#sibling fights hollow knights and destiny rewrites

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Wow, you guys are still alive! I had 50 rupees on you all ending up as a single blob of undifferentiated flesh. Or whatever it is that Gorons and Koroks have.

I don’t know what flesh is, but sometimes I smell like✨apricots!✨

Why are they here again?

Oh, sometimes I find little magic seeds, and Hestu uses them for their maracas and enchants my bag so I can hold more charcoal.

Why don’t we just give him some pebbles...?

If I gave you some string and a stick, would you still be able to use your skills as a✨master archer,✨Mr. Bird?

I...It doesn’t work like that—

Exactly! So maybe think before you speak again you✨stupid bitch!✨

What the fu—

[luminecho]

Terrako/Harbinger Siv

A @hyrule-kingdom-updates theory

(HEAVY HKU & HWAOC SPOILERS!)

Siv is going to die in HKU.

Well, maybe not. Or maybe he will. Quill hasn’t exactly been clear with us. But there’s a bit of evidence stacked towards him dying (and in a very specific way, too— but we’ll get to that). Specifically this quote from the “Hearts and Minds and Livers” arc.

[Siv:] I... got this gut feeling...

[Launo:] Oh that’s compelling...

[Siv:] LISTEN. Now’s not the time to sass me, Birch! I feel like, well. I have a very strong suspicion that within the week I am going to die.

[Launo:] EXCUSE ME?!

[Siv:] And... it’s very hard to explain, but I’m quite certain that certain series of events are going to transpire that could maybe possibly harm myself, in the coming week.

This is a very specific piece of foreshadowing that I don’t see Quill putting in without reason. It feels less like a “gut feeling” and more like an omen. As of the current arc, it is still “this week.” Zelda’s birthday is still soon, and the Calamity is presumably going to strike VERY soon. If we trust Siv’s gut and assume that he truly IS going to die, then that begs the question: how will he die?

I’d like to take a moment to point out the very clear parallels between Siv and Terrako in the story so far. Because, if you think about it, Siv and Terrako have a lot more in common than meets the eye. In HKU, Siv has been repeatedly referred to as the calamity’s “vessel.” In Age of Calmity, Harbinger Ganon was the Calamity using Terrako as a vessel, possessing it and controlling its every move, using it to carry out his own deeds. In this timeline, Ganon has not latched onto Terrako, but Siv. The Calamity is using him as a vessel just like Terrako in AoC.

But it really makes you wonder if Siv’s similarities to Terrako don’t run deeper. If it’s even more intentional than it lets on. If perhaps, because of this, Siv will eventually share the same fate as Terrako.

Terrako (the good one)’s fate in Age of Calamity was to be possessed by Ganon, subsequently defeated by Link, before sacrificing himself for Zelda while on his last limbs. It’s, unfortunately, very easy to imagine Siv in this exact same scenario. We know Siv has quite a few people that he cares deeply about— no matter how much he denies it or spits insults at them, no matter how much they betray his trust, deep down, he still loves them. These people in particular being Larc & his family, Zavis, and Zelda.

In a hypothetical future, Siv might have snapped out of Ganon’s control long enough to realize that the people he loves are in serious danger... and he has the power to save them. He might decide to sacrifice himself to keep the people he cares about safe. The possibilities surrounding this scenario are endless, but the situation itself isn’t too hard to believe. The action wouldn’t at all be expected from him right now, not in his current state, but him making this choice as his final act could be a very plausible destination for his character development— for once choosing to put his loved ones above himself.

It’s not too hard to imagine. Especially when you consider the following evidence:

1. One of Quill’s OOC posts a long time ago in response to an ask was this:

Larc is sacrificing the greater good for his kids

Rhoam is sacrificing his kids for the greater good

Ligero is sacrificing his kids for himself

Siv is.......

...Hm.

I wonder what pattern, if any, will go from there.

Quill was obviously hinting at something, and even as far into the story as we are now, we still don’t know what Quill was talking about. But wouldn’t it be very fitting for the sentence to come after this to be “Siv is sacrificing himself for [the greater good or his kids]?”

2. Larc’s whole thing in “Sibling Fights, Hollow Knights, and Destiny Rewrites” was that he ended up intentionally hurting himself in order to prevent himself from hurting others. I could see this being used as either foreshadowing or a direct parallel to what Siv might do in the future. Again, it’s a very possible line of character development for Siv.

3. Two images tagged “???,” when brightened, showed to have a LOT of text in it, all of which have either appeared in actual HKU dialogue since the images were posted, or presumably will show up soon. This line in particular stood out to me, though:

Please! He didn’t do anything. My family didn’t do anything. It was all me.

Now, of course, we don’t know who’s speaking this. But, if we choose to assume that it’s Siv speaking, that would line up very well with the idea of him choosing to put his loved ones before himself, perhaps standing in someone’s path and preventing them from hurting his family...

Again, it’s entirely possible that this could be anyone else speaking. There’s a lot of other people it could be. But if it is Siv, then that would make a lot of sense with everything else I’ve mentioned.

