Of Royal Blood - The Legend Of Zelda

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Take on the Stalnox.

You throw on your gear and quickly make your way out of the mansion and towards the edge of the village. Sure enough, Impa was there with an owl sitting on her outstretched arm. The moment she spots you sends it off, the owl silently taking flight towards the village, and you only manage to catch a glimpse of a piece of paper tied around its leg before the owl is swallowed up by the darkness.

"Letting the other guards know we're heading out?" You ask as you draw to near to her.

"Something like that," Was all Impa said as she turned and started walking briskly into the woods. You fall into line behind her, keeping pace despite the darkness and increasing difficulty of the terrain. You're keenly aware the only reason you're keeping up with Impa was your years spent in the woods. Zelda may be able to perform feats of superhuman agility but she'd never have been able to wander through the woods in total darkness like this. Mipha could, her years fighting in Lanayru's swamps had honed her skills in making the most of any terrain. Paya definitely could not, and the sharp difference between the two Sheikah girls to both Mipha and yourself plagues your thoughts as your lead towards the Stalnox.

Impa was by all accounts one of the most powerful warriors you had ever met, yet her own niece and charge were well... not. Zelda was the best archer you had ever met, yet it seemed large sections of her training seemed to be missing. You knew before coming here she had issues and preferred to ease her mind with scholarly pursuits than fighting ones, taking up archery and the superhuman skills more for convenience and as a hobby than for combat. Sure she drifted off from topics, but you never expected her to be actively bad at teaching. The more you learn about her life here, the more you worry for Zelda and bitterly you wonder if you've been ignoring the signs to not risk harming her, even as she'd stay up late next to you mesmerized by the slate writing how she learned something new about friendship. It was... disquieting to realize how much you had chosen to ignore, even when you wanted to help Zelda overcome her problems.

Then there was Paya; why was someone so brilliant, so captivating to Zelda kept so isolated? Impa was imposing, you could understand why she kept her distance from her shy niece but where were Paya's parents? Why was Zelda the only person she felt at ease near, despite their first violent meeting? You realize then you know so little about Paya, despite the girl seemingly willing to be friends with you despite her own shyness. You should spend a day with her, try to get to know who Paya really is. Zelda would undoubtedly approve, and it'll help you begin to understand them and their problems which seemed so inextricably linked. Paya also seemed like she'd be fun to hang out with, even if it'd take awhile for her to come out of her shell.

Finally, there was Mipha, the Princess who had given up any hope of getting her kingdom back. She never said it out loud, but it wasn't particularly difficult to see it. The Mipha you had met had devoted herself for years avenging not just her people and ravaged land, but the friend who had been violently taken from her. No wonder when Zelda had appeared out of the blue was Mipha so keen to stay by Zelda's side no matter what. You have no doubt that she knew how without her the Zora rebels would have starved and had only threatened it to get them to leave with the three of you. The fact she had seen a need to do so despite how easily they had agreed must be eating away at her. With Mipha revealed as a sage she probably feels guilty about her pessimism even with the impossible task before you all, and worries about the danger the friend she had just got back is rushing into. You wonder if you'll be able to get Mipha to open up about it, or if it's something you should let her come to terms with on her own.

With all that in mind, you only hope that-

"You're overthinking why you are doing this," Impa suddenly states, making your head jerk upwards, "Do not try to justify in your head the action you're taking now, there was only one reason why you agreed to this."

"How did you...?" You ask, and you just barely see in the darkness Impa look over her shoulder giving you a small smirk.

"You don't pay attention where you're going when you're lost in thought, I heard your footsteps change," She tells you, looking forward again.

Ah, yeah you did kinda slow down a bit, but then what did she mean by...

"Only the most loyal of knights took on this trial to become a royal guard, but only one other in all my time in the guard viewed it as simple training to be stronger. So that they could one day help shoulder the burdens placed on the sages and the royal family..." She trailed off and picked up the pace. But you didn't need her to state it outright to figure out who Impa was referring to.

Though was it that strange that you shared that in common with her?

Impa stops, and you realize the two of you had stepped into a clearing, a rather suspicious mound of jagged rocks telling you that you had arrived at the arena.

"It'll animate as you get near, if you need to make any last preparations I suggest you do so now," Impa tells you, but you only shake your head as you draw your Tetsubo and a throwing knife before stepping into the clearing.

The effect was immediate as you crossed that invisible threshold, the jagged stones ripping themselves free from the earth in a shower of dirt and plant matter to reveal that they were indeed the bones of a truly massive humanoid.

Even long without its covering of flesh the Stalnox's bones were more like tree trunks than bone, the creature itself only dwarfed by the largest trees, every step sending tremors through the ground simply due to the bones weight alone. It was strangely squat, with short legs and long arms yet it did little to really alter the impression that you were against a true giant, something that could crush you underfoot like a bug. A single cyclopean eye lit up with an unholy blue light, a green gash swiveling to look down upon you with evil intent.

So you threw your dagger directly into it, before charging with your Tetsubo raised. A roar, still deafening despite the beasts lack of lungs cut through the forest sending the sleeping woods into a panic as the Stalnox scratched at its eye, giving you an opening to close the distance and put all your strength into sending your Tetsubo into the solid bone of its shin. Bone shifted, and whatever demonic magic that was animating the Stalnox faltered, and you just barely managed to backflip away as it tried to take a step before its leg gave way, sending the bones crashing to the ground in a jumbled heap. Its eye tumbled out, rolling for a few feet before stopping, swiveling around in a panic.

You again run forward, this time leaping up onto the bones as they began to shake and twitch. You just begin to get some height before they start to raise, the eye rolling back towards its owner.

It never makes it, as you leap from the Stalnox's bones and send your Tetsubo crashing down into it, shattering it like glass before it dissolved into black smoke. The Stalnox follows suit a moment later, its bones crumbling before your very eyes, vanishing into black smoke.

You shoulder your Tetsubo, a cocky grin splitting your face as you look over to Impa. Impa actually looks surprised, her eyes wide, "That was... faster than I expected."

"You thought I'd win?" You ask as you pick up the dagger you threw.

"Of course, it's just a Stalnox. Someone who so readily dives into the belly of a Big Octo would have no trouble with it," But then she frowns, brow furrowed as something seems to concern her.

"Something wrong?" You ask, putting away your Tetsubo and walking over to her.

"No... No nothing is wrong..." She trails off for a moment before suddenly saying, "I must return to the village, you will have to make your own way back."

"Wait... what?!" You exclaim, but it's too late as the Sheikah warrior vanished into the darkness of the woods.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to have gotten lost in thought earlier...

++++
​

You do eventually make your way back to the village, thankfully having not spent the whole night lost in the woods. However, it seems Impa's sudden behavior wasn't the only thing strange going on, as your ears immediately prick to the sounds of an entire village worth of conversations all occurring at once as lanterns that weren't there when you had left illuminated your path towards elders building. Confused, as Zelda had definitely not mentioned anything about a festival occurring, you carefully follow the lanterns through the village and it isn't long until you see that the village had indeed gathered in front of the steps leading towards the elders home, a great crowd wearing their best clothes with a few carrying lanterns. Someone spots you, and the crowd immediately grows silent. They part, creating a path for you as they line up alongside the sides of the road. Those in front kneel, heads bowed in reverence as you walk past them, what was occurring finally dawning on you.

You walk up the stairs, legs feeling like weights were tied to them and your eyes fixed ahead. The village warriors were all stationed one on each side at strategic points on the steps, standing at attention and saluting you as you walked past them, though you notice the mage Akko turn to watch you with obvious wonder, though a sharp hiss from her counterpart made her turn back around and stiffen back into the appropriate stance.

When you reach the top you immediately see the Zora elders standing there, along with Sidon, Undyne, Mipha and Paya. Strangely Mipha was not standing with her brother, instead, she was standing next to the entrance-way to the Elders home. She was also wearing slightly different clothing, draped in transparent blue silks along with her sash and silver jewelry Mipha looked positively resplendent, calling to mind the image of a ruby amidst calm, blue waters.

Paya meanwhile looked like she was trying to hide behind Muzu while still standing at attention. She was wearing a red robe that trailed along the ground, with intricate swirling designs that were snow white to contrast with the crimson silk. What jewelry she was wearing was understated, simply part of her overall outfit. Perhaps it was the lantern-light, the darkness playing with the color of her robes or hair, or how still she could be, but there was something otherworldly about her, like she was a painting, an old portrait done in that Shiekah style rather than a person made of flesh and blood.

Stepping into the center of the courtyard you're left feeling really out of place standing in your dusty armour and green tunic while everyone is dressed up. More you don't know where you're supposed to go from here, assuming Zelda would appear and take charge. So you take a second glance around, hoping to get a clue without interrupting the ceremony only to immediately see something rather odd. One of the arches had a note tacked onto one of the poles, with the text written in a flowing, neat handwriting that rather obviously tells you who it belonged too even if you realize you've never seen her write with a quill before.

Did she...

The sound of a door sliding open causes your head to snap back to the elder's residence and you watch as they shuffle out, taking a position in front of you with a large gap in the center of them right in front of the door. You straighten up, doing your best to subtly brush off some of the dirt and dust before the figure you see in the dark building steps out and-
​

​

​

You close your eyes, giving a small shake of your head before opening them. What was that? For a moment you saw Zelda... differently. Not in any way you'd have expected. How she was dressed, how she was carrying herself shouldn't bring up such mysterious feelings that made it feel like your chest was tightening and your throat torturously dry. That painful nostalgia, the subtle feeling of vertigo and the intensely bitter taste of regret that almost made you choke when you tried to swallow it.

The Zelda in front of you was nervous, stumbling slightly as she walked towards you with her long ears turning an interesting shade of red. She was wearing a snow white dress with cavernous sleeves that trailed along the ground. The only jewelry she had were the sapphire rings holding the sleeves to her hands, the intricate jewelry set at the dresses collar, her earrings, and headpiece. She wore no footwear and her shoulders were bare, something Zelda seemed to be regretting as though it was a warm evening you could see she was looking at your rather warm clothes with barely disguised envy, especially as it wasn't quite late enough in the evening for night insects to start becoming less active. Most eye-catching was the sword wrapped in blue silk she was clutching tightly to her chest, its make obviously of Hylian knight quality.

You kneel down onto one knee but don't bow your head, looking up to Zelda's face as you try to keep yourself from frowning as you compare the different Zelda and the Zelda before you. Physically they were the same, yet how they carried themselves was so different. Where Zelda would often seem nervous, skittish and anxious the Zelda you saw was serene and decorous. You've seen Zelda certainly hold herself that way, but there was a sureness in that Zelda, a maturity born from a lifetime of experience you more recall from her mother. Yet it wasn't a vision of Zelda when she was older, as they seemed the same age at least physically. That Zelda also carried a different sword, one that was a light teal rather than the cold steel of the knight-sword. You've never seen a sword quite like it, yet there was a familiarity and a sadness associated with it you can't quite place. Most concerning of all was that Zelda's eyes, the deep sadness in them that so reminded you of Zelda at her absolute worst along with something else that cemented you weren't just imagining things.

That Zelda had blue eyes...

Zelda stops in front of you, but doesn't look down instead squinting at something behind you. You finally fail to stop a frown from forming as you whisper, "Really?"

"I didn't have time to rehearse!" She hisses back at you before straightening up and putting on a far more dignified expression.

"O' hero who kneels before me, resplendent in their battle-worn armour. Alone, you have faced the greatest of adversity to honour your oaths, to take on this honoured mantle. You now walk down a path so few have taken and stand amongst legends, their power, wisdom, and courage now yours. By the edge of your blade shall evil never take root. By the strength of your heart, Hyrule shall... s-shall never truly fall. Now rise, true knight of Hyrule..."
​

++++​

"Aaaaaaaaaah~ that's sooooo much better..." Zelda sighs as Mipha heals her mosquito bites.

"That really the ritual outfit you're supposed to wear?" You ask, sheathing your new sword, which you had found to be wonderfully balanced, "Rather plain..."

"I-it's supposed to represent the blessed purity of those chosen by the goddesses, t-though it is typically worn when they pray in the sacred springs-" Paya begins to explain but you cut her off, turning to look at both of them with an eyebrow raised.

