The Drakolith loomed over the rolling hills north of Hyrule Castle, its massive, form inert, save for the faint hum of energy pulsing through its frame. Its last assault had drained much of its power, forcing it into an extended recharge cycle. The once-glowing runes along its structure now flickered weakly, and the beast lay still as the Yiga Clan worked tirelessly around it, ensuring its eventual revival. Rasha paced near the base of the Divine Beast, irritation evident in every step. A masked Yiga warrior knelt before her, head bowed in submission.
"How long?" she demanded. The warrior hesitated before answering, clearly wary of his leader's wrath.
"Days, Mistress. The Drakolith's core requires extensive time to replenish after unleashing that much devastation," The warrior explained. Rasha exhaled sharply, clenching her fists. Days. They didn't have days to waste. Every moment the Drakolith remained dormant, Hyrule's forces had time to regroup, to counter their plans. Worse still, it left their alliance fragile, their position uncertain. She turned to Liora, standing silently at her side, her golden eyes calculating.
"We cannot afford this delay," Rasha insisted. Liora folded her arms, her demeanor unreadable.
"And yet, we must endure it," Liora sighed. Rasha's expression darkened.
"We are vulnerable. The longer we wait, the more likely our enemies are to strike back," Rasha frowned. Liora's lips curled into a subtle smile, one that never reached her eyes.
"Then we must use this time wisely," Liora said, glancing toward the encampment, where Claudia had disappeared into her quarters not long ago, "There is another matter that requires our attention." Rasha followed her gaze, understanding dawning.
"Claudia," Rasha frowned.
"She has been listening," Liora confirmed, "She does not trust us. I suspect she considers abandoning our arrangement." Rasha's expression hardened. Claudia's power and more importantly, her secret stones were vital to their conquest. Without them, their plans could not proceed. They needed her compliance, one way or another. Liora's smile deepened.
"I have a solution. One that will ensure her cooperation and solve our current predicament at the same time," Liora said. Rasha narrowed her eyes as her subordinate explained her plan. In another part of the hideout, Claudia sat on the edge of her cot, arms wrapped around herself. The Yiga hideout was silent save for the occasional distant shuffle of a passing assassin. The stillness should have been reassuring, but it wasn't. Not anymore. She could feel Aaravos' presence, as if he already knew the storm brewing inside her mind.
"She's hiding something from me," Claudia muttered, more to herself than him, "I know she is."
"Rasha is a woman of many secrets," Aaravos remarked.
"She's keeping me close, watching me," Claudia continued, fingers gripping the fabric of her sleeve, "She's not just after Hyrule. She wants my power, my secret stones. I can feel it."
"How perceptive of you." Aaravos hummed in amusement.
"You knew?" Claudia frowned.
"I suspected," Aaravos admitted smoothly, "But I wanted to see how long it would take you to arrive at the same conclusion."
"You love being cryptic, don't you?" Claudia scoffed, shaking her head. Aaravos said nothing. Claudia exhaled sharply, rubbing at her temple.
"If I had all the pieces, I wouldn't need her. I'd leave and do this on my own," Claudia said.
"Ah, but you don't have all the pieces. And that makes your next move clear, doesn't it?" Aaravos asked. Claudia hated how right he was.
"I have to keep playing along," Claudia sighed.
"Let her think she holds the upper hand. Let her believe you are still her useful little pawn," Aaravos said, his voice a silken whisper, "And when you have what you need… Then she won't be needed anymore." Silence stretched between them, but Claudia didn't feel victorious. The weight in her chest didn't lift. Instead, it settled deeper. Her fingers curled into a fist.
"This wasn't what I wanted," she said, almost too softly to be heard. Claudia stared at the ground, at the shadows cast by the torchlight.
"I wanted to bring you back. I wanted justice for what they did to you. But…" She swallowed hard. "Hyrule is in ruins. People are dead. Families… wiped out." Her voice wavered. "I didn't come here to help Rasha commit mass genocide." Aaravos was quiet for a long moment.
"And yet, here you are," Aaravos said. Claudia's breath hitched. She didn't like the way he said that. Aaravos continued, his voice like silk wrapping around her doubts.
"Tell me, Claudia, how much of this destruction did you truly cause? Did you command the Drakolith to lay waste to Hyrule? Did you order Rasha to slaughter its people?" Aaravos asked.
