#Hyrule field guide

[respheal]

Fallen Fae: Chapter Two

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62505943/chapters/162843409#workskin

Time hung back, his armor making him appear like a statue against the wall. Hyrule dipped into his shadow and slid to the ground, resting his head against the wall. “Are you okay?” Time asked. Hyrule hummed ambivalently. “Tired.” Their leader chuckled softly. “You did well. Thank you for requesting an invitation.” Hyrule looked up at Time. The older man’s face was nearly concealed by his armor from the downward angle, but Hyrule saw the moisture in Time’s eyes and the tightness in his expression. Time watched the others distantly, as if caught in a memory, his arms crossed tightly in front of his chest. “We have spawn to distribute,” Hyrule said gently. “Iris wants us to take some to another era. That’s as far as we could possibly go, I think.” Time nodded, a wistful smile crossing his lips. “Near and far. The custom hasn’t changed in all this time, has it.” Hyrule raised an eyebrow at Time. “A friend of mine told me about it.” Time shifted uneasily, his mouth opening and closing as he searched for words. “She was—is a child of the forest. I...I wasn’t allowed to be part of the custom directly, but she let me accompany her to the deep forest. She told me the others were taking spawn to all parts of the woods, near to home and as far as they dared go. Saria chose a place near the temple, near the fairy fountain.” Hyrule turned the packages over in his hands. They were starting to wilt along the creases and where spider silk punctured through. He tucked one into his pouch and held the other up to Time. “I think you should choose where to plant her.” Time’s arms unfolded slightly in his surprise. “Are you sure?” Instead of answering, Hyrule raised the package higher, holding it there until Time finally took it. “Thank you, Traveler.... This means a lot.”

[mirensiart]

Hey Miry what are some fun (or maybe angsty) headcanons you have for the boys, including Chain?

Hmmmm 🤔 ok let me think

Sky: I know most people headcanon Warriors as the field medic, but I feel Sky is also versed in first aids and is really good at it, he has excellent bedside manner. Like the knight academy probably taught him all about it, so the 3 medics of the gang are warriors, hyrule and him. I also believe he has an impeccable stitch technique, like barely leaves scars at all. Really dexterous with his hands too, thanks to his wood crafting and harp playing, he's really good with them hands lmao.

Four: he's a blacksmith sure, and knows a lot about making weapons and maintaining them, but I like to believe he's also really good and making stuff out of leather. Like he knows how to make leather belts and pouches for the weapons his grandpa makes or leather clothes as protection in battle. Idk just a very crafty little guy that offers the entire deal aka a weapon and the leather belts to carry it, all in one service hehe

Time: I like to believe he lost his eye in a very mundane non heroic way, like maybe he fell off a rowdy horse and landed in the worst way possible or a farm centric accident. He makes up different stories about how he lost it, every time someone asks, he changes it, some stories are batshit insane and some others are super normal. He actually has told the real way he lost the eye in between the fake stories, but no one believes him. He thinks it's hilarious btw.

Twilight: I've mentioned before that I headcanon him to be a very sensitive guy, like small things can make him tear up aka a baby animal absolutely makes him want to start sobbing lmao. I like to believe he gossips and talks a lot with his epona as wolfie, like when you're in wolf form in twilight princess you can talk to animals and epona is so sweet with him when you talk to her, they are soulmates man. The guys do something dumb and he turns into wolfie just to walk to epona like "can u believe those guys??" Epona knows everything tbh like he tells her everything, she's the only one who truly knows his woes over losing midna.

Wind: I love to believe the little guy can legit control the winds, like the wind waker is a way for him to channel his magic, but he can control the wind unconsciously, too. When he gets really mad, the winds pick up speeds around him, or if he's happy, a gentle breeze circles around him, etc. His hair is always blowing in the breeze even when he's inside doors, and there's no wind. It just does that.

Legend: Excellent gardener, has a talent for growing plants, flowers, and trees. They flourish under his care. Extremely particular about soil and water and shadow/light for his plants, he not only has an apple orchard, but also grows veggies and rare flowers. Ravio maintains his garden under extreme rules and guidelines lmao ravio is not allowed to sell the apples or veggies from legend's garden, but legend encourages rav to use them for cooking instead.

Hyrule: disney princess aka animals love him lmao typical guy who befriends every single creature he meets, he could pacify a bear if he wants to. His fae part is what makes him have such an affinity with nature in general, I see him as the elves from LOTR who can feel and communicate with trees and they guide him. It's why he never uses maps, he doesn't need them.

Wild: using LOTR as my base for headcanons again lol but I see him like aragorn in the sense that aragorn is a human who was raised by elves so he feels a strong connection to elf culture because of it. I picture wild to be the same, but with the zoras, since he was childhood friends with mipha, we can imply he spent A LOT of time in zora's domain as a child. He is way more versed in zora customs, language, holidays, etc, than the hylian ones. It's also why I feel the older zora are so pissed off with him in botw, like they saw him as one of their own for so long, utter betrayal that he didn't protect their princess (mipha) and failed them all lol he has some zora mannerism in the sense that sometimes, he eats fish raw LMAO when he absentmindedly ate one in front of everyone the first time everyone was shocked for a while lmao

Warriors: absolute nervous wreck, always riddled with anxiety, really low self-esteem, is probably screaming 24/7 inside his head at all times, but is EXCEPTIONAL at faking it, like fake it til you make it is his way of life lmao he exudes over confidence and is always worried about his looks as a way to hide how much of a mess he truly is. Time & Wind has seen him at his worst and know that he's a great actor, which helps him cause he can stop pretending around them for a while

And now my link lmao

Chain: All bark, no bite. He is ironic and sarcastic and shows himself as a tough guy, but he's actually a sweetheart, and things get to him pretty easily. He learned pretty early on than carrying his heart on his sleeve is a really bad idea around the Bounty Hunter guild, since soft nice guys don't last long, so he replies to hurtful comments with sarcasm and a tough attitude, when in reality he's really hurt lmao he also jokes to cope, he'd rather throw a joke or two at you than really open up and talk about his feelings.

[trippygalaxy]

My Opinion on the LU Boys DND Classes

as a DM of 3 years and a enjoyer of dnd for MUCH LONGER, i have so sososos many thoughts on what classes the boys would be. This will also include subclasses CAUSE ITS MY POST AND IMMA DO WHAT I WANT! /LH SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG!!!!

Time -> Fighter, Eldritch Knight

Twilight -> Barbarian, Path of the Ancestral Guardian

Warriors -> Fighter, Battle Master

Sky -> Paladin, Oath of Devotion

Wild -> Ranger, Gloomstalker

Legend -> Wizard, Bladesinging

Hyrule -> Warlock, The Celestial

Four -> Fighter, Echo Knight

Wind -> Rogue, Swashbuckler

Taglist cause I know somepeople were interested! @catreginae @next-hero-in-line @unexpectedstormy @nancyheart11 @majorproblems77 @ladye-zelda @ajscico @mishwanders @violetregrets1837 @1dragon-mustard1

Under the cut will be explanations as to why i picked these classes! (as well as the official descriptions of the subclasses for context)

Time, The Eldritch Knight

Subclass Description; They focus their study on two of the eight schools of magic: abjuration and evocation. Abjuration spells grant an Eldritch Knight additional protection in battle, and evocation spells deal damage to many foes at once, extending the fighter's reach in combat. These knights learn a comparatively small number of spells, committing them to memory instead of keeping them in a spellbook.

--

Fighter is a go to for all the boys, but I think Time is a perfect fit for the class as he is shown time and time again to be a frontline fighter. He's quick to draw his sword and quicker to swing it.

Though Time is not a heavy magic user in the LU comics, he is known to have quite a few spells/magical abilities in his games and comics! Many of these abilities are defensive or to deal with large 'groups' of enemies at once, which is what Abjuration and Evocation spells are used for -respectively. The Class is still heavily rooted in melee rather than magic -like Time- but the magic they do use is to add a extra kick to their punch.

There are also abilities that make the Eldritch knight much harder (if not impossible) to disarm!

In higher levels, the subclasses allows the user to be more effective and quick with their spell casting who their actions are free for melee attacks, which would be a perfect fit for the quick and preciseness Time uses in battle.

Twilight, The Barbarian of Ancestral Guardians

Subclass description; Some barbarians hail from cultures that revere their ancestors. These tribes teach that the warriors of the past linger in the world as mighty spirits, who can guide and protect the living. When a barbarian who follows this path rages, the barbarian contacts the spirit world and calls on these guardian spirits for aid.

--

Barbarian is a common pick for Twilight as it is the most strength based class and while I agree with it always never quite sat right with me due to the violence the class is stereotyped to lean towards.

The subclass itself was picked because I connected it with not only the Hero's Shade but also the light spirits that Twilight encounters on his journey. Its very much a spirit heavy class that deals with a lot of themes regarding 'guardian' like figures which fit perfectly for the 'guardian' spirits Twilight runs into -and is trained by- during his adventure. I also choose this one because of how defensive it is, especially when it comes to protecting others!

Twilight is a protector, in the LU comics, in his games, in his manga, he is shown time and time again to protect others so to have a subclass to reflect his protective nature is a perfect match for his character!

Warriors, the Battle Master

Subclass Description; Those who emulate the archetypal Battle Master employ martial techniques passed down through generations. To a Battle Master, combat is an academic field, sometimes including subjects beyond battle such as weaponsmithing and calligraphy. Not every fighter absorbs the lessons of history, theory, and artistry that are reflected in the Battle Master archetype, but those who do are well-rounded fighters of great skill and knowledge.

--

Another fighter! Like I said for Time, this class is very much a 'go-to' class for any and all of the LU boys! But warriors fits so well for this class, a undeterred and seemingly never ending energy in a fight, Fighter fits perfectly!

I think that we all can agree that Warriors is one of the top 3 swordsmen in the group, his way with his sword is unlike the others as he holds an elegance and swiftness that can be rivalled by very few. The Battle Master subclass is built upon the idea of 'Yeah, you can try to hit me but get ready for your shit to get rocked.' It is about countering, using the enemies weaknesses to your gain and getting your hits in whenever you can.

A Captain in a war would be a battle master without a doubt!

Sky, Paladin of Devotion

Subclass description; --They hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, and some, for better or worse, hold the rest of the world to the same standards. Many who swear this oath are devoted to gods of law and good and use their gods' tenets as the measure of their devotion. They hold angels – the perfect servants of good – as their ideals, and incorporate images of angelic wings into their helmets or coats of arms.

--

Is...Is this a surprise to anyone? A little cliche yes, but how can you blame me when it suits him so well!

First, Divine smite? PERFECT for the Skyward Strike, without a doubt and I don't think theres anything that could fit it so well! A mighty strike blessed with divine power and -depending on what spell/ability- can shed a great amount of light and cause lightning/thunder to burst from the strike! There is also abilities with the subclass that makes your weapon a beacon of light for a short period of time

Sky is devoted to many things. But its obvious hes devoted to his Zelda -the reincarnation of Hyila, a goddess- so much so that before he knew of her divine spirit he was willing to head into a world unknown just to look for her. He is so devoted to her and Skyloft that he fought a GOD to keep everyone he loved safe and sound.

