the random scroll Zelda gave him that showed Balterius' demands for handing over the Toxiplume, "To think they would go this far..."
"Did you know either of them personally?" Ruto asked.
"I've worked with the two of them on a few investigations, but they were always rather aloof," Turrel said snacking on a raspberry danish, "They had a lot of talent in their fields of work, sadly it's going to go wasted.
"Hm…" Nabooru looked away.
Turrel then turned to Link, "Now I understand it was you who confronted Governor Balteirus himself. The knights have already inspected the rooftop, and well... they say it was quite a gruesome display to say the least."
"Tell me about it…" frowned Link, looking downwards.
"Governor..." Minister Odleh sighed sadly as she gripped at her staff, "...I had a feeling things would go this way..."
Veraan herself lowered her own gaze, recalling when he had shown up in New Vividel and approached Frederick and herself about forming the Parliament, and again when he gave her the position as the head of public relations in Frederick's place after his passing.
"The strange thing is though, I didn't kill him, but he took his own life instead." Link clarified.
"W-What...?" Odleh looked up to Link and gasped.
"NO WAY!" shouted a voice, as everyone looked to Duke Geronim who was wiggling around in his body cast, "There's no way King Sirius would commit suicide! You lie like a big fat dog, Gerudo King!"
Everyone watched as Geronim wiggled around wildly until he fell off the side of his bed. They heard a loud cracking sound, followed by the Duke crying out in pain.
"MY LEG!"
"Do we even want to help him at this point?" a nurse asked sweatdropping.
"He's right you meddlesome desert rat!" Isambard shouted angerly from his bed, his main injury being a thick cast completely over his dominant arm, making him unable to use his gavel, "He is no coward! You are GUILTY of lying! GUILTY!"
"Look, I don't get it myself!" Link said defensively, "He used his Windcleaver to do himself in! I couldn't have stopped him!"
"We did find the remains of the Windcleaver at the scene, and it looks like it was destroyed through very unconventional means." Turrel said, "Still, I wonder what would drive him to do that?"
"Tell me something Gerudo King… did Balterius… give you anything before he died?" Odleh asked.
"Actually yeah." Link nodded, pulling out the mahjong tile from his pants pocket and handing it to her, "He tossed me this just before he took his life, do you know what it means?"
Odleh took the tile and examined it carefully, then she exclaimed, "T-This is…!"
"Minister…?" Turrel spoke.
The old woman just clenched at the tile with her wrinkled hand as small tears started to form in her eyes.
"… ...oh Balterius… you young fool…" the old woman finally spoke sadly.
"Whatever could it mean, Minister?" Zelda asked with concern.
"Who could say? I never understood that man's obsession with that game." Geronim spoke as Darunia lifted him up and unceremoniously dropped him on the bed, "Yeow!"
"No… I have a feeling I know." Odleh said, confusing everyone.
Leaving the others to recover from their ailments, Odleh came into the Parliament meeting room along with Link, Nabooru, Veraan, Princess Zelda and Inspector Turrel.
"So what did you want us to come here for?" Nabooru asked looking around.
The minister didn't respond, but went right up to Balterius' seat, and it was there where they saw a stack of mahjong tiles on the table.
"That's right, I remember he was stacking these just before we all separated." Veraan spoke, "I'm not very well versed on this game, so what does that tile he gave King Link mean?"
"…" again Odleh didn't reply, but looked down at the tile once again, before she slowly planed it in one spot on the stack and spoke,
"Gami."
"Huh? What's that?" Turrel asked as his mustache twitched.
"Balterius… he must have already predicted this outcome might happen, so he left this stack as a dying message." Odleh spoke, her hands shaking,
"With this set up, the tile he gave you was the only one that could be legally played. But at the same time, it also results in an unwinnable outcome. Thus a loss."
"I see now... He couldn't live with his failure, so he gave up and took his own life." Zelda whispered
"So King Link was right, it was a suicide." Turrel frowned, jolting it down in his report.
"…" Link stared down at the stack, thinking about what Balterius spoke before their battle,
"Despite the tactics though, it's still namely a game of luck, where the tiles may work out in your favor, or bring about your demise."
"I wonder…" Link thought, looking down at his hands and recalling the white flames, "Was what happened in that battle a lucky break… or something else…?"