"That's..." You begin, trying to find a word, "...really?"

Zelda's cheeks and ears turn as red as Mipha's scales as she looks away from you, "Yes Link, I noticed! We are NOT doing the springs unless we have too, I mean one of them is on Mount Lanayru for Hylia's sake..."


Paya tilts her head, visible confusion on her face, "B-but... Lady Zelda isn't that part of... of..." She trails off, finally realizing something about Zelda's clothing. She turns bright red, clapping her hands to her face and almost seemed to begin to run off before settling on trailing behind you all.

"I... I don't understand why it's an issue? Isn't there elixirs for the cold?" Mipha asks, looking confused.

"SO!" You exclaim, clapping your hands together, "You guys really had this whole thing planned out?"

Zelda rubs her wrist anxiously, "Y-yes, but I wasn't supposed to just hand you the tunic. I just thought since you killed the Big Octo it wouldn't matter..."

"Well it was pretty easy, read up how to defeat them years ago. Great to know the book didn't lie!" You chuckle, rubbing the back of your head.

"It was still dangerous..." Zelda mutters, and the grin you had vanished as you felt bad for making light of something she was very worried about.

"Well, we're all going to take it easy for the next bit, right? Let's forget about our worries, and enjoy ourselves a little," Mipha adds, and you all find yourselves nodding in agreement with the Zora Princess.

That is until you yawn. It was late, you'll tell someone about that vision later. "Well, I think I'm going to pass out, see you all in the morning," You say sleepily.

"Goodnight Link."

"Have a good sleep Link."

"H-have a good sleep, master Link!"
​

++++
​

The next day you were woken up by Zelda, who had surely been replaced by some being of pure evil for none but the most callous and despicable could commit such an act.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!" You scream, trying to shield your eyes from those vile rays that evil orb of hellfire was inflicting upon the waking world.

Zelda offered you no pity, rolling her eyes as she tossed your protective blankets aside, "Come on, get up already. You can't lie in bed all day."

"Why would you do that you monster!?"

"Because Impa wants us to meet with the guards, with you in your new tunic. Now are you going to lie here or eat some porridge?" She asks.

You're immediately on your feet, "Porridge?"

Zelda sighs, "I don't know how you can get so motivated by food. Come on, let's hurry over."

After a quick breakfast you, Zelda, Mipha and a reluctant Paya head over to the guardhouse, where the guards are waiting. Impa it seemed was busy with inventory so you were left alone to decide who to hang out with. There did seem to be a sparring ring which you could check out, as well as targets for archery practice set up. There was also training dummies, though they didn't seem to be of much use for you they'd probably be used by the guards from training you could watch. There was also an obstacle course, though it seemed more designed for the Sheikah and you doubt you could make the jumps.

What do you do?
[] Hang out with Cado and Akko
[] Hang out with Brokka and Dorian
[] Check out the sparring ring.
[] Check out Archery Range
[] Check out Obstacle Course
[] Write-in​

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Hang out with Cado and Akko

"So, if you turn me into a Cucco I'll finally be able to understand what is making my precious flock so nervous?"

"Well... um... ehehehehe..." A masked girl with short white hair dressed in a lightly-armored dark colored bodysuit with a white short cloak chuckles nervously, before finally noticing your group approaching, "Ah! The princess! I mean Princesses!" She exclaims, pulling off her mask, ears, and hair, revealing it to be an elaborate headdress that covered up long brown locks that fell past her shoulders.

Spoiler

"It's alright Akko, we're just here to chat," Zelda says as your group walks up.

Cado gives a respectful bow while Akko just looks perplexed, "Oh alright? Uh..."

Zelda doesn't immediately respond so having the power of pattern recognition you immediately chime in, "So this is where the Sheikah learn to do all those superhuman tricks?"

"Yes, though I'm afraid by our customs only Sheikah may learn them," Cado tells you.

You nod in understanding, "So every Sheikah learns it?"

"Well, some of us..." Cado mutters side-eying Akko who puffs up indignantly.

"H-HEY! It's not my fault everything is in super confusing metaphors! I mean when you say become like a swallow-"

"Your idea to literally turn yourself into a giant bird was entirely your fault," Cado says flatly.

"Shapeshifting?" You look over to Zelda, "Why don't you know that?"

"I-I was... um..." Zelda stammers out, suddenly becoming very interested in her shoe, "I was always busy and never went to the academy..."

"Eh, but aren't you reading most of the time? You mean with babysitting all the kids?" Akko asks. Her expression then shifts into one of concern when Zelda hangs her head, clapping her hands over her face, the tips of her ears bright red.

"Yes, that's what I meant..." Was the muffled reply.

"Ahem," You cough into your fist, hoping to dispell the awkwardness that had settled over the group, "So you studied at the Academy?"

The girl's expression lights up. "Uhuh! I was- I still am studying to become a great magic user! Just like-"

"They wouldn't know who that is," Cado reminds Akko.

"Oh, haha... right..." She chuckles, scratching the back of her head. Her chuckle trails off as she glances between you and Mipha specifically, undoubtedly she'd been told about what the two of you had been up to for the last few years.

Still, something strikes you, "Wait, but you're Sheikah. How'd you get into the academy?"

Akko tilts her head, looking genuinely confused, "Eh? You don't know about the Plateau?"

"Plateau? As in the Great Plateau? Where the Temple of Time is located?"

Zelda snaps up, eyes twinkling at the chance to educate, "The Great Plateau doesn't contain just the temple of time but entire communities! While the birthplace of Hyrule it is ostensibly a neutral party due to its great religious significance and isolated nature. It also has one of the oldest populations of Sheikah, though they've long integrated with the local Hylian population. Protected by the fearsome temple guard even the Yiga tribe doesn't dare create trouble there!"

Akko nods, "Yep! My grandmother was a Sheikah, but I didn't find out until I was in school! I always thought her white hair was just because she was really old..."

"Who are the temple guard?"


"Highly trained defenders of the temple of time. They wield weapons and magics collected over the temples long history. As long as they're there no monster army is capable of breaching the temple, even if they could scale the plateaus walls," Zelda elaborates, and you give a small nod of understanding. Even you heard of the massive walls surrounding the Great Plateau. Some say they're just there to cover up the ugly cliff-face while others claim that anything natural about the Great Plateau is an illusion and it is, in fact, an even larger fortress than the Akkala citadel which they believe is supported by occasional mysterious arrow slit or window set into the wall though others point out there's probably tunnels and catacombs underneath the temple of time that would open to the cliffside.

"Oh, if only I could take my Cucco's up there..." Cado sighs, causing Mipha to give him a quizzical look.

"Do you raise Cucco's Mr.Cado?" She asks as both Akko and Zelda let out a groan.

Cado puffs up, beaming with an intense pride, "Why of course I do! There is no more magnificent creature in Hyrule! They can regenerate their feathers and flesh in seconds, carry a grown man with ease and have a beak and talons that can slice through steel! Why I even invented a true sport with them!"

"Um.... and that would be....?" Mipha hesitantly asks, already aware she had started a conversation she did not want to be part of.

"Cucco gliding! There is nothing greater in the world! See, you take a Cucco then climb as high as you can and while holding it jump off and see how far you can glide. Why if you're a true archer like me you may even fire off a few shots before grabbing your feathered companion and returning to the ground!" Cado explains, eyes filled with a dangerous enthusiasm.

"...What happens if you and the Cucco both plummet?" You ask.

"Bah, impossible!" Cado waves a hand dismissively, "Every Cucco will fly you safely to the ground! Why a Cucco who couldn't fly would be... would be just a glorified chicken!"

"What's a chic-"

"Anyways I'm sure Lady Impa wouldn't want you to spend all your time hanging out with us, why not head on over to one of the other groups or the sparring ring?"

What do?
[] Hang out with Brokka and Dorian
[] Check out the sparring ring.
[] Check out Archery Range
[] Check out Obstacle Course
[] Ask Cado and Akko some questions?
-[] Write-in questions. If you don't you're incapable of reading.

---

I've been super busy and had a bit of a writer's block. Oh also, while I'll reference it you'll never get a clear answer with Akko regarding her canon. Just think the story will get less muddled that way.

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Check out the sparring ring.

After you finish chatting with Akko and Cado Zelda pulls you aside, her expression betraying that she had concocted a plan.

"Hey we should spar," She tells you, resulting in one of your eyebrows slowly raising.

"....Why?"

She pouts, evidently having expected for you to agree immediately, "Hey, you taught me how to use a sword. I think I should brush up before we head out on this dangerous mission."

"Uhuh," You say, folding your arms across your chest, "and the actual reason is...?"

Zelda takes a second to respond, refusing to look you in the eyes as she mutters, "I want the others to know I can fight and think I'm competent..."

You sigh, "Alright, but don't you think I'm a pretty bad choice for this?"

She waves a hand dismissively, "Naaaaaaah, you're supposed to be the master swordsman! There's no way I'd hurt you!"

"That's the probl- " But Zelda doesn't let you finish, instead running off to get the ring set up.

It doesn't take long, with the others gathering around the ring. They didn't have any sparring armour, or typical practice swords to your surprise. Instead, they use swords made of four sticks of specially treated bamboo tied together in the rough shape of a sword. It was a bit strange but you could see the advantage in using it, at worst it'd only leave a very nasty bruise unless the user was supernaturally strong and deliberately aiming to injure. They also lend you a shield, though you get the impression it wasn't very common to use one with this practice sword, judging by how Zelda opted out of taking one for herself.

The rules were rather simple, only slashes and thrusts with the sword. No mordhau, kicks, punches, throwing stuff in each other's faces or bashing with the shield. If a hit lands the round is over. Slashes to the hands would not count, same with thrusts to the arms or legs. Some would argue that this wouldn't be really showing off both your and Zelda's skills but the thing is you weren't aiming to actually hurt each other. You'd honestly prefer more restrictive rules to even the playing field.

Zelda takes the opposite side of the field to you and then bends at the waist in a stiff bow. Not wishing to offend you imitate her movement and straighten up at the same time she does so. Then she takes up a combat stance, and you do the same, shield ready to block any incoming attacks. You are pleased to see that your lessons had stuck with Zelda, and she definitely had confidence after the battles you've been in even if she mostly stuck to archery.

Then, without warning, she explodes forward at speeds no normal person could manage, arm pulled back to deliver a vicious one-handed swing. Your shield snaps up, and the bamboo blade connects with the crack of wood on wood, Zelda putting all her strength and momentum into forcing your shield down so her sword could connect with your head. You can practically see her biting her tongue she was so focused on forcing her blade down that you feel kinda bad when you take advantage of how open she had left herself and rap Zelda lightly with your sword just above her hip, having kept your blade lowered when you saw how telegraphed her attack was.

Zelda leaps back, landing gracefully some distance from you as Dorian calls out, "Point to Link! Return to your sides!"

You ready yourself again as Zelda walks back to her side, the wheels clearly turning in her head as she tries to think of a way to beat you. You're actually a bit worried about how much she suddenly seems to be getting into this fight. Doesn't she want to prove how much she's grown during her journey with you? She wasn't making this a big deal of how she must score a point against an impassable foe to show she's finally become a skilled warrior-

...Oh yeah, this is Zelda. She totally is.

You'll go on the offensive rather than exploiting your rather recently obtained power to perfectly guard against attacks you can't quite seem to turn off. That'll let her show off and you won't insult her by holding back.

The round starts and you rush in, Zelda again clearing the distance in a split-second thanks to her Sheikah skills before she suddenly dashes to the side just as fast to avoid a swing from you, feet touching the ground for a split second before she lunges at you. You catch the blade with your shield and try to bring your blade down onto Zelda's head but she learned and quickly leaps away. She dashes around the arena for a moment before lunging again, and you twist to catch the blow again with your shield. You pivot to bring your blade up but she's already gone, again becoming a blur that danced around the arena before striking at you suddenly and then just as quickly leaping away.

Again and again, she does this, and you're once again in one spot on the defensive. But this show seemed to be impressing the others...

++++​

"She's moving faster than a patrolling Sand Crab! Is Zelda hoping to wear Link down?" Brokka mutters in awe.

"It'll never work," Dorian says, arms crossed and eyes fixed on the fight.