4. This one is much more recent— a quote from Link’s Declaration during “Like the Eggs and Men Before Her”:

And if I’m wrong, well. Have my life then. But even then, I think we would rather die living as ourselves, and not vessels of someone else’s will.

There’s the word “vessel” popping up again... this line really feels like foreshadowing. Considering Siv is one of the few other characters associated with being a vessel... maybe he would rather die as himself than as a vessel of Ganon’s will, in the end.

So, there you have it. There’s a lot of evidence pointing towards the theory that Siv is going to sacrifice himself in the end in order to save the people he loves. He might get possessed entirely by Ganon, causing the others to have to fight him in order to free him just like Terrako in AOC— or maybe something else will happen. The possibilities are endless when you think about all the parallels, but, unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?), the possibility of Siv sacrificing himself seems pretty likely.

There might be more evidence that I’ve missed— feel free to mention it if you know of something! A lot of credit goes to everybody on the HKU Discord for bouncing around ideas for this theory! I’m not the only one with this theory, I just wrote everything I had in my own personal notes into an essay for fun.

[rangerlink]

Okay so in this arc so far we’ve gotten the sibling fight, we just got the hollow knight, WHAT the fuck is the destiny rewrite gonna be???

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

“That’s enough!” Zelda suddenly yelled. “You may think you’re smart, but we all clearly outnumber you three…” She glanced at Zavis, “Or...uh…”

“That’s right!” Urbosa chimed in, blade and shield crackling with electricity. “You don’t stand a chance, it’s seven of us against you.”

Astor smiled, pacing the upper walkway, and bobbing the astrolabe up and down. “Clearly you’ve never played Gomoku. Or at least, won at it.”

“OH! OH! I’ve played Gomoku! We were supposed to have game night before you party poopers showed up!”

“Yes, Kohga, I know.”

“I’ve never won, mind you.”

“Yes…”

“So I guess that kinda evens the playing field…”

“Kohga…”

“Prophecy man here’s too good at it.”

“Kohga.”

“See, if it was two against one though—” 

“Shut up!” Astor turned his head to yell at the Yiga. Revali took this opportunity to loose his arrows. The first piercing through the ropes on the left, and the second on the ropes on the right. The wooden walkway Astor and Zavis stood on started to fall. The boy yelped in surprise.

“W-Woaaah—!” 

Sooga started to sheathe his blade in order to catch him, but before Zavis could fall any further— 

“Oh for the love of—” The prophet waved a hand, and a mass of misty malice shot from his astrolabe, and caught Zavis by his ankles. Astor himself just hovered in place, kept afloat by the magical mass.

“That’s a new trick…” Revali mumbled. Link’s eyes just narrowed.

“See, the thing about Gomoku, is that it’s less about the number of pieces on the board…” Astor waved an arm, moving Zavis safely by his father, “and more about where they are. Pieces as individuals, not as hiveminds.” He lowered himself a bit, towards the center of the room, over the middle hallway. “If you place too many, all clustered together, you’re bound to lose. Quality over quantity, as they say. You don’t win on six, or seven. The magic number is five.” 

Mipha looked around the room for a moment. “There’s only four of you.”

Astor then started to laugh, really, truly laugh. The eeriness of it even made Zelda flinch, this definitely wasn’t the same man she had seen those years ago at the castle.

The prophet finally sighed. “Let’s get this reunion going, shall we?”

Link, having heard enough, charged for Astor.

He waved a hand. 

SHING!

Link's sword collided with a sickening sound. His momentum stopped as he crossed swords with his new assailant, who had emerged from the middle hall. He angrily locked eyes with the man behind the sword, fire in his being and rage in his gaze.

Then, his breath gave way to nothing, his eyes dilating in shock.

“Link…” Zelda whispered to herself in horror.

Crossing swords with the chosen hero, was a mass of malice, and entity practically dripping purple and black. It’s eyes were blank and white, and it’s expression was sullen and hollow.

But the fit of its royal armour, the strength behind the blade, and flowing locks of what should have been golden hair was unmistakable. Between the prophet of doom and the hero of legend, was Link Arcadius Hartell.

Astor laughed once again. “Let’s not go hurting family now! Who knows...perhaps he’s still in there somewhere...” 

In rage, Link slipped out of lock with the captain, and found a beam of energy from his Master Sword at the prophet, who dodged it easily. Yet in no time, the Hollow captain was at his son’s throat again.

The rest of the room rose to action, and the battle commenced.

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Daruk slammed into Revali just in time as malice erupted behind him. The wind knocked out of him, Revali could only crane his neck to see the trail of malice that had seemingly creeped up behind where he was standing just moments ago.

“REVALI? DO YOUR EARS WORK?!!?” Daruk yelled at him. “Not to brag, but I think I’m the loudest one here, and you STILL didn’t react to my calling!”

“I...I’m sorry...I…” He stroked his head with his wing. “I don’t know...what…”

“NOW LOOK OUT!” 

Daruk punched the air, setting out his protective shield as more malice shot at them. He looked back at Revali.

