Of Royal Blood - The Legend Of Zelda
- Thread starter ImmortalsBlade
- Start date
- Fantasy Romance Mature
No, she's starving. There's just no point in cooking for her.
You realize she's pretty beat up as well, right?
Uh Guys, shaking someone isn't how you deal with emotional shock.
According to National Centre for PTSD for situations like this you are supposed to (and yes shock from killing or injuring another person is covered): get them to focus on something other than the stressor (ie the corpse), provide comfort and reconnect them with friends and/or family.
Breaking Zelda's eye contact with her kill, providing what measure of comfort we currently can and reminding her that her friend is alive is all we can do right now.
We have nothing to use for first aid and looting is out of the question as we are far too injured and we have only like a minute until Mipha finishes eating.
According to National Centre for PTSD for situations like this you are supposed to (and yes shock from killing or injuring another person is covered): get them to focus on something other than the stressor (ie the corpse), provide comfort and reconnect them with friends and/or family.
Breaking Zelda's eye contact with her kill, providing what measure of comfort we currently can and reminding her that her friend is alive is all we can do right now.
We have nothing to use for first aid and looting is out of the question as we are far too injured and we have only like a minute until Mipha finishes eating.
OK?
How does that change "don't confront her with an injured friend"?
It won't matter, I'm saying this as the GM.
[] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
This is all we can do at the moment.
We can't loot or do first aid at the moment but we can comfort Zelda and remind her that her friend is alive.
-[]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
This is all we can do at the moment.
We can't loot or do first aid at the moment but we can comfort Zelda and remind her that her friend is alive.
- Location
- Sweden
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[x] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
Edit: added the x'es :/
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
Edit: added the x'es :/
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reborn214
Deep in thought
- Location
- California
You need x or it doesn't count.
[x] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
Mipha said she'd check on us in a minute, right? So let's focus on Zelda.
[X] Snap Zelda out of her shock.
-[X] Playfully.
--[X] Wave your hand in front of her
--[X] If that doesn't work, stand in front of her covering her field of vision.
--[X] If that doesn't result, pinch her nose
--[X] If that doesn't work, keep escalating.
-[X] Try to comfort Zelda and remind her that her friend's alive.
[X] By now Mipha must have been done eating. Ask her for a checkup/heal then.
[X] Snap Zelda out of her shock.
-[X] Playfully.
--[X] Wave your hand in front of her
--[X] If that doesn't work, stand in front of her covering her field of vision.
--[X] If that doesn't result, pinch her nose
--[X] If that doesn't work, keep escalating.
-[X] Try to comfort Zelda and remind her that her friend's alive.
[X] By now Mipha must have been done eating. Ask her for a checkup/heal then.
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She's in shock from killing people (rather brutally I might add).
That's the exact opposite of what you're supposed to do.
Zelda is in shock so I want her to focus in other things; as the situation is right now the quickest way I see is be annoyed by Link (or need to breath, that's why pinching her nose).
Which is the absolute last thing you should do especially in regards to the fact she just killed people (scum yes but still human beings).
We provide what comfort we can currently but this is one of those moments where we can't tease her.
- Location
- Oymyakon
I'm still reading through, so sorry to interrupt any discussion. But this...oh my god I cackled. Thinking about a real person traveling all over this world to find 900 korok seeds. And that asshole literally gives them shit.
rofl:rofl:
Barondoctor
The things I chase come to me.
- Location
- The other side of the mirror
- Pronouns
- He/His/Him
[x] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
Vote Tally.
- Location
- 7 Treasure Hoards in 7 Sacred Hills
[x] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
So, posting after lurking in the thread a bit. @ImmortalsBlade I have to say that you've done an amazing job with this quest. I'm loving it. And I've gotta admit that reading this quest intrigued me enough about Legend of Zelda to start looking into LoZ (only previous exposure to Zelda was OoT and MM games) fanfics and quests. This is pretty amazing again.
Anyways, here's my vote:
[x] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
One thing I'd like to mention about a previous update is, the professor that immediately stated that Old Hylian that Zelda was singing in was Fallon, I have s sneaking suspicion that the professor knows that its Old Hylian and is deflecting attention.
Anyways, here's my vote:
[x] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[x]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
One thing I'd like to mention about a previous update is, the professor that immediately stated that Old Hylian that Zelda was singing in was Fallon, I have s sneaking suspicion that the professor knows that its Old Hylian and is deflecting attention.
2.9
[X] Go over to Zelda and move between her and the corpse to break eye contact.
-[X]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
You get between Zelda and the body, putting your noninjured hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, hey! You did good, alright? We're alive, we're safe," you tell her as reassuring as you can.
"I... I killed..." She says, her voice distant and confused.
"You saved our lives, stopped them from hurting others and you lived to reunite with your friend," You say, hoping you were saying the right words.
"M-mipha... Mipha!" She suddenly yells out, as you hear the Zora princess walk up behind you.
"Huh? I don't know any Hylian, not any who're-" She begins to say through a mouthful of jerky only for Zelda to cut her off.
"Mipha, it's me. I... I am so glad you're not, I thought... I thought you were.... just like father... just like-" Zelda chokes, tears beginning to fall.
The jerky falls from Mipha's hands, her eyes widening and jaw going slack. You get up, letting her approach Zelda. She crouches down in front of her, golden eyes meeting crimson ones as Mipha gently takes Zelda's, lifting her chin up to properly inspect her face. She winces as she see's the scars, sympathy clear until she looks past them and recognition blossoms in her eyes.
"Z-Zelda...?"
The golden-haired princess nods.
A thousand emotions seem to cross Mipha's face, hands falling from Zelda's face to instead wrap around her and draw the princess in close in a tight hug.
"Every day.... Every day I wished you'd stayed with us," Mipha quietly says into Zelda's hair, eyes closed and rocking her friend back and forth, "I missed you, I missed you so much..."