"Why not? I couldn't keep up with that speed!"

Dorian only shakes his head, "Lady Mipha told me that Link knows a powerful defensive magic, able to guard against attacks moving at great speed or even physically beyond human means to defend against. It is an advanced technique, even among us Sheikah. I've only ever seen Lady Impa use it reliably. That perfect guard is impossible to beat with how her majesty is striking at him."

Mipha nods, "I think I see what you mean. She strikes but never tries to press her attack to force herself through his guard. Whenever she leaps away, she gives Link a moment to catch his breath."

She brings a hand to her chest, worry on her face, "Oh, I hope Zelda realizes it soon."

"Hey, I thought you were rooting for Link~" Brokka teases, but Mipha only lowers her head, eyes downcast.

"I'm... hoping they tie actually. Same as Lady Paya," Mipha states, looking over to Paya who had declared she couldn't watch the spar and had covered her eyes with her hands, "This is just a spar after all, they should be having fun as dear friends and not truly fighting. Link knows this, he's extending the fight out so they can show off. Zelda does too, with her reliance on simple flashy techniques. You all trained her so well!"

Brokka and Dorian both look at each other, before turning to Mipha with confused expressions. "Uhm..." Brokka begins, unsure of even where to begin, "We didn't teach Lady Zelda at all. Not to speak ill of the Princess but well she was... well she was always really REALLY clumsy, and more into books so..."

"Wait, did she not train with you? Lady Undyne said Zelda fought alongside you," Dorian asks, his expression shifting into worry as he realizes something.

"No, we were in just two fights together, and Zelda preferred her bow. Oh, Link must have taught her then," Mipha says, momentarily taken with how amazing Link continues to be that he is able to teach someone to use a sword in only a couple months. Then her eyes widened in alarm as she realized what that actually meant.

"Oh.... Oh dear."

Well, Link was her teacher. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad...

++++
​

You catch another blow with your sword, pushing Zelda back. She stumbles a bit but leaps backward far out of reach of your blows. Figuring you should actually try to hit her you prepare to deflect another attack that surely comes and raise your shield up to block it. You feel the vibration behind the strength Zelda was putting into her attacks pass through the wood of your shield into your arm, and you catch sight of Zelda's face screwed up in frustration as she started to throw everything into trying to break your guard, lips pulled back in a grimace as she bit her tongue to stay focused.

You shift your grip on your sword as you push forward with the shield to throw her off balance to bring your bamboo blade into her side yet her feet find purchase and she leaps backward once again out of your strike, turning it into a flip as she sailed through the air. She lands on both feet but sinks to the ground, and you almost think she had tired and had finally lost her supernatural lightness before she rushes forward, low to the ground and dashing to and fro in order to be next to impossible to predict. You think for a moment she'll strike you from the front when she's suddenly behind you, slicing upwards with her sword. Only a quick pirouette saves you as your shield knocks the blow away and you bring the bamboo sword down on her shoulder.

Pleased at seeing her finally adapt and knowing the round is over you relax, failing to realize that she had unlikely felt the sword hit her and was already defaulting to leaping away. You only catch a glimpse of crimson eyes widening slightly in surprise before she meets you, and your faces collide in a burst of stars and adrenaline.



Something crunches and you fall backward as your vision swims. Your bamboo sword falls from your hand as on reflex your hand covers your nose, desperately trying to stem the deluge of blood.

Zelda recoils, hands covering her mouth as bright red rivulets drip down her chin past her delicate fingers, a great welt forming on her forehead where it had smashed into your nose. A high pitched shriek of pain, only muffled by her hands and increasingly swollen tongue issued from her, as shouts of alarm came from the onlookers. Thankfully Mipha rushed in first, and both of you had enough sense to lean in close and let the Zora healer work. Nearly instantaneously the pain vanished, and both your hands fell from your injuries.

"I- I am so sorry!" Was the first words out of Zelda's mouth, before she spat out a globule of blood.

You wave a hand, before blowing your nose to clear your airway, "It's alright, it was an accident-"

"And a rather informative one," A commanding voice cut in, and you Mipha and Zelda all start and turn to Impa, who was watching you all with an intense glare.

"It was entirely my fault ma'am-" You begin, but she shakes her head.

"No, neither of you are at fault. But I hope you've both learned the dangers of underestimating a lesser skilled opponent," She says, and you and Zelda both glance at each other.

"Uhm, what do you mean?" Zelda asks, "I messed up-"

Impa shakes her head, "Lady Zelda, you had no confidence in your bout. You knew Link outclassed you, and it held you back from taking any advantage he presented to you."

She then looks at you, "You, on the other hand, master Link, underestimated how Zelda would eventually perform a move that while would surely result in her being struck would continue on to hit you even after you had won that round. I need not go into details how this would apply to fighting monsters and men."

You both don't respond, but you do hear Akko mutter, "Wow, Impa turned this into a class just like that..."

Impa glanced over to the brown-haired girl, who straightened up immediately with a small eep before Impa looked back at the two of you, her expression softening somewhat, "Both of you go grab a water skin and take a break. You've both earned it."

You both nod, and awkwardly shuffle out of the ring to grab something to drink as Mipha and a hyperventilating Paya follows you.

"L-look Link I'm really sorry-" Zelda suddenly begins, but you cut her off with a wave of your arm as you take a sip from a water skin.

"It's alright. Impa's right, we both messed up with that. Not the first time either, remember that mob of armour?"

Zelda looks like she's about to retort, but she just sighs, "Yeah, you're right. It's just... I don't think I'm ever going to be useful with a sword..."

"Actually... do you think maybe you aren't just using the right type of sword?" Mipha suddenly interjects, and you both look over to her.

"Not right type... But I learned from Link, that should cover everything right?" Zelda says, looking over to you.

You shake your head, "I taught you the basics of using an Arming sword, which doesn't automatically apply to every other type of weapon. Different types of swords all have their unique style," You explain, to which Mipha nods in agreement.

"Yes, my brother and I use completely different techniques for example. Zelda, you tend to try to go for thrusts rather than slashes, and the ones you do go for never use the full length of the blade," Mipha states, to which Zelda frowns as she takes a seat in the grass.

"Well, the whole sword is sharp, and I'm not going to try and hack someone into pieces when I can just hit an artery," She says as you all sit down next to her, "Ugh, I don't even like considering it though, even if it would be against a monster."

"Look at how Mipha uses her sword, I'd say the closest analog is a saber, right?" You ask, to which Mipha nods, "How you tend to default since you're so used to keeping your distance wouldn't work with her sword, and an arming sword just isn't meant for that. Maybe next time we're in castle town we should see how you'd handle a rapier."

Zelda makes a disgusted noise, her face scrunching up at her obvious distaste, "Blugh, aren't those only used in fencing? I appreciate you guys trying to find something for me but I get it, I'll stick to my bow when we're against monsters."

You shake your head, "Rapiers are deadly weapons, not just used in sport. They're designed to slip between plates of armour and ribs. With your speed you could eviscerate a bokoblin in seconds."

"Alright, alright, I'll try it out," Zelda exclaims, waving her arms frantically before she gives you all a small smile, letting her hands fall to her lap, "Thank you though, truly."

With that, you all take a bit of a break. Though she still didn't say a word a frantic Paya helped clean up what blood remained on Zelda's face, seeing the Princess injured seemingly stressing her out to the point she couldn't form words. So both for Paya's sake and not wanting to have a repeat of the accident Zelda makes it quite clear she didn't want to spar again. Still, your little match seems to have inspired the others into action, other than Akko who as a magic user didn't want to get within ten feet of a sword. You and Mipha wander over to join in the fun as the others talked amongst themselves to decide who'd spar next, eventually deciding on:

Pick two:
[] Brokka
[] Cado
[] Dorian
[] Impa
[] Mipha
[] Link

​

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Impa
[X] Link

Peer pressure, it turned out, could sway even the mightiest of warriors. Especially when Brokka and Akko were crowding around Impa the moment she had suggested that she wouldn't mind testing her skills today. It was a bit entertaining to see the stoic warrior getting flustered at her comrade's enthusiasm. Slightly less entertaining when you were also roped into being her sparring partner. As much as you do want to test yourself against her you did just get out of a bout with Zelda.

So you ended standing across from her, gripping the bamboo sword in your hand. Impa was wielding a bamboo polearm, with the ends wrapped in linen. She had commented that for a spar giving her a weapon with much greater reach seems unfair as this spar was for sport, not training, but she had reluctantly relented once everyone pointed out it was the closest any of them would get to see an actual fight between you and her with your weapons of choice.

You were glad Undyne was out guarding the village with Sidon, she'd probably argue for you to use your actual weapons on the basis that Mipha was close at hand.

Impa readied herself, and you couldn't help feeling slightly nervous. The woman was good, definitely better than you and while Zelda herself had superhuman skills thanks to her Sheikah training Impa was a master of it. She had been the personal bodyguard of Zelda since she was a small child, and had fought and slain monsters most had only ever read about. You sincerely doubt her being your old babysitter would have her even remotely consider going easy on you. But while you didn't have a great chance of winning you'd definitely give it all you have.

Impa takes a combat stance and you do the same. Everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the signal for the match to begin.

They didn't had to wait long as Dorian suddenly shouted "Begin!" and bamboo met bamboo with a loud crack. Your sword had only just barely caught the swing of her polearm when Impa suddenly turned it into a thrust directly into your face. You tilt your head just enough for it to miss as you force your blade down but she pirouettes, swinging her bamboo spear around to slam into your back. You dive forward just in time for it to almost skim your back, catching yourself with your shield to turn your dive into a roll. There was a whoosh of air and as you roll to your feet you bring sword up to catch an upward slash of Impa's spear, knocking it back before she twists and swings it down towards your head. You step back just a hair to let it slide past before you bring your shield up to smack it aside as you lunge forward, thrusting towards her chest. But Impa spins her spear around, catching your blade and brushing it aside as she thrusts. You twist out of its way, pulling away to turn yourself around to turn your thrust into a wide slash. Impa shifts her grip, and the end of the spear hits the flat of your blade to brush it aside as she goes for a swing that you catch with your shield before pushing her back. Then you're on the offensive, slashing and thrusting with your sword to break through her defense. But Impa meets your sword with the haft of her spear each time, wood groaning as it was stressed to its limits as she used her spear more like a quarterstaff. Yet you note her expression seems troubled and emboldened you bring your blade down to chop at her head but Impa pushes you back before swinging at your legs. You leap upwards, turning it into a pirouette as you slash at Impa's face.

To your satisfaction she doesn't counter it, instead Impa leaps backward and immediately leveling her spear at you with her face showing an obvious expression of worry. You might actually be able to do this!

And then a reptillain maw made of fire opens up in front of Impa and lunges at you.

With only milliseconds to react to a fiery dragon incinerating you where you stand you instinctively thrust forward with your sword, cleaving it in twain straight down the middle. Incredible force pushes on your blade as you hold it steady in the face of a barrage of flame, sweat beading from the heat and stress. Yet you also feel something off, despite the heat you could tell it wasn't enough to seriously burn you. Impa was going easy on you, even as Kakariko village was suddenly illuminated by a raging firestorm.

You twist your sword, before wrenching it to the side, and the flames scattered into sparks and embers that drifted lazily to the ground and you finally notice how great Impa's control was, as there wasn't even a scorch mark on the ground. Impa was standing there, spear leveled at you. She didn't look the least bit tired, but there was obvious worry on her face. Directed at you, but not of you. It was the kinda worry you only remember from long ago, when a much younger Impa pulled you and Zelda from the castle pond and fretted over the two of you all evening.

You could hear the others talking, confused and on high alert about what just happened. Only Cado and Dorian, the eldest of the guards, seemed completely unphased by what Impa just did and simply watched the proceedings with a raised eyebrow.

Akko looked completely terrified, having fallen backwards in alarm, "W-what kind of magic w-was that?! When did Impa become a mage?! "

Paya had curled up in a ball, covering her eyes and scared out of her wits.

Mipha looked relieved as she saw you were alright, having run to the fence of the sparring ring and half-way jumping over it when the fire stopped, "That was.... I've never seen magic that strong yet completely harmless. Why would Impa do such a thing to Link?"