He then looked to Nabooru, and the pained look in her eyes as she stared down at the stack. He found himself recalling something else Balterius had said just before he struck himself down,
"I have no reason to educate you on your ignorance… f you wish to know… then ask the Grand Corporal herself..."
'Was did he mean by that…?' Link thought, 'What was it that Nabooru went through in the past…?'
"Neeeeiiiigh!"
"Epona!" Link shouted with happiness as he was greeted by his trusty horse in the stable area of the castle. Along with him was Nabooru, Togau and Malon, all there to check in on the horses.
After the wind caused by Balterius's sword calmed down, the horses were able to be led back to the stable. Nabooru's horse Thunder had causing some trouble for the knights until she showed up and assured him that Epona was rescued.
"Oh thank the heavens she's okay!" Malon said stroking her head.
"She's safe and sound, Gerudo King." Lieutenant Ashe spoke beside them with a smile, "You should be proud of Epona. If not for her effort, Lon Lon Ranch would have suffered greatly."
"I am." Link said stroking the horse's face, before looking to Ashe with a big goofy grin, "Thanks again Lieutenant. To think you managed to defeat the Commander of the Guard." he gave her a wink, "It's great to see a lovely woman like you has made such a name for herself here!"
"Ah heh heh…" Ashe blushed lightly at Link's covert flirting. They didn't want the knights to know about Ashe being a honorarily Gerudo quite yet.
"Still can't believe this poor girl got kidnapped by that Andreas bastard." Togau frowned, "We shoulda been more careful with her, but I didn't know what to do when the Chateau Lon Lon disappeared."
"Odleh admitted that she had her knights snuck into your room and confiscate it." Link said, "She was hoping to get the fairy magic for her studies."
"So that's what the whole knight thing was about…" Malon frowned, "And to think the reason that Captain Andreas wanted Epona was because he was gonna use her as a breeding horse…" she recalled Epona's desire to have a family of her own and fumed, "Oooh! That's just plain unforgivable!"
"I'm so sorry Epona," Link spoke sadly, leaning his head against Epona's, "I had no idea that you had went through all of that… All while I was too busy trying to appeal to the nobles at the dance…"
Epona stared at Link for a moment, before neighing out and bumping her nose against him in an attempt to cheer him up, making him laugh out a little.
"Na ha ha, don't worry about it Lover-boy. Epona says she forgives ya!" Togau grinned, being able to understand animal language thanks to her Lynel powers.
"So what's going to happen to the knights now that the Captain is dead and the Commander is arrested?" Link asked Ashe as Epona kept bumping her nose into his head.
"At this point it's going to fall on Princess Zelda herself to decide." Ashe said, looking over to the knights escorting some horses into the stables, "I worry about the soldiers though, especially with the incoming war against the Ebony Sisterhood."
"Sounds like what they need is a tough but fair leader to help them." Nabooru suggested, strolling up with Thunder. She smirked at Ashe, "Someone who's earned a great amount of respect with them…?"
"Yeah, you outta try for the position Ashe!" Togau said, "I bet you'd be great at it!"
"I-I… don't think I could take on a title like that Lady Nabooru…" Ashe nervously shook her head, "Especially if they knew the truth about me and…" she looked to Link and blushed, "…you know."
"Perhaps. But as you said, it will be up to the princess to decide that." Nabooru shrugged cryptically, before tugging on Thunder's reins, "Now I think I'm going to take my little baby for a ride." she turned to Link and Epona, "Care to join us, you two?"
"Sure!" Link grinned, jumping up onto his horse's back, "Come on Epona, let's show em!"
"Neeeiigh!" Epona cried out as she took off with Link alongside Nabooru and Thunder.
"…" Ashe stared out at Link and Nabooru riding together. She looked over to the knights and found herself in deep thought.
"We are gathered here today, to honor the late ruler of Hyrule, King Reinald Ingelramnus Hyrule."
The next day, Princess Zelda stood in the Castle Courtyard's graveyard before the occupants of the palace, as well as a number of representatives of the Market Town, namely noblemen. Many of them were grieving for the death of the king. A few just stood silently, thought it wasn't clear whether it was due to respect or indifference.
Carrying a large white gold-decorated coffin was several of the late king's most trusted knights, while at the front was Link and Darius, carrying the coffin to the burial site. They all slowly set the coffin down onto a wooden mechanism that was built to lower the king's body into the open grave. It had been located to be right beside the grave of the late queen.