For a moment they stay like that, until Mipha leans back, holding Zelda by the shoulders, "Where have you been all these years, why didn't you contact anyone?"
Zelda wipes away tears from her eyes, before replying "Impa carried me off, I've been living among the Sheikah."
Mipha laughs, shaking her head, "Nayru's grace that really does explain everything, I bet she was the one who taught you those moves right? Little Princess Zelda, now a butt kicking ninja!" She slaps Zelda on the back, which elicited a sharp intact of breath from the Princess and Mipha's expression turns apologetic, "Oh no oh no I'm sorry I'll heal you right now!"
She takes Zelda by the arm, and half drags her back to the shelter of the shrine. You follow behind, pulling the bolt lodged in your hand out with your teeth. Mipha leads Zelda into the pool at the shrine, pulling out the bolts lodged in herself as she does so. You follow, removing the last of the bolts as well and thanking whatever gods were watching that the water wasn't freezing.
Mipha steps back, and motions for the two of you to stand beside each other. Then she holds out her hands, hovering them at the center of both your chests and visibly concentrates. Her hands begin to glow, pale blue light that spreads from her palms into your flesh, a coolness washing over you like a mountain stream that carried away every ache in your body. Both you and Zelda begin to glow and then so does the entire pool, brighter and brighter as motes of light seem to dart off the surface of the water like fireflies. You can't help but glance around, amazed at the spectacle before you. Zelda, however, isn't impressed. In fact, she looks rather confused.
"Mipha, um... while I appreciate it is there any reason you're putting on this spectacle for us?"
Mipha cracks an eye open, and looking back to her face she seems like she's beginning to strain a bit, "Things haven't been great. If I wasn't drawing power from this holy site I'd have probably passed out by now, quite a long way to fall heh."
"Mipha..." Zelda says quietly, her friends suffering weighing on her, "What could have drained your powers so?"
"Years of malnutrition. That was my first meal in two days." Mipha states rather bluntly, her face expressionless.
"Oh...that's..."
"Hey, don't look so sad for me! I found out my healing magic can reverse the damages caused by starvation! That's how I'm still making these Empire goons run for the hills! Haha... ha... ha..." Mipha tries to laugh but trails off at both your and Zelda's horrified expressions.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaanyways, that should about heal the two of you up. Couldn't do anything about your scars though. Let's get you two out of the water, know you Hylians have an aversion to having a nice relaxing soak."
As you all step out of the pool and finding yourselves just as soaked in the downpour Zelda turns to her friend, "It's still hard to imagine after everything that's happened that you're really here Mipha, you've changed so much. I'd never have imagined you taking up a sword and becoming such an amazing warrior. You were always so kind, so concerned with others..."
"Heh, guess the Captain and Sidon have had an effect on me huh?" Mipha replies, evidently taking some humour from Zelda's observation.
"Captain? Trello wasn't..." Zelda trails off as she realizes something, clapping a hand to her mouth as her eyes go wide, "No, he actually made her captain?!"
Mipha nods, a cocky grin on her face, "YEP! Trello retired and gave her the position. Youngest guard captain in history! She's been personally tutoring me on being a fighter ever since...yeah..."
Zelda reaches out to her friend, but her hand stops half-way, uncertain "Mipha..."
Webbed fingers close around Zelda's pale hand, gripping it tightly, "I... I truly did miss you, every day. When... When I heard about what happened I... I couldn't do anything but grieve and when they came that grief became this... fury that built and built with every atrocity they inflicted. Hunger, pain... nothing mattered but making them pay for every day they had taken from you, from my people. But the hole of your absence only widened instead..." Sad eyes looked towards the hands clasped between the Princesses, "It hurt worst than my empty stomach did, than any sword or bullet wounds. I just thought... if you were here than all these hardships could be bearable, over and over until just the thought that you wouldn't have wanted to see me give up was the only thing driving me, no matter how much I tried to act like my brother and Captain."
Mipha lets go of Zelda's hand and placed her own over her heart, "I... I didn't think for a second that you were here, I didn't even notice how much you resemble her. I was so blinded by my grief and anger I... I feel ashamed, and when I finally realize I felt for a moment a fear that the Zelda I cared for had changed as I had."
Mipha looks up, a wide smile on her face "But even though you've grown up you're still that tiny Zelda I remember!"
"Mipha..." Zelda says, eyes closed and smile on her face. Then she frowns, eyes snapping open, "Wait tiny?"
Mipha laughs, and then wraps her arms around Zelda's shoulders, bringing her in close as Zelda yelps in surprise, "Yep! You're a real shorty! Haha, looks like I won our little height competition in the end! Teeny tiny Zelda!"
"MIPHA! STO-HAHA NO DON'T POKE ME HAHA"
You shake your head, chuckling. It's nice to see them both laughing after everything-
Wait...
You weren't that much taller than Zelda.
....
"Hey um... Zelda? Why does your friend look like he just had a soul-crushing revelation?"
"I don't know, I've never seen him like that... Ah, it must be hunger cramps! I'm frankly rather hungry myself..."
"Ah, well then I'll scrounge around with him for supplies, your packs look soaked so you better empty them out."
"R-right."
And with that Mipha drags you back to the battlefield, and the piles of armour left scattered across the road. The two of you set to work immediately, picking through the carnage for supplies.
"Quick thinking, getting her to sort through the packs," You say as you toss your claymore aside for a more intact one.
Mipha nods as she fiddles with the buckles on one of the corpses, "Mmm, she was always easy to read when you got to know her. I'm glad meeting me is keeping her mind off it, though I wish our reunion wasn't also the first time she's killed someone."
You frown as you inspect one of the soldiers shields, "I just hope she'll talk to us about it and not try to power through it, she's the strongest person I know but I hope she realizes it won't be overcome by strength of will alone."
Mipha gives a grunt of acknowledgment as the two of you continue to pick through the battlefield until after a few moments Mipha suddenly asks, "How... how did she get those horrible scars?"