"No… but…" Claudia hesitated.
"Then why burden yourself with guilt that is not yours to carry? You sought power to achieve your goal. That is all," Aaravos assured her. Claudia's hands trembled slightly. She wanted to believe him. She needed to believe him. But the images of burning villages and terrified civilians haunted her thoughts.
"I just… I didn't think it would go this far," she admitted.
"The path to greatness is never without sacrifice, my dear," Aaravos reminded her. Claudia swallowed hard, forcing herself to nod. She didn't know if she truly agreed… but she knew she had no choice.
For now.
CHAPTER TWENTY: NEW STARTS
The tension in Paya's home was thick enough to cut with a blade. Robbie's fingers danced over an ancient Sheikah console, eyes flicking between glowing screens and shifting map data. Purah stood beside him, arms crossed, her usual exuberance dampened by the gravity of the moment. The others stood in a semi-circle, waiting. Then, with a triumphant beep, the console flashed.
"There it is!" Robbie exclaimed, adjusting his goggles as he pointed at the screen, "The signal's coming from the king's Purah Pad. That means…" He grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement. "Link's alive. Zelda's alive." A stunned silence filled the room before a collective breath of relief followed.
"That means Aylin might be alive, too," Elara murmured, placing a hand over her chest. Hope flickered in her expression, but uncertainty lingered beneath it. On the screen, a portion of the map updated itself, revealing new topography. Rayla's eyes widened as the unfamiliar terrain took shape—cliffs, dense forests, and a winding river carving its way through the land.
"That's…" She took a step closer. "That's East Xadia." Bowen's brow furrowed.
"So, the signal is coming from Xadia," Bowen grinned.
"Looks like it," Robbie confirmed. He tapped at the screen, enlarging the highlighted area, "That's where we'll find them."
"How did they even get there?" Bowen wondered, "Our fast travel system is still under maintenance."
"My guess is the Deku Tree. The tree knows much ancient knowledge and magic. He might've sent them away," Paya theorized as Bowen reached for the Purah Pad. Without hesitation, he activated the fast-travel interface, searching for the closest shrine or tower to the signal. He found one and pressed down to initiate the warp. Nothing happened. A soft error tone chimed from the console. Bowen frowned, trying again. The result was the same.
"It's not working," he muttered.
"It won't work. Not yet," Purah sighed, rubbing her temple.
"Why not?" Bowen asked, turning to her.
"Because the fast-travel network wasn't designed to work across an entire world," Purah explained, "At least, not in its current state. If we want to reach Xadia this way, we'll need to restore the central control unit that regulates fast travel and hope the fast travel points across the sea are strong enough to receive our signal."
"And where is this central control unit thing?" Rayla asked. Purah's expression darkened.
"Under Hyrule Castle," Purah frowned. A heavy silence followed.
"Great," Soren muttered, "So, let me guess, we have to go in there and fix it while avoiding a bunch of crazy assassins?"
"Maybe?" Purah replied questioningly. Elara exhaled sharply.
"If that's what it takes, then we have no choice," Elara said, looking at Robbie, "Assuming we can get it working completely, will our signals reach as far as Xadia?"
"Doubtful but if we can boost the network's output… I might be able to strengthen the signal enough to make cross-continental fast travel possible," Robbie said, adjusting his goggles, "And lucky for us, the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab should have everything we need." Elara quickly assessed their options before her gaze settled on the three Xadians.
"Good. Robbie, go to the lab and get started. As for the rest of us, I have an idea of what needs to be done but I want to hear what you three have to say. You are under no obligation to assist us, but I will ask. Will you help us?" Elara asked. Rayla crossed her arms, glancing at Callum and Bowen before looking back at Elara.
"So, let me get this straight. We need to break into Hyrule Castle, fix the fast travel system, and hope it works across worlds?" Rayla asked.
"That's the gist of it," Purah confirmed. Rayla exhaled, shaking her head.
"Well, I've done crazier things," She said, glancing at Callum. Callum rubbed the back of his neck, staring at the console screen, then at Elara.
"Honestly, we need a way back to Xadia if we're going to find the next primal secret stone before Claudia," He straightened his posture, "And seeing as how I know Rayla doesn't want to cross the Sea of Storms again… Yeah, I'm in too." Soren let out a low chuckle.
