"Normal Text": Reactions
"Italic Text": Astra Stories
*I do not own The Legend of Zelda. All rights go to Nintendo*
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Impa watched as Astra stood up suddenly. He stretched his back causing several of his joints to pop. Everyone watched him in anticipation wondering what he would reveal next. They had barely begun his tales and already had learned several things that changed what they knew about their own history. Even the Sheikah who's personal library held several tome's that not even the royal library held never made mention that the Hero of the Sky being the one who had forged the Master Sword or that the goddess herself had become mortal and loved the first hero. They had known of the story of creation but not the details of the war that followed.
Astra was getting ready to continue on with his story when a knock sounded from the doors and echoed across the room. Everyone looked towards them then the King.
"Enter." King Rhoams voice boomed. A Knight in the royal guard uniform entered walking up to the King before taking a knee. The King made a motion and the Knight rose and saluted.
"Excuse the intrusion Your Majesty, I was asked by the royal chef to inform you that the feast you asked for is ready." He reported curtly. The king rubbed his beard and nodded.
"Thank you Sir Milo, you are dismissed." King Rhoam waved the Knight away who saluted and promptly left.
"I believe it's best we break for the night and continue this in the morning." Astra said after Sir Milo closed the door behind him. King Rhoam looked annoyed at being told what to do but nodded and stood from his throne walking out the door.
Impa watched as everyone nodded agreement before walking out after the King. She walked up to Zelda who had approached Astra and was talking animatedly to him and had Link following silently behind the two.
"This is such an amazing opportunity and I've already learned so much in the few hours and there is so much more to learn. Like that strange hut that was floating around Skyloft what was it and can it be replicated? Oh, is Skyloft still up above us or did it fall to the ground, which is how Hylians populated Hyrule?" Zelda looked like she was going to ask more questions when Astra cut her off.
"Skyloftians."
"Huh?" Zelda blinked in confusion, not sure what Astra meant.
"We were called Skyloftians not Hylians." Astra told the Princess. "As for your other questions, That floating building is Beedle's shop. I never asked him how it was made but it's probably not too difficult." Impa was going to ask Astra about the ancient Sheikah and noticed that Astra had tensed up as the walked through the door to the dining hall.
"Ah there you are a little bird." A voice called out as the quartet entered the dining hall. Impa looked over to see the Gerudo Champion walking towards them. Impa saw how Astra's hand subtlety fell near a dagger at his waist and judging by the way Urbosa's eyes narrowed slightly and changed her stance and Link taking a few steps closer to Zelda, so did they.
"Astra, would you like to train with me and Link at some point?" Impa blurted out hoping to avoid a conflict even if she didn't think the two would really do anything. She didn't know what Astra had against the Gerudo but she thought it best to keep their interactions to a minimum.
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Link couldn't help but think about how different Sky's life had been compared to his as he walked behind the Princess and Ancient Hero. All his life he had been dedicated to nothing but training to be a knight and when he had been 12 had drawn the Master Sword to be the Hero. He never had much time for friends and after he drew the Master Sword anyone who tried to get close either wanted to curry favor with him or wanted to know the Hero not Link. The only people he had befriended were Impa, Daruk, and Mipha but even that had been somewhat distant until recently. Sky was different from him. He also was training to be a knight but he was so much more relaxed than him. He had people he was close with such as the Ancient Hero, Pipit and Fledge, the trainer and headmaster of his school. He was even close with his Zelda.
Link looked toward the princess and felt a pang of jealousy run through him. Why was it that Sky and Dawn were so close but the Princess couldn't even tolerate being near him.
Link saw the Ancient Hero tense up and did so as well wondering if he had sensed something.
"Ah there you are Little Bird."
Link took a step towards the Princess as he saw the Ancient Hero fall near a dagger as Urbosa walked up. This was the second time Link had noticed the way the Ancient Hero reacted to the Gerudo Champions presence in such a way. Why was he so tense around her?