Nabooru, along with Aviel, Nemisa, Saria, Togau, Sarami, Kesuta, Korume, Reirousa, and Halei were all standing and watching the service. Many of the girls were either sniffling at the loss of the king, while the others held their head down silently in respect for him. Nabooru herself stood still and watched the coffin be placed over the grave with a serious stare.
Inspector Turrel was saluting along with all the knights in the crowds. Among them was Lieutenant Ashe and Sir Knave, the latter of which was holding back his tears of the late king. Even Ashe herself took a moment to wipe a tear away.
Queen Ruto along with her father Hauvir were attending, the former zora king was sobbing sadly as he sat on the edge of the royal platform Zelda was speaking from. His daughter was holding his hand tightly as she tried to comfort him. Beside them was Zopem and Kaidon who were trying their best to hold back their own tears, but Kaidon couldn't help himself.
Darunia stood silently alongside his son Link-Goron and a number of his closest brothers. Iyt was clear they were all trying their best not to break down. Vekai and the Kokiri that had accompanied her were also there, and while many of the forest children didn't know much about the king, they were still saddened by what had happened.
Impa was standing by Zelda's side, looking down at the coffin sadly. It brought back painful memories of when she attended a very similar funeral of her old friend the queen. She looked to Zelda, who despite doing her best to maintain a straight face, had moments where she was shaking. It was understandable, as Impa knew how it felt when she lost her own father.
Veraan, Odleh, Isambard and Geronim were all there as well under guard by the knights. After all that had happened, they were stripped of their royal titles and arrested for their involvement in the attempted assassination and ransom. Despite their disagreements with the king in the past, they were all watching the funeral silently and respectfully.
"My father has ruled and served Hyrule for many years after the death of my mother the queen. While there are many differentiating opinions of how well he did, my father always had Hyrule's best interests in mind, and deeply cared for the people. He wanted to honor my mother's dying wishes to... m-make the people happy..."
Zelda's voice was getting a little more shaken from her sadness. Impa put a hand to her shoulder to reassure her. The princess nodded, took a breath and spoke out,
"...I can only hope that when I assume the throne as queen that I shall be able to follow in his and my mother's footsteps, to bring about the true peace and prosperity that they have yearned for."
Zelda nodded to the knights operating the coffin mechanism, and so they pulled the lever.
Everyone watched silently as the coffin was slowly lowered into the crypt. Link stood as a solider was playing a mourning tone on a trumpet nearby. He glanced over at Darius who was trying his hardest to hold back his own emotions, it was clear he respected the king a lot.
"I assure you Link," Darius whispered, "That I will not rest until both those scoundrels Sokou and Jezebelle are found... and made to face absolute justice for their crimes."
"Of course. You got my support." Link whispered back.
Nabooru meanwhile continued to stand with her fellow Gerudo, staring as the coffin went deep into the ground. She thought about the kind King Reinald once more, but then found herself thinking about Governor Balterius, formally the Vividel King Sirius and his own death.
She took a heavy sigh as she then cast her gaze down to Link, as a great sense of worry was beginning to overcome her…
"...so this 'Will of Demise'… that was the whole reason this happened?"
After the funeral, Link decided to round up Nabooru and the Gerudo to meet with Zelda and Darius about the news he had been told by Governor Balterius. Lieutenant Ashe herself was standing guard at the door.
"That's what he said was his justification for the Banishment Law, as well as preventing the execution of Ganondorf." Link nodded.
"By the goddess Aifet…" Nemisa spoke in shock, "I can't believe it…!"
"All of us… are cursed?" Aviel asked, she started feeling at her body, "Where is it? Where's the curse? Does anyone else see it on me?" she sat up and started to pull at her short, "Maybe it's on my-"
But Nemsia quickly pulled her short back up to her waist,
"Why would it be down there, you moron?!"
"So no matter what we do, a Gerudo will someday give birth to the next demon king?" Kesuta asked.
"You think somethin' like that is even possible?" Togau asked.
"Maybe not for a mere mystic or sorcerer, but a god sacrificing their own soul?" Korume spoke, "It wouldn't be too far of a reach to think that could make it happen."
"Uh, what're we supposed do than? Tell all the girls to stop having new kids or somethin'?" Reirousa asked rubbing the back of her neck.
