Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sound was non-existent, but I was floating. When my eyes opened for the first time I thought not about if I was alive, but if I was dead. I didn’t even know what that meant. But a man addressed me as “Link”. It was a ghost, so I had thought, “I must have died- I should be dead”. But my heart beat contradicted that sentiment. I didn’t know why, but I felt despair and a lack of purpose.
I could barely leave the cave. I was told to go somewhere, that I had a journey ahead of me. But I felt like a fish out of water or a bird tied to the ground. My muscles atrophied, that’s what the doctor told me. She said I needed to work on building strength. I had been asleep for 100 years but I still felt tired and drained. Even after weeks of rest, I was tired.
So I rested in the fields of Hyrule surrounded by tall blades of gold. I might be a tied down bird but I wouldn't be caged. I smiled at the thought. With a sigh I closFed my ears. The wind was pleasant to feel and hear. Since waking up I had felt like my head was spinning without rest, the adrenaline pumping, fear when I realized I couldn’t meet the expectations the ghost seemed to place on me. I opened my eyes and raised my hand above my hand to block the sun with my palm.
I found myself smiling again. Has the world finally stopped spinning?
“LOUSEY WASTE OF GOOD FLIES YOU SONS OF TOADS!” The screaming started off light but before I knew it it reached right where I was at. I put my hand down hearing the motions of steps through the grass get louder. The clunking raised until I felt something hit my shafted sword. Then I saw, what it seemed like- a Hylian body being thrown above me.
“Donavin, Mikey- once I catch you all I am eating frog stew tonight!” the yelling girl, even though she had fallen half on me, nothing seemed to stop her furry. I snorted and looked down, her feet still were on me. If I bird flew by they would be seeing our bodies making a “T” shape.
“Are you alright?” I found my voice was way too soft for her to hear, I still wasn’t used to talking so I cleared my throat. “Hate to be Donavin and Mikey-” I decided to joke.
The girl's head snapped back, finally noticing my presence. I was lazily sitting up on my raised elbows but enough to be fairly present. The wind blew the strands of her messy straightened hair. There were leaves visible in it still knotted up in the locks. Her eyes looked wide as realization dawned on her. Her eyes were the prettiest color I had ever seen, same for her hair. In that moment I felt myself swallow because it was as if time stood still.
“They’re my pet singing toads. But sometimes they like to mess with me and play hide and seek.” In her embarrassment she flusteredly got off and moved to a sitting position, her eyes going from half moons to crescents as she smiled widely. I couldn’t help but to smile back. It was infectious. The aura she had was as if the rainbow itself had a soul.
I sat up all the way clearing my throat for the second time.
“Need help?” I needed a distraction anyways, that’s why I asked.
“Aren’t you busy doing something?” I looked around confused with what she was referring to but then it dawned on me, she thought I was busy taking a nap. I shook my head and chuckled, surprising myself. Since waking up I haven’t mustered a laugh yet.
“Like what? Waiting for adventure? Now you are here, I don’t have to wait anymore-” I said through my careless laugh.
“Are you on that board?” she asked with a raised brow as if she was in awe of me but also taken back. I took offense that she didn’t take me seriously. I quickly jumped up and dusted myself off. I turned to her, lending a hand.
“Come on, let’s go find your frogs.” I smiled as I spoke. She looked up at me with doe eyes as if she never was offered something like this before. A bit of pride burst in me. She took my hand and I felt warmth. I was normally cold, but she radiated heat.
I would be lying if I said I had pulled her up, she did most of the work I still could barely lift 40lbs.
“What’s your name brave hero?” she asked.
“What? I am a hero now?” I laughed at the thought, she wasn’t serious. But when I looked back at her I realized to her, I was. She smiled again in a fox-like way and nodded extremely too fast for it to be healthy.
“Yes- and I am a witch” she let go of my hand and did a curtsy. She extended a hand for me to shake. “The witch named Valerie.” She greeted me.
I took the hand and shook it back.
“Link,” I informed. We dropped our hands and she seemed all too pleased with herself before her face snapped to becoming confused. I was about to ask what was wrong until her hands snapped to her head and she felt for- something- that wasn’t there.
“MY HAT!” she burst out and scrambolded for the ground. “How can I be a witch without my witch hat!” she roared in dismay. I was in shock but couldn’t help but think the reaction was funny and a little bit cute. She was weird but I liked that. Nothing like the others I met so far.
“Who says you can’t be a witch without a hat?” I tried to console her. I was reminded how wrong I was. She snapped back up and looked me dead in the eyes.
“I did,” she said assertively before going back to look around, rummaging between the blades. Though strange, I decided it was better to help then just stand there, and I found it… easily. It was a regular black witch hat. I picked it up and turned over to her holding it up.
She gasped and I thought I was in trouble but she did a polite jump over to me and happily took the hat from my hands.
“You are a great finder of lost things.” she compliments, thinking it was a weird complement. “Maybe you can help me find my frogs-” she smiled.
“I thought they were toads?” I couldn’t help but be a bit confused.
“They are toads when they are bad and frogs when they are good.” She shrugged. I mirrored her shrug because it didn’t make sense but it made sense to her so why not just ‘go with it?’
I learned at that very moment that the ‘Witch named Valerie’ lived in her own world. I almost learned at the same time as that first thought that I wanted to be in that same world with her. Because, unlike the ghost and the Sheikah- The witch named Valerie was all too happy to just pull me along with her. Not to send me on a fetch quest or tell me “what I need to do next”. It was impulsive, it was unplanned, and it was an adventure.

Chapter Text

She took me to her house in Hateno . I would say I was shocked when she said to me “Let me give you something-” after we spent all afternoon looking for her toad/frogs. But I followed her to the town, I hadn’t seen the town before. I only journeyed in a few comfortable directions I felt safe in. Since then, I still couldn’t lift a sword. I thoughtfully placed a hand on my sword. As if she sensed it she turned fast on her heel to look at me before opening her door.
“No judgements-” she raised a finger as she lifted her brows in expression. I dropped my hand and gave her a slight smile and nod. I backed away to give her space to open the door. She looked back to make sure I hadn't run off but that just made me snort.
“No- Judgements-” she repeated and I opened my mouth but closed it. She left me before turning around and closing the door behind us.
“Lyle the light” she spoke into the darkness of the room. A flicker of light came from the corner of the room before the candelabra in the center of the room lit it up. She took off her hat and cloak and hung it up as I just stood, frozen looking at the large, just small Lynol with a monocle and a tuxedo top. A hand waved in front of me which broke me out of my spell.
“Lyle get some water please…” she ordered the large- but small Lynol.
The steps he took shook the room and I found myself looking back at her.
“Uh-”
“Oh that’s Lyle my butler, he’s like a teddy bear-” I couldn’t take her words seriously so i cleared my throat in worry. “He’s very proud of his name,” she cupped a hand as she whispered into my ear and I flinched at the feeling of her breathing on me. It wasn’t bad, I was just jumpy. Didn’t Impa say Lynol’s were vicious war criminals or something? That they could literally murder a town? Yet, this…witch didn’t seem in the slightest terrified or bothered. Clicking could be heard past what looked like a shop table. Two lizolfos stepped out from behind a curtain leading to, who knows where. The Lizard in a dress and ribbon tied to their horn clicked and chirped as she carried in a plate with a bottle in it.
“What’s that?” it was as if the girl beside me understood the chirps and lizard speech. I turned back to her in wonder. “Dorthy this is Link, he’s nice, and helped me find the toads-” a growl could be heard from the Lynol who was pouring drinks behind the shop front. “I put them away you scaredy cat-” Val smiled to herself before turning to talk to the two now, Lizofos in front of the draped room. “Cooking again Allen Henry?” she seemed to confront the male lizalfos who crossed his arms and chirps in disdain. “No- he…didn’t distract me-” she seemed to blush at the Lizard’s sentemates. I couldn’t deny I felt like he was talking about me.