Wild, The Gloom Stalker

Subclass description; Gloom stalkers are at home in the darkest places: deep under the earth, in gloomy alleyways, in primeval forests, and wherever else the light dims. Most folk enter such places with trepidation, but a gloom stalker ventures boldly into the darkness, seeking to ambush threats before they can reach the broader world.--

--

Since TOTK I feel like this would be fitting for the hero to be proficient in fighting in the darken places of the world. The name of the subclass is also suits him considering a huge part of the game -The Gloom- is apart of this class in a way.

Ranger is a great class for Wild, it is the definition of a hunter, an explorer, one that finds there own path in the wildness. Wild, though seen to get lost in the comics, has a great understanding of his Hyrule and its geographic locations and terrain, both surface and depths. He is also a great archer, and a even better hunter!

The hero is a survivor of the wilds, and Rangers are the best suited to do such a thing

Legend, The BladeSinger

Subclass Description: Bladesingers master a tradition of wizardry that incorporates swordplay and dance. In combat, a bladesinger uses a series of intricate, elegant maneuvers that fend off harm and allow the bladesinger to channel magic into devastating attacks and a cunning defense.

----

Legend is one of the more magically inclined Heros, and though thats mostly through his artifacts and magic items that doesn’t take away the fact that the hero has a broad knowledge when it came to magic.

I picked bladesinging specifically because while it’s main focus is magic it still uses the sword and it’s connection to ones-self. Legend is still a fighter at heart so i don’t think he would toss away those skills in this situation. He is shown in a few panels to have some sort of connection/bond to the mastersword and likely his own weapon, so it was important for me to somehow intertwine his two biggest skills together.

And a bit selfishly, i think he would look very very cool dancing around with his sword-

Hyrule, The Holy Warlock

Subclass description: Your patron is a powerful being of the Upper Planes. You have bound yourself to an ancient empyrean, solar, ki-rin, unicorn, or other entity that resides in the planes of everlasting bliss.

---

I know most people would make Hyrule either a wizard or nature based magic user but in all fairness, I dont think Hyrule is one to learn magic by the traditional means (reading/studying it). This isn’t to say the kid isn’t capable of doing so, but with the whole “hero of Hyila,” you’d think there would be a bit more a divine connection there.

Warlocks make deals, pacts, with some sort of higher being for their magic intentionally or not and Hyila ,a holy celestial, being fits perfectly to be his patron. The magic granted to a celestial warlock is based on a clerics abilities, healing, protecting from the undead and fiends, lighting a path etc. Warlocks also are also a little more focused on melee/combat and if picking the right pact boon, can have a special relationship/connect to their sword!

Four, The Echo Knight

Subclass description: Echo knights harness fading shades of unrealized timelines, pulling a shadowy duplicate of themself called an "echo" to fight by their side. The echoes are somewhat fragile, but the echo knight can summon another at any time.

--

Okayokayokay— HEAR ME OUT ON THIS ONE!!!

One of the echo knight’s main abilities is being able to make shadowy versions of themselves to fight alongside them in a battle. These shadows or ‘echoes’ are an extension of the person’s form/soul and are able to communicate and aid the original knight. They are able to project their consciousness into these shadows to get the information they have seen/witness and collects it all once they all fuse back together.

TELL ME THAT AINT PERFECT FOR FOUR!!!

Wind, The Swashbuckler

Subclass Description: You focus your training on the art of the blade, relying on speed, elegance, and charm in equal parts. While some warriors are brutes clad in heavy armor, your method of fighting looks almost like a performance. Duelists and pirates typically belong to this archetype. A Swashbuckler excels in single combat, and can fight with two weapons while safely darting away from an opponent.

--

….i feel like this is pretty straightforward as to why i picked this for Wind.

Wind, shown to be quite a sneaky Link in his games, is probably the most rogue like in the Chain. He’s a strong kid, but he specializes in quick strikes and keeping his opponents on their toes and unexpecting. He is also, very clearly, a pirate! So it isn’t surprising for the hero to have one of (if not the only) pirate theme-d subclass! The class is very agile, but the subclass specifically is focused on disarming, ‘backstabbing’ and overall being sneaky in plain sight!

And thought i do think this is a great fit for the hero, i could also see him as a Storm sorcerer, which was my second pick!

UHHHH! YEAH THATS IS! if you're reading this, thank you so much for listening to me ramble and if you have any ideas/thoughts of your own i would LOVE to hear them!!!

[bjekkergauken]

Sooo, I have a weak spot for old flora/fauna field guides (Can never resist buying them when I find them at thrift stores, lol) and I tried painting some flora & fauna of Hyrule in that style

[bynineb]

What pieces of media are your biggest creature design inspirations?

ooh how fun! let's see...

Pokemon Crystal (Ken Sugimori)

(src: Bulbapedia)

I had a Pokemon Crystal strategy guide with all 251 Pokemon in it that I studied religiously when it came to making monsters of my own. I love Ken Sugimori's illustrations so much - the dappled paint makes it so soft, gives everything the feeling of being struck by light dancing down from foliage above. The subtle implied detailing with line strokes and shadow allows the imagination to run wild. They, truly, feel like creatures to have adventures with. And of course, Pokemon is a juggernaut of an RPG, facilitating those childhood fantasies, and then there's a TV show showing them playing and shouting their name and fighting... No wonder so many people got hooked on it!

Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 (Akira Toriyama)

(src: Dragon's Den)

Since they're designed as enemies foremost, Dragon Quest's monsters can get a lot kookier & scarier than Pokemon can. And Toriyama gives his monster designs so much charm and personality! You feel like he always has fun coming up with them, and it makes every Dragon Quest game more delightful for having them be your foes (and sometimes friends). Also, all the English names are puns and portmanteaus and other fun word things!

After Armageddon Gaiden (artist unknown - dev is PandoraBox)

(src: Bogleech, who also wrote a wonderful article on these critters: https://bogleech.com/halloween/hall18-aagolem)

Uniquely grotesque beasts from a deeply obscure Japanese RPG named After Armageddon Gaiden, the second in a duology about player-controlled demons fighting alien invaders. Some of the designs get quite gory or disturbing, fair warning. But in a cool way!! The sheer strangeness of these designs are something to behold!... And they have the best names ever, like "Barabumblebo"...

YU-GI-OH early card art (Kazuki Takahashi)

(src: Yugioh fandom page)

Yu-Gi-Oh's early monster designs are something I think about a lot. I don't know what that says about me, but I do know they're unbelievably cool, a blend of genuinely scary Egyptian-flavored horror and wacky, tropey, cartoony fantasy. The fact that these ridiculous designs are frequently art for a card that's completely worthless in terms of winning duels, combined with their randomly specific descriptions about how unbelievably powerful they are, gives them a certain mystique. It's as if the creature you see depicted truly exists as a part of some greater fantasy world...

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

(src: me, many moons ago)

Seeing properly scary monsters inside a strange virtual world in Ocarina of Time was quite the experience for my young self. For example, I had nightmares about the Stalchildren who used to burst, endlessly, from the ground of the strangely empty Hyrule Field. But that also made it feel like such an adventure! The thrill added to the experience. And even many of the game's races are quite monsterlike; Gorons, Zora, Deku, and so forth. This had me imagine turning a "bad" creature into a friend, a concept I cherish to this day... hence Love-Love here.

Well that's that! Thanks for asking, this was fun to write : )

[blueskittlesart]

what do you think his thoughts were at that moment?

this is an insane question and i am going rabid trying to answer it. for context this is about my. link dead on the fucking floor compilation. i. e. "what do you think went through link's mind as he all but DIED in precalamity botw."

i've thought about this before because. well obviously i have. look at how many times i've drawn it. i think context matters more than anything when examining that moment, because it's essentially the culmination of link's entire life up to that point in the worst way possible. you have a kid who has been raised to either win or die. those are his only two options. he's known this for basically as long as he can remember. either he defeats the calamity like he's supposed to and lives the rest of his life as an untouchable gold standard of soldier, as proof that all that pressure and pain he suffered worked, or he dies and dooms everyone he has ever loved to suffer horribly for the rest of their likely very short lives. And i do think he thought about this extensively, because how could you NOT, and i think that he probably believed that death was the most likely outcome. He was raised by a soldier, around soldiers, to be a soldier. soldiers are practical. soldiers strategize for the most likely scenario. they're not pessimistic, but they know how to look at a situation objectively and make a judgement call. Looking at link's situation objectively, it would have been obvious that he couldn't win. he was one kid, a 16-year-old boy, with maybe some above-average swordsmanship skills, but too many variables were missing. he couldn't hear the sword's voice. zelda's power wouldn't manifest. Hylia, who should have been there guiding them through this prophecy that SHE had supposedly inflicted on them, was completely silent. the divine beasts may have given him some hope, initially, but it was clear below the optimistic facade that hyrule was toying with very dangerous forces they didn't truly understand. I think he very likely went into that confrontation with the calamity anticipating death.

what's most interesting to me about the scene of link's death isn't that he fell, but WHERE he fell. because he didn't die in the sanctum, at the scene of the calamity's birth, as one might have expected. he died in an empty field along the road to a fortress that might have been able to protect him. Link, the bearer of the triforce of courage, the boy raised to die a martyr at the hands of the calamity, who had all but accepted his fate before the monster even showed its face, chose to run for safety, what some might call the coward's approach, instead of dying where he stood at ganon's hand. and it seems almost out of character at first, when you think about the person he was when he first met zelda, the person who would do anything in his power to show no weakness, to take the pain and the stress without flinching or faltering. the boy who so completely embodied that idea of "courage." but i think that zelda was the piece that changed him. If it had just been him at that final confrontation, maybe he wouldn't have run. maybe he would have been content to take his final stand and accept the death he'd been promised. but zelda insisted on being there, too. "there must be something i can do to help." and while link was a soldier, more than willing to engage in self-sacrifice, he was also a knight, sworn to protect this girl, and so he couldn't in good conscience sacrifice HER, too. so he ran. he tried to live, at a moment when he should have expected to die. and i think that was infinitely more courageous of him. to go against everything you have ever known and expected is infinitely scarier than accepting the outcome you've always anticipated. Running for his life (and for zelda's) was running into the unknown. escaping death in that way was defying everything he'd built himself up to be, everything everyone expected of him. Who is link if not the hero who faced the calamity with courage? what would he have to be if he could not be what was expected of him? in that moment, he made the choice to step into the unprophesized timeline, into a world where his actions were no longer defined by some great all-seeing power. and that was the most courageous move he could have made in that moment. he must have been terrified.

so what was going through his mind as he made his last stand? Honestly, i think the only thing on his mind was zelda. I don't think he cared about himself, his physical condition, any of it. I think he made the choice to run because of zelda and so he made the choice to take his final stand where he did because of her, too. just before zelda's power manifests, we see him try to continue fighting even inches from death, so gravely injured that he's unsteady on his feet, using his sword to keep himself standing. i think he must have known that he was in no condition to fight anymore, but he expected death to come for him at one point or another. what mattered was that she might live as long as he kept going. that's why he ran in the first place. not for himself, but because zelda was there and zelda didn't deserve to die like this. Even once zelda's power manifests, link only gives up and allows himself to fall once a beat or two has past--once he's sure that there really is no more danger. that she'll be okay, that she can make it past the fort and into relative safety even if he lets go here. He collapses then, and only then, after running miles through fields and woods, already gravely wounded, because in that moment he sees that the danger has past. a soldier's work is only done when there is nothing left to fight. a knight's work is only done when his princess is truly safe.

maybe he was relieved that he'd managed to hold on as long as he had. that he'd been able to find her some form of safety, in one way or another. maybe he worried about what manner of things would come for her once he was gone. maybe he wondered why she wouldn't just leave him and run for the fort. i'm sure there was a flash of regret in the back of his mind, for the family and friends he'd leave behind, for the people he'd let down, for the calamity he wasn't able to defeat. but this was the outcome he'd expected, even if it had come in a slightly different form. Even if now there was a girl hovering above him begging him to open his eyes.