"Something like that would be impossible to prevent, Sister Reirousa." Sarami shook her head, "It could be any Gerudo, whether they live in our town, part of the rebellion, or some far-off place like Forsworn Village, and that's not even going into the half-Gerudo like Halei here."
"Yet despite that, Governor Balterius still vowed to hunt down and kill all of us in the hopes of breaking the curse…" Halei spoke in a small voice, "Given everything he went through with Ganondorf, I suppose I could understand why he would go to that extreme… but it's still horrible to think of."
"Minister Odleh told us that Balterius and the Parliament were going to take advantage of the incoming war to kill as many Gerudo as possible before going after the remnants." Link frowned,
"Andreas was going to lead the charge, Halraden was going to handle racking them down, Veraan's job was going to be reassuring the Hylian citizens's griefs about the matter, while Geronim was to provide the funding, and then Ismabard was going to handle any legal matters with it."
"So they were all connected in this." Nabooru spoke.
"I guess with all that in mind, it would be too hasty to have Ganondorf executed, even if it was possible to do so…" Princess Zelda frowned, "To think it's a curse so strong that not even the power of the Triforce could undo it…"
"So with that in mind, what are you going to do about the demon king now?" Link asked.
"At this point, I feel our best option is go to through with the plan to relocate Ganondorf to Arbiter's Grounds." Zelda spoke, "Though we'll have to wait until after the war, so as to prevent retaliation from the rebels during the transport."
"If you like, we can help with the transport when the time comes." Link said.
"That would be very helpful. Thank you." Zelda nodded.
"Heh, ironic the very place Ganondorf helped the Hylians set up to boost relations would end up being his final resting place." Nabooru smirked.
"A fitting hell for him to be entrapped in." Darius nodded, "To think he was the one behind the destruction of Vivdel as well..." he gazed upwards, "All to get at Demise's lost power of the Black Lightning… It makes me wonder how King Sirius's ancestors were able to get ahold of such a dangerous power...?"
"I heard many good things about Vividel in my teachings." Zelda spoke, "But to find out they were using the power of the ancient demon god to reach that level… it's horrible."
"So with all this in mind, are you two still okay with our strategy for the war?" Nabooru asked.
"If you truly believe in reforming your people, than we will trust you to do so." Zelda nodded, "You and the Gerudo shall lead the front line against the rebellion, and the Hylian knights shall only take action with extreme prejudice if you and your people are unable to fight any longer."
"We know it's a selfish request, but thanks for going along with it." Link bowed his head, "We promise we'll do everything to protect the other tribes as well."
"Please, it's hardly selfish to care for your people that much!" Zelda giggled, the light in her eyes shining once again, "I have faith that you all can put a stop to Imono."
"They won't be doing it alone, my dear." Darius said, putting one step down on the table and holding out a fork with a piece of fruit on it, "For I shall join our Gerudo allies in this war and help them!"
"Darius, are you sure?" Zelda asked with concern, "Even if you need to hold back against the rebels?"
"Naturally." Darius said sweeping a hand through his hair and sporting a pearly white smile, "If Link is so passionate about saving them rather than slaying them, than I shall honor his belief." he swung around the fruit piece, causing it to go flying across the table and smack Reirousa in the forehead, "We'll take as many back from Imono as possible!"
"Thank you Prince Darius. I hope we can work together well when the time comes." Nabooru nodded.
Link let out a sigh of relief. As heavy as the past days had been, it seemed things were coming together. It was only a mere four months until the war with the rebellion, but Link felt more now than ever that they had the support they needed to stand a chance.
"Hey Nemisa, could you check my cheeks and see if the curse is there?" Aviel asked.
"I really hope you mean your face." Nemisa said sweatdropping.
And that ends the chapter! Next time will be the finale to the Hyrule Castle arc, where Link and Zelda will announce to the people about the incoming war, and then the Gerudo shall return home to plan, but could there maybe be a handful of new friends coming with them...? You'll have to wait and see!
So for those curious about Roesia's new look, her character ended up becoming a reference to Veran, the antagonist from the Game Boy LoZ game, Oracle of Ages. In that game she was a fiendish sorceress who had the power to posses people, and she had a true form of a shapeshifting insect monster, so you can see where I got the idea for Roesia's character. And yes, despite being arrested for now, she'll still be playing a role in the story in the future.
Thank you so much for all your support! If you're new please leave a like and follow, and if you wish send me a comment or Private Message! Your feedback is always encouraged!