"Yiga poison, I found her half drowned in a river riddled with arrows. By the time I got a chance to treat her it had already reached her jaw."
Mipha stops, hands clenched and shaking, "And the assassin responsible?" She asks through gritted teeth.
"Dead."
Mipha lets out a long breath, her shoulders sagging in relief, "I see. Thank you... thank you so much for saving her-OH!" Mipha hops to her feet, looking rather embarrassed, "I just realized we haven't introduced ourselves! I am Mipha, Princess of the Zora" She says, giving you a small curtsy.
You stand up, and give a small bow in return, "It is an honour to meet you, your highness. My name is Link Ordona, son of Duke Arn Ordona."
"Ordona..?!" Mipha repeats, recognition clear on her face, "You're Zelda's old friend and Lady Ordona's son!"
"Huh, how do you know that? Did Zelda mention me?"
Mipha nods, "Yes, I remember her talking about her friend from the castle who disappeared after the plague took our mothers. She missed you terribly..."
"Our?" You ask, "So your mother was also..."
"Yes," She replies, not meeting your eyes, "It is a shame it took this long for us to meet, I recall our mothers wanted to introduce us after the plague..."
"Though I wish it were under better circumstances I'm glad we finally got to honour our mothers wish."
Mipha holds a hand up to her mouth as she gives a small chuckle, "Hoho, so he doesn't just fight as well as his father he even has that noble demeanor. We just need to get some polished armour and you'll fit that perfect image~"
"Ahaha, should I be a bit more casual?" You ask nervously, rubbing the back of your head.
Mipha smiles and shakes her head, "And I thought it'd be Zelda who'd be all proper. It's alright Link, just think of me as Mipha."
You nod, "Right. So hey, you were pretty incredible back there."
Mipha blinks, "Oh! Um thank you, I could not just leave you two to fight off any army alone so..."
"You said a Captain taught you?"
She nods, tossing you a bag that you deftly catch, "Yeah, Captain and my brother taught me everything they knew. They're both amazing fighters, able to take on even the mightiest monsters. Though guerrilla fighting is something we had to learn on the fly though, it's why I use my swords over a trident."
"Trident?" You ask, not understanding what she meant.
"Ah, you wouldn't know would you!" Mipha says, hand to her mouth, "It is traditional for Zora royalty to learn to fight with the trident, as it has a deeply spiritual significance for my people. It's highly cumbersome to use in hit and runs though, and with only one Lightscale Trident in our possession, I took up learning how to use a sword. It was quite fortunate my brother prefers both sword and spear, so I had didn't have to learn on the battlefield."
"He must be an excellent teacher, those moves were something else. You were like a ballet dancer, I've never seen anything like it."
"Ah! Um..." Mipha quickly looks away, mumbling to herself, "I um, we should hurry up. Zelda probably finished by now."
You nod, and the two of you quickly finish gathering supplies. While they only had limited rations they were packed up in such a way to deal with the humidity, which was a plus. You also manage to snag some weapons, though only what you can carry on you.
Gained:
2 x Soldier's Broadsword!
1 x Soldier's Claymore!
1 x Soldier's Shield!
14 x Soldier's Daggers!
3000 x Rupees!
Returning to Zelda you see she had successfully cleaned out the packs of all the mud and water that had accumulated in them. You also notice that her bow was pretty mangled, looks like she used it to block a sword swing. She'd set it and the quiver to the side.
"Here, picked these up for you," You say, handing her the knives.
She takes one of them, checking the balance, "Hmm, not as good as a Kunai but I can get some use out of these. Won't have to worry about them breaking, unlike the broadheads," She tells you, and immediately sets to work figuring out how she'll store them on her person.
"Speaking of broadheads I picked up every arrow that wasn't broken, I'll pack them away for you, " Mipha chimes in, and immediately heads over to where Zelda had set aside the quiver.
"Oh, here. Take my bow, yours is pretty much a gon-"
"GAH?!" A scream interrupts you, followed by the sound of an armful of arrows hitting the ground as Mipha jumps backwards, slipping on the stone.
"MIPHA! What happened, are you okay?!" Zelda shouts, immediately rushing to her friend's side.
"Owowow why didn't you tell me you had shock... arrows... YES! THIS IS PERFECT!" Mipha suddenly shouts, leaping to her feet and grabbing a very confused Zelda's hands.
"Wha-"
"I CAN HEAL THOSE SCARS!" She tells Zelda, her eyes wide and filled with hope.
"R-really Mipha?! That's wonderful, but how-?"
Mipha grips Zelda's hands tighter, practically buzzing with excitement, "There's a temple deep in the swamp. It should have enough holy power stored within its walls to allow me to heal those scars even in my weakened state. We've actually been eying it for awhile but haven't been able to enter it. But with Shock arrows it'll be a snap!"
"Why haven't you been able to enter it?" You ask, looking towards Zelda. A chance to heal her?
"Well," Mipha begins, refusing to meet either of your gazes, "It has been abandoned for such a long-"
"There's a giant monster in it."
"We're going to have to fight a giant monster."
"Yes."
Both you and Zelda close your eyes, taking a deep breath before you both reply, "Alright, what do you need me to do?"
"My brother has scouted it out more, we'll head to our campsite so he can explain. Besides, you two look exhausted." Mipha explains.
"I believe we were heading there to begin with, " Zelda says, producing her Sheikah Slate, "We asked a Korok to mark the Zora resistances campsite. We were hoping they had a healer, though I never expected it to be you Mipha."
Mipha stares at the slate, mouth open slightly, "Incredible! You should have mentioned you had this miraculous device earlier Zelda!"
"Oh there's so much more to it, I'll explain on the way there."
