Chapter Text
“Okay, I think if we pin this here behind your ears… then it covers part of your face, and helps with the disguise,” you explain, speaking softly as you help Link put the Gerudo veil on. Though he seems exasperated he complies, understanding that this will be necessary to help him remain in the town. You fret in front of him, styling his hair in an attempt to pull off the feminine look.
As you back away from him you nod, “I think this is good. Yeah. This could work. Now we’ve just got to find some shoes that fit you and-”
Deeper into the shop something gets knocked over.
Both of you whip your heads around to try and find the source of the noise. Your whole body tenses, you were sure that you had thoroughly checked the building and you had done plenty of sniffing around while finding clothing for Link. You exchange a nervous glance with him.
“Hello? Saula?” you call out for the seamstress, “is that you?”
There’s no response but you hear someone take a step. Your hand flies to the handle of your sword, and likewise Link grabs his weapon off of the table. You slowly side step, cautious as you try to peer into the dark corner of the shop. “Who’s over there?” you ask, raising your voice, “if you’re in need of aid then we’re here to help. Where are the other Gerudos? What’s happened to the town?”
You hear a shaking sound- a shambling, stumbling, stuttering noise. It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Your grip on the hilt tightens as you take a tentative step forward. The only light in the room is a small oil lamp which you had found and lit but it wasn’t enough to give you complete vision. “Show yourself,” you demand, a warning, “who’s there?”
What steps into the light causes you to take a quick step backward. It was no person but instead a monster- one you had never laid eyes on before. A body walked slowly toward you made of exposed bones and sinew and muscle. Glowing bug-like eyes stared at you as it approached, its mandibles clicking ominously. Though it was slow that made it no less terrifying to look at.
“What in Hylia’s name is that-” you gasp, eyes wide.
Link lunges forward, the fabric of his new clothing fluttering behind him. He lands a solid strike across the foes chest, one which would be enough to topple any other monster of this size- but the creature seems unfazed. The metal of his sword merely grazes across the exterior of the monster’s chest as it continues to stagger forward, long arms swaying as it moves. What at first looked to be flesh is unharmed, the metal ringing hollowly after the ineffective slice.
“It’s some kind of exoskeleton,” you observe, grabbing Link’s arm and pulling him away as you attempt to assess the situation, “like a… bug of some sort. It’s like armor, we need to find some way to penetrate.”
The pair of you skirt around the room, keeping close to the wall and carefully stepping over piles of clothes and debris as you try to think of a solution. How to kill a giant humanoid bug creature? Other monsters you had faced had far more obvious weaknesses, perhaps the sole exception being the gloom hands which had attacked you in the wetlands. You still paled at the thought of those, nervously remembering how helpless you had felt strangled and pinned to the ground.
You did not want a repeat of that incident, you could not face another foe which you couldn’t defeat.
That’s when a glow catches your eye, the lit oil lamp on the table. You tear your gaze away from the monster, momentarily watching the flicker of the small flame. Immediately you reach for your travel pack, shouting a warning to your companion before producing a fire fruit you had harvested from the sky islands. It’s warm in your palm as you reel your arm back, grunting as you lob the fruit at the creature.
As soon as it makes contact with the monster the fruit bursts, causing flames to scatter along its body. The beast writhes, making a terrible screeching noise as the dark exoskeleton becomes a lighter beige color. Its arms and legs curl up, not unlike the limbs of a swatted fly. “Link, now!” you instruct him, “it’s weak!”
The blonde leaps forth and swings his sword with a flourish, repeating the slice across the chest from before. This time it’s effective, the wound dealing enough damage that the monster crumples to the ground in a heap. What’s left of its form dissipates into a cloud of smoke, leaving behind what appears to be the ribs of its body. Too bulky for you to carry right now, but perhaps usable for a fused weapon in the future.
Both of you stand where the monster was felled and you suck in a breath. “Well… if these things have invaded Gerudo Town… I can only hope for the safety of the locals. C’mon, grab your things, we need to get moving.”
Once you’ve gathered your things and ensured that Link’s disguise was plenty convincing you’re on the move once more. Together you explore the ruined town, keeping a close eye out for those bug creatures as you do so. Everywhere you go you find signs of interrupted life- meals left half-eaten, unmade beds, children’s toys strewn about on the ground. The emptiness caused a pang in your heart, to see the place devoid of its lively women and culture felt so wrong.