Valerie reached into her hip pack and pulled out a bottle of… berries. The male Lizard clicked in annoyance almost in a ranting manner. “Ah-ah this is for your wife-” Valerie shook a finger silencing his rambolings but that didn’t stop a bittered mumbled click. She threw the bottle to the lady lizard who caught the bottle, looked at the male and stuck out her tongue heading back into what is presumably the kitchen.
I looked back as Val dug back into the pack and pulled out what looked like folded cloth, what smelled like though was Hyrule Carp. The male lizard got visibly excited as Val smiled viciously before throwing it over to him. Finally, with the Lizards leaving I finally felt confident enough to address the situation.
“So, monsters?” I asked, trying not to look judgemental at this weird situation. The Lynol stepped only a few steps but it still shook the house as he handed me a glass of water. I accepted it cautiously and looked back at his blank gaze. I watched him while I took a sip, he seemed to be pleased and walked back to his post.
“I run a little monster rehabilitation center here-” She smiled and turned to me with a face that was covered with pride as she placed hands on her hips. I took another sip trying to adjust before saying anything that could make her feel hurt. “See, I have this theory” she waved her arms around before walking over to the store table and sitting on top of it. I nodded to let her know I was listening despite trying to keep myself busy with the water in my hands. Wish was strangely more refreshing than the well and river water I had been drinking up until then.
“See after doing some minor caving and dungeon escapades it seems that Zora used to be also monsters but now are seen as regular moral folk like the fairies, Gerudo, and Ritos. But from what the old tablets say in the bottom of the marshes and the Lizolfos talking, they gained some kind of consciousness that the monsters don’t have. The only other race that has more consciousness in the Monster World are the Lizardfolk you see, and they have been in a war for territory with the River Zoras for milenia. So I think there is something in the water or something that helps reduce the corruption in the monsters. See Lizolfos also eat the fish from the Zora streams and steal their food and they are the only other race that has a semblance of morality or conscientiousness.” she hopped off the table and passed and that is when I noticed I was out of water and looked down at the now empty cup. Only to be handed yet another glass by the Lynol butler. I nodded back and took the cup trying to follow her rambolings. “So I started hanging out with the Lizolfos and gained an understanding of their knowledge. And I might have stolen some old tablets from the Zora Libraries but that is besides the point-” she continued to pace in ehr spiral, moving her hands erratically.
“So you know Zora and Lizolfos?” I asked curious. I could help but smile as I took another sip.
“I know most monster languages, but” she snapped her finger. “I tested it by dropping a Hyrule carp to the monsters I found at a safe distance, and Lynol has been my only success so far. I was able to get him to relax and trust me enough that now I exclusively give him water from the Zora shrines and the carps. This has helped but he still struggles. I think it might take more than 100 generations until he can become as aware as the Lizolfos and maybe even more to be like the Zora. But this shows.” she hit her palm with her a fist “Monsters were not meant to be the way they are now and corruption and this… darkness the demon kind hand Calamity ganon- seems to have impacted everything.” It was my first time hearing from someone else other than the ghost and Impa about the Demon Lord Gannon. The witch in front of me had immense knowledge of the matter and even dug further on curtain elements of the past the Sheikah were not even prone to. Since the Sheikah are more consumed with technology revival than actual history, Valerie’s understanding seemed to be better versed, maybe it could help me find the things on Impa’s list she gave me.
“So why is he able to fit in your house and stay so content-” I pointed out and Valerie looked back at the large cat that just blinked back at her, emotionlessly.
“Oh, Minish potions… and I have a peace sigal surrounding the home, he can’t leave if he wants to retain his composure but he chooses to stay, he’s like you, and lazy.” she joked but I couldn’t help the obscurity of her comparing me to a war beast. She walked but to the beats and he leaned forward to pet him.
“The- Minish?” I asked if I had ever heard of that, even if the book of monster’s Paya gave me.
“They are little fair spirits that live in my floors and walls, never seen them- but they help me with potions. So I know they are there.” She stopped her pets and turned slowly back to me. “I sound crazy, don’t I?’ she seemed aware that her entire spiral sounded strange, but, as I pieced it together I could tell. If she said it, though it might sound crazy, I trust her judgement. She was incredibly smart, though awkward about it.
“Are you okay?” she asked and my thoughts paused for a moment. I looked back at her. She looked me up and down and seemed to copy my stiff and almost, knightly posture.
“You seem on the defensive.” She copied it almost perfectly when I took the time to realize it. I Looked around for a place to put the glass and relaxed a bit.
“Guess, I am not used to it yet.” I mumbled before finding a small coffee table and two chairs. Looking down on the table it had a chess game that was going on. Without thinking I moved on the pieces.
“Oh, I am wearing too much of your time, I will go get the thing I told you about.” She jumped up and clapped with a single motion before running behind the shop counter and vanishing before the courten. I looked over at the Lynol and stiffened.
“Sup-” was all I got out before Valerie returned with a bottle in her hand. She smiled all the way and took me before grabbing my hand and feeling for my pulse. She smiled almost knowingly as she then drew the same hand as if to check my forehead. She leaned close and I couldn't find the ability to pull away. His hand didn’t even touch my forehead but I felt hotter in the face.
“Your constitution has been shattered. You are shadow blooded with air and ice attributes. So all this summer heat isn’t helping you rebuild any stamina, but the air should help clear your mind. I would suggest you eat cold foods until you can get your physical health back up.” she smiled and handed me the bottle I gave her a questioning gaze.
“Ice elixir - it's poison to me, but it will help you, just add it to whatever you're cooking, even hot foods. “ she pointed out as soon as I felt it even with gloves on it was cold to the touch. Valerie rubbed her hands together casually and blew on them.
“Natural medicine is a dying art among Sheikah these days only looking at science and technology. But I assure you, I am the best at my ability.” she smiled honestly before blowing on her hands again. I put the elixir away and took off my gloves to grab her hands. Trying to help warm her hands up. She seemed to understand my actions and smiled at me.
“So you’re a Sheikah?” I questioned. She looked away, her smile dropping at the same time as her hands.
“Something like that-” she said, not seeming to want to talk about it further.
“You said you go caving?” I asked and she perked up quickly.
“Yes!” she exclaimed. I put back on my gloves and grabbed the Sheikah slate from my bag.
“Can you give me all of the locations to the dungeons and caves you’ve been to?” I handed her the tablet. She looked at it and seemed to navigate it without help as she added the locations to the map and handed it back.
“I have some maps of the locations if you want, I drew them myself- free of charge of course.”
“Does this mean next time I come here I will have to pay?”
“Well if you want to be a customer I am not stopping you, but I am doing this as a friend. You helped find my frogs and save my hat. So just see this as repayment.” she placed her hands behind her back before walking away cheerfully. I smiled watching her motions as she went behind the shop desk and started to pull out scrolls of paper.
“So- you don’t have magic?” I tried to keep the conversation going/
“Nope, Sheikahs are shadow natured and therefore have intuitive shadow magic casting ability but I do not-” She said while being entranced with her efforts to find me scrolls.
“Why is that?”
“I’m light natured- ironic isn’t it.” she got up just to joke with me and flash me a smile. I caught myself standing like a knight again and tried to relax.
“I heard most Hylians are mostly light natured-”
“Myth-” she shot up again before ducking back down “Most Hylians are wind or earth they lean natural. But you are different so you learn more shadow, just slightly. That's probably because you were close to death at one point.” Her words shocked my ears. How did she figure that out with just a simple check of my pulse and temperature? My heart started to race, the feeling of when I woke up in the pool was coming back. Did I actually die? Or was I on the verge of death?
“So in your expertise, what would cause my blood to run shadow rather than neutral?” she got up again to look up at me and shrug. She crossed her arms on the table and seemed to be thinking my words through.
“Okay- it’s a leap, but it could be that you almost died and was brought back in any normal medical sense so maybe with ;lighting to the heart to make it go again or just… resuscitation. But that wouldn’t change your physical constitution or nature. So it must have been magic- specially something that runs in the direction of shadow magic like necromancy or death.” my brain tried to take in her words apart to start to panic but then I went through all the monsters I had researched redeads were the closest to reanimation of the dead and they were strictly created by dark magic.