You and Zelda quickly pack up all your belongings and new weapons. You had a Claymore, broadsword, and shield while Zelda had your old bow, a broadsword and all the knives you had picked up which had taken her a fair bit of time to actually strap to herself. Then you all head out, Mipha leading the way through the swamp. While she lead you on a far more roundabout path than the two of you had taken before she knew the swamp better than any of you. Even with your extensive wilderness training not having to stop and check the path significantly cut down on your time.
The rain at least kept the biting insects off you, even if you could feel a chill creeping into your limbs. Zelda and Mipha however acted like they didn't even notice, talking excitedly about the Sheikah Slate and potential discoveries locked away by Zelda's ancestors. You couldn't help but listen in, the three of you quickly covering the distance to the camp without really even noticing. Ruins started to become more common place, stone and brick structures emerging from the swamp, so degraded by the weather any semblance of what buildings they belonged to lost to time, a thousand different styles built on top of each other as Lanayru claimed them one by one.
Lights just out of sight, not from any campfire, were quickly covered up as you approached, a flash of movement in the ruins causing your hand to leap to your broadsword on instinct. Mipha being completely at ease, however, caused your hand to drop to your side as a particularly jolly voice suddenly cried out "MIPHA!!"
An absolutely massive form leaped down from one of the ruins, managing an acrobatic somersault before it landed and rushed towards Mipha, easily picking up the girl, "Where have you been! It's been hours since you said you'd be back, why I was about to mount a search for you-!"
"Brother, we have guests," Mipha says, evidently rather used to this.
The incredibly tall Zora blinks, looking over at you and Zelda as he sets his sister down, "Oh forgive me, I didn't notice you."
The Zora male stands up straight, and both you and Zelda have to crane your necks just to look him in the eye. Like Mipha his scales were red, though his head seemed to have an almost hammer-ish shape to it compared to Mipha's. Still, their faces had enough similarities you could tell they were brother and sister. Also, like Mipha he was clad in armour that seemed fitted for someone who had eaten a fair few more meals than he was getting, but while it had given Mipha a very lean, predatory look you wouldn't have realized this Zora was in the same situation by his very optimistic demeanor. He had evidently seen a lot of combat though, the sword hanging at his waist looked very well used, and in the glow projected from Zelda's light orb you could see the tell-tale marks of battle scarring his armour.
He flashes you both a smile, perfectly white teeth sparkling in the darkness, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Prince Sidon of the Zora! It is a pleasure to meet you both!"
Zelda steps forward to introduce herself, but the sound of something emerging from the water causes you both to freeze and turn. A female Zora emerged from the swamp, tall and muscular and wielding a deadly looking spear that was leveled at you both. Her scales were blue, yet you could make out even in the darkness that her head tail was bright red. However, whether it was a natural mutation or some sort of tattoo or paint you couldn't tell. Unlike Sidon and Mipha her armour looked thicker and was far more covering. Her face was completely obscured by her helmet which seemed molded into a fierce predatory design, the visor's shape making it seem like the head of some predatory fish, one that had a prominent metal dorsal fin.
"Stand down Captain, you and I both know Mipha would not be chatting so amicably with people who were holding her captive," Sidon tells the guard Captain, who hesitates for a moment then relaxes, resting her spear against her shoulder.
He then turns to his sister, a curious look on his face, "Though I'm surprised, I didn't think you'd make friends with Hylians so easily Mipha."
Mipha crosses her arms, a cocky grin on her face, "Come now brother, surely you remember Princess Zelda? Or at least see the resemblance to Lady Ordona in her son Link over there."
Sidon stares at Mipha, blinking. He then looks over at both of you, then to his Captain who was digging her spear into the ground to keep herself from falling over in shock, then back to his sister, then back to you then again to his sister. She nods, her grin growing wider by the second.
"This is..." Sidon begins, turning slowly to the both of you, "TRULY A MOST JOYOUS OCCASION!! Why Princess Zelda, forgive me please for not recognizing you!"
Zelda smiled, bemused at Sidon's antics, "It's good to see you too Prince Sidon, you haven't changed a bit."
"While you have considerably! Why you've grown into the spitting image of your mother! Though you... oh..." He trails off, finally noticing Zelda's disfigurement.
Zelda lowers her head, covering her mouth with her scarf, "Yes, that is why I'm here. Mipha tells me you have a temple that needs clearing out."
Sidon nods, his expression turning serious, "Yes, I understand. Please make yourself at home, we'll discuss it after you've had time to rest from your journey."
Sidon then looks over at you, flashing you another sparkling smile, "Ah and I haven't forgotten about you, Sir Link! You've more than lived up to your families legacy by escorting her royal highness here! Our camp is open to you as well! We'll find you both somewhere dry to start a fire and set up camp."
"Thank you, your highness."
And with that Prince Sidon leads you into the rebel camp, the lights (luminous stone lamps) coming back on as the other rebels realized there wasn't going to be a fight. You notice something about the camp that causes you to frown, and looking over at Zelda you saw she had noticed it as well.
"Prince Sidon, is this a scout camp? There's so few of you here..." Zelda asks, and Sidon looks over at her a bit confused.
"What do you mean? There's only ever been eight of us."
You and Zelda both glance at each other, surprised. "Eight? Why so few?" Zelda asks.
"A sad reality, so many of us are oppressed or have family to take care of. We don't dare ask other Zora to join our fight and put innocents at risk. And well... we're so deep into the swamp monsters are a constant concern, to the point we rarely even get a chance to venture into more civilized portions of Lanayru. It's quite strange, I don't remember ever being so many as there have been in recent years," Sidon explains, and you glance around to confirm his explanation, and you quickly realize something about the rebels Sidon hadn't mentioned.
They were all ancient.
Other than Sidon, Captain and Mipha the other five rebels were all very old Zora, the years carving deep wrinkles into their flesh. They watched you and Zelda with wary eyes, and there was a fire there but each most certainly was in no shape to fight anyone. If you had to guess they were probably all advisors to the royal family who loyally followed Mipha, the Captain and Sidon into the wilderness when the Empire attacked. No wonder they avoided striking against the Empire other than the occasional raid.