“So here’s the news! We hatched a plan why you were busy mumbling. There’s no way we can beat that malice guy…”

“That’s reassuring…”

“So don’t aim to hit the guy anymore! We’re beating up his little kickball.”

“The Sheikah core thing?!” Revali looked up, catching a glimpse of Impa facing off against Astor midair. “I tried that already. That thing’s impenetrable and regenerative. There's a better chance just aiming for his head.”

“Just gotta trust us Revali!” Daruk let down his shield and gave him a thumbs up. “There’s more things at play here with this plan than just beating him.”

The Rito’s gaze flickered between the battle and Daruk, an argument alright forming on the tip of his tongue. Finally, he gave in and sighed, giving Daruk a smirk and a nod. The Goron smiled wide.

“So can you stand?”

“Can I stand?” Revali, with newfound vigor, summoned the winds under him. “Ha. I think even without my wing...I can do better than that.”

For once in her life, Urbosa was playing defense. She shot out blasts of electricity before they had a chance to hit anyone, while keeping constant, quick bolts of lightning on the astrolabe itself. Impa, meanwhile, was attacking left and right, quite literally with her clones. Her “true” self continued to fire a laser every now and then, but kept “missing” Astor, only hitting his astrolabe instead. The prophet chuckled. 

“My, my...even without those imbeciles...I seem to be doing more than well enough against you all.” 

Mipha suddenly burst upwards from her self made fountain, aiming for Astor’s chest. The prophet maneuvered himself to the left, and the most she did was graze his Sheikah core.

“You’ll have to be quicker than that, my dear!” He raised an arm, and a large wave of malice rose from the floor, a tsunami of black, quickly rushing towards the now grounded Mipha. 

She spun her trident and slammed the hilt into the floor, summoning a tsunami of her own. The oceans of black tar and crystalline water slamming into each other with a rage of the gods themselves. 

Astor muttered something to himself about “waste,” before being interrupted by an giant crack of air. He whipped to his left to catch a very unbalanced Revali, levitating on his gale from the otherside of the room. 

Daruk scratched his head from below. “Woah...that’s a new trick…”

Revali laughed to himself. “I’ve been perfecting it over time. A shame my first true show has to be so sloppy…” Though he couldn’t flap his wings with the armour, he faced the prophet at just the right angle to align five bomb arrows. He drew the bow back.

“Die.”

The arrows loosed, and Astor just barely was able to raise his hand to summon a shield of bubbling malice, disintegrating some of the arrows, and absorbing the impact of the explosion.

“How rude. This isn’t even your home…”

“Well, KNOCK KNOCK!” Daruk slammed the ground, the earth jutting upwards into a ramp, with which he rolled upwards on, ready to slam Astor full force. 

The prophet lowered himself just in time as Daruk soared above him. He clicked his tongue. “Oh this is pathetic. Let’s see...is that everyone’s best, then? Some sparkes, some doubles...some water, air, and pebbles…”

“The correct answer is…’Who’s there?’”

Link leapt from the crates of bananas, the Master Sword driving towards Astor’s heart. The Astor turned and narrowed his eyes. “Hartell…”

Link didn’t land much a hit before he was sent flying back with a blast of malice. It connected with his shield, and he crumpled on the farthest end of the room.

The prophet finally lowered himself fully to the ground. “You all are fools...I’m trying to fix the world, and here you all are, defending hopeless and broken things.”

An Ancient Gear suddenly collided with Astor’s astrolabe, and the gear dropped to the ground with a clunk. He raised an eyebrow and stared at the girl who threw it.

Zelda shrugged her shoulders. “Sheikah tech on Sheikah tech?”

The seer simply smiled. “Always one for the last word...you haven’t changed a bit, Princess Zelda.” He turned his attention back towards Link, still on the floor at the far side of the room. “Though as much as you would make for a great Hollow...I think I’ll start by adding another family member to the collection!”

He raised his arm, summoning malice from under where Link lay.

...but nothing happened. 

He waited for one second, then two. Before making the motion again. And still nothing happened. 

“This blasted thing, I’m—” He looked at his feet where the Ancient Gear lay on the floor. It was covered on one side with pink and black malice. He quickly looked at his left palm, as was greeted by nothing but dripping black tar. The glow of the device was practically nonexistent, only a large wall of dark malice remained. 

“I think…” Link stumbled to his feet. “If you want to get me...you’ll have to come a bit closer.” He set his sword before him, shining in the light like noon.

“Unless you want your little toy to break…” Urbosa pointed her scimitar at his face. “I think you need to accept you’re out of malice...and out of options.”

Astor glared around the room, taking in the warriors who all had their weapons at the ready. Finally, he smiled. 

“You all did so well.”

He disappeared in a faint mist of purple.  

Urbosa shook her head, and all Zelda could do was collapse onto the ground with relief. “Oh gods...I was so worried....I really didn’t think the astrolabe would be so sensitive to a simple gear.”

“Ha well, I supposed it’s defense is as cowardly as it’s master,” Urbosa replied. 