“So am I a… Redead…” I asked half in worry and half curious.
“You could be a good looking Redead” she nodded but then smiled to let me know, she was only joking. She picked up the scrolls and came over to me. I seemed to be lost in thought when she flicked my forehead.
“It’s just a theory Link, you could have not died at all…you could have somehow lost your soul in the shadow realm and gained it back.” That was the first time I heard of a “shadow realm”.
“Shadow realm?” I questioned with a raised brow.
“Just another one of my- Many- many theories.” She smiled and handed me the scrolls and smiled.
“Can you come with me?” I asked her without thinking. Her “Theory” of something called a “Shadow Realm” eased my worries again. I rather think my soul was in some sort of limbo than me actually being dead and revived.
She shook her head in confusion.
“Where?” she asked and I cleared my throat. I wasn't used to talking this much.
“To, uh, one of the caves- I have this earned I need to complete-” I tried to stuff all the paper she gave me into my bag before pulling out the Sheikah tablet and showing me the list Impa made me.
“Honestly in your state you shouldn’t be caving at all- you should be resting.” I wanted to laugh at her statement because ever since I worked up it has been “Link you have a job to do” and “Zelda is dying and we don’t know how long she could last-” it was the first time I heard someone worry about my health at all. Time seemed to stop once again. After feeling so rushed into movement having someone tell me to rest made something in me relax. I had been staring for way too long so I turned my head and nodded.
“I still have obligations… but I suppose I could… take my time while doing so-” I stated and Valerie gave a clap.
“I will be your medic and guide” she bowed her head. “Make sure you don’t push yourself too hard… I will show you what I do to get around traps and monsters too!” she smiled and did a small jump in excitement.
“Here back at 9am?” She held out her pinky. I gestured on my own and smiled.
“Promise” I assured myself, hooked out pinkies together and moving our thumbs to touch. I looked back at her and felt my heart jump again. She was something else.

Chapter Text

I hid behind a boulder in front of the cave with the witch beside me who seemed to be just smiling without seeing what I was seeing. I turned back at the Bokoblin horde that had made its camp in front of the cave we wanted to go through. I went to go say something and turn back to her but felt my heart leap to my throat. I almost let out a scream when I saw the Bokoblin mask on Val’s head. She put up a finger in front of her paper mache mask with buttons for eyes. She signed something then stopped to lift her mask up instead and moved her head to whisper in my ear. I froze up again.
“They were here last time I came so i prepared” she exclaimed calmly and then lifted up her bag and pulled out yet another goblin mask. I had figured that a bag of hers was enchanted, how else would the frogs be still alive? The mask on her face fell down and she lifted it up to whisper in my ear again.
“Dorthy and I stayed up all night making this- Since you have low health- I thought it would be good practicing more… defensive tactics.” She handed me the maska nd i took it and placed it on my head. I couldn’t see that well, but at least I had some clear sight. She signed again, paused and then lifted up the hat.
“Do you know Scout?” as soon as she said that my brian seemed to click and I signed to her. Unknowing I even could do it, it seemed to be a motor memory skill I had. She signed back “Do you know what this is?” my brain clicked again realizing I did in fact know what she signed.
I signed back and she smiled and placed the mask back on and signed “that’s great follow my lead-” I followed her back.
I wasn’t sure if the masks would work but the Bokoblins didn’t even turn to acknowledge our presence; we just existed.
“Ah-beh-Lee” Valerie said is a weird voice that mimicked the Bokoblins. She is making me find her more amazing even though it was only our second time he had met. She signed back to me “Move” and started to automatically translate to me what they were saying using Scout.
The Bokoblin in front of us turned and said something back.
“Why move?”
“Cave-”
“Cave Why?”
“Need Cave-”
“Need Why”
“Kill you.”
“Okay”
The Bokoblin moved away and I was amazed and also confused. I followed her awkwardly, not used to being surrounded by monsters that could in fact kill me. I felt my head go instinctively to the sword. I followed Valerie into the crowd and every once in a while she would stop to discuss with another monster she was hearing the to cave and continued. We made it in and the Bokoblins walked around still but didn't seem to care.
“On the list it said something about Heavy weighed boots? What is that for?” Valerie signed.
“I need it when I visit the Gorons, is what Impa said-” I signed.
“Impa? Like thee chief Impa?”
“She is your chief, why are you surprised?” I signed and Valerie seemed to hesitate before signing back “Nothing”. She then motioned for me and pointed to a chest that was being protected by two Bokogbins.
“Last time I came here I remembered seeing boots like your picture in that chest. Normally the Boss comes in around lunch time and puts them back into the chest.” she signed.
“Okay, how do we get those guys away.”
“Bokoblins like shiny things” she signed and then pulled out scraps of metal. “Throw it anywhere and then will chase after it.” I looked over at the barrels also in the room.
“What about sneaking around them with the barrels?” I signed. She nodded and then turned to the barrels.
“Could give us more time if we were closer to the chest.” She signed and I nodded back. We went around the corner from goblin prying eyes. Valerie placed the mask back into her bag and placed the barrel over her head. She popped the cork out of it to see and I smiled, she was thinking just like me. I did the same and we started to squat down to start moving towards the bokoblins. Everytime they were off guard we would move then freeze and sit down. After a good minute my legs hurt because of the muscle strain. Maybe I should have thought this squatting business through. But I held it in till we were both on either side of the chest behind the monsters.
Large steps echoed through the cave as a large Bokoblin entered the room carrying three dead rabbits. My brain flipped back to the monster book, it was Boss Bokoblin. I didn’t feel worried, they don’t seem like a smart race. But if we were caught, that would be another story. He took off the boots just like Valerie had started; they looked like the ones in the picture Impa drew me. I didn’t have enough sight to see the boss come towards us, but I could hear him lift the chest and throw the boots in before departing. I saw the metal pieces fly into my view making bell-like noises that echoed the room. The Boloblins jumped and ran to the shiny metallic pieces. The two seemed to be trying to take all the pieces to keep them from the other until one took the last piece which made the other angry and they started fighting over it and raising their voices. I head the chest open beside me. I lifted up the barrel to see Valerie getting into the chest and tossed me the boots. I caught them and lowered myself back into the barrel as she got into her own.
I started to put them on and heard a deeper yelling in bokoblin. I looked out the cork hole to see the boss had come back and was angry at the noise the two others had caused. One of the Bokoblins showed the boss the metal and the boss batted his head and seemed to send the smaller bokoblin off. He then left with only one to guard the chest. I then noticed Valerie had used their little argument as a way to get as close to the entrance as possible. I was so interested in it that I seemed to zone out and forget what I was doing. Now with the Bokoblin back to his post I had placed myself in a harder position to escape.
I lifted the barrel and placed it over the head of the Bokoblin who seemed to be confused and not understand what just happened. I ran over to Valerie who took off the barrel and quickly ran to the side to give me the mask back. I put it on and couldn’t see anything at first till I felt myself being pulled and the mask being twisted on my neck. I realized I put it on backwards. The bokoblin started to squeal and bang his head on the walls around the room.
‘Why did you do that? What does Defensive mean to you” she furiously signed.
“It worked didn’t it-” I signed back with a shrug. I heard her audibly sign in agitation. I heard a bunch of little feet coming our direction down the hall. She took me down the hall and pulled me around the corner. My head smacked into the corner of the wall and the mask flew off. I was a bit dazed but saw the mask on the floor of the hall. I turned around the corner and saw the hoard looking at the head and then back to me.
“Bahp bok.” I hear Valeres swear in Bokoblin she kept herself hidden from their sight but not mine. I peered out and bent down slowly to pick up the mask.
“Hey guys- let's talk about this” I tried to wager with them and I grabbed the bokoblin head with my hand. They just looked back at each other and started to angrily rant, flailing their arms with torches and pointy sticks. I was grabbed quickly by an arm and pulled back into hiding.