One particularly old Zora approached, he was green with a very flat head, "Your royal highnesses, what is the meaning of this? Why do you bring these Hylians into our camp?"
"Be calm Muzu, this is none other than Princess Zelda herself and her loyal knight, the son of Lady Ordona! We should be celebrating that we've reunited with them after so long!" Sidon tell this Muzu, who only narrows his eyes at the two of you.
"How do we know she's telling the truth! She could be an imposter!" He asserts, pointing an accusing finger at Zelda.
"You bought me a sweater eight sizes too big as a gift when I was nine years old. Made of thick dark blue wool. In the middle of summer. During a heat wave." Zelda remarks, her voice completely deadpan.
Muzu starts a bit, straightens up and then bows, "Yes hmmm, it is good to see you again your highness. I never doubted for a second you survived what happened. You always were far too willful to let assassins get the better of you."
"It's good to see you too, Advisor Muzu," Zelda replies, curtsying, "As well as the other familiar faces from the palace."
"Hmm, and I can see why you'd risk your life to come to this place. Your royal highness Prince Sidon, perhaps we should get a clearer picture on what gave the Princess such terrible wounds."
"I agree Muzu, and I am quite curious as to how she had escaped the vile clutches of the empire."
Zelda, Sidon and Muzu begin to talk about everything that had happened since the attack while Mipha takes you aside.
"I just realized you wouldn't know anyone here, unlike Zelda. That there is Trello, the former captain of the guard. He knows these lands and the monsters inhabiting it like the back of his hand. Over there is Kapson, former high priest and spiritual advisor to our mothers. Jiahto is the Royal Historian, there isn't anyone with a more complete knowledge of the Zora's history. You've already met Muzu and the Captain and finally there's Dento, the royal smith." She explains, pointing to each respective Zora who were mulling around the camp, "I uh, wouldn't recommend talking to Dento or the Captain, they're not really chatty with people they don't know well but I'll hand your mail shirt to Dento for him to patch it for you."
Is there anyone you want to talk to while you get camp set up?
[] Trello
[] Jiahto
[] Kapson
[] Mipha
[] Write-in to do something else
-[X]Try to comfort her and remind her that her friend's alive.
You get between Zelda and the body, putting your noninjured hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, hey! You did good, alright? We're alive, we're safe," you tell her as reassuring as you can.
"I... I killed..." She says, her voice distant and confused.
"You saved our lives, stopped them from hurting others and you lived to reunite with your friend," You say, hoping you were saying the right words.
"M-mipha... Mipha!" She suddenly yells out, as you hear the Zora princess walk up behind you.
"Huh? I don't know any Hylian, not any who're-" She begins to say through a mouthful of jerky only for Zelda to cut her off.
"Mipha, it's me. I... I am so glad you're not, I thought... I thought you were.... just like father... just like-" Zelda chokes, tears beginning to fall.
The jerky falls from Mipha's hands, her eyes widening and jaw going slack. You get up, letting her approach Zelda. She crouches down in front of her, golden eyes meeting crimson ones as Mipha gently takes Zelda's, lifting her chin up to properly inspect her face. She winces as she see's the scars, sympathy clear until she looks past them and recognition blossoms in her eyes.
"Z-Zelda...?"
The golden-haired princess nods.
A thousand emotions seem to cross Mipha's face, hands falling from Zelda's face to instead wrap around her and draw the princess in close in a tight hug.
"Every day.... Every day I wished you'd stayed with us," Mipha quietly says into Zelda's hair, eyes closed and rocking her friend back and forth, "I missed you, I missed you so much..."
For a moment they stay like that, until Mipha leans back, holding Zelda by the shoulders, "Where have you been all these years, why didn't you contact anyone?"
Zelda wipes away tears from her eyes, before replying "Impa carried me off, I've been living among the Sheikah."
Mipha laughs, shaking her head, "Nayru's grace that really does explain everything, I bet she was the one who taught you those moves right? Little Princess Zelda, now a butt kicking ninja!" She slaps Zelda on the back, which elicited a sharp intact of breath from the Princess and Mipha's expression turns apologetic, "Oh no oh no I'm sorry I'll heal you right now!"
She takes Zelda by the arm, and half drags her back to the shelter of the shrine. You follow behind, pulling the bolt lodged in your hand out with your teeth. Mipha leads Zelda into the pool at the shrine, pulling out the bolts lodged in herself as she does so. You follow, removing the last of the bolts as well and thanking whatever gods were watching that the water wasn't freezing.
Mipha steps back, and motions for the two of you to stand beside each other. Then she holds out her hands, hovering them at the center of both your chests and visibly concentrates. Her hands begin to glow, pale blue light that spreads from her palms into your flesh, a coolness washing over you like a mountain stream that carried away every ache in your body. Both you and Zelda begin to glow and then so does the entire pool, brighter and brighter as motes of light seem to dart off the surface of the water like fireflies. You can't help but glance around, amazed at the spectacle before you. Zelda, however, isn't impressed. In fact, she looks rather confused.
"Mipha, um... while I appreciate it is there any reason you're putting on this spectacle for us?"
Mipha cracks an eye open, and looking back to her face she seems like she's beginning to strain a bit, "Things haven't been great. If I wasn't drawing power from this holy site I'd have probably passed out by now, quite a long way to fall heh."
"Mipha..." Zelda says quietly, her friends suffering weighing on her, "What could have drained your powers so?"
"Years of malnutrition. That was my first meal in two days." Mipha states rather bluntly, her face expressionless.
"Oh...that's..."
"Hey, don't look so sad for me! I found out my healing magic can reverse the damages caused by starvation! That's how I'm still making these Empire goons run for the hills! Haha... ha... ha..." Mipha tries to laugh but trails off at both your and Zelda's horrified expressions.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaanyways, that should about heal the two of you up. Couldn't do anything about your scars though. Let's get you two out of the water, know you Hylians have an aversion to having a nice relaxing soak."