It feels like mercy once you find something new- something warm- something with light. The staircase that would usually lead up to the throne room has been carved out, revealing a tunnel that lets you descend into the sandstone foundation of the palace. Link follows closely behind you as you walk down the steps, and you feel nothing but relief at the sight before you. Beneath the castle was some sort of shelter, carved out into the earth. Behind a guarded gate, you could sense the signs of life- women chatting, children laughing, the smell of food wafting through the air. All of the anxiety in your heart lifted instantly.
At the entrance, you’re stopped by a guard and instructed to name yourselves. “_____, Hylian Champion and knight to Princess Zelda,” you answer, giving your title as well. You glance to the side to look at Link, who nervously meets your gaze, and you choose to speak on his behalf.
“And this is one of my soldiers, she’s been under my tutelage. Her name is…” you trail off, just for a moment, cursing yourself for not thinking of a fake name sooner. “... Linkle,” you finally decide, choosing to ignore the way his blue eyes sharpen into a glare.
The guard immediately perks up once you introduce yourselves and she quickly bows her head, “champion, it is very good to see you, though the circumstances could be better. You’ve reached the entrance to the Gerudo shelter. Here, please step inside little vai, you are welcome to share our food and water.”
A large stone door moves to the side granting you access. Inside you’re able to see the small underground community that they’ve created. All of their stores and homes had migrated downwards and they had decorated to the best of their ability with potted plants and tapestries on the walls. Torches and multicolored lanterns were strewn about to keep the halls brightly lit. There was even a statue of the goddess Hylia to use for prayers.
“Stay close, don’t wander,” you whisper to Link as you both step inside.
You’re greeted by the women, guards and civilians alike. You grin. as a group of young girls goes running past and you’re able to hear them talking excitedly about their school assignments. As you walk in a circle to admire the space your eyes finally land on a familiar face.
“Buliara,” you call out her name, waving a hand at the captain of the guard, “it is good to see you.”
The tall Gerudo approaches, setting her claymore aside as her painted lips pull into a smile. “It has been some time, champion. For you to come all this way, enduring the strange storm that plagues us…” she trails off, brow furrowing in concern, “well, you must have some important news to share.”
As you had done so many times before, you recount the basic facts to her. Though you had made your way back to land, Zelda was still nowhere to be found. The guard frowns as she nods her head in understanding, “the princess of Hyrule is still missing? We had heard of the events at Hyrule Castle, but this… things are dire indeed. Still, I am impressed you made it here through the storm that surrounds Gerudo Town. The sand shroud settled on us some time ago. We sent out patrols to try to determine what was causing it, but… a swarm of monsters- creatures called gibdos- suddenly appeared, attacked our troops, forced us to retreat. The gibdos have even made their way into the town.”
That explained the state of things on the surface, the absolute ruin of the town, and the bug-like monster you had faced off with. Gibdos. Even just the name of them made you want to recoil in disgust.
Buliara continues, “as a result, everyone was evacuated to this shelter for their safety. As someone charged with protecting Gerudo Town, I am ashamed at our current situation. This is all to say that, although I wish I could help you search for the princess, now is… not a good time. I am sorry.”
“I see, and I understand. Much of Hyrule has been thrown into chaos, I have witnessed it firsthand. It’s why we’re here, to try and help” you reply, peering around the shelter once more. A notable figure seemed to be missing, one who you were quite anxious to meet again. “Say, where is the chief?”
“Lady Riju is currently training- she is trying to become strong enough to save us from this disaster. If you are hoping to speak with her, you should visit the ruins to the north,” the captain answers, her expression softening as she speaks. There was once a time when Buliara would have rejected the idea of the young chief training in combat, let alone do so alone during such a disaster. It seems that the pair had made strides since the last time you visited the desert.
You decide that it’s best to take a quick break, just a short rest so that you and Link can eat and rehydrate yourselves. After purchasing a meal from one of the stalls you both sit by a fountain in the center of the room, eating roasted meat and slices of hydromelon as you plan what your next moves will be. You’re able to overhear some of the children whispering and giggling as they openly admire the Hylian beside you.