“Not the right time Link!” Valerie scolded me before dragging me through the halls. She seemed to be acutely aware of our location. I heard a loud boom of a voice echo through the caves from the boss of the bokoblins. My heart pounded as I became aware that we were in danger. The sound of their feet on the cave floor echoed around us; it was hard to tell where it was coming from. I swiftly put the mask back on and finally we made our way out. The yelling and thumbs were still present but we were out. I looked around at the Bokoblin camp, they seemed to be busy until the echoes of the cave reached their ears. They looked back at us and I began to almost run until Valerie stopped me. She pointed into the cave
“Beebahp!” she yelled out which sent the camp residence wild as they charged into the Cave. The rush passed up and I looked at her as she signed “Intruders”. I nodded and we began the walk out unscathed. Only for a large thump as the Boss jumped into us blocked our exit. I reached for the sword and remembered the last time I had attempted to use it, I gratefully embarrassed myself. The Boss moved a foot up and ran it on the ground like a bull about to charge. My heart was felt in my ears but I stood firm. Muscle memory acting on its own, the Boss charged and I reacted to catch his hands in mine. My feet pressed against the forest floor, he had an easy time sliding me back. My muscles on my legs already hurt from the crouching in the borrol. Now my arms were doing their best to fight his weight off but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to hold. Bokoblins surrounded us and chanted, stomping their feet and sticks. I dropped my head and shook the mask off, glaring at the Boss not backing down. The pig-like creator snorted as if this was a game. Then I realized why. Without any time to think i was tossed like nothing hitting the ground with two bounces. My brain flashes back to when I first work up.
“This kid? The Hero? He don’t even have enough meat to be a redead-”
I shook my head, now throbbing at the pain of hitting the ground and spat the dirt out of my mouth. I was about to get back up only to hear something hit the ground and I was blasted with air and dust that blinded me. I felt something pull me up and I started to run again. I coughed and my vision was still blurry but once we were out of the smoke I realized it was Val who was giving me a worried expression.She opened her mouth and then heard the hoard chime in. Some started to peer from the dust cloud. I kept coughing and she seemed to take the lead and grabbed my hand. We were running through the trees bobbing and weaving. Until the sound of water hit my ears. Valerie stopped and turned to me in a panic. I looked down at a short cliff drop. It looked like the cave water flowed out from here into a small pond. I looked back at her but she was looking back with fear on her face.
I realized that in my impatience I got us into a terrifying situation. I pulled on her hand to catcher attention.
“We have to jump!” I explained. She shook her head quickly.
“No- No-” she seemed worried about the height and she pulled down my hand to let her go. But the adrenaline was filling me more and more. I held on tightly and pulled her to look at me again.
“Valerie, trust me-” I finally started with a stern tone which seemed to snap her out of her worry and she pursed her lips making a slight pout. I nodded to her and she made a face but covered her eyes relaxing her grip on me. I jumped first, pulling her weight with me. The air grew sharp and fast as we fell as Valerie let out a short squeal. We hit the water hard. I seemed fine due to the heavyweight boots breaking the surface tension of the water. I sank quickly but noticed Valerie was floating back up. I grabbed her belt and pulled her down to me. She seemed to be knocked out from the water until I brought her down to me. She opened her eyes and panicked, opening her mouth in shock as water threatened to fill her lungs. Instinctively my hand flew to cover her mouth keeping her from releasing more air. Only two air bubbles left her mouth. I pointed up as we slowly descended. The water was cool and relaxing. Even as we looked up to see arrows break the surface of the pound only to shoot down and float. We were too low for them to reach us. I released Vallerie’s mouth and signed.
“They will probably be waiting for us for sometime.” I looked back at her thinking this would worry her but she seemed to think of something and reach into her pouch. She pulled out a flask and covered the top carefully before putting it in her mouth and drinking half of the bottle before touching my face and helping me do the same. She realised the empty bottle to the waters and signed.
“On a full flask we would have 10 minutes but on a shared one it’s 5. You can breathe normally now.” she signed messily due to her bouncy. But I could still read it. I held on to her belt still keeping her weight down but she still floated it a bit. I breathed in and out calmly. It seemed like she was right. She seemed like she was thinking and then looked up so I did too. We watched the ripped silhouettes of the hoard investigating the pound above us. I felt her pulse in the close proximity. It seemed like her heart was rising too.
When the group finally left I took off the heavy boost and put them into va;’s enchanted pouch. We swam up and crawled ourselves out of the water. Valerie coughed as she reached the bank, her hair wet and sticking around the edges of her face. I got out without any problems until the sunrise reminded me how much my body ached and the throb of my head back back. Val got up and I didn’t know what I was expecting as I brought a hand to my injured head. She abruptly marched over to me and shoved me lightly.
“What are you thinking!” she exclaimed the fear in her voice was obvious. “We could’ve- died.” She tried to temper her yell so as to not realarm nearby monsters.
“But we didn’t.” I tried to comfort her. That didn't seem to help as she shook her head.
“You can’t just be impulsive; there is a difference between courage and idiocy. You don’t have physical strength right-”
“I know!” I noticed how loud I talked after I snapped and felt bad. She didn’t understand why that hurt to hear at the moment. “But something inside me just- wants to get the job done even when I rather just…in these moments it's like something takes over me.” I will try to explain. I looked back at her hesitantly. I didn’t actually want to see her face if it was going to have that same pity expression I have been given. But instead it was her thoughtful one, her eyes darted from each of mine as she took a step back.
“So- I guess I am not used to doing these things with someone else. I bear some of the responsibility too. I also hit your head on the wall.” she retorted and I smiled to myself. She lifted her hand in concern to one of my temples. I quickly grabbed her hand and stopped her.
“I’m fine, it just knocked the mask off my head. But the Boss did mess me up.” I admitted. She visibly gulped, her face still doing its "Inquisiting expression, she seemed so focused. A different side of her I hadn’t seen till today.
“Your head is bleeding” She stated. I let go of her hand and brought it up to my temple. I flinched at the pain when I barely touched the spot and felt the cold liquid on my finger tips. I drew them back and sure enough, there was blood. Vallerie dug into her bag and bit the inside of her cheek. She pulled out a jar of red jam. I cocked my head, which was the wrong move, light vertigo hit me swiftly so I pulled it back straight.
“Chew Jelly, It’s a work in progress but it should stabilize your nature and let the pain go away for a short time till we get you back to my shop.” she explained before pulling the lid off and handing it to me.
“Always prepared for everything Valerie?” I joked as I ate the jelly without question. It did taste good.
“I can’t handle your jokes right now till you get better. I am still mad at you for putting yourself up against the Boss.” I expressed and I lowered the jar to look at her better. I realized that she was my same height so it was easy to look directly into her eyes. Her arms crossed and she didn’t blink, challenging me almost. I couldn’t help but smile, she looked cute while trying to be serious. I poked her forehead, her bangs still wet and pushed out the way.
“You worry too much,” I said back. She pouted half heartedly when I dropped my finger.
“You don’t worry enough-” she stated and stuck out her tongue when I went to look back at her. I shaked my head, the jelly did help me feel stable and the pain did go away.
“I have to get back to the Sheikah camp-” I turned to look into the deep woods.
“Why? You can just stay with me and I can heal you.” Valerie’s voice at first was sharp but then became light. I looked back at her and she gave me a confused look.
“Because, I completed my goal in getting the boots.” I tried to reach around her for her bag and she pulled away.
“What have they helped you with that I can't? How long have you been with them?” she told me and lifted up her head in a tilt. I signed and tried to reach for the bag lazily but she moved away again, not that I was trying too hard. I stood up straight and crossed my arms.
“Three months-” I bluntly stated.
“See? And if You were with me you would have muscles and be able to wield that sword you're always touching-” she pointed to the sword. I turned slightly to hide it from her view.
“Why haven’t you used it? You are an adventurer right working for the Sheikah?” she got something wrong but her bringing up the use of the sword made me bite my lip.
“I can’t-” I sighed hoeping she’d drop it.
“You can- you just don’t have the strength-” i shook my head not wanting to hear anything more and started to walk. She didn’t know me, so how could she say that? I felt a tug on my shirt and turned to her and widened my eyes.
“What?” I might have said with some annoyance.