Revali was just muttering to himself. “Damn...so much for commiting brutal violence...”

“Wait, didn’t Sooga mention reinforcements?!” Impa turned towards the hole in the wall. “Where did he even run off too...” 

“Aw man...and that Banana Sundae guy too!” Daruk looked at the hall where he had previously had the Yiga Chief hung by his pants. He scratched his head. “Oh right...I forgot the whole teleporting thing.”

“Let’s be on guard still!” Link headed towards the hole in the wall, sword drawn.” Those reinforcements could still be somewhere.”

“OH THEY’RE SOMEWHERE ALRIGHT!”

There was a screech outside of the room, and a dust cloud was pushed into the hideout, sending the party inside coughing. When the dust cleared, Link was able to squint and catch a glimpse of a horse...no...a...Sheikah Tech horse? Some weird...large device...with two wheels...and the head of a unicorn. And atop said strange horse was a teenage girl with a cookie, an axe on her back, and twin hair buns of a dirty blonde colors, nearly identical to Link’s.

Aryll took a bite of her cookie with a smirk. “How’s it going, big bro?”

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Urbosa parried another of Sooga’s swords, and attempted to electrocute him once again with the contact. Unfortunately, the most he did was grimace at the force, as it mostly dissipated by the time it came to his rubber grips. He mentally thanked the work of an old lover, somewhere in a castle greenhouse.

Daruk had trapped Kohga in a bear hug, and was attempting to disorient him by rolling around with his protection, the Yiga Master was trying his very best to stab the Goron's impenetrable hide. 

Zelda was holding her bag of Sheikah parts over her head, waiting to inflict blunt force trauma on anyone that came too close. Of course, it wasn’t entirely necessary as Impa’s clones surrounded her every side. Impa herself was dueling it out with Zavis, kodachi on broadsword; gold on dark purple. 

“I bet you were just jealous!” Impa sneered, easily parrying another of Zavis’ attacks. “You think that being a Yiga Clan member is gonna give you all the attention, all the praise. Well I won’t let you get the satisfaction! When I’m done, you’ll be lucky to walk again, much less tarish all our family’s hardwork!” She lunged, aiming for the exposed shoulder, but the boy quickly ducked, and attempted to sweep the legs. She jumped back, and he groaned.

“Of course I was jealous! My mom spent more time training you with all your fancy skills than she ever did making me a meal!” He quickly flung a dagger, aiming to disarm. Impa just barely dodged, feeling only the brush of wind as the dagger flew by her.

In the center room, Link and Mipha were doing their best facing off against Arcadius, as Revali attempted to attack the floating Astor from the ground.

“Why don’t you fly up here, Master Revali? I’m sure that armour has been weighing you down all day…” The prophet chuckled to himself.

Revali only grimaced. He prepared another set of bomb arrows, igniting them with the piece of flint that sat on his bow’s rest, and loosed. 

Astor sighed, waving a hand, as another mass of malice was summoned forth, consuming the arrows and the muffled explosion. 

Mipha just barely caught Arcadius’ sword with her trident, just second before it made contact with Link’s arm.

“Link…” Mipha said, solemnly, but sternly, “We don’t have time. I think...I think we should—”

“NO!” Link yelled, crossing swords with his father again. “We’ll find another way, we have too!”

“I know it’s very difficult to ask...but…” Mipha looked around the room. “If we don’t end the fight before our armour gives out, we’ll all be defeated.”

She flicked her trident, trying to stave into the captain’s defence. “We need to actually—”

“We can’t hurt him, please!”

“Just enough so he can’t fight—”

“He’s not even reacting to pain!”

“I can try to heal him after—”

“But you don’t know that!”

Link shielded another attack and parried, his father’s side was open for the first time the whole battle, but he didn’t take it.

“Link, please!”

The knight shook his head. “I can’t. I-I can’t do it. Everything was for...everything I tried to do was for…” Another hiss through his teeth, as his father swung, cutting the surface of his leg. “Shit...I’m sorry...I don’t think I’m strong enough to do it.”

The Hollow Arcadius flew back as Mipha swept him away, using his momentum to push him towards the opposite wall. There was a crash as he collided with old crates and wooden barrels, but he rose with ease. Walking back towards them. 

Link stood his ground, adjusting his sword grip, but made no further movement. Mipha just looked between him and the Hollow, unsure if she had the will to stab him too fatally in front of Link. 

Arcadius walked, then faster, then faster, until he was fully sprinting back towards them, malice sword in hand. Mipha steeled herself, expression unreadable as she prepared.

SHING!

Metal on metal. The scrape of swords interlocking. Link blinked just in time to catch a glimpse of Assivus Hartell, sprinting from behind them and catching Arcadius’ sword, mere seconds before colliding on Link’s face.

“Asivus?!” Mipha cried. The man said nothing, as he watched Arcadius slide backwards from the momentum. He looked around, from Mipha, to Link, to Revali.

“Where is Zavis?”

Link just opened and closed his mouth, before shouting, “Look out!” 

Arcadius ran forward, swinging for Assivus’ right side. 