"Oh sure, break into a ruined castle filled with assassins, mess with ancient magic, and hope we don't die? Sounds like my kind of fun." Soren shrugged, then grinned, "Let's do it." Elara smiled, relief washing over her face.
"Thank you. I promise, we'll see this through together," Soren clapped his hands together.
"Alright, then it's settled," Elara agreed, "We're going to find the control unit in Hyrule Castle. Purah, you're joining us," Elara continued. Paya, who had been quietly observing, immediately tensed.
"What?" Her eyes locked onto Elara with disapproval, "You can't be serious." Elara met her gaze.
"Paya…" Elara began.
"You are Hyrule's future queen," Paya cut her off sharply. "You cannot go marching into danger now!"
"I'm not marching in. I'm moving carefully, with allies," Elara assured her. Paya took a step forward, voice low but firm.
"If the Yiga find you, they will not take prisoners. They want you and your brother dead. This is reckless," Paya protested. Elara held her ground.
"I understand the danger, but we don't have time to debate this. We need every advantage we can get. If something happens, I trust these people to get me out," Elara said.
"She's got a point. We're better off having someone who knows Hyrule's defenses inside and out," Rayla admitted, crossing her arms. Stella chittered in agreement on her shoulder. Paya's hands clenched into fists at her sides, but she let out a slow breath.
"If anything happens, you retreat first. Do not try to be a hero," Paya insisted.
"I'll try but risk-taking's kind of in the family," Elara smiled faintly.
The sky shimmered as Zym descended into the Sunfire Elf camp, his powerful wings stirring up golden dust from the dry plains below. His landing was less than graceful. His legs wobbled slightly under the weight of Ezran, Link, Aylin, Woody, and Corvus, and the young dragon huffed as he folded his wings.
"Oof! Okay, that's it! No more passengers! You all weigh so much!" Zym grumbled, shaking out his tired legs. Ezran patted his scales affectionately.
"You did great, buddy. And, uh… we appreciate your sacrifice," Ezran said gratefully. Zym let out a dramatic sigh but still preened under the praise. The Sunfire Elves gathered the newcomers warily as they dismounted. At the head of the camp, Queen Janai and General Amaya stood with their warriors. Janai's sharp amber eyes swept over them, noting the battered state of Link. Ezran stepped forward, smiling brightly.
"Aunt Amaya! Queen Janai! It's so good to see you both," Ezran greeted.
"Ezran? What in Xadia are you doing here?" Janai asked, lifted a brow.
"It's, uh… a long story," Ezran replied. Janai folded her arms.
"You have a habit of making long stories appear out of nowhere," Janai said, her gaze flicked toward the sky islands dotting the horizon. Beyond the clouds, massive landmasses hovered in defiance of nature itself. New sky islands, suspended by an unseen force, waterfalls cascading from their edges into nothingness. The Sunfire warriors whispered among themselves, some in awe, others in apprehension.
"I assume this is part of it?" Janai asked, gesturing to the islands in the sky. Aylin rubbed the back of her neck.
"I… may have had something to do with that," Aylin stammered, "Please forgive me." Janai looked at the little girl with confusion. Ezran's warm smile faltered as he gestured to Link, who stood beside him, favoring one leg.
"There's someone I need to introduce. This is King Link of Hyrule," Ezran introduced. Janai's eyebrows rose slightly at the title, and Amaya's eyes widened with surprise. Link gave a small, polite nod, though his exhaustion was evident. Link winced as he nearly stumbled, still hurt.
"Papa!" Aylin cried out, trying to help him stand.
"Get the healers. See to his wounds immediately," Janai snapped to one of her warriors, "I can't have this man dying until we have answers." The warrior nodded and hurried away. Link started to protest, but Ezran placed a hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry about this," Link grimaced, "It was not my intention… to arrive in your lands in such an undignified manner."
"You have no need to apologize. Let us treat you first. Your story can wait until then," Janai exhaled. She led them toward the central tent, where the fire crackled warmly. Under the care of Janai's best healers, Link's arm and leg were swiftly mended and placed in braces. Once settled, Link wasted no time explaining the dire situation to the adults and Zym. Claudia's rise in power, her alliance with the Yiga Clan, Hyrule Castle's destruction, the battle with Rasha that led to Zelda's death, their narrow escape with the Deku Tree's support, and the looming threat of Aaravos. Janai's expression darkened hearing the Startouch Elf's name.