[sombersummerskies]

A Sage's Regret: Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Unconventional

Word Count: 6132

CW: None

Want all the chapters? -> Masterlist

~~~ <> ~~~

You’re unsure how much time passes while you’re held in Sidon’s arms. If you would allow yourself to be truly selfish, you would never have wanted this to end. But, you still had your responsibilities. Both of you did. Sidon had his people to return to. You still had to find your best friend.

So, slowly, you pull away from him. With the back of your hand, you wipe your face, the short fur of your right arm scratching against your skin. Attempting to compose yourself you clear your throat, weakly smiling at the prince. He reciprocates, smiling despite the lingering sadness in his eyes.

“We should get going, shouldn’t we?” you mutter, struggling to rise to your feet again. Your body felt sore, from the days of traveling and fighting- not to mention how little rest you were getting. You were barely fending off your exhaustion by this point.

The prince says your name, capturing your attention. “Look there,” he says, grasping your arm to gently guide you, “there’s something shining- there, above the fountain.”

Your eyes follow in the direction, and you're silently stunned when you see it. A floating stone in the shape of a teardrop. The same stone you had seen etched into the murals beneath Hyrule Castle, the same stone that had been present on Rauru’s arm when you’d found the mummy. Nearly identical to the one you had seen in the Temple of Time before receiving your Recall ability- before seeing the vision of Zelda. It glowed brightly, beckoning both you and Sidon to approach.

Side by side you walk up the steps, noticing the way that the prince gazes up at the object in awe. You nudge him gently, urging him to approach the stone. He glances at you for reassurance before nodding, taking a step forward. As he does so the teardrop shrinks in size, quickly floating through the air to hover in front of his face. The prince gasps, before he hesitantly lifts a hand to touch the surface of the stone.

There’s a sudden flash of light, so bright that you have to raise an arm to cover your eyes. Blindly you reach out, searching for Sidon. Once you find his arm you latch onto it, holding onto him as the environment around you shifts. As the light dims your eyes adjust, looking around to find a misty field similar to the interior structures of the Zonai shrines.

A voice speaks out, the one that you had heard calling out to you throughout the entirety of the wellspring. But now, it’s clear: a woman’s voice, loud and clear as it echoes through the air. “Sidon, my cherished kin.”

You both look forward, stunned to see another Zora standing before you. She has dark grey scales, her body adorned with golden jewelry and an elegant sash that sits along her torso. Her face, however, is obscured by a Zonai mask that resembles an elephant- reminding you of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. “That voice again,” Sidon murmurs, holding onto you as he stands up straight, “you’re the one we’ve been hearing this whole time?”

The voice who had been guiding you this entire time, the one who had been calling Sidon her ‘kin’- you could finally see her. The attire she wore seemed ancient to you, similar to what you had seen Rauru’s spirit wearing on the Great Sky Island. This could only lead you to assume that, like him, she was someone from the past.

As she speaks you struggle to pay attention, but with your fatigued mind and exhausted body, it was taking all of your energy just to keep yourself standing.

You hear the praise that she has for Sidon, listening as she compliments him on his ability to control water and his skill in fighting. She refers to him as the ‘pride of the Zora’, and you feel the way he tenses up as he listens to her. It’s only when she utters a familiar title, the ‘Demon King’, that you feel yourself instantly perk up.

“You bested the monster that sullied our domain, but it was a servant of a greater evil- the Demon King. His true purpose was to prevent you from obtaining the stone that you just found- my secret stone,” she explains, gesturing to the stone that rested atop her hand- a replica of the one that had appeared before yourself and the prince.

“That stone that you are wearing?” the prince clarifies, his eyes wide as he hangs on to every word she says.

“Yes. And it is important you know more about the stone and the Demon King. So listen closely to what I have to say. It concerns the Imprisoning War and the destiny of our people,” she replies, the urgency clear in her voice.

“Though we Zora live long lives, this all happened in a time ancient even to us. The kingdom of Hyrule was still in its infancy. A great evil, the Demon King, appeared. He invaded Hyrule and sought to cut the new kingdom’s time short. But Rauru- the first king of Hyrule- brought me and five other warriors together to oppose him. Rauru entrusted us with the means to fight the Demon King. Treasured artifacts called secret stones that amplify the power of those who carry them. As the Sage of Water, I bore a secret stone and fought alongside my fellow sages in battle. However, the Demon King’s power was overwhelming. Even my strongest defenses could not stop his ferocious attacks. In the end, our leader realized it would not be possible to defeat the Demon King outright. He chose to end the battle by sealing the Demon King away… sacrificing himself in the process.”

All of this new information sends your thoughts swirling, struggling to process. You try to think back to the sculpted murals beneath the castle, the one’s Zelda had described to you. So much of what this Zora ancestor aligned with what was depicted in the caverns down below.

When you had found the mummy, the hand that was holding him in place must have been Rauru’s. The stone that Zelda found must have been a secret stone- Rauru’s secret stone. If Rauru had imprisoned the Demon King then-

‘The mummy below the castle is the Demon King. And he’s woken up,’ you realize, recognition flashing across your face.

There’s another shift in the light as the environment changes around you once more. This secret stone- whatever it was, it had the power to not only let you communicate with Sidon’s ancestor but give you a glimpse into the past as well. You gaze around, realizing that you’re looking at a version of the water temple from many, many years ago.

The Zora woman continues to speak, “the rest of us survived, and it was not long after that climactic battle that someone came to see me. Her visit would make the destiny of the Zora crystal clear. It was another of the six sages- the Sage of Time.”

When you see this supposed ‘Sage of Time’, you gasp loudly. Your hands tighten their hold on Sidon’s arm, and the prince looks down at you with concern. Zelda- your Zelda, your best friend, your princess, is standing there in the past. She looks the exact same as she had when you lost her beneath the castle, save for the fact that she was dressed in ancient garments rather than her usual manner of dress.

Her voice rings out as she speaks to the Sage of Water, and it nearly brings you to tears.

“The magic restraining the Demon King will eventually be undone. When that happens, a noble swordswoman will oppose him. We must help. Lend her your power… she will need the Zora’s control over water.”

Sidon’s ancestor nods thoughtfully, the jewelry on her elephant mask shifting as she nods her head. Confidently she declares, “the course of the Zora’s future is clear. It would be our honor to aid in defeating the Demon King. I swear to you that, when the great evil returns, the Zora Sage of Water will awaken once more. The Zora people and their sage will fight alongside your swordswoman.”

The environment shifts again, and you quickly lose sight of the vision from the past. Your heart clenches painfully in your chest as Zelda disappears from view. The mist returns, swirling around you as the ancient Zora warrior bids her goodbye.

“That is everything there is to share of the Imprisoning War and of the destiny of the Zora… Zora’s Domain is once again safe, thanks to you. However, the Demon King continues to threaten all of Hyrule,” she concludes, “Sidon, my cherished kin. You must take up my secret stone and honor the vow I made to the Sage of Time. Fight alongside the swordswoman.”

A bright light blinds you once more, and you stumble backward. You nearly trip over your own feet, but luckily Sidon is able to catch you before you do. You realize that you’ve been returned to the Great Wellspring, with the secret stone still hovering silently in front of the prince.

“Are you alright?” he asks quietly, wary of the way you were swaying on your feet.

You nod, “I’m fine, I think. I just need to get some rest soon.”

Though he doesn't seem entirely convinced, he relents. “If you say so, dearest,” he murmurs, gently placing his hand on your shoulder, “then as soon as we’re able, I will ensure that you can get the best sleep possible.”

“Only if you do too,” you retort pointedly, “you haven’t been sleeping either.”

He laughs softly, “you’re quite right about that. Very well then. I promise that I will get rest as well, little one.”

Then, he returns his attention back to the stone that floats in the air before him. You can’t quite read his expression, it’s a combination of something stern and something solemn. He seems to take a deep breath before speaking once more.

“It’s my destiny to fight by your side,” he says, voice unwavering as he does so.

He’s quiet as he bows his head, deep in thought as he contemplates the task before him. His silver adornments clink softly as he tilts his head to glance at you, the faintest of smiles playing on his lips as he does so. “I came here so that I could save Zora’s Domain… but it looks like all of Hyrule will need my help! I’ll do all I can, just as my ancestor did. I will accept this secret stone!”

His declaration causes a reaction to occur within the stone. Its hue changes, shifting to a bright blue color rather than a simple white. Some manner of sigil is carved into its surface- something ancient and unreadable to you, likely writing left over from the days when the Zonai still roamed Hyrule. The prince lifts his hand, offering to the stone, and it immediately responds by shooting forward and attaching itself to the fabric of his glove. You watch with awe as it does so, marveling at the new aura which seems to surround Sidon.

He was stronger, you could immediately detect it. These secret stones, whatever they were, the effect was immediate. Pure power seemed to ebb from him, blue light emanating from the stone which now sat comfortable atop his hand.

“I am the Sage of Water,” he says confidently, turning to face you with a beaming grin. He flexes his arm before jutting his hand upward to reveal the ability granted unto him by the secret stone, “behold- this is my new power!”

You weren’t sure what you expected to witness. His water manipulation being magnified, or perhaps an enhancement to his spear that could be granted by the stone. Instead, you watch with wide eyes as an avatar, a copy, of the prince reveals itself. It matches Sidon in practically every way physically, aside from the fact that it was made up of a shimmering blue light rather than his true colors.

This copy of Sidon leaps into the air with a flourish, performing one of the prince’s signature flips before landing on the ground in front of you. When it stands at full height it- he- it is forced to tilt its head down to peer at you, considering it retains Sidon’s stature. You stare in awe as you meet its gaze, and instead of finding the prince’s warm golden eyes you’re met with a pair of glowing white ones.

“... oh… sweet Hylia,” you quietly swear, looking up at the avatar.

Sidon- your Sidon, not the copy, bends a knee to kneel before you. He gives you a reassuring smile as he reaches both his hands out to you. He speaks with clarity as he makes a request of you, “here, _____, your hand.”

There’s no hesitation as you reach out with your right arm, allowing him to take your hand into his grasp. He holds it firmly, giving you a handshake before making another declaration.

“I, Sidon, the Sage of Water… swear that I will fight by your side. Please accept this… it is proof of my vow.”

You could practically blush at his words. This meant more than just a simple vow between warriors, you were well aware of that. This was Sidon swearing his life to you, to fight side-by-side with you. Honoring this vow meant dedicating himself entirely to you, body and soul.

It was a vow that could not be made lightly.

The copy of the prince disappears in a blink of light, one that quickly returns to the secret stone on his hand. You watch as the blue light from the stone fills his body before it seems to trickle down through his arms, transferring to your own. The light concentrates in your right arm, before gathering and flowing to your hand- then to your palm- then to your ring finger.

There, a rune appears, sitting neatly on your finger as if it were itself a ring. The rune bears a symbol that matches the one which was carved onto Sidon’s secret stone. He had bestowed you with a new ability. The rune blinks, awaiting activation. When you touch the ring its light flashes once more, and in response the avatar of the prince appears at your side.

“With that ring, you will always have me- … my power with you,” he explains, stammering over his words. He stands up straight once more, looking at the copy of himself and seemingly regarding it. “And I will do all that I can to aid you.”

The irony of his rune, the symbol of the Sage of Water, sitting on your ring finger is not lost on you. If you weren’t so tired, perhaps you would have been more flustered about that fact. You touch the ring fondly, allowing the avatar to disappear into the air once more.

The pair of you walk away from the fountain. Now, with the sludge monster felled and the fountain cleaned, you were able to admire the wellspring in all of its glory. Your feet shuffle along the smooth stone floor as you trail alongside the prince, absentmindedly clutching your right arm. At the entrance to the Water Temple you both stop, and the prince glances down at you with a fond look.

He breathes in a deep sigh, taking in the fresh air. Content, he says, “alright. Let’s head back home, shall we?”

You gaze up at him, silently admiring the way the sunlight reflects off of his armor. Now that he had acquired a secret stone, there seemed to be a new air about him. He seemed more confident, more energized. Now, more than ever, he seemed to embody the true nature of being a Zora warrior and prince.

Then your mind flashes back to what his father had told you in the sanctum: “I must truly be getting on in years to have allowed a mere monster to catch me off guard. Perhaps… the time is nearing for me to pass the title of king on to Sidon.”

Prince Sidon would not be a prince for very much longer. If King Dorephan were to stay true to his own words, he would be stepping down all too soon. His son’s ascension to the throne was imminent- meaning that his marriage to Yona would be certified soon as well.

Sidon would be married, and there was nothing you could do to change that.

Emotion swells in your chest as your breath hitches, a sense of panic rising within you. The prince seems to notice your distress, concern flashing on his face as he turns away from the temple entrance to look at you. You try to speak but you can’t force out the words, struggling to make eye contact with him as you try to think of something, anything to explain your behavior.

He says your name softly, and the mere mention is enough to make you break.

“Sidon,” you mumble, your voice barely louder than a whisper. No one else was around to hear what you might say, and yet, the next words you wanted to utter felt forbidden. If you had more energy you might have even felt ashamed.

“Sidon… kiss me. Please.”

You scarcely have the chance to even register what you had said. Not even a moment to reconsider, to apologize, to walk back your statement. In a flash of movement the prince is kneeling before you- and then you feel his hands quickly holding either side of your face- and then-

He’s kissing you.

You can feel your legs tremble beneath you as soon as he does, and you nearly fumble as you grasp onto him- your lips locking with his own. Your hands hold onto his arm, eyes fluttering shut as you let him hold you closely. The kiss is desperate, nearly frantic, with both of you clinging to one another as if you would never be able to again.

And, that very well might have been the case.