As you all step out of the pool and finding yourselves just as soaked in the downpour Zelda turns to her friend, "It's still hard to imagine after everything that's happened that you're really here Mipha, you've changed so much. I'd never have imagined you taking up a sword and becoming such an amazing warrior. You were always so kind, so concerned with others..."
"Heh, guess the Captain and Sidon have had an effect on me huh?" Mipha replies, evidently taking some humour from Zelda's observation.
"Captain? Trello wasn't..." Zelda trails off as she realizes something, clapping a hand to her mouth as her eyes go wide, "No, he actually made her captain?!"
Mipha nods, a cocky grin on her face, "YEP! Trello retired and gave her the position. Youngest guard captain in history! She's been personally tutoring me on being a fighter ever since...yeah..."
Zelda reaches out to her friend, but her hand stops half-way, uncertain "Mipha..."
Webbed fingers close around Zelda's pale hand, gripping it tightly, "I... I truly did miss you, every day. When... When I heard about what happened I... I couldn't do anything but grieve and when they came that grief became this... fury that built and built with every atrocity they inflicted. Hunger, pain... nothing mattered but making them pay for every day they had taken from you, from my people. But the hole of your absence only widened instead..." Sad eyes looked towards the hands clasped between the Princesses, "It hurt worst than my empty stomach did, than any sword or bullet wounds. I just thought... if you were here than all these hardships could be bearable, over and over until just the thought that you wouldn't have wanted to see me give up was the only thing driving me, no matter how much I tried to act like my brother and Captain."
Mipha lets go of Zelda's hand and placed her own over her heart, "I... I didn't think for a second that you were here, I didn't even notice how much you resemble her. I was so blinded by my grief and anger I... I feel ashamed, and when I finally realize I felt for a moment a fear that the Zelda I cared for had changed as I had."
Mipha looks up, a wide smile on her face "But even though you've grown up you're still that tiny Zelda I remember!"
"Mipha..." Zelda says, eyes closed and smile on her face. Then she frowns, eyes snapping open, "Wait tiny?"
Mipha laughs, and then wraps her arms around Zelda's shoulders, bringing her in close as Zelda yelps in surprise, "Yep! You're a real shorty! Haha, looks like I won our little height competition in the end! Teeny tiny Zelda!"
"MIPHA! STO-HAHA NO DON'T POKE ME HAHA"
You shake your head, chuckling. It's nice to see them both laughing after everything-
Wait...
You weren't that much taller than Zelda.
....
"Hey um... Zelda? Why does your friend look like he just had a soul-crushing revelation?"
"I don't know, I've never seen him like that... Ah, it must be hunger cramps! I'm frankly rather hungry myself..."
"Ah, well then I'll scrounge around with him for supplies, your packs look soaked so you better empty them out."
"R-right."
And with that Mipha drags you back to the battlefield, and the piles of armour left scattered across the road. The two of you set to work immediately, picking through the carnage for supplies.
"Quick thinking, getting her to sort through the packs," You say as you toss your claymore aside for a more intact one.
Mipha nods as she fiddles with the buckles on one of the corpses, "Mmm, she was always easy to read when you got to know her. I'm glad meeting me is keeping her mind off it, though I wish our reunion wasn't also the first time she's killed someone."
You frown as you inspect one of the soldiers shields, "I just hope she'll talk to us about it and not try to power through it, she's the strongest person I know but I hope she realizes it won't be overcome by strength of will alone."
Mipha gives a grunt of acknowledgment as the two of you continue to pick through the battlefield until after a few moments Mipha suddenly asks, "How... how did she get those horrible scars?"
"Yiga poison, I found her half drowned in a river riddled with arrows. By the time I got a chance to treat her it had already reached her jaw."
Mipha stops, hands clenched and shaking, "And the assassin responsible?" She asks through gritted teeth.
"Dead."
Mipha lets out a long breath, her shoulders sagging in relief, "I see. Thank you... thank you so much for saving her-OH!" Mipha hops to her feet, looking rather embarrassed, "I just realized we haven't introduced ourselves! I am Mipha, Princess of the Zora" She says, giving you a small curtsy.
You stand up, and give a small bow in return, "It is an honour to meet you, your highness. My name is Link Ordona, son of Duke Arn Ordona."
"Ordona..?!" Mipha repeats, recognition clear on her face, "You're Zelda's old friend and Lady Ordona's son!"
"Huh, how do you know that? Did Zelda mention me?"
Mipha nods, "Yes, I remember her talking about her friend from the castle who disappeared after the plague took our mothers. She missed you terribly..."
"Our?" You ask, "So your mother was also..."
"Yes," She replies, not meeting your eyes, "It is a shame it took this long for us to meet, I recall our mothers wanted to introduce us after the plague..."
"Though I wish it were under better circumstances I'm glad we finally got to honour our mothers wish."
Mipha holds a hand up to her mouth as she gives a small chuckle, "Hoho, so he doesn't just fight as well as his father he even has that noble demeanor. We just need to get some polished armour and you'll fit that perfect image~"
"Ahaha, should I be a bit more casual?" You ask nervously, rubbing the back of your head.
Mipha smiles and shakes her head, "And I thought it'd be Zelda who'd be all proper. It's alright Link, just think of me as Mipha."
You nod, "Right. So hey, you were pretty incredible back there."
Mipha blinks, "Oh! Um thank you, I could not just leave you two to fight off any army alone so..."
"You said a Captain taught you?"
She nods, tossing you a bag that you deftly catch, "Yeah, Captain and my brother taught me everything they knew. They're both amazing fighters, able to take on even the mightiest monsters. Though guerrilla fighting is something we had to learn on the fly though, it's why I use my swords over a trident."
"Trident?" You ask, not understanding what she meant.