"Wow… Just wow," Zym remarked wordlessly.
"Aaravos," Janai spat the name as though it burned her tongue, "The thought of that monster returning… How can one human do all of this?" The adults frowned in thought, digesting Link's story.
"What is Callum's status?" Amaya signed. Ezran reached into his satchel, producing Woody's letter for Amaya to see.
"Callum's safe. He made it to Hyrule, and he's already working on figuring out how to stop Claudia," Ezran assured her. Amaya quickly read the letter and exhaled, visibly relieved. She nodded approvingly. Link shifted, frowning.
"Claudia's definitely a problem but I'm curious to know about that strange light Princess Aylin gave off when we were in Lux Aurea," Ezran remarked. The mention of the city immediately put the two queens on edge.
"What? You were in Lux Aurea?" Janai snapped. Zym and Ezran looked at each other and grinned nervously.
"Yeah, that's where Zym and I found the princess," Ezran explained. It was then that he recounted the events that unfolded in the library including the light power that cleansed the beasts.
"Aylin's power… it reacted to the corrupted creatures," he began, the words still heavy on his mind, "When she cried out, the creatures seemed to be… repelled. It was like the light itself pushed the darkness back, like it was burning through it." His eyes met Janai's, searching for understanding. Janai tilted her head, her brows furrowing thoughtfully.
"Strange," she mused, "Light-based magic that cleanses darkness… I've never heard of such a power before." Link shifted uneasily in his seat. His fingers gripped the worn leather of his tunic as he seemed to hesitate before finally speaking, his voice quiet but resolute.
"It is ancient magic," he admitted, his tone a mixture of reluctance and weariness, "Aylin's power is a form of magic passed down through the bloodline of the royal family. My wife was the last to awaken that power and she used it to banish a great calamity long ago. It is a power not easily awakened, let alone used." Ezran, ever empathetic, nodded.
"But you're reluctant to let her use it," he said, sensing the depth of Link's unease.
"She's never shown any capacity until you mentioned it," Link admitted. Link's gaze faltered, the pain of his past evident in his eyes.
"I've already lost too much," he said, his voice cracking slightly, "I lost my wife to the brutality of the Yiga. I don't know if I can stand to risk losing her too. Not my youngest. Not Aylin." Janai's heart ached at the raw emotion in Link's voice. She stepped forward, her expression one of understanding.
"We all carry scars," she said softly, her tone filled with empathy, "But sometimes, we must protect those we love, even if it means letting them face danger." Amaya placed a hand on Link's shoulder, her touch gentle but firm.
"We understand the weight you carry," Amaya signed. As the adults continued their conversation, Aylin sat restlessly in another tent nearby, her legs swinging impatiently. Woody, ever the curious companion, was standing next to her, his small eyes darting toward the towering structure looming over the camp.
"Wonder what they're talking about now," Aylin murmured, bored, "They've been at it for ages." Woody's sharp eyes narrowed in on the tower.
"Hey, what's that?" he asked, pointing toward it with a tiny branch, "Looks like a pretty cool place to explore, don't you think?" Aylin tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.
"I suppose so… Let's go check it out," Aylin said. With a mischievous grin, Aylin crept toward the edge of the tent, motioning for Woody to follow. The two of them snuck through the camp, dodging guards and slipping past tents with ease. Aylin's heart pounded with excitement as she darted past a pair of half-distracted guards, using the cover of stacked supply crates to remain unseen. The tower stood tall and foreboding, its stone surface weathered but sturdy. Scrambling up the rough stone, Aylin ignored the ache in her arms, her mind fixed on the goal. When she reached the top, she spotted a stone podium. With a grin, she placed the Purah Pad on its surface. A hum of energy pulsed through the tower, sending golden veins of light snaking through the stone. Aylin's breath caught as she watched the Purah Pad's screen flicker and the map updated with new terrain, a clearer outline of Xadia, though much of it remained incomplete.
"Wow! It's just like the Skyview Towers back home," she whispered, triumphant. But as she turned to descend the tower, she froze. Guards stood behind her, arms crossed, expressions grim.
