[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-"
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 you
hurk-?!" 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.