He immediately moved his sword to parry it, and the Hollow captain was sent sliding back again. Still looking at Link, Assivus asked again. “Where?!”

“H-How did you—”

“I don’t need the greatest sword skills in the world if I can see every attack as it comes.” He pointed to his malice-like eyes. “Why do you think I’m using these bad boys?”

“But how did you get—” 

The captain came back again, and Assivus just rolled his eyes. He fully turned to face his brother. “You know Link, I think I lack the same sentiments as you. I’m fully able to make Larc hurt a little.”

“Uncle Siv—!”

The man ran to meet Arcadius’ attack, kicking him in the leg before he had a chance to jab. 

Zavis suddenly craned his neck, catching a glimpse of the fight in the center of the room. 

“Oh no…”

Assivus perked his head up, then turned to lock eyes with Zavis immediately.

“There you are.”

He charged. 

Astor quickly flicked a hand, to which Assivus immediately slid on the floor to dodge the attack, not even bother to look at him.

The prophet suddenly called out. ��Zavis. Assivus is coming for you. I recommend you leave quickly, I shall hold him off.”

Zavis could only switch better Astor and the fast approaching Asivus before nodding. Quickly shoving his hands in his pocket, he took out a back of talismans, and teleported into the far hallway. 

Assivus gave chasing, ready to head into the dark hallway, but was blocked by two figures. 

Hollow Arcadius stood in the way, sword at the ready, and expression—non-existent. Sooga stood by the captain’s side, having temporarily slipped out of Urbosa’s stalemate.

“What do you think you’re doing, Hartell.”

“Well what does it look like? I’m here to get revenge.”

Sooga swiped his swords, sending a beam of red energy towards Assivus’ face. This only made him laugh out loud as he easily stepped to the side before the action was even completed. 

“Your son is a real piece of work you know? I had given up so long on caring, on giving a shit. He’s truly something special for bringing it outta me.” Assivus sprinted towards him, to which Arcadius mirrored the action.

As the clatter of swords continued, Sooga shook his head, reading a dagger to throw at his face. “Just who do you think you are, fool?”

Assivus once again easily moved out of the captain’s grasp, even going as far as to cut his shoulder. He looked up at Sooga while rocking on his heels.

“Well haven’t you heard of me before?” 

Assivus raised his arms, playfully, twirling his sword in one hand. As if he had all the time in the world. Which of course, he did.

“I’m the goddamn Assivus Asunder.”

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Assivus was walking down the hall. The lack of light didn’t mean anything. 

He saw everything. 

The holes on the wall on his left, he paid no mind. He leaned to the right as he walked, dodging the spike trap that erupted inches from him. 

“Excuuuuse me! Anyone, anyone at all!” He called into the void. “I’m looking for a manipulative, white-haired, annoying little, brat. I just need to have a quick chat!”

Assivus chuckled to himself. “Heh, that rhymed.”

He twirled his sword around, like it was some old harmless stick he found in the woods. “I feel like at one point we might have laughed about that. Make some terrible puns...Go out for banana tarts...kick a few old guys in the balls…Take a nap in my office....” He shook his head.

There was silence for a moment, Assivus continued walking, finding the hallway split into three more paths. 

Zavis was in the center one.

Assivus walked towards him.

Finally, a meek voice broke through the air.

“It...It wasn’t like that, Mr. Hartell...I—”

“SHUT UP!” Assivus walked faster now. “You knew how much I hated being called ‘Hartell,’ didn’t you? You trying to mock me even more!?”

“N-No! I’m—”

A compartment in the ceiling started to open. 

Assivus spun and caught the maliced swords swing with his own, locking eyes with the Hollow captain.

“Get out of my way, Arcadius.” Assivus spat. “I’m so tired...”

The hollow said nothing. It pushed forward, stance sturdy, and still much stronger than Assivus. The maliced knight was sending him back towards the hall’s entrance, step by step. He snarled.

“DON’T YOU KNOW HOW TIRED I AM?! I’M TIRED OF HOLDING BACK! I’M TIRED OF BEING SCARED TO HURT THE PEOPLE AROUND ME!” 

He swung at the hollow’s arm, but Arcadius pivoted and counter attacked with the pommel of his sword, aiming to strike his face.

“Now don’t ruin this dashing smile of mine!”

Assivus caught the sword’s hilt, at kicked him in the stomach.

“I’m here to set the record straight, Zavis Asu.” He kept walking forward, the Hollow captian continued to get up as if nothing was wrong. 

“I’m setting an example. No one gets to fuck with me and my head anymore! You, and anyone who stands in my way, is gonna pay!”

Arcadius charged.

Assivus narrowed his eyes.

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Urbosa aimed for Astor, who had his back turned at the moment. The astrolabe in his left palm swirled with malice, glowing pink and purple, and dripping like tar.

With a snap of her fingers, Urbosa let loose a bolt of lightning at the astrolabe. Though it wasn’t nearly as strong as the bolt she had given Sooga, it still caused the device to flicker.