Zelda slipped from Brokka's grasp and fell to her knees, the guard had grabbed her as she ran towards the flames, "Oh thank Hylia..."

"How... how were you doing that?" Impa asks with an uncharacteristically shaky voice.

You shake your head, "What are you talking about?! Why did you cast that spell?!"

"You... didn't realize it..." She whispers, eyes flashing fear for the first time before she commands, "Link, look at your hand! Can you see the royal mark!?"

You quickly spare a glance to the back of your left hand and you do see the faint trace of that royal mark, with one of the triangles glowing slightly brighter but it was very faded, barely visible.

"Yeah, Impa what are you talking-" You begin before you see Impa practically slouch over as relief visibly washed over her.

"It... It must be the heroes destiny... it has to be..." She says to herself, leaving you more confused.

"What's going on?! Impa what-" Zelda suddenly calls out, but she cuts herself off when Impa looks over to her with an apologetic expression.

"I... I am truly sorry your majesty, Master Link. I saw something in Link's actions that shook me greatly and needed to test it with a show of real power. He was... he was getting better..."

There was a second of silence before you practically shout, a hint of anger in your voice, "Are you kidding?! Have you lost your-"

Impa is unphased by your yelling, and instead looks directly at you, "It isn't your skill improving master Link. You were...gaining decades worth of combat skill in seconds, keeping up with me even as I picked up speed to superhuman levels. You might not have realized it, but we were fighting at such speed we could have dodged musket fire! In moments it wasn't like I was fighting you anymore but it was if a... A demon was slowly taking control. With all its power coming forward."

Any bit of anger and questioning of Impa's sanity vanished in that instant from those around you, replaced with a tense silence as every eye turned to you. A cold sweat broke out over you as you considered that implication. In Hyrule there were monsters and then there were demons. Everyone knew they were the origin of dark magic and monsters, though so little else was known about them. Tales abound of demons possessing humans, gorons, dragons and other beings, transforming them into terrifying monsters that only a knight blessed by the goddesses could hope to defeat. If... If that was happening to you. Why you were always getting stronger...

Impa raised a hand, and gave you a small, relieved smile, "But I had instead acted too rashly master Link, the mark on your hand signifies you were simply blessed by the Goddess in our fight. No doubt this is simply the legend of the unbeatable hero in action. I prostrate myself before you, and accept any judgment you deem necessary for my dishonor against you in our duel."

"It's... It's alright. I read about demons and know what they can do. I... understand your worry and am glad it turned out in the end to only be the Gods blessing," You say, scratching the back of your head. Though Mipha looked concerned at how soon the situation was just resolved the quick acceptance by the others told you all you needed to know before you forgave Impa for her admittedly completely non-lethal attack. Impa had fought demons before and honestly? You were still perturbed by that thought, enough so that you would rather just resolve this whole situation now. Sparring one quick glance towards your hand and the fading sigil upon it you step out of the ring to let Mipha and Zelda fret over you while Paya hovers nearby, seemingly unable to take her eyes off of you as she wrung her hands.

With the awkwardness of what had happened hanging over everyone you all eventually disperse, returning to the manor with Zelda, Paya and Mipha. Impa returns as well, and several times it looks like she wants to speak with you before deciding against it, the stoic warrior seemingly still bothered by how she had acted at the sparring ring even if you had said you understood why Impa had acted so and forgiven her. It actually highlights to you that Impa really isn't that much older than you. You remember her being a strict minder when you were young, but the age difference that seemed so vast then was hardly relevant looking back. Yet didn't she always have to be the adult? Recieve such vigorous training and accomplish such incredible tasks when she herself was only a child at the time?

Then she had to care for Zelda and Paya after the castle was attacked, and you had a subtle impression her older sister was just as absent as she was now. You wonder if you should offer to accompany her on her duties while you're staying at the manor, if only to catch up with someone who was once a large part of your life. And, hopefully, ease Impa's mind regarding her actions.

As it gets later in the day you eventually get up to make dinner, only to find Impa and Zelda there, Impa herself bringing in a deer that looked like she had personally killed it. Very personally, as its neck was bent at an odd angle and there were no wounds on its body.

Impa immediately straightens upon noticing you before bowing deeply, while Zelda herself sets down a container of butchers knives, "Oh Link! Impa and I will take over cooking today, you can just relax."

Huh, you actually feel a bit disappointed. You were hoping to make something to at least go "I have no hard feelings about what happened" to Impa, but it appears she beat you to the punch to make it as an apology. You must have failed to hide it though, as Zelda gives you a sympathetic smile and says "Hey, you're our guest. After everything today... well, just rest tonight. Dinner will be a bit."

You nod reluctantly and end up just wandering off back to your room to busy yourself with caring for your equipment. You do take notice that Mipha had left the manor, most likely to quickly check in on her brother. Much like when you were living alone, it kept your mind off of things. At least until Impa herself with a box under her arm appeared at your door.

"Dinner is almost ready," Impa tells you without meeting your eyes, "I need to step out to deliver this extra deer meat to the guards, could you get Paya?"

"Uh, yeah sure. Her room is...?"

"Just down the hall," Impa says as she turns to leave, "I....Thank you, Link..."

"No-" You begin, before noticing Impa had already disappeared, "Problem..."

So after putting away your gear you step out into the hall and walk down to Paya's room. Immediately before you even step in you can tell this was one of the largest rooms in the manor, which makes you wonder how meek, modest Paya would have her bedroom in the largest room. After announcing yourself and stepping in the answer becomes clear, it wasn't only Paya's room.

Clearly shared, the difference between the two occupants was apparent at a first glance. Paya's side was modest and well-cared for, a few shelves with neatly stacked scrolls and books lining them, a dresser and closet, a small shrine to Hylia and Sheikah ancestors, and a small desk with a lamp, a picture of a Sheikah man and woman standing with Impa and a younger Paya and Zelda as well as several scrolls and books that seemed to be religious texts. Paya was sitting at the desk, absentmindedly drawing something in a journal of some sort, seemingly completely lost in her own little world. The other side though was well... you'd say it was a complete mess if it wasn't obviously well ordered.

Books and parchment overflowed from shelves or were stacked in piles as high as you were. Drawings and notes were tacked on to whatever flat surface the owner could find. The only window looked like it had a wardrobe moved to block any outside light, multiple wardrobes and bookshelves in fact as it was a fairly large window. Another bookshelf was filled with strange parts and technology in various states of disrepair. For some reason, there was also a dining room cabinet filled with plates, bowls, and cutlery that after a quick look at the table awkwardly moved into the center of the room very much gave the impression that whoever also lived in this room took most of their meals here. A large writing desk managed to have a small space cleared that revealed visible burns and stains. However, there was also something... off. If you came into this room completely blind you'd have almost thought it belonged to a young girl. At the foot of the bed was a chest overflowing with mostly handmade dolls, figures, board-games and other assorted toys. The bed was almost completely covered in dolls of popular cute childhood fable characters such as Keatons and Picori, and strangely a doll of a character in a disturbingly familiar green tunic and cap. Posters of popular plays and books featuring Keatons and Picori were tacked onto the wall next to the bed, along with (to your uneasiness) a few more drawings of a figure in a green tunic and cap. On the bedside table there were many high-quality figurines of knights and monsters, in fact, they were so many stacked precariously on top of several book piles that you had to wonder if they making a miniature army. You have a strong impression that if it wasn't for Paya sharing the room the other side would be stacked with garbage bins as whoever shared this room obviously rarely left it.

Well, at least until she ran away and promptly stumbled into you.

Choosing to very much ignore Zelda's side of the room you walk over to Paya who was still lost in her own little world and had still not noticed you. Whatever she was doodling in that journal she was completely enamored with it.

"Hey Paya?" You call out to her, but she still pays you no mind. Curious and unable to see what she was writing you squat down and finally just ask, "What're you writing Pay-"

Spoiler: HEEEE?!

Oh, now she noticed you. You don't think you've ever seen someone turn that red or shoot up straight that fast before. Nor someone immediately grab their journal and throw it aside.

"M-master Link!!! W-wha are youhurk-?!" Paya squeaks out as she whirls around, only to choke when she notices you standing directly behind her. A high-pitched noise escapes her before she buries her face in her hands.

Ooookay?

"Uh... Impa sent me to tell you dinners going to be ready soon?" You tell her, and Paya gives a small nod of acknowledgment from behind her hands, stands up and hurries towards the door, where she promptly walked straight into the doorframe. You stand up to go help her but Paya recovers immediately and promptly bolts, leaving you alone.

So... what now?
[] See what Paya was trying to hide from you in her journal.
[] See just what kind of books Zelda has stacked everywhere.
[] Go eat dinner, but ask Zelda about the Picori and Keatons
[] Eat dinner and not invade any of your friend's privacy.
[] Write-in.

---

Yes, Impa is just as capable as her Hyrule Warriors counterpart for those who recognized what move she just did.

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Eat dinner and not invade any of your friend's privacy.

You follow Paya out of the girl's room, putting everything you saw out of your mind for now.

However, it turned out you weren't having dinner in the dining room, instead eating it in the garden as it was a warm night and Mipha wanted to eat with her brother for a change. The ever-cheerful Zora claps you on the back, and with a bright smile says "I heard you kept up with Impa today! Haha! You continue to impress friend! No doubt your quest will be finished in no time! I have the highest faith in you!"

Feeling a bit self-conscious you dive back into your meal, bite-sized pieces of venison cooked in sauce with a side of rice, a soup and cooked vegetables. Most of the prep-work it turned out was making a portion that Sidon could enjoy.

Impa joins you half-way through the meal, having dropped off the leftover meat to the other guards and their families. Apparently Dorian got the best cuts, for Koko and Cottla.

Finishing your dinner you spend some idle time chatting, Sidon explaining that the Zora elders had acclimated well, and both him and Undyne had familiarized themselves with the area around Kakariko village. While there wasn't anything near the village from what they could determine there was a curfew in place, something you hadn't had time to check up on as you had only left at night to kill the Stalnox. Seems the ceremony for you to be accepted as a night was a welcome chance to get out and enjoy the warm summer evenings.

Impa is mostly quiet, offering little comment other than saying that with monsters becoming more aggressive lately and with so few guards the curfew was unfortunately necessary. Still, with Sidon and Undyne's help, the burden on the guards was thankfully lessened, and they were all appreciative.

As the evening went on you all quietly one by one slipped off to go to bed. With all the action today you're out like a light the moment your head hits the pillow.

Sadly your sleep isn't restful, tossing and turning not with concrete dreams but almost fever-like rolling of indistinct shapes and feelings. The only thing you could be certain of was the feeling of a sword gripped in your hands and an unbridled fury at everything around you, yet you couldn't consider in your dream addled state as to why. You also don't wake suddenly when Zelda opens your door to wake you, simply rousing exhausted with your bed soaked through with sweat.

Zelda is of course immediately concerned, asking if you had a nightmare but you wave her off by saying it was probably just too hot in your room. She leaves to let you get up, and you spend a few minutes thinking of your dream. Were you frustrated at something that your dream involved lashing out at something? Nothing comes to mind, not in the grand scheme of things, but a dream could bring up anything from memory.

Without really coming to any conclusions you end up just sighing, putting on a simple white tunic and brown shorts before heading to grab some breakfast, which was soup, rice, a sweet omelet and a salad that you quickly wolf down before heading to the bath to clean up.

Morning ritual complete you return to your room to put away your bathing supplies like your razor only to find someone already there, apparently having rifled through your belongings.

Spoiler: The culprit

Paya was standing in the middle of your room, pressing your blue tunic to her chest with a very strange expression on her face, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. A basket filled with clothes that were very much not yours seemed to indicate she was collecting laundry when she stopped to... inspect your tunic? You weren't sure what she was doing.

Clearing your throat gave the expected reaction, as Paya immediately let out a shriek and dropped your tunic, whirling around to face you as she turned bright red.

"M-master L-Link?!" Paya stammers out, panic overwhelming her.

You hold up your hand in a hopefully calming gesture, "It's fine, need help with laundry?"

"A-ah..." Paya seems to take a second to remember why she was in your room before exclaiming "O-oh! N-no no no, I-I am quite alright! Do not trouble yourself with me!"