“Look at her hair-” “She’s pretty-” “I wish I was blonde like that-”
You nudge Link with your elbow and he rolls his eyes, but even with the veil you’re able to see the red blush of embarrassment on his face.
Once you’re fed you begin talking to the locals, primarily seeking out the soldiers. If the chief was training above ground then surely there must have been a safe way for her to get to the ruins. You’re informed of a cave system connected to the shelter and begin your search there. They called it the Valley of Silent Statues, its namesake derived from the stone statues of women warriors that seemed to be built into the architecture. You guide Link through the cavern, keeping an eye out for dangerous pits of quicksand that threaten to pull you under. Though you were sure the cave held many secrets waiting to be uncovered, your priority was locating the chief.
You use the Purah Pad as a compass, picking the direction that will carry you northward. Eventually, you find a trail that begins to lead you upward, back to the surface. You can already sense a shift, the air underground was warm but still, and now as you move upward you can begin to smell sand and silt in the wind once more. As you turn to speak to Link a thunderous noise rattles you, loud enough to shake the ground above your heads. A second follows, both of you jumping in response as rubble bounces down from the ceiling.
“That’s not normal lightning,” you mutter, grabbing onto his arm.
He tilts his head in confusion, signing with his hands to ask a question: what - do - you - mean?
It’s too focused, too concentrated. When a third crack of thunder follows you’re sure of it. You’re reminded of a Gerudo woman you knew long ago, one who you had temporarily inherited powers from. You reminisce momentarily, snapping your fingers as a fourth lightning strike occurs above. Rather than explaining, you choose to grab Link’s arm, grinning as you run up and out of the cave- back into the cloud of the sand shroud.
Squinting your eyes you manage to trudge through the sands, wincing at the grit that whipped against your body and dug into your skin. You manage to make out the shape of crumbling buildings and follow in their direction, Link following closely behind. It seems you’ve made the right choice because soon enough you come across a sand seal- a blue one, to be precise, the prized companion of the young chief. You pat Patricia on the head and ruffle her fur, earning a happy snort in response.
Another strike of lightning brings your attention back to the ruins before you. As you walk around a pillar you finally see her and breathe a sigh of relief. Riju, the young Gerudo chief. In both arms, she wields scimitars, weapons which she now utilizes to harness her lightning powers- signifiers of her royal lineage. Her once long hair was cut short, just above her shoulders- and though she wouldn’t admit it aloud you know that she had done so out of admiration for Zelda. The young girl looked up to the princess like a sister, you weren’t surprised to see her copying the other as siblings tend to do. Though she had grown since you’d last seen her, now about your height, she was still just a young girl in your eyes. Strong and intelligent, but young all the same.
You overhear her talking to herself, muttering in disappointment as she says, “missed again… can’t hit my mark. Won't do anyone any good.”
“Anything I can do to help?” you interject, and it seems to startle the chief as she turns to face you.
Her eyes widen, then quickly soften as they find your form. “It’s you…” she gasps happily, “this changes things, I didn’t expect to see you here. But then, you always show up in unusual times.”
She sets her weapons aside, allowing you to wrap your arms around her in a hug. She truly had grown, it feels like only yesterday that you were helping her train to pilot the divine beast- a duty she would never get to take part in. But you could see now that she had continued to train even in your absence, no doubt under the guidance of her captain. She overflowed with confidence now, when she had once seemed unsure of herself at times.
“And who is this?” she asks once you step away, looking toward your companion.
Link waves his hand as a hello, still choosing not to speak. “One of my soldiers who’s been assisting me,” you answer tentatively, and the chief seems to notice your hesitation.
“She can’t speak?” Riju asks.
You sigh, placing your hands on your hips. You knew better than to lie to her. “She… is a he ,” you explain, “Link, he’s a dear friend of mine and Zelda. We’re both here together looking for her still. Sorry, but I did sneak him into the town.”
To prove your words he reaches up and lowers his veil, letting the chief see his whole face.
Riju giggles, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter. “I see, and it’s alright, I know you meant no harm. This secret will be safe with me, so long as none of the others learn about this voe. But you’re saying that Princess Zelda is still missing?”
Solemnly you nod. Beside you, Link covers his face once more with a downcast expression.