For just a moment, the air around them flickered pink, and constellations glittered in a sphere nearly all around the room. The sphere of pink flickered, and seemed to move, just slightly, as malice swirled around the astrolabe, and it repaired the small crack in its center. The Sheikah core seemed to glow more brightly, as more malice swirled to protect it.

“It’s like an entity all on it’s own…” Mipha murmured. 

Zelda was still looking at the ceiling, where the constellations had been. “The malice makes… It’s a radius…?” She turned towards her companions

“Hit it again, Urbosa.”

“Princess….” Urbosa held her hands out. “I can’t destroy it. Didn’t you see? It just keeps repairing itself. That seer didn’t even flinch!”

“Do it. Please.” Zelda took out an old screw from her bag, placing it on the floor. 

The Gerudo Chief turned around, aiming to strike the device once again.

The air around them flickered pink again, almost impossible to see if you weren’t looking for it. The ceiling and walls were littered with constellations, as if standing in an observatory. Zelda quickly ran to a wall, towards the edge of where the pink was, and laid the Ancient Screw on the boundary. 

She quickly turned back to watch the astrolabe. Once again, the device flickered, then glowed, and more swirls of malice seemed to surround it, repairing it and making its defense even stronger than before. Zelda nearly gave herself whiplash as she turned back towards the screw on the floor. 

She saw the pink flicker just in time, just in time to see that the pink wall moved inward, and the screw was no longer within its field.

“Aha!!!” Zelda practically jumped with joy. “Oh my gods, it’s a radius!”

Impa raised an eyebrow. “Princess....what are you talking about?”

“It’s a radius! That must be it! That’s why Mipha and Revali could regain control after we left. He can only control his malice in a certain radius created by that astrolabe. But I just saw...it shrank when malice was used to repair the astrolabe. ”

She looked at Mipha’s arm. “A-And that means… Malice is a finite resource. That day in the Korok Forest, he prioritized making Hollows out of everyone, but he barely made malice attacks. He couldn’t attack because...” Zelda gasped to herself. “Because malice comes from people...back then he didn’t have the means to...”

She looked back at Astor, still dealing with Revali. “He didn’t inject Mipha and Revali with malice...he’s bringing it out of them...and with more malice for him to control...the bigger the radius…”

“H-How do you—?”

“Just think about it. No malice attacks while he was in Gerudo Town, Asivus called his bluff. Barely any malice in Korok Forest, he siphons it out of Revali and Mipha and controls them. And he only has the means to attack on such a large radius now...” She looked up at Link. “Because he got it out of your father...”   

Mipha looked up at Astor. “So what do we do? What does this mean for us?”

Zelda’s arms seemed a blur as she frantically took out a journal, jotting down her thoughts in illegible, cucco-scratch cursive. 

“It shrank...ok…ok...it shrank when you attacked it...we know malice is finite...it comes from people...but the malice automatically went to protect and repair the astrolabe...and then it shrank…”

Link was looking Zelda up and down in complete confusion. “Please, uh...summarize? Coherently?”

Zelda practically jumped up, smiling, despite the dire situation. “Ok, it’s like this. 1) Malice will automatically protect and repair that astrolabe. It’s like the main core. 2) Malice is a finite resource. Mr. Astor gets it from other people. Thus 3) Mr. Astor only has so much malice. If it’s all used up on defending that astrolabe, he can’t attack.”

Link suddenly grabbed her shoulders. “If we force the astrolabe to take in the malice, if Astor has no means to control malice, does that...does that mean he can’t control…?”

Both of them looked towards the center hallway, where the Hollow captain had disappeared to. Zelda looked back at Link.

“We...we can’t destroy malice...but...but perhaps a similar situation to how we dealt with Mipha and Revali’s situation could happen. Your father is already far away, so if we work quickly...” 

Link didn’t need to hear anymore. He unsheathed his sword again, stepping out to face Astor.

“Let’s aim for those fucking stars.”

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

“Dad?! DAD?! DAD DAD DADDADDAD Oh my fucking gods…” Link slides on his knees next to the slumped figure. There’s malice and blood everywhere. Aryll is still at the other side of the hallway, choosing to live in ignorance at the details.

Link snaps his head towards her. “DON’T JUST STAND THERE! GO GET MIPHA! QUICK, QUICK!” She just nods, and books it back from where they came. Link turns back to his father.

“Dad!? Dad?! Are you awake???? Say something, PLEASE!!” Link inspected his body.

Arcadius is laying on his side, his back slumped against the wall—the wall with a Yiga spike trap in it. There’s a metal spike jutting out clean through his shoulder, though the rest of him is mostly intact. But intact doesn’t begin to describe the cuts and bruises on his arms, and the malice still present in several patches on his body. His uniform is tattered at the sleeves and legs, and his hair is damp from sweat, blood, and malice.  It seems he’s been pinned here, bleeding out for sometime now.

Zelda tore off the edge of her cotton blouse. “We have to pull him out.”

Link’s eyes are glossy. “W-Won’t he bleed out even faster??”