Your hands find the silver neck piece of armor and you loop your fingers around the material, using it to try and ground yourself. You hadn’t even realized that you’d started to cry until you felt his thumbs swiping away the tears on your face. Through whimpering breaths you manage to whisper his name between kisses, the two of you only pulling apart when you needed air.

It takes everything in you not to sob as you speak, barely a hair’s width away from him as you do so. “I can’t,” you cry, voice wavering, “I can’t lose you again.”

He moves his hand, bringing his thumb beneath your chin and gently tilting your head up. His eyes are brimming with tears as well and he sucks in a shaky breath before replying. “I know. I know, and I-” he seems to choose his words carefully before continuing, “... I won’t let it happen again.”

“But the engagement-” you attempt to retort, but he swiftly cuts you off.

“My love, do you trust me?”

His words are stern and in spite of his emotion his eyes had steeled with focus. The question caught you off guard but slowly you nod in response. “Yes,” you answer, and despite everything that had occurred it was the honest truth, “with my life, I trust you.”

Visibly he seems to relax, smiling as he presses a kiss to your forehead. “Good. I’m glad. I know it’s taken… time,” he seems to hesitate as he says this, “and I’m sorry for that. But- but I have a plan. And if you’ll have me-”

“You’re all I want,” you say quietly, which pulls a chuckle out of him.

“And I you,” he reciprocates, “now, I know we’ve enjoyed our time here away from the palace. But, we do need to return, beloved.”

“... I know,” you whisper. You wanted to be selfish. But time was running thin.

He presses another kiss to your lips, and you can tell that he takes his time before pulling away one last time. “Let’s go home, dearest,” he murmurs, moving his hand down to lace his fingers with your own.

You do your best to give him a confident smile. But you knew that once you were back in Zora’s Domain, you were going to lose your access to him. Still, you nod, allowing him to guide you. “Let’s go,” you reply, preparing yourself to return to life as it was before.

…

“A great wellspring, a temple of ancient technology, and a monster that controlled the sludge? How alluring! I am so proud that you and Prince Sidon were able to dispel this evil from the land!”

You smile as you shovel another spoonful of rice and fish into your mouth. Nearly a full day had passed since you’d returned to Zora’s Domain. After a full night’s sleep, a thorough bath, and a few meals, you were finally feeling refreshed and energized. Across from you sat Lady Yona, who had been marveling as you regaled her with the details of your journey to the water temple.

“I’m just glad to be back,” you say with a small laugh, “and that the sludge is gone, of course.”

“Yes, and I’m overjoyed to see the land returned to its former glory,” she replies, “and the palace is pristine once more again, I’m unsure I’ve ever seen the flooring shine so brightly.”

You tilt your head to the side and grin, “you should have seen how reflective the floors were when Bazz forced his soldiers to do cleaning duties.”

Both you and Yona have a laugh over this. And you think to yourself that this is nice, it’s nice to have a friend to share stories with. If you could force yourself to forget that she was soon to be married to the love of your life, this would be nice.

You hide your momentary frown by dipping your head down and finishing your meal.

After a moment’s silence, you look up once more, pushing your plate away. “That little boy, Allegro,” you speak up, “how is he doing?”

Yona clasps her hands together as she says, “oh, very well! He has made a full recovery, as have the rest of our patients with the disappearance of the sludge. Our nurses even deemed him healthy enough to allow him to play with the other children.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” you smile, “I’ll have to make sure I see him before I leave… has there been any progress in finding his family?”

At this, her expression falls, and an immediate sense of dread fills you. “Well,” she starts out, hesitation in her tone, “the guards performing the search did indeed have findings, but they weren’t good. You had found Allegro in the waters of Toto Lake, a lake which has connecting waterfalls to the north. When the soldiers searched those rivers… they found the body of a Zora woman with markings on her tail identical to those of Allegro’s.”

Your stomach drops. “They found… a body?”

Lady Yona nods solemnly, “yes, it seemed that she too had succumbed to the sludge and that the current of the river had washed her away. By the time the guards had found her… it was too late.”

“Did anyone recognize her?” you ask, “any relatives? Any friends?”

She shakes her head, “no, it seems that she and Allegro were both new to Hyrule. Perhaps visitors from another Zora kingdom.”

“... so what’s happened to the woman?” you reply after a moment of quiet.

“She was given a burial at sea, as is tradition for us Zora,” Yona answers quietly, “it was always believed that since we came from the ocean, it is where we should return at the end of our days.”

Your teeth worry at your bottom lip as you think this through. With a dead mother and no other family to speak of, that only leads you to one conclusion. “I see. But the boy, he’s orphaned then. Is there any way to… has anyone offered to-” you huff as you try to collect your thoughts, “... who is going to take care of him?”

Yona fidgets with the golden cuffs on her arms as she ponders your question. “For now, he will likely remain under the care of the nursing staff until a more permanent solution can be found. Such as adoption, should we find a willing caretaker for him.”

Her eyes settle upon you, and you pale momentarily once you realize what she’s implying. She means you. That you could become Allegro’s caretaker.

You stammer as you try to find any excuse, “I- I couldn’t possibly. I have my- my duties, I travel far too often. I’m still searching for the princess- I- I’m unsure if I even have a place to call home right now. I wouldn’t even know the first thing about raising a- a- a Zora!”

And yet, in spite of your insistence, you do find yourself considering it. In a perfect world, maybe. With the princess found, with Hyrule safe, with the land at peace once more. Could you be a parent? Could you raise this little boy?

But this wasn’t that perfect world.

“You have far too much on your plate right now, trust me I understand,” she responds, offering you a warm smile, “but I do ask that you consider it. That young boy seems to absolutely adore you. He opens up when you’re around, he becomes far more talkative… it’s a joy to see. I know you have your duties, champion. But, just think about it, won’t you?”

You sigh, shutting your eyes before you answer. “... fine. I’ll think about it.”

After cleaning up Yona escorts you to the plaza of the palace, and there you find a peculiar sight. Prince Sidon is seated at the base of the statue having found himself surrounded by the children of the domain. The kids were all excitedly vying for his attention, and you quickly figured out why: they wanted to know more about the new, shiny stone on his hand.

The prince had a beaming smile on his face as he spoke, explaining to the little ones that the stone granted him strength and power. That his control of water was ‘stronger than ever’, and that it would empower him to be the best warrior he could be. You smile as you watch, only to feel something tug on your pant leg.

When you glance down you’re met with a pair of bright golden eyes and teal scales. “Allegro! Hello there,” you greet him with a smile.

The young boy grins, bearing his sharp teeth as he tries to speak. ‘Ha… huh… hi!”

“Good job, little man!” you congratulate him. He reaches his arms up, flexing his hands in a ‘grabby’ motion. You recognize it immediately, the universal symbol for wanting to be lifted. You reach down and wrap your arms around his torso, pulling him up into the air and balancing him on your hip. He’s clearly excited, the tip of his tail wagging as his hands grab onto your armor.

As you hold him up you walk closer to the prince to listen in on the conversation.

“It was a fierce battle,” he explains, using showmanship flair as he tells the children about your adventure, “this was a foe unlike any I had seen before- but the Hylian champion and I fought valiantly!”

The children ‘ooo’ed and ‘ahh’ed as he spoke, each eager to hear stories from a warrior. Just as Sidon begins to share the details of your fight with the sludge monster, he glances up and notices your presence. His eyes soften as they settle on you, a smile on his face as he quickly stands up.

“Champion,” he says, bowing his head respectfully.

“Prince Sidon,” you reply, gesturing to the boy in your arms, “you remember Allegro, right?”

“Of course I do!” he chuckles, gently patting the young Zora on the head. The little boy giggles, grabbing onto Sidon’s much larger hand. “Such a brave young one, he is. And I must say, I think you’ve chosen an excellent name for him.”

This makes you blush, “oh, who told you that I picked it?”

“A little birdie did,” he replies with a playful wink.

“Ah, it was Yona,” you nod, rolling your eyes at his antics.

Before your banter can continue, a voice from above the plaza calls out to you. “Prince Sidon and Champion _____! Your presence is requested by the king.” When you look up you see that it’s Muzu looking down at you from the balcony above.

You nod, shouting back, “be right there!”

Your attention is turned back to the little boy in your arms. “Alright, buddy, I’ve got to get going,” you say, moving to set him back down on the ground. His immediate response is to pout, whining as soon as his feet are touching the floor again. You give him a sympathetic smile, “I’ll be back later, I promise. Why don’t you go and play with your friends?”

He gives you a small wave before looking back at the other children. They welcome him into the group with open arms again, already discussing their new ideas for games. Clearly the older kids have been inspired by the prince’s stories, as they debate who should be the ‘sludge creature’ and who should be the ‘knights’.

Quickly you ascend up the stairs and make your way to the throne room, following behind the prince’s footsteps. Once you enter the room you see that Muzu and several members of the Zora council are standing on one side of the throne. Prince Sidon moves to stand on the other, with Lady Yona at his side. You have a place on neither, so you stand before the king instead.

Dorephan seemed to have healed quickly once the sludge was gone, now taking his seat within the palace tall and proud once more. The king gives you a smile before he speaks, waving a hand to address the room. “Dearest champion. Thanks to your courage, the inhabitants of Zora’s Domain are safe once again. No words could express the depths of my gratitude. Thank you, hero. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

You feel bashful as you accept his praise, bowing your head in response. It’s easier than attempting to stumble over your words and try to find a way to match his gratitude.

Then, the king turns toward his son. “As for you, Sidon… though _____ certainly played a key role, your own efforts to save the domain were nothing short of magnificent. I have always believed in you, Sidon. Now, you have unequivocally proven your worthiness to bear the crown. That is why I shall joyously take this opportunity to pass the throne to you.”

Your heart skips a beat. This was it. It was happening. Your eyes widen as your head shoots up and you look toward the prince. He looked nothing short of astounded, having to stop himself from letting his jaw drop.

“Father,” Sidon gasps, shaking his head, “this is so sudden.”

“No, it only seems that way,” Dorephan responds, “in truth, it has been heavy on my mind for some time. Sidon, my son… it is time to ascend the throne as the new king. Take Yona’s hand, and as one, lead Zora’s Domain to a brighter tomorrow.”

You stumble backward, and your face heats up in embarrassment when you realize that you’ve drawn attention to yourself. Multiple of the council elders look at you with clear disdain on their faces, Yona has a look of sympathy, and when Sidon’s eyes meet your own you have to force yourself to look down at the stone floor.

“Me… the king?” you hear the prince ask. There’s a tense moment of silence before he says,“... thank you, father. I will not let you down! I swear it.”

You hear a round of applause and cheers from the council as you feel your eyes become hot with tears, sucking in a deep breath and shutting your eyes tight.

Dorephan chuckles loudly. “That is the spirit, my boy! Now! Accept your place upon the throne. Even the finest swordswoman in all of Hyrule may bear witness to this momentous occasion!”

‘No. No I can’t- I can’t-’ you start to panic inwardly, watching as everyone begins to move out of the throne room. You couldn’t bear to watch this. You knew it was going to happen, but this was so soon. You couldn’t watch him receive the crown, you couldn’t watch him take Yona’s hand in marriage.

The council begins to gather the citizens of the domain into the plaza. Your hand moves of its own accord, reaching for the Purah Pad on your belt. Your breath hitches as you unhook it and glance at the map. Your fingers hover above a travel point- you’re not even sure which one, you just needed to be anywhere that wasn’t here.

‘I’m sorry Sidon. But I need to go.’

You touch the screen. Light begins to surround you as you’re whisked away. No one sees you as you disappear into thin air.

…

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Of course you can, you’ve been preparing your entire life for this.”

Sidon’s hands practically shake as he holds the crown. What was once a symbol of his father’s title had now been passed onto him. He swallows nervously, acutely aware of the crowd of people that have gathered to watch his coronation.

In front of him stands Lady Yona, who offers him a look of compassion as she straightens out the sash across his chest. “You are more than ready to take on this task,” she reassures him, “your father thinks so, I think so, and so does the council. You have everyone’s support.”

“I thought I would have more time,” he sighs, “I thought… well, you know what I want to do. Do you think this will go well?”

Yona smiles, pressing her hand to her lips, “well, it’s certainly going to be unconventional. But these are trying times. Perhaps a bit of change is what could be best for your people.”

Sidon hesitates before he lifts the crown and places it atop his head. It matches the silver jewelry of his adornments, the collar around his neck and the cuffs of his arms. He spots his reflection, making sure to straighten out the new headpiece.

“How do I look?” he asks, glancing back to Yona for her opinion.

“Like a king,” she grins at him, “now let’s go, your people are waiting for you.”

Taking in one last deep breath, he nods and flashes a smile. As the two approach the balcony which looks over the plaza, he can hear the advisor Muzu attempting to control the crowd. “Silence, everyone!” calls out the elder, stepping aside to let them take center stage.

Sidon straightens out his back, giving a look of confidence as he stands before the people of the domain. His eyes skim over the crowd, searching for you. He thought you would be easy to find, and yet, he can’t seem to see you. He falters momentarily, before beginning his speech.

His voice rings out loud and clear as he speaks. “I hereby inherit this crown from my father, The Exalted Dorephan. From this moment on, I shall be king of the Zora!”

The crowd cheers for him, children and adults alike. Behind him the Zora council gives a respectful round of applause, clapping their hands together. Sidon looks over to Yona, who stands beside him. She gives him a nod as she silently mouths to him ‘keep going’. They had discussed this ahead of time, she was there to support him.

His eyes look back to the crowd. He hesitates. He knows what he must do, and he knows that this will change everything. He knows the council members will become upset with him, and he can only hope that his father will forgive him.

With his arm he gestures to Yona, encouraging her to step forward. He can hear the excited whispers and giggles. This is the moment many had been waiting for, the moment when a new queen would finally be announced.

“At… at this precious moment, I ask that you also open your hearts…” he pauses momentarily, heart pounding in his chest. There was no turning back now.

“I ask that you open your hearts to my most trusted advisor and new head of the Zora council, Lady Yona!”