"Ah, you wouldn't know would you!" Mipha says, hand to her mouth, "It is traditional for Zora royalty to learn to fight with the trident, as it has a deeply spiritual significance for my people. It's highly cumbersome to use in hit and runs though, and with only one Lightscale Trident in our possession, I took up learning how to use a sword. It was quite fortunate my brother prefers both sword and spear, so I had didn't have to learn on the battlefield."
"He must be an excellent teacher, those moves were something else. You were like a ballet dancer, I've never seen anything like it."
"Ah! Um..." Mipha quickly looks away, mumbling to herself, "I um, we should hurry up. Zelda probably finished by now."
You nod, and the two of you quickly finish gathering supplies. While they only had limited rations they were packed up in such a way to deal with the humidity, which was a plus. You also manage to snag some weapons, though only what you can carry on you.
Gained:
2 x Soldier's Broadsword!
1 x Soldier's Claymore!
1 x Soldier's Shield!
14 x Soldier's Daggers!
3000 x Rupees!
Returning to Zelda you see she had successfully cleaned out the packs of all the mud and water that had accumulated in them. You also notice that her bow was pretty mangled, looks like she used it to block a sword swing. She'd set it and the quiver to the side.
"Here, picked these up for you," You say, handing her the knives.
She takes one of them, checking the balance, "Hmm, not as good as a Kunai but I can get some use out of these. Won't have to worry about them breaking, unlike the broadheads," She tells you, and immediately sets to work figuring out how she'll store them on her person.
"Speaking of broadheads I picked up every arrow that wasn't broken, I'll pack them away for you, " Mipha chimes in, and immediately heads over to where Zelda had set aside the quiver.
"Oh, here. Take my bow, yours is pretty much a gon-"
"GAH?!" A scream interrupts you, followed by the sound of an armful of arrows hitting the ground as Mipha jumps backwards, slipping on the stone.
"MIPHA! What happened, are you okay?!" Zelda shouts, immediately rushing to her friend's side.
"Owowow why didn't you tell me you had shock... arrows... YES! THIS IS PERFECT!" Mipha suddenly shouts, leaping to her feet and grabbing a very confused Zelda's hands.
"Wha-"
"I CAN HEAL THOSE SCARS!" She tells Zelda, her eyes wide and filled with hope.
"R-really Mipha?! That's wonderful, but how-?"
Mipha grips Zelda's hands tighter, practically buzzing with excitement, "There's a temple deep in the swamp. It should have enough holy power stored within its walls to allow me to heal those scars even in my weakened state. We've actually been eying it for awhile but haven't been able to enter it. But with Shock arrows it'll be a snap!"
"Why haven't you been able to enter it?" You ask, looking towards Zelda. A chance to heal her?
"Well," Mipha begins, refusing to meet either of your gazes, "It has been abandoned for such a long-"
"There's a giant monster in it."
"We're going to have to fight a giant monster."
"Yes."
Both you and Zelda close your eyes, taking a deep breath before you both reply, "Alright, what do you need me to do?"
"My brother has scouted it out more, we'll head to our campsite so he can explain. Besides, you two look exhausted." Mipha explains.
"I believe we were heading there to begin with, " Zelda says, producing her Sheikah Slate, "We asked a Korok to mark the Zora resistances campsite. We were hoping they had a healer, though I never expected it to be you Mipha."
Mipha stares at the slate, mouth open slightly, "Incredible! You should have mentioned you had this miraculous device earlier Zelda!"
"Oh there's so much more to it, I'll explain on the way there."
You and Zelda quickly pack up all your belongings and new weapons. You had a Claymore, broadsword, and shield while Zelda had your old bow, a broadsword and all the knives you had picked up which had taken her a fair bit of time to actually strap to herself. Then you all head out, Mipha leading the way through the swamp. While she lead you on a far more roundabout path than the two of you had taken before she knew the swamp better than any of you. Even with your extensive wilderness training not having to stop and check the path significantly cut down on your time.
The rain at least kept the biting insects off you, even if you could feel a chill creeping into your limbs. Zelda and Mipha however acted like they didn't even notice, talking excitedly about the Sheikah Slate and potential discoveries locked away by Zelda's ancestors. You couldn't help but listen in, the three of you quickly covering the distance to the camp without really even noticing. Ruins started to become more common place, stone and brick structures emerging from the swamp, so degraded by the weather any semblance of what buildings they belonged to lost to time, a thousand different styles built on top of each other as Lanayru claimed them one by one.
Lights just out of sight, not from any campfire, were quickly covered up as you approached, a flash of movement in the ruins causing your hand to leap to your broadsword on instinct. Mipha being completely at ease, however, caused your hand to drop to your side as a particularly jolly voice suddenly cried out "MIPHA!!"
An absolutely massive form leaped down from one of the ruins, managing an acrobatic somersault before it landed and rushed towards Mipha, easily picking up the girl, "Where have you been! It's been hours since you said you'd be back, why I was about to mount a search for you-!"
"Brother, we have guests," Mipha says, evidently rather used to this.
The incredibly tall Zora blinks, looking over at you and Zelda as he sets his sister down, "Oh forgive me, I didn't notice you."
The Zora male stands up straight, and both you and Zelda have to crane your necks just to look him in the eye. Like Mipha his scales were red, though his head seemed to have an almost hammer-ish shape to it compared to Mipha's. Still, their faces had enough similarities you could tell they were brother and sister. Also, like Mipha he was clad in armour that seemed fitted for someone who had eaten a fair few more meals than he was getting, but while it had given Mipha a very lean, predatory look you wouldn't have realized this Zora was in the same situation by his very optimistic demeanor. He had evidently seen a lot of combat though, the sword hanging at his waist looked very well used, and in the glow projected from Zelda's light orb you could see the tell-tale marks of battle scarring his armour.