Judging by how many clothes were in her basket you have the sneaking suspicion Paya was going to spend most of the day on laundry alone. Considering how she seems to have avoided Zelda and knowing your royal friend judging by how she only got to your room now you also suspect she was avoiding Zelda so the Princess wouldn't rush in to help her dear friend.

So what do you do? Choose only one.
[] Help Paya with her chores.
[] Hang out with Zelda.
[] Hang out with Mipha.
[] Join Impa on guard duty.
[] See what Sidon is up to.
[] Write-in

---

Yeah, small update. Couldn't think of how to drag it out.

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Help Paya with her chores.

"Sorry, I can't sit by and let someone burden themselves because of me," You tell Paya as you step into your room and help gather your things, "The least I can do is help out around the manor."

Paya makes a small squeaking noise but makes no move to stop you as you throw your laundry into the hamper.

Taking the hamper outside with a fretting Paya shadowing you step outside and are led towards what looks like a small shack by the river flowing by the Manor that was fed by their elaborate hot spring bath. While you doubted it was safe to drink, it did seem perfect for laundry. Unfortunately, you realize your mistake in agreeing to help when you notice Paya had already set up the laundry baskets and cauldrons, including one that seemed to contain a liquid you could instantly recognize by smell alone, as you had seen it used by the washerwoman back in Ordon Village. Chamber lye, which was made with wood ash and... well the contents of a chamber pot.

Soap and whiteners, it seemed, were a rare commodity in Kakariko village.

You close your eyes for a second, hoping against hope but no looking down you realize the terrible truth. Sheikah really, really, REALLY like their white clothing.

Ooooh boy.

So after separating the clothes, you take the white linens to be washed in the hot chamber lye, by hand.

So after reminding yourself that you spent most of your life cleaning up after a horse and gutting animals and monsters which smell way worse than this solution you roll up your sleeves and start washing the clothes, thoroughly soaking them. You aren't exactly proud that you end up gritting your teeth from the slight burning feeling as it comes in contact with your skin and the tremendous heat. You honestly expect you're going to scrub off most of the skin on your arms after this.

Paya meanwhile kicks off her shoes, rolls up her pants legs and takes off her outer robe, revealing the sleeveless skintight high-collared shirt she was wearing underneath it. She evidently did it purely from habit, because as soon as she grabs a bedsheet and shoves it into the solution she stops, staring at your arms before slowly looking up to your face. Paya's red eyes go wide as an equally red blush begins to colour her cheeks and she stammers out, "M-m-master Link I-!"

"Are shoving your arms in a vat of caustic hot lye and what I hope is only animal waste with me," You say bluntly, and the stuttering girl immediately clams up, going slightly pale as she looks down at both your dissolving arms.

"R-right," She manages to say with a nervous nod, before taking a deep breath that she immediately seems to regret by how she turns slightly green and her face scrunches up in an expression of disgust. Paya then goes about washing the linens with a frantic vigor, evidently hoping to get through this as fast as you wanted too.

After rinsing the clothes in the lye you attach them to spokes set into the shallow river to let the current gently wash them. For the other clothes the lye bath would destroy the delicate fabrics so you take brushes caked in a wood ash based solution mixed with other materials and a board and beat and scrub the various garments and sheets before setting them onto the spokes. It was backbreaking work, and it wasn't long before you and Paya were completely soaked to the bone either from slipping or simply getting splashed from wading in and out every five seconds.

Paya herself seemed to make frequent stops to stare at you before looking away quickly and hurrying over to check on the linens you both had already hung up as you wring out your shirt for the tenth time. You can only assume it was because you had made the pleasant discovery that your superhuman strength, speed and reflexes applied to laundry! You were going through the laundry so quickly that what would normally take Paya all day would be done long before noon. At the very least she was evidently quickly finding it better to hurry off somewhere else, dealing more with the sudden load of clean wet laundry and not your current predicament of not letting your eyes wander as you become aware of ... Well anyways if only you knew some fire magic to let this dry- actually speaking of magic....

"Hey Paya?" You call out to the girl, who practically jumps out of her skin, "Why isn't Zelda helping? Figure she would..."

"O-oh! Well... she did try once," Paya tells you, scratching at her chin with an uncertain expression, "She really got into explaining all the things we can do with lye b-but then I said it was Chamber Lye and she um well...." Paya trails off, looking at feet as she quietly mutters "f-fainted..."

You try and fail to cover up a snort with a cough, as you busy yourself with collecting the last of the laundry to hang up to dry.

Paya nervously fiddles with the hem of her shirt before helping you finish up before you both head inside to begin the next batch of chores: cleaning the floors of the manor. It's there that you discover the only real tools the manor has are rags, buckets and bamboo brooms. Evidentally the mop wasn't popular with the Sheikah. But of course, your hero power proves invaluable, as by pouring power into a rag or broom and with a triumphant "HYAA!!" you quickly move through the manor, Paya actually stopping to stare in awe.

While cleaning you do take the opportunity to ask, "So, you do all the chores in the manor?"

Paya, who was carefully wiping down a windowsill nods vigorously, "Y-yes! It is the least I can do to not burden Auntie or Lady Zelda!"

You pause your cleaning, looking over to her with a raised eyebrow, "But... isn't this your mother's home? Doesn't Impa or Zelda offer to help?"

Paya stops wiping down the window, and her next words were oddly quiet "Auntie is always so busy and Ze... Lady Zelda used to have so many bad days. It's... It's the best way I can help them and the village."

"The villagers come by with their belongings?" You ask, already knowing the answer.

Paya hearing your tone shakes her head, "It's really no trouble master Link. I am happy to be useful."

You frown, but not wanting to push Paya you change the subject, "Hey why do you keep calling Zelda 'Lady Zelda' all the time? You two seem too close for that formality."

Paya actually spins around to look at you with a mortified expression, shaking her hands frantically in front of herself, "No no no, l-lady Zelda is far too important for me to be any less than formal with her! And- and everyone prefers that I call her that-!"

Her expression falls suddenly, and Paya turns away from you but you do catch her mutter "E-even if her majesty begs me not too..."

You open your mouth to respond but Paya shoots upright, exclaiming "Ah! We're done already!? It's not even noon yet! Oh, I should go pray to the ancestors to thank them for your help master Link!"

"Pray to your ancestors?" You repeat after her, and Paya nods excitedly.

"Y-yes! The statues you see throughout the village are devoted to our Sheikah ancestors! I maintain and care for them s-since they are often forgotten about. E-even the elders have trouble remembering all our traditions after all so-"

"Paya..." You cut her off, causing the Sheikah girl to immediately clam up, "When do you do all this normally?"

"A-ah, during the evening master Link. Y-you're usually fast asleep when I check... I hope I have not awoken you!" She tells you, and you shake your head before freezing as something occurs to you.

"Paya... when do you sleep?" You ask seriously, though an errant thought drifts through your head about what she meant by checking-

"Oh I um.... Well... I..." She stammers out, before looking like she was quite seriously pondering the question. Paya, however, notices your expression, and gives you a smile as she nods and says "Lady Zelda reminds me to whenever she goes to bed since I am ever so forgetful!"

She then blinks in surprise as the colour drains from your face as you comprehend what that actually meant, even if Paya didn't.

You look over her, noting the same deep bags and bloodshot eyes you noticed when you had first met Paya. The slight glaze when she's not focused on something, the slump to her shoulders, the slight teeter to her balance told you all you needed to know. Then you look at her hands, while yours were cracked and raw from the lye and work Paya's had angry looking blisters beginning to form.

She needed a break, and an idea formed in your head.

"Hey we should probably get cleaned up," You tell her, and Paya immediately looks mortified again, covering her face and apologizing for the awful state she's in despite you having helped her scrub everything down in the manor. She then quickly runs off, and you busy yourself until Paya returns clean, her hand's taken care of and wearing a fresh change of clothes. You tell her to wait by the entrance, as you need her help with something.

Then after quickly cleaning yourself up and changing into a clean pair of clothes you return to Paya sitting in the entranceway, dutifully waiting for you.

Your plan was simple, you'll take Paya out somewhere to relax, have fun and hopefully tire herself out enough that she'll go right to bed. No more chores, no praying or traditions just Paya getting some sleep so she doesn't end up putting herself into an early grave. All under the pretext of you needing to do something.

Of course, you'll need to do a bit of guesswork of where she'll have fun. Hanging around animals doesn't seem like a bad idea, with Epona, Abby, Malanya and Elora you can probably think of something on the fly. Admittedly, she probably wouldn't be able to ride Epona. Actually... did she even know how to ride a horse? Did anyone teach her? Zelda wasn't exactly the best rider, and she was someone who loved horses. Poor Paya was frightened of the chittering of squirrels, nevermind a massive Hylian warhorse. Still, maybe you could put on a show.

You could take her up to the Elders home, as she was very spiritual. No doubt discussing at length the Sheikah's religion and culture would tire her out, and the Zora elders were hanging out there. They'd certainly help, and Kapson would undoubtedly occupy all her time. Of course, you wanted to get Paya away from the traditions for a day so she can rest and recover. There was also the issue that the Sheikah elders may encourage her to do her duties rather than recognizing that she was at her limit and Paya was more inclined to listen to them than you.

You could take her on a walk through the farms and orchards. The long walk and calming beauty of the Sheikah's agriculture would relax even the most restless of souls. Plus, there was always some fruit you could probably acquire from a farmer for lunch. Of course, you were also a strong young man who'd be going amongst old, tired farmers and you couldn't refuse if they asked for help. Paya would almost certainly join in, and unless you did some fast talking she'd end up even more exhausted. That and she probably wouldn't be interested in watching you be all sweaty and lifting heavy things.

You could take her on a walk through the center of the village. Let the hustle and bustle of the Sheikah village tucker her out as she tells you all about the village. It'd certainly be a chance for Paya to open up more and get more comfortable talking with you without getting embarrassed or frightened that she had misstepped. A chance to act more like friends. Of course, she also would undoubtably try to take on any of the villager's burdens and exhaust herself even more. You might end up doing half the villages chores.

Hrmm, you should also avoid anyplace with violence considering how she reacted last time. So no visiting Mipha or any of the guards, a shame.

Bah, if only Zelda was here- actually, where is Zelda? Did she leave somewhere? Paya seemed to know where Zelda had gone off too so you weren't worried she had gone missing. But where did she go, did she even leave the manor? She got up, you remember that so... where is she? You feel like she's alright, but still you didn't think she had anything to do today. What does Zelda do in her time off? Was she training?

Ah well, you'll find out at suppertime. Now, where do you take Paya?

Choose one.
[] Visit the animals.
[] Visit the Elders.
[] Visit the Farms and Orchards.
[] Visit the village centre.
[] Write-in.

---

Had a bit of a writer's block. But cleared it up. Also yes, that was how they washed clothes back then without soap, not fun.

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[x] Visit the animals.

You lead Paya to the stables, letting Elora out to follow you from the air.

You realize this was the first time you'd ever seen the stables as you had let Zelda take care of the horses, as to your surprise they were made in a Hylian style and one you instantly recognize. These stables once explicitly belonged to the royal family, and you can instantly see why. It was here that the royal white horses were bred, and while you knew that there were many "knock-off" horse breeds introduced from the other parts of the Empire for those who wanted to pretend to ride such an illustrious breed these were very much the real deal.

You have no doubt out of all of them Zelda ended up getting the very best. A shame the Sheikah didn't have any proper knight barding kept here, which was absolutely layered in enchantments if you remember correctly.

You head over to a stable off to the side which was obviously where they held the "owned" horses and hear a very familiar annoyed whinnying coming from a pen, from which a Sheikah dives out and is promptly helped up by a very similar looking Sheikah. Both men looked a bit heavyset, with tanned skin and wide hats on their heads. While they wore the same outfits as the other Sheikah it was obvious they spent a lot of time with horses.

One spots you and waves you over, "Hey! Are you the owner of this crazy horse?!"

"Yeah? Is Epona giving you trouble?" You ask, vaguely aware that Paya was now cowering behind you.

"Trouble?! Damn near took my head off with her hooves!!" He shouts, but who you can only assume was his brother claps him on his back.