~~~ <> ~~~

I published a fun lil Link/reader oneshot over on my AO3 if y'all wanna read that btw

Link for that fic

and here's a doodle of Allegro as a prize for reading everything :)

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[bokettochild]

Why I Can't Epic Legend

I finally understand.

I've complained before about struggling with writing Legend. I've spoken about how bringing out the stars inside him is difficult in comparison to Every Other Hero Ever, and now I understand why.

Warriors is a captain, the Hero of Warriors. Warriors is a man of battle, of fighting. He's a person who turns to the blade as his first move when trouble arises. His strength lies in his skill on the battlefield.

Time is a hero who's spent every moment fighting. Time has everything to lose, everything he's always wanted and finally has. Time strikes first before anything else can strike him, can take, can steal everything he's managed to claw back from Fate.

Wild stands alone. Wild does not fight with but only beside. Wild relies on himself and himself alone. He does not wait for others who will only fall to join at his side, he runs ahead and strikes hard and fast with no thought given for those around because in his world there is no one around.

Hyrule knows how to strike first and how to survive. Hyrule knows fighting and knows that when a battle begins, sitting back will do no good. He strives to be enough, to fight for a place among heroes he can only look up at, rather than see himself level with.

Wind strives to be seen as a man. He fights every moment to earn the respect of those who've faced less than what he has defeated. Wind stands in the shadow of the heroes who came before, in the shadow of the Hero of Time, and he is running, racing, striking out to escape that shadow and join his brothers in the light.

Time dogs Sky's heels. Whispers of failure driving him to not stand back, to strike, to fight, to stand foremost against an enemy that fears him above all else, that flees before his blade and his blade alone. Sky will not be too late again, he will not wait, he will not stand back. He will not let ruin fall again because he lingered.

Ghosts and failures not his own haunt Twilight. Just over his shoulder lies the reminders of a beloved mentor who fell too soon to do right by his bloodline, too soon to settle a soul long steeped in turmoil. Fear at a loss brought too soon, a loss he could prevent, a fate he can't stop but wishes to put off, sends him to battle, to watch the backs of a father and to stop a second death to the ones he calls brothers.

Four is so accustomed to a team of his own making, of his own mind and body and soul, that to work with others beyond himself is still new, still a struggle. Effort lies there, an attempt to offer aid, but new skills are not to be learned mid-battle just as weapons ought not be tested the first time against enemies in combat. He's still getting there, still fighting, but when all fails, his own strength is what he can trust in, his own blade what he can trust to see him through.

And that leaves Legend. Legend who has spent so long fighting, seen every flavour of battle and war, that he falls behind. He doesn't stand weak at their backs, letting stronger blades than his own take the brunt of the attack. He doesn't cower and hide in fear. Quite contrary, his strength far outweighs their own, his skill surpassing theirs. He has at his disposal knowledge and skill and strength that they will not achieve even in this venture. He does not lead with this strength though, not when so many feet charge to the front. He does not guide and call to aid as he has in past before armies and kingdoms.

The Hero of Legend, the Herald of Hyrule's Golden Era, the Star of Hyrule's Sky, is the shield to protect the backs of the eight swords that strike out against the evil that dances through time. His skill and strength and talents are poured into covering the weaknesses left open by those less experienced. Where they charge he holds back, covering, watching, eyes trailing not one but all of the field, attention turned not to the greatest threats as the others do but to the multiple smaller ones that will hamper the steps of those whose focus is not on them.

Legend does not step out and foremost, into the spotlight and taking the front lines because that is where everyone else already is. Legend holds back to watch their asses and, as such, cannot take the lead or the focus. He won't, he can't, not when no one else stands to fill the place that he does, the one that needs heart and hands attending to it at all times.

That doesn't make for good fic fodder though. It dances out here, but in a story this would fall to the sidelines; a comment or note about the veteran's whereabouts that will quickly be overtaken by the actions and movements of heroes who race to the forefront of the viewer, to the climax of the battle that Legend so intentionally stays back from.

To bring Legend to the spotlight, to the front lines and into a place where his true power and skill would be made most evident, one would have to somehow level all other heroes with a threat beyond their ken, beyond their skill. To do so would be to bring a threat worse than Ganon, worse than Demise upon them.

And who can fathom such a threat?

How can one level eight men and boys, all who have overcome the greatest threats of their kingdom, and somehow manage to leave only one standing? How can such a scene exist without somehow reducing Hylia's Heroes to pathetic children and amateurs? How can such a thing happen without painting a scene so unbelievable as to make the hero who overcomes it seem not a valiant protagonist, but rather a childish depiction of one?

And thus exists the reason why every hero will bear the spotlight but the one I most wish to direct it to :(

[crazylittlejester]

Saw the post about the Chain and their god domains and my greek mythos obsessed brain got scritched so here is the Chain as Greek gods/mythos:

Time: The old man gave me such a hard time. absolutely going insane over him. He’s Hades. being one of the big three (this fucker split the timeline (almost like how the underworld is split)). Ive never finished MM or OoT but i believe the lore is that all the masks are possessed to put it simply, thus the spirits granting link his power, making Time a maestro of the dead. Many interpretations of hades also depict him as cunning, a trickster, while also being stern, much like our resident little shit (affectionate). Hermes was a big contender here for that reason.