"What have you done now?" One of them barked. Before long, Aylin was standing in front of the adults, a guard flanking her. Zym, Link, Janai, Amaya, Ezran, and Gren watched her with varying degrees of curiosity and concern.
"We found her at the top of the tower that appeared at the edge of the encampment. She had this with her," The guard reported, holding up the Purah Pad.
"I updated the map," Aylin said proudly, "Look! It's not just blank space anymore. It actually shows where we are." Link took the Purah Pad, studying the newly revealed terrain. His brows furrowed.
"The towers here are just like the ones back home. If we activate more towers, we can get a complete map of Xadia," Aylin continued, eyes alight with excitement, "We won't have to guess where anything is anymore!" Link turned the thought over in his mind.
"If the towers are connected the same way as in Hyrule," Link murmured, "this could be bigger than just a map. We might be able to travel between them instantly. Maybe even return to Hyrule." Janai's golden eyes narrowed as Link realized what he said.
"How is that possible?" Janai asked.
"Heh, the people who created the Purah Pad have built an ability into it we call 'fast travelling.' It lets someone instantly move between activated locations," Link explained reluctantly. Janai blinked at him.
"You expect me to believe that a person can simply vanish from one place and reappear in another?" Janai asked.
"It's real," Aylin said eagerly, and before anyone could stop her, she tapped the screen, "Watch!" Light engulfed her form. Her body disintegrated into shimmering streams, twisting upward in a brilliant arc.
"What the?" Janai gasped.
"Up there!" One of the guards pointed, his finger pointed at the tower. The adults barely had time to react before Aylin reappeared at the top of the tower, waving excitedly.
"See? Told you!" Aylin called out. Ezran's mouth fell open.
"Okay, that's… amazing," Gren said. Amaya nodded in agreement. Janai exhaled sharply, her expression a mix of bewilderment and frustration.
"And you never thought to tell us this before?" Janai asked.
"It's not something we use often," Link admitted as his youngest child scrambled down the tower to rejoin them, "But if it works in Xadia… it could change everything."
"That was so cool!" Aylin grinned. Link, however, was less impressed. He took a step forward, wincing slightly as pain shot through his right leg.
"That was reckless, Aylin!" Link chastised.
"But it worked!" She pouted.
"And what if something had gone wrong?" Link shot back, his voice rising in frustration, "You could've… Don't do that again without telling me first." Aylin folded her arms but nodded begrudgingly. Janai shook her head, turning back to the group.
"Regardless of how strange this… magic is, Ezran is right. If activating these towers allow us to bridge the gap between our lands, it is something worth pursuing," Janai admitted.
"Especially if it can reunite us with Callum, Rayla, and Soren," Amaya signed with Gren translating, "Is it possible to do so now?" Link tapped a command for teleporting back to Hyrule only to get an error message.
"No. The signal isn't strong enough to get us back to Hyrule as is. If only there was a way to boost the signal strength," Link sighed.
"Signal strength?" Janai asked.
"The towers emit an invisible signal that the Purah Pad can detect and connect with," Link explained, "But if the signal isn't strong enough, we cannot fast travel."
"Is there any way to increase this signal you speak of?" Amaya signed.
"The map's incomplete image suggests there are other towers that can be activated. Maybe if we connect the Purah Pad to them and complete the map, it might give us the signal strength we require," Link proposed, "We just need to get to them." Link shifted in his seat, but his injuries made it impossible to ignore the sharp pain in his limbs. Janai noticed immediately.
"This is all terribly interesting, but perhaps you should rest and let us handle this?" She observed. Link clenched his jaw.
"I can…" Link gasped before the pain struck again.
"Your resolve is admirable, but you should focus on recovering from your wounds," Janai cut in, "Someone else can handle that task." Aylin straightened, resolve firm in her young features.
"I'll do it," Aylin insisted. Link turned to her, alarm flashing in his eyes.
"Absolutely not," Link protested. Aylin didn't flinch.
"I know how to use the Purah Pad. You said it yourself. We need to activate more towers and I can do it," Aylin shot back
"You're just a child," Link argued, his voice thick with worry.
"But only we can use the Purah Pad, right?" she countered, "Because we're family. No one else can do it."
"Family?" Corvus asked.