"Ah, but what an honour to be knocked out by a horse like her! Do you know what kind of horse this is young man?" The other farmer asks.

You can only shake your head as Epona, having calmed down at the sight of you, trots up and lets you pat her snout, "No, she's a Hylian Warhorse isn't she?"

The one who almost got kicked by Epona looks to be utterly astonished at the sight in front of him, "How in Hylia's name are you-"

"My boy, you don't know you've been riding a genuine Lon Lon bred warhorse?" The other equally astonished farmer asks.

"No sorry, I've had her since she was a foal but I never learned where she came from," You tell the farmers, who both look at each other, "I thought Lon Lon ranch was some sort of dairy farm?"

Both farmers shake their heads in disappointment, muttering something along the lines of "Young people not knowing their heritage," before the one who wasn't almost kicked by your horse tells you, "Lon Lon Ranch used to breed horses for the royal family and her knights, ones whose capabilities far outstrip any we've bred and trained save Malanya over there. It might have been the magic they use for their cows, but during the Hyrulean civil war a couple centuries back they were the horses used by the Imperial Guard and the Royal family and crushed all opposition underneath their hooves. But with monster attacks rising the herd was worn down to practically nothing along with Hyrules knights, and it was her majesty's grandfather who passed the honour of breeding the royal family's horses to our father. You, my boy, may have the last horse of that illustrious line."

You pat Epona's snout, who nuzzles your hand affectionately, "Never knew you were that special Epona, you won't hold it against me would you girl?"

"Special doesn't even begin to describe her," The first brother says, "It's a shame Malanya is also a mare, otherwise weYOW!!!" He shouts out as Epona quick as a flash suddenly reaches over and bites his hand before trotting off looking quite incensed.

"Did she understand what we were talking about the entire time..?" The other brother asks, looking quite confused as you hop the fence and help a very frightened looking Paya over it who seemed to only be complying as she had rationalized that it's probably safer to be around you then the two men annoying the giant warhorse.

You, however, were musing to yourself that you should take the time to travel to this Lon Lon Ranch. Not only was its milk known to have magical properties that could heal wounds and restore stamina but the fact that it was probably the place where Epona was born made you want to meet the people there. Other than learning a bit more about your beloved mare from the more practical view they were undoubtedly loyalists to the crown and possibly had special barding and other magical equipment for Epona and Malanya that would help you on your journey, along with a supply of their famous milk that while spoken highly of never reached the tables of Ordon village.

But of course that was a problem, they had a long connection to the royal family and the Knights of Hyrule. Undoubtedly the empire didn't take kindly to that. You knew they weren't all killed as their ranch was still producing that coveted magical milk that you doubted could be made without the original owners doing whatever they did, but the empire either kept a close eye on them or severely hampered them in some way. No doubt that when you finally visit them you'll need to help them, potentially even to escape the empire. If the various Sheikah gates and such hold up then you could bring them here, providing Kakariko and yourself with healing milk and potentially being able to distribute it to other villages in need.

As Elora arrives with a dead rat clutched in her talons to snack on while you work you lead Epona into the stable, making note of Malanya and Abby eating nearby, sporting freshly shoed hooves. It looks like the two brothers were doing you a favour and had tried to groom and shoe Epona. Sadly, they didn't realize Epona was quite so... spirited. But all the tools were left out, and there even was a nice forge nearby where you could hot-shoe Epona, which was to heat a shoe up and quickly apply it for a moment to the hoof, which would burn a more comfortable fitting into the hoof and let the shoe be adjusted to better fit the horse. You had apprenticed briefly as a farrier to learn the trade when Epona was young as she would let no one other than you approach her. Admittedly, you probably had it easier than others as Epona certainly didn't act like other horses, and trusted you completely even in terrifying situations. At least, you've never seen any other horse coldly cave in a Bokoblin's skull like she does.

So you set about cleaning, trimming and reshoeing Epona's shoes, taking each hoof between your legs as you go at them with clippers, scrappers and picks after first freeing her from her well-worn shoes. You had learned long ago that you weren't just the only one Epona would let approach her but you were the only one who actually had the strength to do this as her hooves were more like steel than any other horses hooves.

Paya hovered a good distance away, torn between being utterly terrified of Epona and completely fascinated as you deftly went about your work. She ended up settling on peeking through her fingers and occasionally handing you tools as you explained what you were doing, how you cared for Epona's hooves and how you avoided damaging them. She even asked a few questions, specifically why since Epona's hooves were so strong why she needed hooves in the first place to which you explained since you so often face danger you don't want Epona to split a hoof open on some Lizalfos's skull so some protection is necessary even if you could get away with leaving Epona "barefoot" as it were.

Once her hoof was properly cleaned you take the hot horseshoe from the forge and hammer it into the proper shape for Epona's hooves, each hammer strike actually making Paya flinch from the sound of metal striking metal. You were told once that you'd make a decent blacksmith's apprentice but you found it didn't call to you at all when you apprenticed as a farrier. Holding the finished product in your hand and cutting down monsters was your forte, even if you had the attention to detail and strength for it. When the shoe was ready you took the still hot shoe and taking one of Epona's hooves between your legs you pressed it to it with a massive outpouring of smoke. Paya covered her eyes with a squeal, her fear of Epona being overridden by the fear of seeing her hurt. Epona though didn't care in the slightest, simply snorting a bit at the smoke.

With that done you cool the shoe off before setting about nailing it to Epona's hooves, Paya helpfully handing you the nails. As the nails bent out of the hoof by design you clip off the endings with your hammer and kick them away, which Paya picks up and throws in a designated bin for you so no one gets a nail in their boot. You repeat this process for each of Epona's hooves, giving them a nice filing down as well before setting down the tools and moving onto the next part. Taking combs and brushes, as well as a damp cloth with a water bucket you set about cleaning Epona up, making sure there was no dirt or ticks hiding in her hair. Paya is once again a big help, handing you any tool you ask for so you quickly get through it. Epona by the end of it is happy as can be, and even lets Paya get relatively close to her when Paya accidentally steps near to take a brush away from you.

With Epona happily trotting off Paya rushes forward, stars in her eyes, "T-that was incredible Master Link! H-how did you get Epona to be so calm?"

"Aw it was nothing, me and Epona have known each other years. She trusts me and I trust her. She knows that no matter what I throw her into I've got her back. Heh, if I'm honest when we're facing down a monster she's usually the one spurring me on to hurry up and get ready to cut it down as she charges in. Guess that means we're living up to the legend of Hyrule's knights of old, eh?" You say with a laugh, looking over to Paya who-

Spoiler

​

...You don't think you've ever seen anyone look quite that enthused to hear someone jokingly refer to themselves as a knight. Even if well... technically you are a knight.

On the otherhand, hasn't Paya always brightened up whenever anyone was discussing the knights of Hyrule? Plus there was how she was holding your shirt earlier. Maybe you should ask her about it? But first...

"Alright, now let's go find a saddle for Abby for your lessons,"

"Eh..?"

++++
​

Getting Paya onto Abby proved to be quite the difficult task, as the girl practically locked up whenever she got close to Abby. Abby at least did her part and didn't whinny or snort too much near Paya who was jumping at every subtle movement, especially when Paya started hyperventilating when you practically had to push her into the saddle.

From there you lead Abby to the Paddock and walk Abby by the reins for Paya to get used to sitting on top of Abby. Paya wasn't someone who naturally took to horse riding, but at least after a bit she was clearly having fun despite her difficulties.

"L-look master Link! I'm making her walk!" She tells you enthusiastically as Abby starts walking backward after you let go of the reins.

You continue for a bit, and eventually, Paya gets Abby to do what she wanted with some direction from you though never too quickly because as soon as Abby picked up pace she panicked and desperately made the horse stop. Helping Paya down proved only to fluster the poor girl, as she was beet red when you set her down. Something that is not helped when she takes a step and immediately winces, and you help her hobble over to a chair much to her embarrassment. Still, you try your best to cheer her up.

"You did good Paya for your first time on a horse. Zelda can take you riding to help you learn, I'm sure she'd like that," You tell her, but Paya shakes her head rapidly.

"O-oh no master Link!" She says, brushing her white hair out of her face, "I could never trouble Lady Zelda w-with m-my poor efforts! She has far better things to do t-than to spend time with someone like me!" She tells you, before she suddenly panics and claps her hands over her mouth as she exclaims, "N-not that you are w-wasting y-your time master Link! I-I am ever so grateful for you t-taking the time to teach s-someone as unbefitting as I am h-how to ride a horse!"

You look at her, brows knitted together with concern, "Paya, why do you say such things about yourself? We're friends, why wouldn't I teach you? And Zelda would probably love nothing more than to spend the day with you."

Paya hangs her head and starts fidgeting with the hem of her shirt, quietly saying, "I... I am sorry master Link. Y-you and Lady Zelda are very kind to someone l-like me. Y-you both are truly the goddess's chosen. I am truly unworthy of both your fr-friendship. I'll do my best to serve y-you both a-and not trouble you both as I have been."

Your frown deepens. Paya truly believes she is unworthy of being in yours and Zelda's presence. In fact, it's almost like she's been blaming Zelda's association with her for all of Zelda's problems, and that the only reason you're both friends with her is that you're both too kind to say otherwise. You actually feel like there's a distressing bit of wanting to leave and never trouble both of you again there. You need to let her know how important she is to Zelda, and if it'll help that you actually do want to be friends with her because you actually like hanging out with her.

Of course, there are things you need to keep in mind. You shouldn't just outright tell Paya Zelda has a crush on her, especially as Zelda's feelings on the matter are confused enough as is. Even if Paya believes you it would only greatly complicate matters. You also shouldn't blame the villagers or anyone for her views, Paya has a great trust for everyone and might get badly hurt by the insinuation and completely ignore the point. You should also keep what you tell her a relatively simple length, she'll listen to what you have to say but there's no way your point will come across if you're talking for an hour. Paya's whole world seems to be based on Zelda, so you can definitely use Zelda's faith in her to boost Paya's confidence. You just need to think of the best way to word it...

So what do you tell Paya?
[] Write-in​

 

[Strypgia]

halt I see we have a problem. The QM had to call the cops. Because holy shit, ranting for almost 4000 words about underwear?

Please move on from this and discuss anything else, like I dunno the admittedly bare-bones character sheets I just threw up.

Click to shrink...

He asked once.

Please do not post pseudoscience in my quest. This is not appropriate or welcome here. If you want to argue it, go make a separate thread but do not bring it here.

Click to shrink...

He asked twice. That's more than she should need to. And then there's the whole rant of... thisness:

There is a reason men and women have misunderstood each other for all of human history, saying things like "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus". And that is because contrary to modern myth/propaganda/urban legend, and factual to modern science, we tend to think differently because we tend to use different parts of our brains more.

Click to shrink...

Do you know any actual women? All of human history? Really? Different parts of our brains?

Chastity belts became a thing just for this reason.

Click to shrink...

There are a lot of myths from the Middle Ages. Research is recommended.

Most scholars now think that these metal objects were made much, much more recently than the Middle Ages, and are fantasy objects referencing a past that never really existed. Or, as the British Museum puts it: "It is probable that the great majority of examples now existing were made in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as curiosities for the prurient, or as jokes for the tasteless." (These were the Victorians, after all—obsessed with sex and often very wrong about it.)

Click to shrink...

As someone who coincidentally has a degree in History, and has been married for 11 years, this entire derail and rant at the QM makes my head hurt. It's also a huge wall of text on a topic the QM asked you to knock off twice. So, 25 points and 2 weeks out for dragging out this disruption since October 26th. Do it again and it's permanent.

But instead we get asshats like you who decide that calling people fuckboy is the height of being a badass. As if you knew at all what you were talking about. The fact that people care more about what I said than where my information came from is rather telling. But then, you don't really want sources, you just want to feel big. So go ahead. Feel big.

Click to shrink...

Getting mad at someone calling you 'fuckboy' does not give you license to call them names either. 25 points.

Number one, nice condescension, fuckboy.

Click to shrink...

And you don't get to pretend that you're a victim. You posted fifteen fucking paragraphs of drivel after the convo moved on. Again, it's been almost two weeks.

Fuck off with that.

Click to shrink...