“I understand how you’re feeling, Zelda is a dear friend to me as well. I will do everything in my power to help you,” she replies, a look of fondness crossing over her face as she seems to reminisce about the princess, “but to do that, I need to bring a quick resolution to a problem we Gerudo are facing.
You deliberate, both sharing details about your experiences. She explains more about the sand shroud, just as Buliara had, talking about the strange connection between the weather and the gibdos. You point out that there was strange weather all across the land of Hyrule, and you had no doubt that it was tied to the disappearance of the princess and the Upheaval. You discuss the gibdo themselves, how they were difficult to battle, but this is when Riju interjects excitedly.
“Were you watching just now?” she asks, grabbing both of her scimitars once more, “I’ve been practicing striking that dummy over there with lightning. If I can aim the lightning well, I think it may be an effective weapon against the gibdos. But this technique is… unrefined. I only recently discovered it and still need more practice. I want to master this power so I can use it to defeat the gibdos. If I can do that, we can investigate the source of this sand shroud and search for Zelda as well!”
And so you help her train. Together you devise a technique, where you would shoot an arrow and she would use it to focus her powers. Wherever the arrow landed is where she would allow her lightning to strike, and with your precision it meant that she was easily able to strike the straw-stuffed dummies in no time. Link watched with great fascination, the Hyilian seeming rather excited to see other forms of combat than just sword fighting.
“Yes! I’m getting the hang of it now! The gibdos won’t stand a chance against this power,” Riju exclaimed happily, turning to face you with a wide grin, “I can’t thank you enough for your help.”
Before you get a chance to accept her thanks, though, a distant voice rings out. It’s faint, you’re hardly able to understand what it says, but you know you hear it. Riju hears it too, it seems, as she turns around in search of the course. You’re reminded of the voice that had beckoned Sidon into the sky, the voice of his ancestor in the water temple.
Riju looks back at you, confusion etched into her features, “what… was that? It didn’t sound like any noise the sand shroud has made, that’s for sure… you heard that too, right? It was-”
“Chief!” another voice shouts, cutting through the air. One of the Gerudo guards comes running, kneeling before the chief at the end of the ruins, “we’ve received word that a swarm of gibdos are attacking Kara Kara Bazaar! Buliara is already on her way there!”
“She’s already… alright, understood. Thank you.” she addresses the guard before turning back to you and Link, “you two, we’ve got to head to Kara Kara Bazaar at once! I must ask for your help again. My lightning and your guiding arrows make us a formidable pair. Let’s show those gidbos what we’re made of!”
You watch as the chief runs off, whistling for her sand seal before dashing away across the dunes- the sand shroud quickly obscuring your vision of her. Luckily you had found a shrine of light at the bazaar meaning you had a quick way to travel with the Purah Pad. But before you teleport, and before you prepare Link for his first instance of teleportation, your thoughts give you pause.
The events unfolding in Gerudo Town were feeling eerily similar to what you had seen in Zora’s Domain, and the distant voice you had heard was the last piece of proof you needed. There was now no doubt in your mind that a secret stone would be awaiting Riju- and that she, like Sidon, would become a sage who would aid you in your journey.
You flicker your eyes down to the rune on your hand, considering summoning his avatar. If there was an oncoming battle you knew that his water manipulation would come in handy. It caused a slightly sour taste to sit on your tongue. Sidon was no weapon. He was a person- a person you held dearly in your heart. You knew that he and this avatar were separate but when they looked so similar, a perfect copy, it was impossible for you to keep them apart in your mind.
With a huff, you push him out of your mind. There were pressing matters, you’d have to think about him later.
“Alright, Link. Take my hand,” you instruct him, holding out your palm with a wry smile, “we’re fast traveling.”
Sunlight filtered through the clear river, water trickling peacefully from above. Golden eyes focused, staring intently at the trout that swam down below. Light bounced off of their scales in a colorful array, creating easy targets. His body stills, muscles tensing as he prepares himself. Then he lunges forth.
Sidon easily catches a fish in his mouth, his teeth sinking into the flesh of a trout. It fights back, only for a moment, before going lifeless in his maw. He kicks his feet against the river bed, swimming upward in two quick strokes. Once he breaches the surface he grabs the tail of the fish and tosses it ashore, adding to a small pile that had already been caught during the hunt.