He flashes you both a smile, perfectly white teeth sparkling in the darkness, "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Prince Sidon of the Zora! It is a pleasure to meet you both!"
Zelda steps forward to introduce herself, but the sound of something emerging from the water causes you both to freeze and turn. A female Zora emerged from the swamp, tall and muscular and wielding a deadly looking spear that was leveled at you both. Her scales were blue, yet you could make out even in the darkness that her head tail was bright red. However, whether it was a natural mutation or some sort of tattoo or paint you couldn't tell. Unlike Sidon and Mipha her armour looked thicker and was far more covering. Her face was completely obscured by her helmet which seemed molded into a fierce predatory design, the visor's shape making it seem like the head of some predatory fish, one that had a prominent metal dorsal fin.
"Stand down Captain, you and I both know Mipha would not be chatting so amicably with people who were holding her captive," Sidon tells the guard Captain, who hesitates for a moment then relaxes, resting her spear against her shoulder.
He then turns to his sister, a curious look on his face, "Though I'm surprised, I didn't think you'd make friends with Hylians so easily Mipha."
Mipha crosses her arms, a cocky grin on her face, "Come now brother, surely you remember Princess Zelda? Or at least see the resemblance to Lady Ordona in her son Link over there."
Sidon stares at Mipha, blinking. He then looks over at both of you, then to his Captain who was digging her spear into the ground to keep herself from falling over in shock, then back to his sister, then back to you then again to his sister. She nods, her grin growing wider by the second.
"This is..." Sidon begins, turning slowly to the both of you, "TRULY A MOST JOYOUS OCCASION!! Why Princess Zelda, forgive me please for not recognizing you!"
Zelda smiled, bemused at Sidon's antics, "It's good to see you too Prince Sidon, you haven't changed a bit."
"While you have considerably! Why you've grown into the spitting image of your mother! Though you... oh..." He trails off, finally noticing Zelda's disfigurement.
Zelda lowers her head, covering her mouth with her scarf, "Yes, that is why I'm here. Mipha tells me you have a temple that needs clearing out."
Sidon nods, his expression turning serious, "Yes, I understand. Please make yourself at home, we'll discuss it after you've had time to rest from your journey."
Sidon then looks over at you, flashing you another sparkling smile, "Ah and I haven't forgotten about you, Sir Link! You've more than lived up to your families legacy by escorting her royal highness here! Our camp is open to you as well! We'll find you both somewhere dry to start a fire and set up camp."
"Thank you, your highness."
And with that Prince Sidon leads you into the rebel camp, the lights (luminous stone lamps) coming back on as the other rebels realized there wasn't going to be a fight. You notice something about the camp that causes you to frown, and looking over at Zelda you saw she had noticed it as well.
"Prince Sidon, is this a scout camp? There's so few of you here..." Zelda asks, and Sidon looks over at her a bit confused.
"What do you mean? There's only ever been eight of us."
You and Zelda both glance at each other, surprised. "Eight? Why so few?" Zelda asks.
"A sad reality, so many of us are oppressed or have family to take care of. We don't dare ask other Zora to join our fight and put innocents at risk. And well... we're so deep into the swamp monsters are a constant concern, to the point we rarely even get a chance to venture into more civilized portions of Lanayru. It's quite strange, I don't remember ever being so many as there have been in recent years," Sidon explains, and you glance around to confirm his explanation, and you quickly realize something about the rebels Sidon hadn't mentioned.
They were all ancient.
Other than Sidon, Captain and Mipha the other five rebels were all very old Zora, the years carving deep wrinkles into their flesh. They watched you and Zelda with wary eyes, and there was a fire there but each most certainly was in no shape to fight anyone. If you had to guess they were probably all advisors to the royal family who loyally followed Mipha, the Captain and Sidon into the wilderness when the Empire attacked. No wonder they avoided striking against the Empire other than the occasional raid.
One particularly old Zora approached, he was green with a very flat head, "Your royal highnesses, what is the meaning of this? Why do you bring these Hylians into our camp?"
"Be calm Muzu, this is none other than Princess Zelda herself and her loyal knight, the son of Lady Ordona! We should be celebrating that we've reunited with them after so long!" Sidon tell this Muzu, who only narrows his eyes at the two of you.
"How do we know she's telling the truth! She could be an imposter!" He asserts, pointing an accusing finger at Zelda.
"You bought me a sweater eight sizes too big as a gift when I was nine years old. Made of thick dark blue wool. In the middle of summer. During a heat wave." Zelda remarks, her voice completely deadpan.
Muzu starts a bit, straightens up and then bows, "Yes hmmm, it is good to see you again your highness. I never doubted for a second you survived what happened. You always were far too willful to let assassins get the better of you."
"It's good to see you too, Advisor Muzu," Zelda replies, curtsying, "As well as the other familiar faces from the palace."
"Hmm, and I can see why you'd risk your life to come to this place. Your royal highness Prince Sidon, perhaps we should get a clearer picture on what gave the Princess such terrible wounds."
"I agree Muzu, and I am quite curious as to how she had escaped the vile clutches of the empire."
Zelda, Sidon and Muzu begin to talk about everything that had happened since the attack while Mipha takes you aside.
"I just realized you wouldn't know anyone here, unlike Zelda. That there is Trello, the former captain of the guard. He knows these lands and the monsters inhabiting it like the back of his hand. Over there is Kapson, former high priest and spiritual advisor to our mothers. Jiahto is the Royal Historian, there isn't anyone with a more complete knowledge of the Zora's history. You've already met Muzu and the Captain and finally there's Dento, the royal smith." She explains, pointing to each respective Zora who were mulling around the camp, "I uh, wouldn't recommend talking to Dento or the Captain, they're not really chatty with people they don't know well but I'll hand your mail shirt to Dento for him to patch it for you."
Is there anyone you want to talk to while you get camp set up?
[] Trello
[] Jiahto
[] Kapson
[] Mipha
[] Write-in to do something else