“I don’t understand your body's composition, but I do know that you have been arguably blessed by the goddess.” I shook my head not understanding her ramblings this time around. “I mean it-” she fired back, letting go of my shirt. “That’s the hero sword-”.
I felt annoyed that she brought up the sword again, but then, I was astonished she even knew what it was. She took in a deep breath as she watched my reaction carefully. “So you must know how to use it, but your body isn’t strong enough to wield it yet. Let me help you.” She seemed to care for me in ways I didn't understand.
“What do you want in return?” I asked, because that is what I have learned since waking up, everybody needs something from me.
“Nothing” I scoffed at her short answer. I turned to look out at the trees. “But If it makes you feel better, a friend would be nice.” That seemed to shock me more than her first answer. I looked back at her and she looked embarrassed. A pink color slowly rose on her cheeks. I snorted and a smile fell back on my face. I couldn't stay annoyed too long at her because she was too honest for her own good.
“There are only a couple people in Hateno that’s my age, and I am normally always alone, my only friends are the monsters I have rehabilitated. But-” she shook her head “It’s not the same”.
“Sorry I snapped at you,” I finally mustered out the courage to say. She looked back at me and smiled , seemingly leaving behind her anger and seriousness.
“So, what about it? I help you and you become my friend? Deal.” she held up her pinky again as she smiled leaning over to me. I thought in my mind that ‘I need her’ not only to help in the goal Impa sent me on but also, I needed a friend. Someone who didn’t know who I was and doesn’t have expectations for me that I didn’t consent to. I moved my pinky around hers and pushed my thumb against hers as well.
“Good- let's get started” She jumped slightly in her excitement and bidded me to follow, and I did.

Chapter Text

I sat on Valerie’s bed letting her wrap my head with gauze.
“You’re not still mad at me are you?” I asked for the sake of my own heart.
“No, anger only builds resentment which damages the soul” she shook her head and finished tying the wrap around my head.
“Where is that from?”
“Sheikah Proverbs” She moved the bowl that used to have clear water in it, but now it was red stained. “Okay remove your shirt” she ordered which made me look back at her with a confused expression.
“Why?” She seemed to ignore my worry and brought up a box and raised a needle to me.
“Because I am going to stab you with a bunch of tiny needles”. I looked at the needle and didn’t feel like arguing. I raised my hands and put the shirt off making sure I didn’t disturb the bandages on my head. She got on the bed which shocked me but I didn’t say a word. I just watched her until she was behind me. She flicked me and I winced, feeling a sting. I felt a warm heat that then preinto me. It felt like an ear on my back.
“Can you breathe in and out please” she asked. I tried to breath in and out without giving away that I was tense and freaking out about the physical contact. But Valerie seemed to be too busy with her job to care about the fact we were a man and women alone in a room on a bed with the man who has his shirt off. I felt a flick again and winced and kept hitting, making them sensitive.
“Again” she instructed. I inhaled deeply and exhaled. I felt another flick and then heard some rummaging of metallic sounds. The needles barely felt like anything. Until she got to the base of my neck and should retain it. I could barely stop myself from finching or making a noise in the pain. But then she was done with the close of the box she had brought on the bed with her. She got off the bed carefully and smiled.
“You know for a weak body your spirit is really something else.” She complimented me.
“Really?” I kinda amazed myself.
“Yes, do your spirit is untouched, no damage even though your composition is unregulated. But your body has some minor internal damage and should feel better in the morning and healed by the next day if you take the day off tomorrow.” she explained I raised a brow.
“Really, that's easy?”
“Believe it or not but the way to allow muscles to heal after being over extended by doing nothing at all- let me see your arms” I reached out my arms for her to grab and she used light taps on my skin until she found something she was looking for. She took out a jar and started rubbing the balm in certain spots. She did the same thing on her legs. I smiled to myself, she was a professional I would give her that.
“Okay so we will have you on a red meat diet, cooked but then chilled, i will have Dorthy run to pick up ingredients from the store-” Valerie was in her own little word again talking to herself. She snapped as she started to pace. “And fruits- we need your iron to be balanced and build muscle growth-” a knock on the door made Valerie turn. “Yes?” she asked and the Lizalfos came in and began clicking and chirping.
“What do you mean someone touched your chess game? Or your wife cheated?” Valerie looked at me, knowingly. I pretended to be innocent and shrugged but she smirked. The male seemed to complain and Valerie snorted.
“Maybe your wife has finally gotten better at the game you said you would ‘teach’ her how to play but never explained well-” the male Lizard ticked in annoyance Valeri ignored him and gave Dorothy and Henry Allen the pieces of paper she was writing up.
“Lady Dorthy he needs bean curds, beans, nuts, crab, fish, and coasters. He needs to build blood but for now because his composition is so shocking we need him to stabilize for at least 3 days before having him switch to a blood dense diet for muscle building.” the lady lizard nodded at Valerie’s words. “Bamboo shoots, Lotus roots, Broccoli, Celery, spinach, anything that holds water would be good and a lack of sour natured items. Bitterness is good and for fruits let's eat tomatoes, bananas and coconuts.” Valerie looked down at the paper and changed it to my writing on the Dorthy’s page.
“They can read Hylian?” I wondered how they knew what she wrote for them.
“No, these are pictures.” Valerie smiled back at me and moved her attention to the male lizard.
“Cook things with light salt to help hold water, Sesame seed oil, chrysanthemum, and lily. Make sure everything is served cold or chilled.” the male lizard chirped back and Valerie nodded almost as she agreed to something.
“Can you cook Valerie?” I asked and she shook her head.
“No I just give them ingredients, Allen Henry does the rest-” the lizard looked proud and chirped. “He says he is the best cook.” Valerie thanked them before they headed out.
“I would like to learn more about this ‘composition thing you bring up a lot’.” I found myself laughing but the fact food could affect health that much was something I was very interested in.
“Well everyone is naturally warm or cold, these two sides help you know what kind of natural foods to eat. Bitter and Salt are normally cold natured but cold foods can be sweet and sour as well. But for you we are being more specific. But if you want to get into types of composition that is a little bit more tricky-” she expressed and I nodded.
“You said I was Shadow blooded?”I tried to go back to a previous thing she mentioned from yesterday.
“Yes, cold blooded you run cold but to an extreme which is what we call shadow blooded. Extreme warmth is Light blooded. In between we have Water/Ice, Air/Eather, Wood, Earth, Metal, Fire, and Plasma. But that is just physical body competitions, magic is a whole other thing. Such as Shadow magic only runs in bodies that are of Shadow descent and run cold. Light magic is only found in those blessed by Hylia and run hot.” The last part started making me drop interest but I thought I could understand most of it.
“And for the food?”
“Food is just a natural way to heal.” she smiled and I smiled back.
“So- what are we going to do tomorrow? I have to at least try to see the Gorons soon-”
“Are you crazy? Gorons live in a volcano… your body can’t handle that heat yet.” Valerie scolded me and I nodded should have known she would tell me to just ‘stay in bed’.
“Well I want to do something-”
“What is something that you just been wanting to do but everyone else’s plans get in the way of?” she asked me and I thought about it.
“Bird watch-” I told her I almost reached for my bag but the needles sticking out of me stopped my motion.
“Need help?” She addressed me and I nodded.
“I have a book I have been filling up with all the birds I have seen in Hyrule. It’s in my bed-” I pointed and Valerie rushed over and pulled out the book on the first try. She held it up and I nodded.
“Can I see?” she inquired and I gave her my approval. She looked into the book and I saw her eyes brighten.
“These are beautiful Link so realistic- how do you get such tiny strokes” She was enamored with it and the book over and sat on the bed next to me and leaned over.
“Light hand and control I guess.” I told her as I looked down at the page she was on. “Those are wood pigeons and a rainbow pigeon.” I pointed out.
“She’s pretty-”
“He.”
“He?”
“Males are colorful. Rainbow pigeons are all male. Wood pigeons are their female counterparts.” I explained.
“Why aren’t the females supposed to attract the males.”