“There’s malice in that wound.” She pointed at his shoulder. “It’s gonna eat at his flesh, I’ll scrape it out, best I can.”

The two of them carefully pried the captain off of the spike, dragging him towards an untrapped part of the hallway. Link sits him up against the wall. 

Arcadius sputters blood.

“DAD!” Link presses his face into his father’s chest, trying to ease his mind further with a heartbeat.

…

…

There’s a faint tempo in his chest.

Link looks back up at his father’s face. “Dad?! Dad, it’s me! It’s me, Link.”

Arcadius doesn’t open his eyes, but he does murmur something.

Link turns back towards Zelda. “G-Give me your cloth, please, let me hold the wound!”

Zelda obliges, and Link pressed it against the shoulder firmly, to keep more blood from escaping. “Dad? Dad, it’s going to be ok. We came to save you!”

He doesn’t open his eyes. But his lips mouth something.

“......Father…?”

“No. Nono, it’s me, Link!”

“......Father……..I’ll kill you…….I should have never….”

“H-H-HEY!” Link holds his father’s face. “It’s me! Link! It’s your son!”

The captain’s eyes finally flutter open, just barely. He catches sight of the boy.

“.....Son…?”

“Yes, that’s right! That’s right!” Link couldn’t stop himself anymore, he fully embraced his father, malice, blood, and all. “Please don’t die, please don’t die, please don’t die…”

Arcadius’ eyes looked up, catching sight of Zelda. “...Princess…?”

She kneeled down beside Link. “Captain Hartell, who did this to you? What happened?”

Arcadius looked back at his son, still breathing shakily as he hugged him. “...Don’t…..don’t touch me, I have mm...malice still…..”

Link looked up at him, tears flowing. “W-Who did this? Did Zavis do it!?”

“No…...no……….I…..I did this myself………..”

“What?” Zelda looked back at the spike trap. “You… you what?!”

“.....I…...I don’t remember……..but I saw someone…….I didn’t want to hurt anyone……” Arcadius turned his head to the side towards the Yiga spike trap. “So…….so I just…...let myself…...be there……be stuck...”

Link looked towards the other end of the hall, seeing sets of footprints through the blood. “Who? Who did you see?”

Arcadius was quiet for a moment.

“Dad!?”

“Hm...mmm...yeah…..” His eyes fluttered again. “I…………..someone….he’s…….he’s going to hurt that boy……”

Zelda immediately got up and sprinted further into the dark hall.

Link tied the cloth firmly on his father’s shoulder. “Ok...ok you’re going to be alright. You’re going to be fine. Aryll’s on her way here with Mipha, she’ll fixed you up, alright?”

Arcadius chuckled, then sputtered. The substance he spat was dark, and Link was unsure whether it was blood or malice. “That Zora……..must apologize……...for always having to fix up our family……..”

“Hey hey hey!” Link pushed his father against the wall again. “Just stay there. If you wanna apologize you just gotta stay awake ‘til she gets here, promise?”

Arcadius’ eyes were fighting an epic battle between staying open and slumbering.

“Dad?”

“Yeah…..yeah…….” The captain shifted his arm across the ground, sleeves damp with blood. “....I….I know I just said…...not to touch me…...but……..” He tried to lock eyes with Link, but couldn’t decide between the three foggy sets of blue eyes before him. “.....can I hug you, son? I haven’t…….I haven’t truly known you safe since you went back into those woods……”

Link immediately took up his offer, crying into his chest. “I’m so sorry, Dad….I have no idea what I’m doing…..I….I got the sword….I don’t know how…..I messed up….I made everyone so sad and angry a-and….” He hugged his father tighter. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even know…..I didn’t know until last night…..”

Arcadius used what strength he had to brush his son’s hair. “It’s alright, son…...I’m sorry too…….” He kissed his head, and let his arm fall around him. “....for everything….”

“Dad, just stay awake, ok? Promise me that.”

Arcadius smiled. “I love you, and Aryll, and your father so, so much…..alright?”

“Don’t talk like that. You have to tell them yourself…”

He felt his eyelids start to drop again. 

“...mm…..alright, son……”

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Assivus swung his sword again, and as Arcadius spun away, he caught sight of a bit of blood. 

Underneath the malice, just for a moment, Assivus caught sight of the wound he had inflicted. Torn navy blue garment, pressed upon fair skin, with blood that weeped in drops onto the floor. The malice quickly closed up the wound, and he was left staring at the Hollow captain.

Asivus stared for a moment in concern. “Larc, are you—?”

Assivus suddenly caught sight of Zavis over Arcadius’ shoulder, who stood with his arms up in the air.

“Zavis...” Asivus’s eyes looked him up and down. “You know, I haven’t truly seen your face...in so long now...”

“Mr. H—Siv. You need to stop. You might..You don’t want to kill him—”

He narrowed his eyes.

“You never cared! You just used me and—”

“M-Maybe you don’t believe that I cared,” Zavis started. “But, but your brother does. And Zelda. And they don’t deserve—”

“You’re in my head...”

“I can’t trust you...”

“I...heard what you said!”