This is not civil either, whatever point you may have had. 25 points, a Warning for Marginal Behavior, and 2 days out.

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Congratulate Paya for sticking with the lesson.
-[X] Ask her if she had fun riding Abby, and offer to continue the lessons at her pace.
-[X] Ask Paya gently why she believes that she doesn't think herself worthy of our friendship and reassure her that we and Zelda don't see it that way.
[X] Ask Paya what she wants to do next.

"Why do you think you're unworthy of being our friend Paya?" You ask gently, settling on trying to gently prod her to come to the realization you both like her for who she is rather than just being nice.

Paya brings her hands to her mouth and shrinks a bit away from you, refusing to meet your eyes, "L-Lady Zelda is s-such a genius with our old technology, m-maybe even better than my mother and Professor Robbie, a-and she's so kind and skilled and pretty and truly blessed by the Goddess Hylia. She bears so many burdens.... And... and you master Link!" Paya begins to turn red, sparing you a glance before looking away again, "You are Lady Zelda's appointed knight! You are... You are so brave and gallant, the truest knight in the land... I..." She pauses, hands falling into her lap as she wrings her shirt in her hands, "A-all I can do is pray to the goddess and our ancestors to protect both of you..."

She goes quiet, shrinking a bit away from you. You lean against the wall of the stable, thinking over what she said. What could you say to her? Finally, though, you remember something that gives you an answer.

"You know, Zelda told me why she ran away from the village," You say aloud, looking up towards the ceiling of the stable, doing your best to make it seem you were examining the grain in the wood, "She told me about this girl named Paya who she admired more than anything. Who knew more about old Sheikah texts and such than anyone else, who without her she couldn't have gotten that Sheikah Slate working. She wanted to find Sheikah ruins and such so that she could give whatever information she found to this Paya, so that they may decipher its secrets and get the recognition they deserve for being the most hardworking, caring girl Zelda knew," You smile, looking over to Paya, "I don't think that girl is unworthy of- uh.."

Spoiler

"...Paya?"

Paya doesn't respond, at least not in an intelligible language as she stammers out various noises that sound like air being let out of a kettle while growing increasingly red.

"Uhm... I'll go uh... clean up Abby. That alright with you?"

Paya nods rapidly, and you push yourself off the wall to walk over to Abby who was a bit dusty. Looking back though, even with the blush on Paya's cheeks and ears she had lowered her clasped hands to her chest and was smiling as you heard her mutter with a happy sigh, "Zelda..." She also kept looking over to you with a smile, but when she noticed you look over she practically jumped in her chair and looked away with her hands over her face, ears almost glowing.

Quickly setting out to get Abby clean you go over her with brushes, combs and a damp rag. finishing quickly as you didn't need to clean off her hooves. Finishing up, you notice Paya has gone oddly quiet and looking over you discover why. Head drooping into her chest that was rising and falling slowly with each breath, hands folded limply on her stomach and a content smile gracing her lips the sleeping form of Paya snoozed away.

Walking over, you gently shake her shoulder, making her eyes flutter open, "Mmmm? Link~" She sighs contentedly before alertness finally seeps in as she blinks a few more times, "O-oh! I... I'm sorry master Link! My eyes felt so heavy all of a sudden so..."

"Hey, it's alright. Let's head back," You tell the groggy girl as you help her to her feet. She stumbles a bit as you walk her out of the stables, and when you catch her when she stumbles she jolts awake with a loud eep and a deep crimson blush that practically made her tattoos invisible. But after a while, she starts to nod off again and she leans on you nearly totally passed almost the entire way back. You try not to say anything as she seems to lean into you more than once with a deep sigh before a movement jolts her awake and she leaps away from you until her eyes droop and with several deep yawns you start all over again.

With the sun setting you finally get her back into the manor, and half-drag her to her room. You think of opening it, but knowing better you knock first and are immediately answered by Zelda's voice, "Just a minute!"

There were sounds of bare feet on wooden floors until the door slides open and reveals something that almost makes you drop Paya. Zelda was standing in the doorway, her thick-rimmed glasses that magnified her eyes resting on her nose with her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was wearing to your shock a pair of ratty looking overalls and a white shirt with more than a few stains in it. Her hands, pants and face were all utterly covered with splatters and streaks of paint of various colours. Craning your neck to look behind her you notice rows upon rows of knightly figures, monsters and creatures of myth in various states of being painted. Several books were open on her desk, with the only cover visible boldly displaying "HYRULE WARRIORS: 6th Edition Rulebook."

Zelda, however, doesn't register your mounting expression of disbelief instead immediately noticing Paya.

"PAYA!!" She shouts, going white as a sheet as her expression changes to one of alarmed concern, but then immediately claps a hand over her mouth when you put a finger to your lips and let out a hissed shush to her. It was then she noticed Paya gentle snores against your shoulder, and a look of shock comes over her.

"Link, wha-" She begins to ask as she steps out of the way of the door to let you half-drag Paya into their room.

"Got her to fall asleep after tiring herself out at the stables, " You whisper to her as you gently transfer the girl over to the princess.

"Wait, you did?!" She whispers back as she gently leads Paya to her bed and lays her on it, "I've been trying forever to..."

"Yeah, knew I had to do something as she was just dead on her feet..." You begin, only to be cut off as Zelda suddenly guides you out of their room.

"Have to get her changed, wait out here!" She quickly whispers to you, before closing the door in your face. With nothing else to do you lean against the opposite wall and wait for some time until Zelda emerges from the room, tiptoeing out.

"She's really out like a light, I don't believe it..." Zelda whispers, shaking her head in utter amazement.

"With all those chores she does it's a wonder she hasn't collapsed yet, I've never met someone so hard working..."

Zelda sighs with a smile, a faint blush creeping into her cheeks, "Yeah, she's really incredible," She then looks up to you, red eyes shining like rubies as the light from the setting sun reflected off her glasses, "Thank you, Link, truly. You have no idea... how'd you manage it anyways? I've tried everything I could think of to get her to stop nearly killing herself every day."

So you tell her, how you did chores with her in the morning until both your hands were bleeding, how you took her to the stable and learned Epona was a Lon Lon horse, how you get her to help and eventually ride Abby before getting her to open up about why she was doing all these things, and how she had reacted when you told her how much she meant to Zelda.

Zelda silently listened, head inclined. As you reached the end of your explanation tears, one by one, impacted her glasses and dripped off to the floor. When you finished she reached up to rub her eyes with her sleeve, sniffling as she quietly whispered, "Thank you. I-I could never.... I always messed up and... she was always there for me and I couldn't ever... Thank you, Link.... thank you..."

You scratch your cheek, looking away from Zelda, "Hey... friends help friends right?" You look back over to her, "That's- ?!?"

Zelda had taken a step closer to you, a blush spreading across her cheeks as her lips parted to reveal a smile as warm as the light cast off the setting sun, the tears in ears making them shine like the crimson gems you realize you've compared them to so often. Eyes that were fixed on you.

"Z-Zelda?!" You ask nervously, as she takes another step closer and you realize she's close enough that you can count the droplets clinging to her eyelashes, feel something warm every time she takes a breath.

"Thank you, Link~ " She whispers so quietly you almost don't catch it, your name a content sigh on her lips. Lips, you realize with a nervous swallow, that your eyes seem ever drawn towards.

You begin to lift your arms to-

Spoiler

An overwhelming coldness washes over you, your skin prickling as your breath catches in your throat. You tear your gaze to look beyond Zelda, down the darkened hall. From the darkness leered two hellish lights, red flames fixated on you as the sound of a Naginata scrapped along the floor. The darkness seemed to be reaching out to you, to grab you and drag you towards that spectre of death.

Your hands drop to your sides, and the darkness retreats, Impa disappearing around a corner without a sound. Zelda blinks, eyes that seemed slightly glazed over regaining focus and she suddenly realized just how close she was standing to you. The blush starts at her cheeks and then spreads to her ears before she leaps back, smacking into the wall with a thud.

"AHAHAHA! S-SORRY LINK! I UH.... I MUST HAVE STUMBLED A BIT! OKAYTHAT'SWHATIDIDLINKOKAYIREALLYNEEDTOKNOWYOUUNDERSTANDTHAT'SWHATIDIDSINCEIREALLYDON'TKNOWWHATIWASDOINGAND-"

Knocking from the entrance hall cuts off Zelda's loud breathless rambling. It was quick, heavy and had a hint of desperation to it. You and Zelda spare a quick glance, what just happened forgotten and you both immediately rush towards the entrance way, Zelda opening it to reveal... Dorian? With Koko and Cottla hiding between his legs. He looked... tired, his eyes red and sunken, cheeks bearing the slightest stains of tears. Cottla and Koko too looked like they had been crying recently, though obviously out of worry for their father's state.

"M'Lady! Sorry to trouble you at this hour..." He begins, but Zelda only shakes her head.

"No, Dorian it's alright. What's going on? You look terrible."​

"I..." He begins, "I have an infestation over at my home. Insects, rats and other... vermin, haven't been cleaning with work and everything," He takes a deep breath, and you're surprised at how defeated he looks, "I can't... I can't keep my daughters in those conditions. There are scratches and... I.. I... They loved being over here so much, Koko... Koko doesn't need to cook when she's here and... Is... is it alright if they stay here a few days? Until... Until I get my home sorted out."

Zelda nods rapidly, "Of course, goddess yes they can stay here. Did you bring some changes of clothes?"

Dorian nods, handing over a bag to Zelda. It was then Cottla started crying, followed shortly by Koko.

Dorian squats down, trying to give his daughters a reassuring smile as he tells them, "It's alright, Daddy isn't going anywhere. It's just a... a sleepover while Daddy deals with the pests. It's only for a few days, I promise you, and I'll be around still..."

Cottla has none of it, her cries growing louder while her sister's become choking sobs. Dorian brings his daughters close in a tight hug, tears dripping down his cheeks into his white beard, "It's alright. I won't leave you, I won't ever leave you two. It's only for a few days, I promise you. I promise you..."

"Nnnn-! Noo!" Cottla cries and tries to pull away from her father.

Dorian can only smile to his daughter, and say "Tell you what, Daddy will find Mommy and get her to make your favourite, meat-stuffed pumpkin!"

You glance over to Zelda as Cottla sniffs. The colour had drained completely from her face, and she looked like she was trying to swallow something very bitter. Her hands were shaking slightly.

"R-really?" Cottla asks, and her father nods.

"I promise you," He then looks over to his other daughter, who had stopped crying and was staring at the ground with dead eyes, "Koko, I need you to be a big girl for your sister, okay? I'll come by to tuck you in at night, I promise."

Koko nods but says nothing.

Dorian stands up, and addresses Zelda, "Thank you again for this, your majesty. I'll try to come by as often as possible-"

"Will you need any help in dealing with the pest problem?" Impa suddenly asks, making you all jump when you realize she was standing right behind you. The normally stoic guardian of the village expression had softened into one of concern, and she had put away her armour and weapons.

Dorian shakes his head, giving a small laugh, "I can handle it myself, just can't have Cottla and Koko around the poison and traps."

Impa nods, before getting down to eye level with Cottla and Koko, "You two must be very hungry, let's find you something for dinner, okay?" She says to the two small girls with an uncharistically warm tone. The girls nod, and after a final goodbye to their father Zelda and Impa lead them to the dining area. You linger on just a moment to catch Dorian walk some distance from the manor towards a tree, and wordlessly punch it with one fist until his knuckles are bloody. He then wanders away, out of sight.

An inspection reveals that Cottla and Koko do have rat bites on them Dorian had evidently treated to treat to the best of his abilities, but Mipha immediately attends to them as soon as she returned to the manor. Dinner was eaten in silence, and you all go to bed shortly afterwards. Cottla and Koko sleep in Zelda's bed that night, the princess refusing to let them out of her sight.

Your dreams that night are that of furious vengeance visited on monstrous caricatures of men in red and giant rats.

Zelda wakes you up that morning but quickly vanishes again, and you don't see her again after you get ready for the day. Mipha, however, emerges from the garden pond and walks over to you, water still dripping off her.

"Good morning Link. Um, are you free today? Zelda told me she and Paya are going to be busy with Cottla and Koko, and I'll be heading over to the training grounds and was wondering if... um... you wanted to come?" She asks, giving you a strangely nervous smile.