“Not in bird world-” I smiled and looked at her, who seemed to be interested in the topic. My heart began to race, no one cared about my interest before, I felt awkward. I cleared my thoughts. “See male birds woo the females by making her a nest, entertaining her, bringing her things, or just looking pretty.” All I got was a short “hmm” from Valerie but I enjoyed sharing the information anyway. I took the book and flipped through the pages.
“I want to find and draw the peregrine falcon, it's the fastest bird recorded,” I showed her the sketch I made based on the biology books I found at the Sheikah camp.
“It’s not colorful, I look the one you used colored pencils in more-”
“No, but it’s cool, and if I shade it well with pencil like it did-” I flipped the pages of the book and showed her one of my pencil sketches. “The Mountain crow, it would look just as cool and probably better.” I told her with a smile. She turned and my heart stopped again. Our faces were barely two fingers away. Again I couldn’t stop looking at her eyes but she seemed bothered and kept her distance.
“You are a master at art, my pictures are all childs play.” she said with honesty in her voice as she looked back down admiring my art further. I took in a deep breath that I bet she could hear. But I realized something about Valerie, she was a master at playing oblivious to social norms. “We are totally bird watching tomorrow-” she turned back to me but when I didn't see her gaze or turn my head I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. I just pursed my lips and nodded.
“Let me remove the needles and I will let you sleep.” she smiled and got behind me again. I felt like the entire time I was holding my breath. Even when she left, and let me take her bed for the night my heart wouldn’t stop beating fast. I could hear it in my ears and feel it in my bones, I could hardly sleep at all.

Chapter Text

We set up our bird watching perch in a clearing outside the Korok forest. It was a good place for bird watching. I watched through the binoculars Val brought some Hyrule Sparrows, nothing new but I still enjoyed watching them.
Behind me Val was hell bent to “Get some work done” meaning she was casing around bugs and butterflies with a net for her ingredients. She also made sure to pick almost every flower in sight. I heard the swish behind me and thump. I turned around to see her flat on the grass dense floor and snorted.
“You okay?” I asked, trying to keep myself from laughing. She picked herself back up and dusted herself off. She also took a piece of grass out of her mouth.
“You know, people say ‘eat grass’ as a comeback when they are offended- do you think this is what they mean?” She pulled more dried grass off her clothes and hair. I just smiled and turned my attention back to the trees.
“I don’t think the saying is quite ‘eat grass’” I joked with her knowing full well that she wouldn’t get it.
“What do you mean?” she asked innocently.
“Nothing-” I trailed off pretending like I didn’t set that up purposefully. Something caught my eyes in clearing a type of veil or sheen. I took off the binoculars and squinted. The sparkle came back which I found odd.
“Oh- it’s ‘touch grass’ isn’t it?” Valerie kept talking behind me, I was only half paying attention.
“No it’s eat-” I stopped myself as my brain seemed to recognize the reflective surface. I stood up from my spot. “Val- do you have glitter, a mirror, or just a blanket in that bag of yours?” I questioned as I turned to her. She looked in her bag and pulled out a blanket.
“Why?” I just waved her over and she came without asking anything else. I started walking carefully to the location of where I saw the strange mass. But I knew Val wouldn’t be able to see it. I raised a finger to my lips to inform her to be quiet and reached out to have her hand me the blanket. Val looked at me like I was crazy but handed the blanket to me anyways. Quickly through the blanket down to the ‘empty’ space in the clearing.
As the blanket fell a shape obviously appeared. A head lifted from under the cloth looking similar to a silhouette of a peacock or crane.
“Lin-”
“It’s a Nim-” I said with more enthusiasm than necessary. I looked at Val whose mouth was open and she shook her head in confusion. “It’s a bird- a magic one-” I explained. The lifted head of the bird turned towards us and a squawk came from it. The beak could be seen from under the clothes. I thought it over, the magicest beats the size of a hawk, should have tried to fly away by now or be freaking out about the blanket.
“I think it hurts, we are going to have to wait till night inorder to make sure though.” I explained. Valerie seemed to understand but also still looked like she wanted to say something but instead and just shrugged.
“Food then helps me catch some Ladylucks.” She headed next to me and pushed it onto me. I looked back at the covered bird who seemed to have lowered her head, it seemed like she wasn’t going to move. I sighed and looked back at Valerie, might as well waste time doing something helpful.
Later when the night setted in, Val set up the campfire. I went back to the covered bird and revealed the black bird. Its feathers were ink black if it wasn’t for the fire nearby, it would have been hidden by the shadows.
“So, what’s Nim?” Valerie finally asked as she came to squat next to me and the bird. “Why does it look like a giant black quail?”. Valerie kept going while I was in my own world. The light of the sun was disappearing fast, so I had to check on the bird’s wings.
“They are actually part of the Phasianidae family so your evaluation isn’t off-” I informed her as I lightly lifted a wing of the bird with a parchment. Val smiled and did a little dance as she became proud of herself.
“And Nim?” she asked again.
“Nims are magical birds from the sea sides. Instead of migrating North to South, they follow the Sunset and travel East to West everyday.” I explained to her.
“Why doesn't that sound like it gets them far?” I agreed with her, but I never questioned the magical creatures I had met before. Koroks also were funny.
“They are attached to the spirit grounds,” I finally found the injury as I explained more to Valerie about the Nim. It looked like the beast ran into wire and it had hooked into their main flight feathers. The blood made me cringe slightly but it didn’t stop me from wanting to help.
“Ouchy-” I heard Valerie whisper next to my left ear. “I will start making a sanitation balm-” she began to stand up but I stopped her.
“Do you know how to get these out?”
“I am not sure, I know how to heal a bird, their anatomy is not something I was trained to work on.” She glanced back at the bird with a worried expression. I understood what she meant, so I let her go and worked on fixing the problem on my own.
When she came back she knelt down with the flask.
“Wow a stint, where did you get that?”
“I made it-” I shrugged and Valerie looked around amazed at my work.
“Wow, so inventive, you are a really amazing Link.” she complimented and I hummed in agreement. The Nim Breathed slowly in a relaxed manner. She had not made a single noise but she had been stiff up until now.
“Can you say that again I didn’t quite hear you-” I teased Valerie.
“I said that you’re amazing.” she repeated again. I pretend to clean my ears with a finger.
“Sorry, can you say that again?” she finally caught on and shoved me playfully.
“Hah- be glad I am not cursing you-” she expressed and I turned to her in mock chock.
“You can curse Val?” I messed with her and she pouted.
“Never mind.” She turned her head away and got up. She seemed to remember why she came over and turned with annoyance to hand me the balm. “You be nice to her, because you aren’t to me-” I ignored her comment and opened tha salve and started putting it on her feathers and injured spots. I managed to pull out the wires from there. Val helped but guiding my hand steadily and giving me tips. When we were done, Val finished the wrapping. Finally, her eyes were able to rest now she wasn’t in so much pain. I stroked the bird lightly feeling bad that if we hadn’t found her she would have been left for dead.
“I could see her, but now as the night arose I can. But when the light hits her parts go invisible again.” Valerie admitted out loud.
“That’s because she has feathers that act like mirrors in the day, but at night they turn dark to create a camouflage.” I informed her.
“How come you know so much about Nims?” her question shocked me because up until then I was just doing things instinctively. I looked at my hands on the bird. A part of me felt like something was empty, like how did I know of this majestic bird I had never read about or seen before? But yet, that was how it was for almost all animals.
“I just do-” I shrugged. Valerie clapped in awe.
“Still amazing. But such amazing feathers Ms. Ninyou must be a very special bird.” Valerie seemed to forget my existence and talk to the bird as if it was a person. I smiled, she was sweet on anything with a heart beat. Except for the bugs she came across.
“100 years ago, they would pluck the feathers of nims to make armor and robes. They are an endangered species-” I ramboled. Val’s eyes widened as she leaned to the bird.
“Ms. Nim that is very tempting. My witch self thinks you would make a beautiful cloak-” my eyes widened for a moment as I opened my mouth to say something but just shook my head. “But if I plucked everything that made you unique and beautiful it would destroy everything you are, and I don’t think that is fair. It’s fair for anyone to take away someone’s beauty for selfishness.” Valerie spoke to the bird with such care it made my heart flutter. Again her words stung my ears. It was another moment that her words seemed to hit my soul.