"She means the Purah Pad was designed for the royal family to use. Only members of our family line can activate the fast travel ability. It's a safeguard to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands," Link explained. Janai crossed her arms, glancing between them. Link shook his head, but Amaya stepped forward, her expression firm as she signed.
"Amaya says that Aylin has courage, and she will protect her personally," Gren translated, "And so will I." Aylin beamed.
"If it's an adventure, I'm more than happy to play the mount again," Zym offered, before muttering, "Just so long as we don't take too many people."
"Aylin… I'm not sure about this," Link protested wearily.
"But you can't stop me," Aylin said, giving him an innocent smile.
"What?" Link frowned.
"You just said it yourself. Only the royal family can use it. So… if I fast travel out of here, you can't follow me," Aylin grinned, pointing at his bandaged arm and leg, "Especially since you're hurt." The child's logic made all but Link smile.
"She's got a point," Janai smirked.
Amaya added something in sign, and Gren chuckled. "She says, 'Sounds like a checkmate to me.'"
"…I give up," Link sighed, throwing his one good arm up in frustration, "Why does my youngest have to have her mother's skill in logic?"
Claudia sat in her tent, rolling a coin between her fingers. The golden sheen of the stolen pirate wealth glimmered in the dim candlelight, a reminder that she still had an escape route. She didn't have to continue down this path. She had enough to disappear, to carve out a new life far away from assassins, ancient powers, and world-ending calamities.
And yet, she remained.
Her fingers tightened around the coin as she recalled the hushed conversation she had overheard earlier. Rasha's words still echoed in her mind, laced with venomous intent. This is more than just revenge, Claudia realized. Rasha's mission was not just about eliminating Hyrule's royal family. It was about total annihilation. A genocide. For not the first time, doubt seeped into Claudia's thoughts. Had she been so blinded by her own goals that she hadn't seen Rasha's true nature? Was this truly the right path to take? A whisper curled through her mind, warm and familiar.
"Claudia…"
"Aaravos," Claudia frowned.
"Have I not always been honest with you? Have I not given you power when the world abandoned you? I have kept you safe, guided you through every challenge. You and I, we are bound together, are we not?" Aaravos asked. Claudia exhaled, gripping the stolen coin tightly.
"Yeah," she muttered, more to herself than him. "You always know my mind, don't you?" The words lingered in the air, and then, suddenly, something clicked. A thought. A possibility. Before she could dwell on it, the tent flap opened, and Liora entered, her expression calm and unreadable.
"Rasha wants to see you," she said simply. Claudia tucked the coin away, forcing a smirk onto her face. A few moments later, Claudia sat cross-legged at a low table, a cup of tea in her hands. She swirled the liquid absently, watching the ripples form, but made no move to drink. Across from her, Rasha and Liora sat poised, their own cups resting untouched before them.
"So," Claudia drawled, offering a lazy smile, "what's next on the 'Destroy Hyrule' agenda?" Rasha's lips curved faintly.
"You're growing impatient. Good. That means you're ready," Rasha smiled. Claudia cocked an eyebrow.
"Ready for what, exactly? Because from where I'm sitting, you're taking your sweet time getting to the point," Claudia said. Liora's gaze was sharp, studying her with quiet scrutiny.
"We must be thorough," she said smoothly, "Hyrule is not an easy enemy to topple. Their people have endured war, calamities, even divine intervention. If our victory is not made complete and unchallenged, we will fail." Claudia hummed in mock agreement.
"Right, right. Full preparation. That's why we're just sitting here drinking tea while Callum and his friends still walk about," She leaned forward slightly, setting her cup down with a soft clink, "You sure this isn't about something else?" Rasha gave her a long, measured look.
"Such as?" Rasha asked. Claudia's fingers drummed on the table.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe you don't actually trust me. Maybe you're just waiting for the right moment to take me off the board," She flicked her gaze to Liora, "You two didn't take a sip of your tea. That's interesting." Liora's expression didn't change as Claudia took a cautious sniff of her drink.
"We simply prefer to be clear-headed in discussions of importance," Liora said.
"Mm. Or maybe you thought I wouldn't notice the little… extra ingredient?" Claudia asked. A heavy silence followed.