“Well done, son. If you keep this up you’ll have caught enough fish to feed the entire domain,” a deep voice chuckles from the shoreline. Dorephan, no longer king, sits relaxed by the river as he delicately polishes a Zora sword.
Lifting himself out of the river, Sidon laughs softly as he sits down on the bank. “I would hope so. All of that business with the muck depleted our supplies significantly. Now that our waters are clean again the fish seem to have returned once more,” he replies.
His father nods, “yes, indeed. And it’s thanks to that Hylian knight of yours.”
“Yes… thanks to her,” the young king sighs, voice softening as he thinks of you.
They both fall silent, the air filling with the sound of nearby crickets and the rushing water of the falls.
“My son… I owe you an apology,” Dorephan says, though there’s obvious hesitation in his voice, “I am deeply sorry, to both you and the champion. I know how much pain these last few years must have put you through. But I was short-sighted, blinded by my fears of losing a valuable alliance. I did not think… I did not take into account that…”
He trails off, and Sidon is stunned to see such a vulnerable display of emotion from his father. All his life he had known the other Zora to be a strong, disciplined, yet charismatic leader. Kind to his people and fearsome in the field of battle. Sweet as a parent yet also traditional, knowing that above all else his duty to the domain is what was most important.
“Father-” he attempts to speak, though he is quickly cut off.
“No, no. Let me speak. I owe this to you,” the patriarch insists, “I did not place my faith in you as I should have. I can see now that you have been crowned that I was a fool. The fate of this domain, its people, and its alliances are in good hands. Both you and Lady Yona have seen to that, even if your methods were untraditional. I should have done more to support you. And for that I am sorry. I did apologize to the Hylian Champion, once, but even an old man such as myself knows that it is not enough for all of the pain I helped to cause.”
There’s a pang in Sidon’s heart, both of sadness and joy. Never once had he held any true resentment against his father- he understood the heavy weight of responsibility which the crown bore. Though it angered him at times, he knew why his father had taken the actions he had. In spite of everything he grins, “I accept your apology, wholeheartedly. However please know that you cannot take the full blame. There are… others whom I have qualms with.”
A look of confusion flickers over the retired king’s face.
Sidon sighs once more though this time with an air of frustration. “The part that the council has played in all of this is undeniable. While I acknowledge that they were all doing their jobs, fulfilling their responsibilities by obeying our ancient traditions and preparing me to be king, they did immense harm at the same time. Harm that they have done for years now. I hear how they speak to her, father. Their prejudices. I see the pain it causes her. Our people, my citizens, have all welcomed the Hylian Champion into the domain with open arms. We- we have a statue of her, for Hylia’s sake-”
He pauses, having to take a breath. His voice had begun to rise in anger. He attempts to calm his nerves before he continues, “despite all that she has done for us, so valiantly fighting to keep us safe, I know that the elders will never accept her. Not willingly. It is still my intention to marry her someday. I long for her to be my betrothed. But how can I, in good conscience, continue to court her knowing that the council will continue to cause her such strife?”
Dorephan hums, crossing his arms as he tucks his head down. He seems to think, deep in contemplation, before he speaks once more. “I see. And I understand your concern. The members of the council are old, older than I, and they have seen Hyrule over many eras. They remember a time when Hylians and Zora were not allied, a time when our forefathers refused to bend a knee to the royal family of Hyrule. This time has long since passed but the elders still seem to be stuck in their ways.”
“You have already shown that you are an unconventional king,” his father continues, smiling with humor, “if anything, now is the time to continue to be untraditional. You have nothing to lose, you know that the other Zora will approve of you. Court her, son. Pursue the swordswoman. Perhaps the elders will change their minds. And if not…”
The young king perks up in interest, “if not?”
Dorephan chuckles with a shake of his head, “well, I shall put it this way. You are the king now, and you have already chosen Lady Yona to be your chief advisor. You can change the council as you like. Perhaps knowing that their careers as councilmen lie at risk might make the elders change their tune.”
Sidon’s eyes widen in understanding and he can’t help but laugh, “yes, I see what you mean.” He gazes down at the stone on the back of his hand, watching as the blue gem reflects the sunlight. A reminder of the vow which he had sworn to you.
“I will change their minds. I will make them accept her, no matter what it takes.”