"Astra, would you like to train with me and Link at some point?" Impa asked suddenly, most likely having noticed the Ancient Hero's reaction as well. Link had forgotten him and Impa had talked about doing parkour training earlier. He looked towards the Ancient Hero to see what he thought about the idea.
"That sounds like a good idea. I would enjoy seeing what Link here is capable of." The Ancient Hero said relaxing slightly but not taking his eyes off Urbosa.
"Oh that sounds wonderful. Would you mind if I were to spectate?" Zelda asked, clapping her hand together. Her eyes sparkled in a mesmerizing way similar to when she was working on some ancient technology or researching something new. Something in Link's heart ached at the sight but he pushed it away.
"If these two don't mind neither do I." The Ancient Hero said, looking over to him and Impa. He and Impa shook their heads. "Well then let's go eat shall we.
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Zelda joined her father and the others at the table. Link took his usual post behind her as she sat down. Astra looked confused and stood near him without sitting down.
"Excuse me sir but your seat is there near Lady Impa." A servant nervously said pointing to an empty chair next to the Sheikah heiress. Astra sat down and looked over at Link in confusion. Impa leaned over and whispered something in his ear to which he nodded and began to eat but still looked confused. Everyone ate and chatted for a while before Astra cleared his throat.
"I was hoping that you all would inform me a little about the current threat Hyrule is facing." He said looking expectantly at Zelda. The question caught her off guard as she thought he already knew but she recovered quickly.
"Of course. As you know Gannon was defeated 10,000 years ago by the princess and hero with the help from the Divine Beasts and Guardians". Zelda began explaining but stopped when she saw Astra shaking his head.
"I don't know anything about the Divine beasts or Guardians." Astra said, shaking his head. That comment got everyone looking at him in utter bafflement.
"What do you mean you know nothing of the Divine Beasts." King Rhaom asked angrily. Had this man lied about who he was? Had she been wrong to bring this man to the castle. Zelda truly hoped not.
"It is as I said. I don't know about them but I don't help every hero. This Hero you speak of isn't the first I've heard of but never helped. The Hero of Man who was in between Sky and Minish was also one such hero." Astra said calmly, trying to placate the King. "I've never truly known why but I have a few ideas."
"Such as?" Zelda was interested in this. She had never heard of the Hero of Man. To think there might be more heroes than even Astra knew.
"The threat that the hero's face when I'm summoned is usually more than Link can handle alone. The threat that Minish and I faced was both a combination of the threat the Hero of Man seal and something much more powerful." Astra said solemnly.
"But you have faced Ganon before, correct?" A voice standing behind Zelda spoke out startling her. The Knight had spoken up. She scowled. Of course he would be willing to speak to Astra. He had successfully beat Calamities before. He wasn't a failure in the Knight's eyes like she was.
"Of course, he is the most common of our foes. Be it his mortal or beast form." Astra glared at the table.
"He has a mortal form?" Urbosa asked with a scowl.
"Yes he is either Ganon, a large pig monster or pigman. That form is usually physically stronger but with a lower intelligence, or he is Ganondorf the King of the Gerudo. This form isn't as physically as power as Ganon one but his strategic abilities are better than any other I've seen." Astra said his glare intensifying on Urbosa. A quiet fell over the table at his words.
"Most common foe?" This time it was Impa who spoke looking concerned. "Are there others?"
"Yes, while Ganondorf is the most common there have been others. Vaati we faced a few times, once at the same time as Ganon, then there was Malladus, and Bellum just to name a few." Astra said. Zelda was freaking out. Was it possible she would have to face multiple Calamities at once?
"Do you believe it's possible that we will face multiple Calamities at once?" King Rhoam asked his tone grave and a deep frown on his face.
Astra shook his head."Doubtful. We killed all except Vaati and as long as Link doesn't draw the Four Sword he will stay sealed. While I'm sure Ganon will have some bosses under his command, it shouldn't be anything near his own power but we've gone off track. Tell me what you know about the current Ganon."