"I've messed with another food and potion ingredients in my life to recognize the smell of slumberweed in my tea," Claudia said, "I used to use it when I wanted to fall asleep more easily."
"…Clever girl," Rasha chuckled softly. Claudia smirked, but there was no real humor in it.
"Yeah. And yet, you still thought you could play me," Claudia said, tapping her temple. "You see, the thing about me is that I hate being manipulated." Liora tensed, but Claudia was already whispering under her breath, her fingers tracing subtle patterns against her thigh.
"Mentis Vinculum." The magic pulsed outward, invisible yet undeniable. Liora gasped, gripping the edge of the table as she struggled against the spell. Her breath came in ragged bursts before her strength failed her, her body went slack, and she slumped forward, unconscious. Rasha, however, sat eerily still. Her pupils dilated as the magic took hold.
"I prefer to be the one holding the strings and yet… I was hoping to have both of you under my control. Oh well," Claudia grinned, leaning back with satisfaction. She rested her chin in her hand and gestured lazily.
"Now Rasha, what's the deal with the monolith at the Death Mountain shrine? What did you see on it that you didn't want me to know?" Claudia asked.
"It revealed the location of where one can summon the Tower of Stars and the continent it is on from beneath the sea. The tower can be summoned from the sea. A hidden shrine at Floating Scales Island is the key. Three primal secret stones are required for activation," Rasha echoed mechanically. Claudia's pulse quickened.
"And where's Floating Scales Island?" Claudia asked.
"To the east," Rasha droned, "It is a sky island floating above the eastern edge of Zora's Domain."
"And is there anything else I should know?" Claudia smirked.
"Yes. There is one more thing," Rasha blinked. Claudia leaned in close, her fingers lightly tapping against the table as she peered into Rasha's blank, enchanted eyes.
"Alright, Rasha. One more thing, huh?" Claudia asked, her voice a silky whisper, her smirk full of confidence, "Tell me what else I need to know." Rasha's lips parted, and she leaned in as well, her voice barely above a breath as she whispered into Claudia's ear. Claudia's smug expression flickered. Her fingers curled slightly against the tabletop. As Rasha continued, her eyes widened ever so slightly, though she quickly schooled her face into neutrality. When Rasha finally pulled back, her vacant stare unchanging, Claudia exhaled slowly through her nose.
"No wonder you didn't want me to find that out," she murmured. She sat back, her mind already racing with the implications of what she had just heard. Claudia straightened, smoothing down the front of her robes as she cast a glance at Liora's unconscious form. She was still slumped over, her breathing steady but shallow. Claudia idly wondered how much resistance she had put up before the spell overwhelmed her. Rasha, still caught in the thrall of the spell, remained motionless, her blank stare following Claudia's movements. With a satisfied hum, she rose from her seat, flicking a lock of white-streaked hair over her shoulder.
"Well, ladies, this has been enlightening," she said nervously, stepping around the table, "But I think it's about time I got moving." She reached the exit, then paused, glancing back over her shoulder at Rasha.
"Oh, but first, I can't have you following me. Be a dear and destroy your tablet thingy, will you?" She murmured, waving a casual hand. Rasha nodded, pulling her Purah Pad out from her pouch. Drawing a knife, she stabbed it in the middle of the screen, shattering it.
"Good. Now, drink your tea," Claudia ordered. Rasha blinked as she took her cup and chugged its contents. Her expression shifted before she fell unconscious next to Liora. Claudia was already slipping through the tent flaps, stepping out into the cool night air.
"Clever girl," Aaravos murmured, his tone brimming with approval, "You played them beautifully. Rasha thought she was in control, but now, thanks to you, she dances on strings she cannot even see." Claudia frowned upon hearing this.
"Yeah, well," she said under her breath, "she thought she could manipulate me. She forgot that I'm way smarter than I look."
"Indeed. And now, you hold the knowledge they sought to keep from us. You have the advantage, my dear," Aaravos chuckled. She stopped at an open clearing, rolling her shoulders.
"Do I? Well, this isn't the time to talk about it," she said, stretching out her hand. Tendrils of energy coiled around her fingers from the star primal secret stone as she whispered the incantation. The air rippled, and a swirling portal of violet burst open before her. With a flash, Claudia vanished, leaving only the faint hum of magic in the air as the night swallowed the clearing once more.