“I’m going to cook something-” I changed the subject and got up. Valerie seemed too busy petting the bird to even worry about me. I was grateful it gave me time to escape and focus on something else.
I came back with simple soup which Val told me was “delicious” and asked for the “cold soup recipe” to give to Allen Henry. I told her it was a secret and she would have to buy it off me. In which, she threw a pebble into my soup bowl out of spite and smiled, being proud of herself when it went in.
We rested well that night and when we woke up, the bird was gone. Even when I looked around and through the blank down in random spots it was gone.
“She just left without saying a word-” Valerie pouted as she seemed a bit sad that she was gone. I did one more look through the place where we first found the majestic bird. For a second light flashed and flickered and I ended up bending down to pick up something. As soon as it touched itself, it revealed itself as one of the mirror feathers from the Nim. I looked back and smiled standing up to show Valerie the feather.
“She didn’t have to,” I expressed. Valerie gasped and took the feather to look at it closer. She held a small hope in excitement. But then stopped herself, cleared her throat and handed me the feather back.
“It’s cool that she left this for you-” She retorted. I put up my hands.
“What am I going to do with it? You can keep it-” I shook my head while still smiling. Valerie’s eyes tinkled and then gave me a cheesy grin.
“We could make a very potent potion with this- but it would only last a day and then it would be gone-” she looked up as she thought, using the feather like it were a wand. “But- we could enchant something.”
“You can enchant Val?” I joked and shushed me and gave me a glare. I put my hands back up to show I was no threat to her.
Valerie brought down the feather and poked my chest with it.
“Of course I can, and I will be making it for you-” she smacked my chest lightly with a feather as she smirked. “It will have one use a day for 7 minutes. But it would be a better deal than just a potent potion.” she explained proudly. “It also will take 3 days to properly do so I guess you will just have to stay with me longer-” she stepped back and spun on her heels.
“Why do I have to stay to get the enchantment right?” I crossed my arms and lifted a brow.
“Because I said so-” she said and then turned her head over her shoulder to look at me “And I need your measurements and essence, no questions” before I could say anything she lifted a finger over her and mimed pulled a zipper over her mouth.
“Who am I to question such an intelligent witch?” I started playfully. Valerie smiled back to me proudly before skipping ahead. It seemed our adventure had come to an end.

Chapter Text

Valerie didn’t hesitate to get to work . She lifted up her bag and flipped it upside down to shake it. Out came 5 egg shaped stones that seemed to glow depending how you look at them.
“What are those?” I asked as Val got out a mortar and pestle.
“Some kind of rock I find all the time.” she shrugged. “I found them nead the spirit bird.” I looked at them again worried they were the birds actually eggs for a second till Val began to smash them to reveal crystals insides.
“Oh, they are geoids.” I gathered and Valerie hummed as she continued to smash with all her strength.
“I find them in the Zora Domain by their Catacombs all the time.” Valerie explained. “They seem to have purifying properties and also are the only way I can enchant things.” she clarified and I nodded listening diligently. She continued to break apart the crystals with the pestle. They seemed quite soft, probably similar in strength to a pearl.
For a while, all there was in Val’s house shop was just her banging like a drone. The Lynol would come to give her some more time here and there but there were no signs of the lizard folk. Val started to rummage through her inventory until she came back up with messed up hair.
“Shoot, we need lighting rods. Or Lightly lizard scales as conductors.” she mumbled to herself.
“I know where we could find some” I raided my hand, finally I could add something.
“Really?” She looked stunned.
“Yeah, Ridgeland Tower.” I shrugged “I almost died there- twice” I held up two fingers to prove a point. Val’s shock melted into a scowl.
“Then we are not going-”
“Come one Val” I hoped over to her side of the desk. “With you there I wont certainly die.” I gestured a snap and pointed at her. I tried to ease her worry but a part of me doubted I could win her over so easily.
“No- with your dumb ideas I rather not-”
“But Val, the lighting scales- think of all the things you could enchant. The amount of potions you could make… the science-” she batted me away with her hands.
“Fine, Fine, fine-” she waved. She turned to me and blew her bangs up with a hot breath in exasperation. “But if you almost die- I will make sure to keep you alive just to make you into my Redead pet.” she threatened. I could take her seriously but I didn’t.
“Isn’t necromancy banned in Hyrule?” I playfully asked with a smile.
“Who's gonna know? You? You won’t even be able to talk- all you will say is ‘Marrrm’” she copied the sound exactly. I raise my arms up like the redeads.
“Marrm” I joked.
“Stop it.” she smacked my two hands down lightly. I laughed and followed her out of the house as she gathered her things all the while pretending to walk like a re-dead. She didn’t stop me.
It was a journey but not a full day. We were almost to the tower when I saw the clouds billowing ahead.
“Link, how did you manage to get the Hero’s sword?” finally she wasn’t giving me the silent treatment anymore. I turned to her from my post and looked over to her. How on earth could I explain that?
“The sword?” I asked, pretending not to understand the question. Hoping she would drop it.
“Yeah, no one has been able to get it till you showed up.”
“People tried?”
“Yeah, and died-”
“Oh, I guess I am better than them then” I shrugged and took out my binoculars, yup this was the spot. “Wait here- I have an idea.” I told her only a second before using Magstasis on some boxes that were in the area.
“Link- I swear.” I hear Val’s soul almost fleeing from her body. She watched me as I built myself a mini tower and used stairs. It was like flying, free, with the hair blowing into my face. Till a wall hit my face and I fell down. I couldn’t deny, it really, really hurt. But I couldn’t let her see that. So even with a limp, I walked all the way back. I held my head in shame until I knew she could see me well enough I looked up and smiled. Valerie just sat on a rock with her arms crossed and a look of disapproval. She raised a brow knowingly.
"Link I am understanding your vision but I don't think you have quite understood the consequences" she explained and I only smiled back.
“I have seen the consequences and I have accepted the challenge.” I attempted to straighten myself up but the sting that ran through my body almost sent me over. “Besides, I’m lazy-” I bit back my pain. Valerie watched as I reset the height and angle.
“Fine, die if I care-” she pouted and turned her head away from me.
“That's the spirit!” I gave her a thumbs up just before I catapulted myself again. This time I saw my target, but I was too short. I took out a parachute to save myself from any more damage. Yet again I woodled back. Valerie still sat on the rock watching me.
"See I didn't die- and I didn’t even get hurt" I attempted to reason with her. She kept silent and just glared. I hobbled up the path to my boxes. “Oh come on, don't look at me like that” I joked.
“I am not looking, I am judging.” she clarified.
“Oh, I’m sorry Ms. Enchantress- ‘not looking, just judging’” I made air quotes before I began fixing the height. “Just letting you know Val- I always end up getting it on the third try” I then launched myself up.
Finally I reached my destination, I felt very proud. I knew I would not almost die ‘this time’. I had a full plan. Build a bridge and dunk on those lighting lizards from safety, steal all their gold, and get out. Valerie would have no choice but to say I was right.
So I did just that- I am good at accomplishing my plans when I actually take time to make them. I headed out easy with a bunch of loot and scales. Valerie still sat on that danged rock.
“Happy?” she finally said when I dropped everything in front of her proudly.
“Actually I am.” I said proudly
“I’m not-” she blurted out. I rolled my eyes, what was it this time? Didn’t I do the things she wanted me to do, why was she so upset?
“I think you think I owe you an apology. Sorry Link for ever doubting you. You were right and I was wrong, you can launch yourself more than 300 feet into the sky and not die. But I DON’T think you understand how much your life has meaning.” At first my ears perked up, she got the nail right on the head, apologized like I hoped, but then I was confused. “I am mad because you don’t seem to care about something that is so precious as your own life!” even when she tried to be loud her voice sounded thin and fragile. My heart felt heavy because of her words. It started to pound quicker than when I was flying just a moment ago. It was strange that I never felt a rush of adrenaline in these types of situations but having a possible deep conversation seemed to give me anxiety.