“You’re trying to control me again!” Assivus launched himself towards Zavis. “I’m sick and tired of it! I’m sick and tired of everyone using me! Controlling me! We’ll, I’m manning the helm now!”

“Siv...” Zavis kept backing away. “I-I don’t know what’s happening to you right now, but you’re not in control—”

“Not in control?! Just look at me!” Assivus twirled his sword around in his hand. “I’ve gone from the bare minumum murderer, to the best swordsman on the field! I can see everything, know everything! I don’t get to live in the dark anymore...”

“But this is...” Zavis still kept his hands up, as tempted as he was to go for his sword on his belt. “This is the Calamity we’re talking about! It’s not, you’re...”

“Eh, well. Zelda will fix me up once she gets her powers.” Assivus twirled the sword back firmly into his left hand. “But in the meantime, maybe I’ll regain a bit of favour by beating the Yiga Spy into a pulp!”

The Hollow Arcadius suddenly sprang from no where, stabbing for the heart. Assivus quickly leaned back, and cut at the wrist, and the malice sword’s momentum faltered. 

Zavis continued running down the dark hall.

“Ahahahaha...” He shook his head. “This hallway’s gotta end somewhere! Don’t tell me my old cowardice was contagious!”

He continued down the hall, not seeing the bits of blood that littered the floor. 

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Revali you’ve always been enough. You’re a talented asshole who’s earned everything they’ve got! You gotta stop listening to that voice in your head that says otherwise! Your parents didn’t know Jack shit, they were assholes(derogatory) and I know it takes time but you gotta tune them out, cause they don’t get to control anymore! You’re free as a bird you hear me? You too much of a proud son of a bitch to get told what to do by anybody! So don’t start now! You got this! You’re enough!

...you’re right. That’s right. That’s what I came here to do. I’m not here to play hero...I’m not here to listen to any dead voices...

I’m here to claw the eyes out of that seer with my own two talons!

That's the wrong answer...

REVALI—!

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

“Out. Of. My. WAY!” Sooga slammed into Urbosa with the full force of both his swords, sending her practically flying down into the hall where Assivus had fled. 

She was just barely able to catch herself at the last second, guarding the hall's entrance, and glaring at blademaster before her. “I’ve never let the enemy slip by me until you came along.” The air crackled, the hairs on her neck standing on end. Around the room, even the bits of metal that held together crates and shelves seemed to glow with life. “I don’t intend on that happening again!”

The Scimitar of the Seven glowed green, and she pointed it towards Sooga, releasing a large blast of electricity, returning his favour as he flew backwards. He slammed against the wall by the opposite entrance. He sat right next to the blasted hole that Impa had come in through. 

As he struggled to his feet, he felt the faintest vibration in the stone floor. Looking out through the blasted hole, he caught a reassuring sight. A blur of red that was running over the horizon.

“Master Kohga!” Sooga called, “Reinforcements are finally on the way!”

Kohga was floating atop one of his summoned metal spike balls, rolling across the wall as Daruk gave chase.

“Oho!!! Took ‘em long enough!” He turned back towards Daruk. “Hear that pal? Looks like your threads about to get cu—”

Kohga could only mutter a “Wuh-oh,” as Daruk almost slammed the Boulder Break right near his delicates.  

Urbosa looked out the giant hole in the wall and cursed at the sight of approaching Yiga footsoldiers. She panned the room.

“Damn it all, Impa...There was a reason we closed the door—!” She suddenly locked eyes with Zelda, at the center of the room. She made a motion with hands to “come here,” and outlines a sphere with her palms, as if holding a ball. Zelda then pointed to the floating Astor, who was still dealing with Revali off to the side.

Looking between Zelda and Sooga, who was still crumpled by the wall, Urbosa moved up closer to listen to her.

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

Zavis is in the dirt, backing up on his arms and legs from Assivus’ blade. His broadsword had long since been disarmed.

His hand suddenly slipped, but he regained his balance. He craned his neck behind him to see the giant dark pit....with seemingly no bottom.

Assivus’ eyes gleamed gold.

“A-Asivus?” Zelda suddenly burst through the exit behind them. “What are you doing?!”

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

...Maybe I should......I’ll feel stronger...I felt so powerful......It’ll finally be enough…

That’s right, Revali. You’re gonna save everyone...Your armour’s almost done, anyways...Just take it off...Show me how fast you can really fly.

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

COME ON! SHUT THE DOOR! WE DON’T WANT REINFORCEMENTS FOLLOWING US!

I-Impa still hasn’t—

She literally has the strength of like five people. We just gotta trust she, Siv, and Hestu are handling themselves. 

Let's get that door closed already!

Gnnngh! There!

Damn, Mipha...

I have my moments...

Alright. Now we just need to navigate further down and find my—

Yes, thank you, Champions.  

Your courtesy is appreciated...

Oh...you.

It WAS starting to get a bit cold in here...

[hyrule-kingdom-updates]

...

Aryll nearly vomits at the smell.

Link and Zelda break into a jog, and then a run.

Someone’s slumped against the wall.