Sky: This was a toss up but im gonna have to say Zeus honestly, mister Godslayer himself. less of a connection between their personalities honestly and more just focusing on their similar dynamics, skills, and symbolism. Obviously we have our favorite lightning motif, plus the position of leadership they both share - in the sense that zeus is more or less the leader of the gods and sky being the ‘leader’ so to speak of the timeline. Plus the parallels between demise and kronos, and zeus/sky’s respective roles there. It was between the big man or persephone.

Twilight: Artemis!! Our very literal leader of the pack. Goddess of the hunt, patron of animals, domain over the moon (cough twilight cough). Though, Demeter and hestia were fighting me here, the fursona won over the country bumpkin sadge.

Warriors: You are Athena! badass in the arena! /ref. Honestly, i feel like i should be assigning them their ‘obvious’ gods and then give them one that attaches to them more symbolically. Yes, everyone’s favorite captain is THE captain goddess. Cunning, strategist, warhead, intelligent, and alot of people forget that Athena is both charismatic and incredibly physically beautiful, in most adaptations. she was in the lineup for paris and guided the trojan war. I forget who it was on here that is a big “wars = helen of troy” truther but theyre absolutely so correct.

Legend: Also a tricky toss up, but i ultimately landed on apollo. Apollo’s known for being a sort of jack of all trades god, between his dominion over the sun, medicine, music, archery, and more. With the vet’s all encompassing experience, with his multitude of instruments and proficiencies in different magical items it made sense. Me, personally, I loved the stories of apollos shape-shifting mortal ventures more than say zeus or any of the other gods. Also, depending on your characterization of the vet, their supposed personalities line up quite well, with apollo being charming and somewhat arrogant/snarky with others

Hyrule: This feels left-field but rulie gets to be Persephone! Adept with magic, goddess of fertility and the harvest and just general growth (of nature), with the double edge of being the queen of the underworld. Ugh im so obsessed with downfall duo rulie is so tragic. left with a desolate wasteland, yet (depending on characterization) ushering in and doing his damndest to nurture life and growth. I love the headcanons where rulie is a survivalist through and through, proficiencies in botany and herbology, respect for the land and its inhabitants. 

Wild: Demeter! Wild is of the land, they are one and the same. The way his world is absolutely teeming with life, and the way he is molded to adapt and live with the land to complete his adventure,,, ugh its too good. He is the most in tune with the wolves, the bees, the cows, the reeds, the flowers, the dragons, the spirits, they ARE him. he woke up with NOTHING, except a vast land full to bursting with life and lessons. 

Four: Hephaestus, obviously. dont get me wrong, I love four so much, but anything else felt blasphemous (The way i could write essays about it—). He is the god of blacksmithing, if i assigned him anything else i fear he may just manage to kill me. 

Wind: Notos! God of the east Wind, known for the bringing of summer, cyclones, and warmth. love that funky little whirlwind hes so fun and spunky. being a god of wind was so on the nose it was too good. I didnt ever consider poseidon, winds too squishy and fluid for that. this kid is bouncing around like a cat 5 hurricane he is the wind, he is free (to cause chaos).

Ugh i love yapping about the mythologies. i may do this again except with minor gods/demigods (i will get back to that legend-achilles parallel i swear). I hope this was amusing to you

OKAY OKAY GO OFF!!!!

(I’m a huge Wars = Helen of Troy truther, I ain’t the only one, but I’ve yapped about it a lot akdkkdk)

you absolutely ate this up on my god i agree i agree i agree i agree. LEGEND AND ACHILLES?? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP IF YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YAPPIN ABOUT THAT THE FLOOR IS YOURS AND THE ASK BOX IS OPEN ID LOVE TO HEAR IT

[offeryoucannotrefuse]

So, I'm replaying Tears of the Kingdom, and I am really hyper critical of stuff, I realize that more and more, but god the game is a mixed bag. A really, really good mixed bag

On the one hand, I don't know if I will pick up Breath of the Wild in the next decade because of how much better the gameplay and combat and collectables and ultra hand and god the new enemies are so good. Horrablins are fantastic, just make a Proboscis Monkey evil, and Gleeoks and Frox are great, and of course it just has literally double the content of Botw, and it's just so good and I got the Official companion book (the game guide, not the masterworks) and it's great and I got the MM and Oot amiibo so now my paraglider can be Lon Lon Milk god it's a good game.

But on the other, they ditched breath of the wild faster than they ditched the Virtual boy. Every single shrine and guardian (minus one) has disintegrated, including the shrine of awakening, so now it's just a joke that the yiga hang out in. So they deleted shiekah tech to make the same thing for zonai And while there are freedoms that come with the more magical Zonai tech, Sheikah tech actually has a backstory, and feels older. Calamity ganon was a known quantity to a degree, so the entire world made an effort to end that war before it began, so there was a tech boom, just like in real life. Then, just like after actual wars, there was an arms collection and the government destroyed them. The Zonai just existed, found zonite, made a civilization that never existed in the first game (excusable, but still throws you off),went basically extinct somehow (how the heck is Zelda related to Rauru, and also pick a new name), made a pathetic defense against a much smaller force than Calamity ganon, and lost.

The only people who have a connection to the era of myth (the tapestry battle) are mummified in the shrines in botw, and it's as if their souls are speaking before they go. There aren't robots that still exist and just tell you everything. And it felt like a valid reset with Botw, a unified timeline, where nothing from the previous games can affect creativity, but come on, the second time collecting memories of someone you don't know before they make a novel sacrifice so that you can rescue them does not have the same effect. Also secret stones are really pathetic compared to divine beasts and the champions inherent powers, although I like the modern day sages powers, but having a ghost follow you around feels unnecessary when the method from botw worked so well.

And Ganondorf...

For those who don't know, Ganondorf from Oot, TP, and WW (and all the ganons) is the same individual Gerudo, after different events and timeline splits. And the most interesting appearance of him was in Wind Waker, when he explained that some of the reason he attacked Hyrule was because the desert was just a horrible place to live, and why should there be green field when his people go without water. It's like 2 lines, but it shows more humanity in a villain than any other Zelda game has done, and when I heard they were hiring Matt Mercer to do Ganondorf, I thought they would give him more of that, something beyond generic ruthless villain, a reason this Ganondorf, a separate extremely rare male Gerudo whose a mage and has the powers of evil and a second form he gets using his yellow magic item, was worth using instead of just letting Ganondorf stay dead.

But the writers didn't, they gave more cunning to the giant purple cloud shaped like a boar than the man.

Really, I just didn't like what they chose to keep from the breath of the wild and what they chose to ditch. Dispute that, I think it's my second favorite game on switch now.

[ravanblack]

The air is tense after that. Everyone keeps looking around them. Everyone but Elera, she knows these fields well. The Castle City ruins is the next place she should watch. Even if it’s safe, Princess Zelda is still in the Castle and their relations ship was… strained, to say the least. They did not see eye to eye on things and Elera didn’t want anything to do with her anymore. Yet these people wanted to see her, so Elera would guide them like any other visitor. “I will walk you to the gate. Then I will go back. I expect my brick somewhere this week and I can’t miss them.” It wasn’t a complete lie but honestly. They would just drop the bricks off regardless if she was home or not. Half of Hyrule knew by now where she lived.

Time seems surprised by the rude undertone but he doesn’t say anything about it. The Castle Town seems to be in the same state as the Ranch. But their progress is further then the Ranch.

Elera walks them to the gate like she promised. But they get called to the side by a familiar voice.

“Oh, Elera, it’s been such a long time.” The soft tone hides the venom dripping off of her words.

Elera puts a smile on her face and kneels down, she hears the people behind her shuffle, maybe kneeling as well or simply bowing. “Your Highness, my apologies, I did not have the time to visit. As you may understand, I was busy building-”

Princess Zelda coughs a little. “Right. No need for excuses now.” She looks behind Elera and smiles kindly. “Oh no need to bow. I’m not officially the Princess.”

The group rises but Elera is still on her knee. She knows better than to believe Princess Zelda.

“Is there a reason as to why you gentlemen sought me?” She clasps her hands before her. It was almost believable that she wanted to help.

Sky takes the lead in explaining it seems. “Your Grase, we were send by Hylia on a mission. To find the Black Blooded Monsters and it seems we are now here to meet the Hero of this time.”

Princess Zelda hums to herself. “Well, I don’t know where any Black Blooded Monsters are. And I’m afraid I also don’t know where Link is.”

Elera scoffs and raises her head. “That’s no surprise. You never really paid attention when you watched over him, did you?”

The group all paid attention to her now, still kneeling.

“What ever might you mean, Elera?”

Elera barely resists sighing and rolling her eyes. “All monsters here have black blood. And he is somewhere where you won’t find him.”

The group seems shocked at this revelation and Princess Zelda is now visibly annoyed. “You know, Elera, you might need to go back to your… farm…”

Elera, sighs and gets up. Leaving with Dark, leaving the Heroes behind. She mounts Dark and once out of the town she spurs the horse on to start cantering. She needed to check on Wild. If these Heroes wanted to take him. They’d have to go through her.

She didn’t know when they started, but tears streak down Elera’s face. Why is everyone leaving her? First Wolfie, her companion, her brother, and now Wild would be taken from her. It wasn’t fair! Not at all. She wanted to live with Wolfie on her Ranch, show Wild the progress and maybe help him settle down in Hateno, put pictures on his walls and decorate his table with pretty flowers. Yet none of that would be a possibility and there was nothing she could do about that.

Suddenly a wolf jumps on the road and Elera stops Dark so abruptly he rears. Just to avoid the wolf in front of her.

“… Wolfie…”

Elera almost stumbles off of Dark and falls on her knees hugging the wolf tightly. “Where’d you go to?! You just disappeared and I couldn’t find you anymore. Even Wild couldn’t find you. Impa said you never returned to Kakariko and Purah said she never saw you in Hateno. You just… disappeared.” She sniffles and hiccups.

Yet Wolfie seems tense, like he didn’t expect her to hug him so abruptly. Eventually he rests his head on her back and embraces her in as much of a way as he can.

After a few minutes she releases him though. “Come on, we need to find Wild. There are some people who want to take him and I can’t lose any of you two again.” Elera takes a deep breath and gets up, taking Dark’s rains and looking on to the road.

But Wolfie gently takes the edge of her shirt between his teeth, gently tugging her back to the Castle Town.

“No, Wolfie, we need to go find Wild.” She pets his head and smiles softly. “He needs to be warned.” She pulls her shirt free and gets back on Dark. But just as she wants to leave the sound of footsteps approach.

They’re fast and the sound quickly gets louder. Elera looks over her shoulder and sees Legend approach super-fast. How did he get so fast?

Elera has no time to think about it. She turns Dark to Hylia River and with a whistle and a spur Dark almost jumps into action. “Come on Wolfie. We need to be there before they catch us.” Wolfie seems to hesitate before following.

They travel for a day and a half, staying at the stable for the night before continuing on the journey.