"We have for the most part. All we know is what I said, that 10,000 years ago Ganon was sealed by a hero and princess assisted by the Divine beasts. 4 giant Sheikah weapons each created for one of the four other races in Hyrule outside the Hylians. Vah Ruta for the Zora, Vah Medoh for the Rito, Vah Rudania for the Gorons, and Vah Naboris for the Gerudo. All named after ancient sages. We have dug them up once more and have begun restoring the guardians. We then chose one person from each race to pilot them." Zelda told Astra once more.
"Ruto, Medli, Darunia, and Nabooru right?" Astra said looking nostalgic at the names.
"Was that their names? The ancient Sages?" Impa an excited sparkle in her eyes. Zelda knew that Impa was always more interested in the spiritual side of Sheikah history as opposed to Purah and herself who enjoyed the technological side.
"Probably. Ruto the Zora princess and Sage of Water, Darunia the Goron Chief and Sage of Fire, Nabooru second in command of the Gerudo and Sage of Spirit in Times Era. Medli was the Sage of Earth in the Wind's Era." Astra nodded at Impa. It hadn't actually occurred to Zelda that Astra would know the people who were the inspiration for the Divine Beasts names. "But what is the plan should the Divine Beasts and guardians become compromised?"
"They wouldn't become compromised?" Robbie sounded affronted at the mere idea.
"They will. Ganon isn't the mindless beast you all seem to think he is. In the past he has sent his monsters to take over and hold key points or protect objects that are key to defeating him. If these machines were used in the past as you say he will have a counter ready." Astra looked at Robbie with a frown. "Most of the time Link and I spend on our quests are retaking those areas and gathering supplies and allies to defeat him." This was not something Zelda had expected. It filled her with despair. A part of her had hoped that if she never awakened her power the Divine Beasts would be enough to assist the Knight and bring victory. Now to know that all the work on the Divine Beasts may have been for nothing left her feeling lost.
"So what do you suggest we do then? Scap them entirely?" Purah asked Astra. Purah looked like the words hurt her to say aloud.
"Not at all. If they are as useful as you imply then it would be a waste. Your best bet would be to place a small army of all the races upon the divine beasts to protect the pilots." Astra spoke confidently as if he had thought a long time about this topic.
"Why should we send our people together instead of leaving them to protect their homes. We Rito have an advantage in the sky that other races don't." Revaili asked for once not sounding as smug..
"That is exactly why. All the races have different advantages and weaknesses. Ganon will use those against you. He has frozen Zora's domain, blocked the Gorons from their food source, made it so the Rito couldnt gain their wings just to name a few." Astra pointed out. "A small army of all the races would be best so that it could cover the weakness and not make one army completely useless."
It made sense to Zelda when he put it that way. If Ganon froze the area the Zoras would be useless but the Rito and Hylian army would still be able to fight. She agreed and saw that her father and the other leaders did as well. There would be talks after dinner she knew. Dinner finished shortly after and everyone returned to their own rooms. Astra ended up sleeping in the room the Knight had next to her own. Zelda knew she wasn't going to get much sleep that night and she doubted anyone else would either.
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(A/N) So here is the first interlude. This is actually technically the second written since I got about 3k words into Astra telling Zelda a possible way to awaken but it felt like that was a bit too heavy so soon. Astra is already making changes with his appearance and experience. Originally I was only going to have it from Impa's point of view but I felt that having a bit into Link and Zelda's mind would be best. Most interludes will probably be in this format. Also before the next telling I'm planning on cutting out a few people since I feel they aren't adding anything. This will be the Zora and Rito leaders as well as either Robbie or Purah still not sure. Let me know who you all think would be better to get rid of. Also I went back and changed the hero that Astra was with before needing up in Aoc to Warriors. I know that HW isn't canon but I have a plan for it and its honestly one of my favorite games.
S.D Signing Out