What's the plan for the day?
[] Hang out with Mipha.
[] Join Impa on guard duty.
[] See what Sidon is up to.
[] Write-in

---

Note: I'm giving this to you guys since you let me know what your intention was through discussion but I would have had no idea what you wanted to do without it, which would have resulted in you failing here. But you discussed and didn't vote to utterly demolish what self-worth Paya had left so you still got through this. Just please be more clear in the votes next time, or just at least put in how you plan to reassure someone. Things won't happen unless you put in how you want to accomplish them, whether in the vote or discussion. I'm not omniscient.

 

[ImmortalsBlade]

[X] Hang out with Mipha.

"Yeah sure, I'm free," You tell the Zora Princess, climbing to your feet and brushing your pants off.

Mipha nods with a smile, and the two of you set off, the Zora with a skip in her step the entire way. Arriving you find Undyne waiting for Mipha, with several targets set up. Undyne gives you a wave, before her and Mipha immediately begin getting set up. It turns out that Undyne was trying to teach Mipha how to use her water spears now that Mipha had unlocked the incredible well of power inside of her. But...

"That was the right power, but you completely missed the target," Undyne observes with a shake of her head as a spear of water plows into the ground beside the target, kicking up an explosion of dirt and mud but doing little more than making the target wobble.

Mipha only lets out a dejected sigh, lowering her arm. You've been here for a couple hours now and the story has been the same each time Mipha tried to summon a water spear against a target. Either it had plowed harmlessly into the ground near the target or hit the target with only enough force to bowl them over. The latter wasn't even technically possible with the spell, as Undyne explained it the spell basically works by summoning water under extremely high pressure and then basically "blowing the valve open" in the direction of the target, the spell keeping the sudden bolt from dissipitating until it struck with the force of a cannonball, releasing all of its kinetic energy at once. Undyne had mastered the technique to the point she could control the spear after she had fired it off but Mipha was doing something even she couldn't. It was one thing to direct the contained spear around, it was totally another to reduce the water pressure without compromising the spell itself.

This encouraged Undyne, who excitedly kept telling Mipha that it was simply proof of her latent talent. But Mipha only looked more dejected as the lessons went on, though she began to bowl over targets more rather than missing them entirely. She didn't look discouraged, but there was something odd about her body language whenever she actually struck a target. She'd tense up, and wince slightly before relaxing when Undyne put the undamaged target back up.

Eventually, Mipha just lets her arm fall to her side and straightening up gloomily states, "I just can't get it to do damage, I'm sorry captain but I'm just not getting it..."

Undyne frowns deeply, her teeth grinding as she brought a hand up to her chin in thought. A yellow eye settles on you, before going wide as she realizes something, "Hold on your Majesty! Hey, small fry! How do you use your magic hero stuff?"

"Uh, it's hard to explain..." You begin, feeling a bit caught off guard, "I guess I just... focus on what I'm doing and pour my strength into my weapon? Like I'm pouring water into a sword or shield-shaped jug."

Undyne grins, displaying rather uncomfortably sharp looking teeth, "Alright, you try that your majesty! Just bring up a spear and focus on it. Just pour power into it and then KABLAMO! Turn that target into splinters!"

Mipha looks over to you, her expression uncertain. You just smile and give her a small nod of encouragement, which seems to make her fins perk up again. She turns back to the target and extends a hand towards it. Closing her eyes she began to concentrate, visibly straining as she went through every step in her head to make it perfect. Droplets of water suddenly seemed to be pulled from the air and coalesced rapidly into the shape of a spear of water that sat above her head.

Mipha inhaled, the gills on her sides flaring out and revealing delicate lace-like filaments before constricting as she breathed out through her mouth. A delicate blue glow seemed to come off her, as wisp-like strands of light appeared and darted towards the spear. Its surface began to flicker and dance, almost like someone was shining a light from inside of it.

Then her hand twitched, and the spear shot forward as fast as an arrow. But it only reached halfway towards the target before it almost seemed to pause in midair for a moment before it detonated in a flash of blue light. There was a great sound of rushing water as the entire first row of targets was bowled over by a wave many times wider than the spear itself. Undyne herself simply stood there dumbstruck, her mouth hanging open as she watched the wave of water carry the targets into the ones behind them before sinking into the now muddy training yard.

Mipha was simply staring at it with a blank expression, blinking in shock at what her spear did. Slowly her eyes drift down to her hand before she carefully lowers it like it was a gun or crossbow that had gone off simply by poking it.

"That's.... incredible Mipha," You manage after a moment, and Mipha turns to you, a ghost of a smile on her face.

Which vanishes as Undyne suddenly barks out a laugh that makes both of you jump, "GWAHAHAHAHAHA! AMAZING YOUR MAJESTY! I NEVER DOUBTED YOU FOR A SECOND! THINK OF THE DEVASTATION YOU COULD BRING WITH THAT KINDA MOVE!"

Mipha doesn't meet Undyne's eyes, looking profoundly uncomfortable as she rubbed her arm, "I... I am glad I did well Captain..."

"Now let's see what happens when you add that special power of yours when the spell is forming!" Undyne declares, to which Mipha reluctantly nods before getting back into position. The wisps of light form again, but this time they seem to replace the water in the spell, even if they coalesce into something that looks functionally identical to the spear before.

Then another, and another and another and another until they start appearing by the second. You and Undyne step back as twelve, twenty, thirty spears suddenly formed above Mipha's head.

"Uh... Mipha?" You begin, and Mipha's eyes snap open and she glances back towards you, seemingly unaware of what was above her. That didn't last long, as your distraction was all it needed for Mipha's hold on them to vanish and the spears all crashed into the training yard. Targets splintered and earth violently churned as the entire training yard suddenly resembled whitewater rapids for a moment before settling into a muddy pond filled with the broken remnants of the targets poking up from mud in a manner that you assumed resembled a blasted battlefield.

Mipha was staring at the devastation wrought by her hand, mouth agape and pale. Did she look... horrified at what she had done?

Whatever it was it vanished quickly as Undyne suddenly clapped Mipha on the back, making the much smaller Zora stumble forward.

"GWAHAHA! Would you look at THAT! I've never seen anything so beautiful..." Undyne sighs as she wipes an imaginary tear away, "Haha, I always knew you had it in you, your Majesty! I can't wait to see the poor schmuck's expression who gets on the wrong side of that!"

"Y-yeah..." Mipha mumbles before she suddenly brightens, "Ah but isn't it ineffective in battle? I did have to empower it for quite some time before I could use it."

"That's true..." Undyne mutters, suddenly looking glum.

"Hey it's not so bad if you can get even a lesser charged one of those you could bowl practically anyone over, no one's going to expect to get washed away in the middle of battle," You try to reassure them, and Mipha nods with a smile.

"Y-yes... Yes! You're absolutely right Link. Unless it's monsters getting into fights is quite antithetical to our mission. We won't be able to get anywhere if we're hunted by the empire," She states, giving you an appreciative smile.

"I am a bit jealous though, all my powers seem to be instinctual and not nearly as impressive. Magic sure is impressive, think I can learn some?" You ask, and Mipha giggles as Undyne just shakes her head with a smile.

"Well, magic is quite a bit different than what you're used to Link," Mipha teases, "Though I wouldn't mind just being able to wave my hand and casting whatever spell I wished," She mimes waving her hand, handing glowing slightly to bring up a small tendril of water.

Instead, there was a deafening roar. A cold spray hits you as you instinctively reach over and pull Mipha back as blue motes and runes dance in the air before vanishing, and away from the twisting column of churning, glowing water as wide as a carriage that rushed away from Mipha and plowed through the training yard and into the woods behind it, ripping up trees, earth and stones like they were toys before violently throwing them aside. It lasted for only a moment before disintegrating into a wave of water that crashed down to the floor along with whatever debris it had dug up.

You lay on the ground looking back at the devastation the waterspout had wrought, Mipha underneath you as you had shielded her from any flying shrapnel with your body. She was breathing heavily, nearly hyperventilating, most likely from the shock of summoning such a destructive spell with no effort.

You help Mipha to her feet, noticing a crouched Undyne in front of you who was climbing to her own feet after apparently having the same idea you had. She stares at the destruction, the ditch carved all the way into the woods, the broken trees and stones scattered across the training yard, her eyes bulging as she tried to work her jaw, "Wha... I... I...!"

Undyne turns back to you too, a hint of worry in her face, "Uuuh, your majesty you should get out of here before Impa see's this! I promised I wouldn't destroy the training yard!"

When Mipha doesn't respond you end up having to take her by the arm and lead her away from training yard as fast as you ca before Impa arrives and Undyne tries to explain what happened.

Eventually, you make it to a bridge where you let Mipha collect herself. She leans over the railing, breathing slowing as she caught her breath and calmed herself. Eventually, she manages to breathe out, "That... That was... most unexpected..."

"Yeah..." You respond, before glancing back in the direction of the training yard, "Think Undyne will be all right facing Impa alone?"

"I...I am sure she'll be fine..."

​

Silence falls over the two of you, Mipha not moving from her spot. Eventually, you let out a long breath of air before taking up position beside Mipha at the railing looking over the railing into the small stream. Colourful Sanke Carp were in the stream, swimming without a care to the two beings staring down into their world.

​

You look over to Mipha, who was seemingly transfixed onto the river and say quietly, "That really was something incredible though."​

Mipha closes her eyes for a moment, before looking over at you with a small smile, "It... was something... I never thought..."

"Do you need something to eat? That must've been exhausting," You ask, but Mipha only shakes her head.

"I'm fine I...." She pauses, and then looks back at the surface of the water, "I didn't even feel drained... how far does this power go? Such destruction... is that its purpose?"

"Its purpose is whatever you make of it," You tell her, and Mipha smiles at that and she brings up her arms onto the railing, leaning down to rest her head against them.

"Yes, you're right... though, I think I will have more use from my healing powers than any whirlpool if you keep throwing yourself in front of me," She says with a small giggle, looking up at you.

You laugh, shaking your head, "Wouldn't be much of a chosen hero if I didn't."

Mipha sighs, her smile vanishing as she shifts slightly on the railing, "I... I wish I could have known that sooner... to be able to recklessly throw oneself into harm's way to protect another, even if it meant you would get hurt..."

"Mipha?"

​

Her eyes were closed, the only movement coming from the Zora was her gentle breathing to the point you think she had fallen asleep. But then she suddenly says, "I never really understood Hylians, when Zelda and I became close it felt... it felt she was the only one who could. Even now I still find you all so strange. You all change so quickly right before my eyes, you have hair in such odd places, and your skin seems so soft compared to our scales. Yet.... you're so much like us too, you fight for others as the Zora do, you mourn and lo... care as we do..."

She sighs again, muttering, "In the end... it feels like I was the only one who was strange..."

"You're not strange Mipha," You try to reassure her, putting a hand on her arm. She smiles slightly, and to your surprise puts a hand on your own.

"Thank you... you and Zelda, Cottla and Koko, Paya... You've all shown me what I want to do... that it doesn't need to be like before... I... want to support you all. Through all this struggle, I will always be there and if...if anyone ever tries to do you harm, then I will heal you... No matter when, or how bad the wound... I hope you know... that I will always protect you... just as you've all done for me."

You give her a small smile, not saying a word and Mipha suddenly looks away, burying her face in her arms.

"I-I am sorry, I'm acting all weird..." Mipha says with a nervous chuckle, "Haha, guess I'm still in shock over that spell."

You frown, considering Mipha's words through all this. No... a change has come over Mipha. Her behaviour was different than when you first met her, and you don't think it's actually related to you. In fact, hadn't she been avoiding the Zora she'd been with all these years, even her own brother? Undyne, who had been her teacher and who she had modelled herself after, was now someone Mipha seemed uncomfortable being around whenever they got really into training. There was also how her spells were acting. And everything she had said... it almost felt like there was something Mipha no longer wished to do. Something she was horrified by now, judging by her reaction and all that talk about her purpose. But what was it? And if you guessed right, how should you word it to Mipha if you state it at all?

What does Mipha no longer wish to do and how do you want to prompt her to talk about it?
[] Write-in.