Elera arrives at the forest and dismounts Dark to guide him by his reins. Wolfie follows close behind. They navigate through the forest and when they arrive at Korok Forest Elera takes off Darks stuff to let him roam around.

“Wild, it’s me! You out here?” Elera looks around and when a head with messy blonde hair and emerald green eyes peeks over a tree root she can’t help but smile.

“Elera?”

Elera walks over to him and kneels down at the root. “Hello there Wildling.”

Before she knows it she’s tackled to the ground by Wild, who’s hugging her tightly. “I missed you!”

Elera hugs him back and takes a glance at the pedestal, where the master sword still stands. “Hey, Wild, did some guys get here to ask about the sword?”

Wild looks up in confusion. “No, you’re the first one here this moon.” Suddenly his eyes zero in on Wolfie. “Who’s the wolf?”

Now it's Elera’s time to be confused. “That’s Wolfie, you know that.”

Wild slowly gets up and stands between Elera and the wolf. “That is not Wolfie, he smells different.”

Wolfie tilts his head in confusion.

“Different how?” Elera voices his thoughts. He never met the two yet they know his name and apparently his smell.

“He smells… younger… somehow.” Before Wild or Elera can do something Wolfie turns around and goes back into the mist.

Elera wants to follow him but Wild stops her. “Let him…” Elera sighs and turns to walk further into Korok Forest. “Why did you come here in such a rush and ask about the sword anyways. You know I can’t handle it anymore.”

Elera hesitates for a moment before taking a breath. “Yesterday a group of eight people arrived at the Ranch. They wanted to talk to the Hero… I guided them to the Castle. Then I came here as fast as I could.” Elera turns to Wild and he can see she already made up her mind.

“They want to take the Hero on a new adventure. So if they want you, I will come with you.” Her mind is made up. They both know that.

Wild sighs his emerald green eyes casted downwards. “But I’m not the hero. I never was.”

Elera hums softly, walking to him and gently pulling him in a hug. “You are a hero. Maybe not the Hero of Courage, but you are a hero to everyone of Hyrule.”

Wild hugs her back, burying his face in her shoulder. “Your hugs are so comfortable. I missed them.”

The two get to preparing for a journey. They may not need it, but if they do have to go. They will be prepared. And just when they get back from Hateno Village is when they hear voices.

“She’s so old here, I never imagined that she could look like this. I don’t even hear her voice.”

Elera and Wild share a look and without having to say a word Wild puts on his hood and dashes to hide and find a good spot to ambush.

Meanwhile Elera walks over to the group. “How did you follow me?” The group startles and some hands go to the sword hilts but none are actually drawn.

“It’s you, Elera.” Hyrule steps between the others and walks over to her.

Elera smiles but it’s a bit strained this time. “Hey there Hyrule.” Her hands stay relaxed as she sighs. “How did you get through the mist?”

Time chuckles lowly. “The mist is nothing new to me.”

Elera balls her fists and before anyone can react a shadow dashes from the trees tackling Time to the ground.

While the others are distracted Elera grabs her bow and points the arrow at Warriors, who was the first to recover. “Drop it!”

He looks surprised and lowers his sword instead of dropping it. Good enough for now. “No one knows how to get though the mist except for me and Wild. How did you know?”

Time grunts, trying to get Wild off of him. Wild bares his teeth and the sword in his hand edging closer to Times neck.

“Wild, they’re not Yiga, calm down.” Elera then looks at Time. “Why do you want Link?” Elera spits the name, as if she hates it while Wild adjust his grip on his sword.

Sky clears his throat catching Wild’s and Elera’s attention. “We were send on a new journey by the Goddess Hylia. And the Master Sword told me we would meet the new Hero here.”

Elera and Wild lock eyes. “New Hero?”

Legend grumbles and steps forward. “Yeah, you know, Link. You said you know him.”

Elera and Wild still look at each other, as if communicating without words. It puts the group of travelers on edge. Eventually Elera sighs and lowers her bow while Wild slowly gets off of Time and even when he appears relaxed, his sword is still firmly in his hand.

With one last glance, Elera started her explanation plain and simple. “Wild is Link.”

[newtabfics]

Rauru x First Kiss

He watches the way you laugh and smile as you walk through the fields of Hyrule. Such beautiful flowers. Such a beautiful forest.

And it all paled when beside you.

He watched your cheeks flush as you looked down shyly. "Rauru, stop flattering me."

Rauru chuckled. "Ah. I said it out loud again, didn't I?"

You chuckled and nodded as he approached.

With a hum, he lifted you, practically sitting you like a child on his shoulder. Your squeak made his heart warm as he looked up at you.

"You are the light that shines within me," He said affectionately.

What he hadn't expected was reciprocation. It wasn't that he was anticipating a one-sided love, but up until then it was all playful flirting.

When your lips pressed against the corner of his mouth carefully, he fell harder and kissed you with fervor you happily responded in kind.

"And you, Rauru, are the light that guides me" You said gently, making his heart flutter as he immediately moved you from his shoulder to cradle and kiss you more affectionately.

You only mourned that he no longer set you on his shoulder, but that was for another day.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Tabby: I'm gonna say it, I didn't think with TOTK I'd be SIMPING for RAURU. SAGE OF LIGHT RAURU??? OLD MAN IN THE SACRED REALM RAURU??? NOPE HE.

[skyloftian-nutcase]

(inspired by Ganon's Requiem by ROZEN)

The castle cut into the sky, a testament to all that Hyrule had built, a reminder of all it had lost.

Link swallowed, feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand up. This was it. When he had left his village a year ago, when he had waved goodbye to his sister and brother-in-law, he'd only had an inkling of what his journey would entail. When he'd left his village a year ago, he'd been a fisherman, a kid who was going on an adventure with the hopes that he could help rebuild a world that had been destroyed, a child of the Calamity.

He'd grown so much since then. Seen so much since then. Met so many new people, watched the hurts and healings of so many. He'd honed his skill as a fighter, he'd made new family, and...

He'd always known this day would come, but it had always seemed so far away.

All of Hyrule had fallen to the Calamity. Villages and town had been razed to the ground, all the champions had been murdered. Hyrule's greatest warriors had been unable to prevail over the beast, the princess had sacrificed herself just to hold it at bay.

His grandparents had died in the Calamity. His parents had died due to the lack of resources that had come in its wake.

His friend had suffered so much because of it. His new family had lost everything because of it.

"The Champions are with you, Link," his spirit companion said, eyes determined. "We'll defeat him together. You have the sword that seals the darkness, the abilities of the best warriors in Hyrule."

Link nodded, closing his eyes and shutting out the view of the foreboding castle. This was it.

It was time.

Marching ahead, Link opened his eyes, drawing the Master Sword and feeling it hum in his hand, warmth and light surrounding and filling him.

I can do this.

"Where do you think you're going? This field and the city will be covered in guardians."

Link paused, turning back to see the knight who had taught him and guided him since he'd acquired the blade. Abel watched him with a stern demeanor, but the worry in his eyes was evident.

"It's time," Link said solemnly. "The Divine Beasts are free. All that's left is Ganon."

"What was your plan, just going in alone, walking all dramatic while we stand here and watch you with awe?" Lyra asked, crossing her arms and furrowing her brow.

"We're going with you," Abel immediately confirmed.

"But--"

"Don't even try it," Lyra cut in, walking up to him. "I want that beast's blood on my sword. I want to hear it scream."

"Besides," Abel added as he also approached. "I can guide you to him."

Link looked at them uncertainly. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"That's cute," Lyra quipped, walking beyond him. "I was going to say the same thing. Now let's go kick his ass."

Link turned to watch her go, anxiety eating away at him. He was already scared, he--

A hand settled on his shoulder, warm, heavy, and comforting. He looked back and saw Abel watching him.

"I wasn't there to protect my son," Abel said quietly. "I will not make that mistake again. You fight for all of Hyrule, Link. Let Hyrule fight with you."

Link watched him a moment, his eyes stinging, heart swelling with emotion, throat tightening in response. He couldn't adequately express how terrifying this was, nor how relieved he was at hearing Abel's words. He leapt forward, slamming into the knight's chest and wrapping his arms around him. Abel stood there for a moment, stunned, before gently returning the hug.

[triplecatattack]

This was based off of @cloudninetonine 's fanfiction called a players aid and honestly I loved it so much I started to write again so made a little fic about it in my down time if y'all got any comments or criticisms let me know.

≠============================≠

Across time

LU/oot link x child!reader

the guide is 11/12 during the events of the story

Tw: general angst,light body dysmorphia?, Poor editing, oot spoilers.

The hero of time had a child not physically but mentally in a way he dubbed them the guide normally the child be concerned a strange small voice talking talking to them like they had known him his entire life like he was there best friend and them in return and it was quite annoying.

Until he had to leave his home behind the first time he heard them go quiet was after he left the kokiri Forest for the first time saying farewell to saria and the place you've known as a home for all his life was not an easy task maybe even worse by the silence his guide presented after saying goodbye to one of his only friends he felt them he felt there warm tender embrace he could feel there kindness and empathy radiating within him.

"I'm sorry link I know this must be hard for you, to just leave everything and go on a journey like this but hey at least you're not alone you've got me and I'll make sure we get through this together, ok." The child-like voice spouted, sounding not much similar than his own.

"Thank you" he whispered

"What's your name?"

" I'm Y/N " they replied with childlike enthusiasm.

"Do you think we will really stay together through this" he spoke silently walking into Hyrule Field.

"Yeah well we got to, I know you have navi, but who else is going to watch your back." The guide exclaimed to the child hero.

And they did, even when link had went to the master sword sealed within it's pedistle anxiety radiating within him he pulled sealing his fate.

Saria was gone

Princess Ruto was gone

Dariunia was gone

Zelda was missing

All he had was navi and his guide

Y/N had proven to be a beacon of light in his dreary adventure' not to say Navi wasn't helpful but Navi never had any helpful puzzle solving skills and the guide had an odd but unique scence of humor.

Whenever the mood got dark and whenever link let his mind wander too much he could always count on his guide to make a off-color/strange, funny joke, awful pun or even just some reassuring affirmation to keep his Spirit's up.

But then it all changed as soon as the master sword was pulled out of its pedistle it all changed the young boy had the body of a young man, but not the mind to match. And everything, was changed not just the young hero but his land castle town was decrepit, a shell of its former self,Zora's domain a frozen pit, and gororn city all but abandoned.

Hyrule had gone to "heck in a handbag" as they said the one thing stayed the same, his only constant thus far his guide.

Y/n

But things never really got better after finding all the stages but y/n remaind through every hardship trial and quest no matter how bleak it got at least he had people to rely on navi and his self proclaimed "guide".

Until the inevitable end.

Zelda was taken by gannondorf, trapped in a crystal and taken to the remains of Hyrule castle.

This was the endgame he knew it and so did y/n.

"Don't worry link we'll rescue Zelda and save the day together ' we just gotta!" They exclaimed with the typical childlike nativity.

Link on the other hand was not so sure he couldn't escape the sinking feeling that something bad was going to happen regardless of how this was going to end.

"Ok then let's finish this and bring peace to Hyrule!" Link exclaimed.

The battle and escape was grueling, every attack from Gannon hurt tenfold however this was nothing with his guide and navi by his side the two people he could depend on most.

He could take on anything, right?

"Right, Y/n......"

"Y/n"

"Y/n"

" I'm sorry link The adventures over it's time for me to go" they sniffled.

Were they crying?

"Please I already lost navi I don't want to lose you too' don't go please." He sobbed did everything they went through together.

"I,m so sorry I don't want to go but the adventures over I wish I could stay longer but I cant"

"I'm sorry link, goodbye."

And then as if he felt his soul leave his body they left.

Just like that.

There warmth and tenderness he felt all throughout his very being was gone.

"Y/n"

"Y/n"

"Please come back."

≠===========================≠

This was already submitted to cloudninetonine's blog but I was kind of proud of it so, it's going on mine now(⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

[summertimemusician]

Linktober (Shadow) 2023

Spirit

Welp turns out my exam season throughly steam rolled through my general Linktober plans, so you get this VERY late thing for now folks who find this, at least until I decide whether to continue this until I finish it even though it's no longer Linktober or if I'll make whatever other stories come later their own thing after exam season is over (mostly because the original for this one is my preferred draft, and that I feel the one for the Link/Dark Link prompt would be kind of wasted if it just sat there collecting dust cause I worked hard on the tension and horror there lord darn it, along with a few others mainly involving Fae Hyrule, Twilight, Time, First, among other Links like Legend, Sky, Warriors, just all of the boys, I wanted to give them all proper spotlight and still want to do that in any way I can). Welp. *Downs coffee like a shot* Also really need to find out how to make a Masterlist on mobile, figure out how AO3 works and answer asks.

Anyway, not really any warnings this time besides Reader Not Being Okay (par the course really) and angst.

As always can be read as either romantic or platonic, Reader is gender neutral on purpose, technically is meant to be read as either Hero's Shade Time x Reader or First x Reader mainly, but you can interpret it as any Link really lol

Good reading!

This corner of Faron Woods was quiet this time of year.

The woods were solemn in this Hyrule, the sliver of moonlight barely enough of a guide through the mist, it was silent but for the soft padding of animals through the underbrush and the howl of a wolf in the distance (not Wolfie's, not musical enough). The stars were your only company as you were separated from the group, the air was cold agaisnt your skin as you attempted to find your way.

Being alone in the forests of Hyrule never spelled anything good for anyone, but as you felt the brush of a hand tenderly twined in yours, the ghost of leather and the faint clinking of steel, and a faint glow of pale gold and ivory cutting through the veil of the night, mindful of roots you may trip onto and never flickering too far out of sight you couldn't feel safer, even  if instead something like melancholy threatened to lock your throat with the chains of silence, you felt as warm as the soft twilight glow and as frigid as ice, frostburned with the bitter cold of your own warring emotions.

You can't help but chuckle a bit whille holding a old scabbard close to your heart, it's a wry sound, "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

There is no answer, of course there isn't, but you don't mind, you know he'll listen, thorns wrap around your heart and crawl up your throat, the smell of lilies and steel coats and sticks in your throat like honey, or maybe blood, "... I didn't think you'd show up, you know? I always considered the possibility but..." You trail off, you feel something brush your side, you can only see him in the corner of your eyes or with a passing glance, there but not, existing but gone, so you keep your eyes on the road and in the flicker of light, so you carefully don't look to your side, you don't think you could contain the shaking in your heart otherwise, to stare at inevitability and prophecy, "... I know, I know you're fine. At least for now, I apologize for all the trouble I gave you."

'It's alright. It could never be a hardship aiding you.', the voice echoes in your ears, and you swallow thickly, breath hitching, the warmth of the sun in the fields of Hyrule, the wind caressing your hair, the song of the animals in Faron Woods, someone holding you carefully, fondly. The warmth of your hand in his. Not really here, but not gone either, more feeling than true echo.

You chuckle, and try to pretend it's not a bit breathless, something like a wounded keen, "... You're too kind. Too, too kind, thank you."

Spirits in Hyrule never spell anything good, in this wild land of light and shadow in a gestalt of divinity. There are some exceptions though, even if it hurts to witness then. So you follow him through the dark, certain that as you've guided his way once, he'll lead you now to where you need to go.

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... The clearing he leads you to is open, but by no means truly quiet among the trees, there is no peace to be found for the armored skeleton here. You choke on sorrow, on unfinished business, on the cruelty of being brought to ruin and being denied peace, and you stumble towards the familiar figure, almost in a trance as your vision blurs, roots and thorny vines wrap over rusted armor and a thorn cape, the skeleton's void sockets piercing through your soul, illuminated by the solemn gaze of the wretched moon and it's uncaring maids of honor in the stars.

You fall to your knees near the decaying skeleton, biting back against the wounded sound that attempts to leave your throat with enough strenght to bleed, you lay the scabbard by his side with a bouquet of lilies and shiver at the gentle, phantom touch, so soft, so loving it almost leads you to ruin all over again.

'... It's foolish to grieve for someone who isn't gone yet.' the thought comes to you, yet you can't help it. You still hurt for him, you still hold onto the fury at the heavens themselves for denying them quietus. For denying them rest over and over and over again. To watch this cycle and be helpless to stop it all due to the will of uncaring gods.

Alive. Dead. Alive. Dead. Denied full rest over and over again, to watch the chance at rest to the kindest of souls found in this world you found yourself in.

You barely register the touch to your cheek, ephemeral as it is, as you can't help but shed tears, can't help but grieve. Because if you don't, who will?

You know by now that some wounds can never heal, some rifts can never be mended. Even with the guarantee of cyclic, eternal rebirth, some things never return to how they were. And reminding yourself of this inevitability to them will never not hurt, even if you know it's futile to blame anyone but the one god who started this, and maybe the goddess who stood complacent to it. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth that it'll one day come to this, that the frost of death and the sharpness of pain will leave a mark the sands of time can't scar over.

You reach a trembling hand towards the one in your cheek, try to find catharsis in the remains of decayed, dead yet ever eternal, ever growing love. And you breathe.

'We'll meet again. So do not mourn for me, please.'

You don't think you could deny him if you tried. Not when you know he's trying to soothe you, to thaw your sorrow. To allow your heart's healing to fallow.

"We will, I know. I'm sorry for making you worry." You chuckle, leaning into the cold, trying to brand the memory of the shadowed, but not gone love given to you so you can return it in kind. Just until you meet again, just until you can give all you can to his not yet decomposing self, grasping onto what remains of him, "I love you."

'I love you too. Until we meet again.'

The cold is gone, the echo of love leaves. And you breathe, and pretend you don't feel empty.

(When you see Link again, reuniting with the Chain on the next day's twilight. You hug him as tight as you can, and hope you he doesn't notice the tears in your eyes. And that you don't feel the lingering traces of a frigid embrace.

When no one is looking, you wave goodbye to the shade. And pray he dreams of warmer days until he finds quietus.)

[sanguinesorcery]

The coastal scrub was left behind, the smell of cool brine winds still permeating the edges of the shift further inland. Knowing that soon, even the smell of the ocean would fade left a small sense of melancholy in Fariah's chest.

Visiting other island nations at least kept her within her element, new sights and sounds but the same wind and water. Travelling inland on the continent nearby, for as little as she had done such travelling, always left a terrible hole in her heart as the ocean breeze faded from smell and taste. As it was displaced now, she was left with an empty sense of homesickness.

But not only was it necessary, it was a temporary affliction. She would return soon enough to the coasts, along with the caravan of the delegation following behind her. Their sounds of excitement and revelry lessened such feelings, as they were representative of the home they left for this visit, taking with them the color and vibrancy of their culture with them.

Fariah looked over her left shoulder at them, letting memory guide the Dragon stallion beneath her briefly enough to see the colorful banners flying, and a tick of an ear centering on their chatter and their songs. She let her gaze float over Markesh closer to her side as reassurance he wasn't far before settling back in the cavalry saddle and taking up the slack of the heavy reins of the grumbling warhorse beneath her.

">>It's been a while since a full delegation was out here.<<" Markesh asked, knowing instinctively that something had made his Empress anxious.

For all her strict posturing and impenetrable poker faces, he knew more than anyone how to read between the lines. And under the masks, as it were. It was how he was capable of doing his job efficiently, after all, though he was also the last person to let on that there might have been something human about his Imperial at all.

">>Not since my father's time, no.<<" she replied, a small flutter of movement off the side of the road catching her attention briefly with a perk of her ears to center on it. ">>And even then, recent issues in the area barred further visits from happening after that first, before I was even born.<<"

Birds flapped off into the distance, the movement catching the attention of the Imperial guardsmen acting as escort for the caravan. A few dissonant notes sounded as songs came to a brief halt among the delegation, eyes and ears turned to focus on the spot as well. Although they were citizens, Sidhe people were as much soldiers as any other. Rather, they were capable of defending themselves if they absolutely needed to. But it was both the Imperial's and the guardsmen's job to act first in any account. When no other motion or sound followed the disturbance, the music returned with the laughter and the rest of the caravan relaxed a little.

With the reports of recent upheaval in Hyrule, it was better to be cautious than to be caught off guard. Although their Empress rode point on her ferocious warhorse and wore light travel plate, it was still preemptive to assume that the countryside could still be hostile. People in desperation could become the most devious of opportunists, and stories of monstrous creatures roaming the Field meant that armor and weapons may not be enough to intimidate and avoid bloodshed altogether.

">>...Well then! I suppose this is something to add to the Imperial archives then.<<" Markesh finally broke the silence, offering a wink to the much taller woman. ">>The day Sidhe reached out and decided to re-establish trade with the mainland. Do you think we should reach out to more than Hyrule?<<"

Fariah made a noise in her throat, contemplative of the suggestion. ">>I was under the assumption that Hyrule was the center of it all. Do you mean to tell me there are other principalities here?<<"

">>I saw at least two. If they are territories, it is no problem. But...<<"

">>But it requires more research. Once we are there, perhaps they will be kind enough to let us study the region.<<" she replied, keeping weather eye on both sides of the road and the road itself. ">>If it needs to be done, we will try to reach out to other principalities nearby. Perhaps secure merchant networks with them, as well. It does not hurt to make sure permissions are in order.<<"

Her Regent wobbled his head a little in agreement. ">>I agree. In the meantime, however, we should be thinking about the when's and where's to stop and be ready for our entrance. We have a few days yet before we reach the capital, it might be good to go over any points of conflict.<<"

">>Try to script a deal.<<"

">>Exactly. And don't worry.<<" Markesh gave her his self-assured smirk, nonchalant with a hand to his chest. ">>I will keep you going in any means necessary.<<"

His flippant nature calmed any residual nervousness that might have stayed rooted. She sighed, shoulders sagging a little as more of a relax than a release of tension. If Markesh was relaxed and playful, so was she. It was how she allowed him to manipulate the mood of a room, and keep her from making any rash decisions. His confidence was an unshakable thing to behold and kept her grounded in even the harshest of political conditions.

">>Right. You do that for me, then.<<" she accepted, canting her head upward in a show of pride.

Pride of herself, pride of him. Pride of the delegation trailing behind them. Everything would be alright. It was all about going through the motions...

A Plotted Starter for @themultiversebundle