I couldn’t move. I just watched as the witch named Valerie stood up and moved furrowed.
“Have you ever cared?” she asked and I felt a rock lodge in my throat. I tried to swallow it down, but I couldn’t. When I try to think about it, I don’t think I ever have. I looked at the ground and touched the sword I was begrudgingly carrying.
“I didn’t ask to be here.” I attempted to explain something I didn’t really want to go into detail about. I ran a hand through my ponytail. “Like- it’s hard to say this… but sometimes I feel like I am not even real? Like I am an imposter in my own body and everything is just a dream…” I expressed and turned to look back at Val. She didn’t give me a look of pity but almost had a face of recognition and understanding. She listened intently to everything I said, no judgement, just empathy.
“Are you depressed?” Why did her words feel like a wave of cold water?
“No, I just wish I could sleep… forever…” I started sounding so confident until I finished the sentence. I realized she was right. She hummed and nodded.
“Do you… need a hug?” she asked if I was confused at first but I felt a tightness on my body and an ache to be held. All I could do was silently nod. She took three steps forward and hugged me. There was something in that hug that gave me strength I never knew I lacked. Then I started to cry. I held it in, but tears kept coming. All Valerie did was continue to hug me and didn’t let go until I made the move. I never realized how much I craved for a real connection. Not just freedom in running around doing things, but a person I could rely on. A person who I could call a friend.

Chapter Text

Valerie gave rupees to Dorian at his sales shop in Hinato. I watched her carefully buying the practice sword. Early that day she told me that my body was healed enough it needed to be strengthened, she has been pushing me to exercise the last few weeks too. I crossed my arms.
“Good to see you have been getting some friends Valerie and I am not talking about the monsters you have locked up in your basement.” he joked. Valerie didn’t look amused.
“Keep laughing old man- but soon my shop will out sell yours.” she huffed. He just smiled and leaned over the counter.
“I doubt it, little witch neighbor of mine.” he said with a smile.
“By the way- how are Koko and Cattla?” I chimed in and Dorian sighed.
“Probably out of messing with the Kukoos again.” he looked defeated.
“You know I told them not to bother those poor birds because they get feisty. But I’m not their parent so they don’t listen to me.” Val pouted.
“I am their parent and they don’t listen to me, it was a lot easier when I had Emphy around-” Dorian stared off into the distance as he brought up his wife.
“She always knew what to say…” Val reminessed.
“Well can’t dwell on it now, make a note of this Valerie once you get married and have kids you will understand my pain.” he joked. Val stuck out her tongue not taking the warning seriously but I just smiled.
“Daddy! She did it again!” two little white haired girls ran into the shop slamming the door as Kukkos scratched the windows trying to bust in.
“Not again, girls haven’t I told you-”
“Cottla started it!” yelled one.
“Nuh, uh it was Koko she was trying to ‘tame’ them!”
“No, you kept trying to tie bows into their feathers!”
“No-”
“Yes!”
“Hay!” Val clapped making the girls stop. “If you both don’t stop I am opening the windows and letting the wild birds kill both of you!” She threatened. The girls turned to their dad and hugged him.
“Daddy! Tell the witch to stop being mean!”
“Yeah Dad!” Dorian sighed and looked at both Val and I apologetically. Valerie rolled her eyes, we were trapped for a good 3 minutes waiting for the birds to lose interest and then we were off to wherever Val was taking up.
Once we finally got to the open fields Valerie took out the practice sword.
“Okay let's spare.” she smiled
“What? No-” I fought back.
“You’re the one that said you want to adventure-” Val pouted as she held up a practice sword in her hand.
“Yes… the doctor ordered me to rest-” I pointed out the sword. In reality I just didn’t want to think about the sword I had to wield, I just enjoyed picking flowers and catching bugs too much with Val.
“Yeah, and whose doctor?” Valerie placed her hands on her hips.
“You are-” I mumbled. Valerie cupped hand around her ear and leaned forward.
“I’m sorry- what did you say?” She mocked me and I rolled my eyes.
“A witch named Valerie is my doctor.” I spoke up.
“Mmhmm and that’s right- so..” Valerie pointed the wooden practice sword at me. I cracked my neck and took the sword. I took a stance that came naturally and looked for Valerie’s weapon. I was taken back when she asked to spare.
“Where’s your weapon?” I asked, straightening up.
“Don’t need one, I am a shadow dancer.” she smiled proudly. I raised a brow, I was confused but it must have been something Sheikah.
“As long as your safe-”
“Don’t worry you won't be able to touch it.” she promised. I snorted at her remark. Valeri was the opposite of competitive but this side of her was an interesting one. I shrugged the thoughts off and decided to play her game, I lunged and it was like a dance at the first step. As my sword towards her she tapped it with a soft tap like if she had been shooing the blade away and spun towards me. Following the momentum of my steps but backwards. Her arm went behind my neck as we stood side by side facing in opposite directions. It was a warning, if she had a sword my head would not be on my shoulders. I was stunned to put it lightly. But I couldn’t be shocked for long as my body seemed to have already guessed it was coming. I ducked, wrapping my arm around her waist to shoved her to the ground, but again she went with the motion and her legs kicked up allowing her to flip out of my grasp.
When we were both standing rightside up facing each other she smiled.
“You said I wouldn’t be able to touch you.” I joked.
“Well you haven’t hurt me.” she explained and I nodded in agreement. It was like she knew how to counter every thing I sent flying her way. She just seemed to dance around it, dodge, and block. I rotated my sword in my left hand. This was starting to get fun.
I ran and skidded down and swiped at her legs only for her to jump and land right on my sword. Bewildered, I continued and swung and legged at her to knock her down. She got off only to have got herself in the space between the position of my two legs and flipped over my body. I Tried to get her with my sword as she escaped but she was fast and managed to crouch on my level and hit my chest with her hand, throwing me backward. She got on top of me and with swift leg work and flexibility she kicked the sword away before pinning my arms to my side.
She just watched me struggle for a moment and then smiled lightly. I wiggled around my heart racing. I could get her off me easily but I didn’t want to.
“Are you going to get off me?” I huffed.
“No, the view is nice.” she smirked. I wrapped my legs around her torso and rolled her onto her back. Then I pinned her down despite her hand movements aiming for pressure points. I managed to dodge them and blocked well enough. I half heartedly put my weight on her to keep her from getting out. But she didn’t struggle, she just watched me.
“What? Need me to get off?” I said maybe a bit too cocky.
“The view is nice from down here too.” She smiled.
“Is it a part of the fighting technique to flirt?” I asked her amused.
“No, but it helps.” she shrugged. I got off of her and gave her a hand to help her up.
“You are too brazen and brash when you fight.” She explained as I picked up the practice sword from the ground.
“I fight on instinct.” I shrugged.
“Yes, I get that but it doesn’t suit you. It's too… sloppy and clunky. Like I am fighting a boar.” I snorted at the imagery.
“What would you suggest?” I offered and she tilted her head and snaked around me. My eyes followed her movements that led her to face me once more.
“You need to be like water- Your body is naturally flowy, momentum should carry you not work against you,. Though my flexibility is a lot better than yours, you have skills in technique, your speed is not bad, and your strength is at least average.” She noted out loud.
“Thanks?” I didn’t know whether to feel offended or not.
“But your accuracy, diligence, and precision is almost flawless.” She praised me.
“But I didn’t hit you once-” I stated and Valerie just smiled and raised a finger.
“You are an intuitive fighter but the biggest advantage it, knowing your enemy. The weak spots and their technique. What were some flaws you got from my style?” She asked, when did Valerie become a teacher in fighting?
“You favor your right side” I guessed, not really taking the lesson seriously. She ‘pfft’ at me and walked over with her hands behind her back.
“Child’s play, everyone has a favored side, yours is your left.” she claimed and she wasn’t wrong. I thought back at our fight, analyzing it frame by frame.
“Everything is momentum based and builds speed. You have to keep moving to build speed which is why you add extra spins and rotations. If we were in a place with not a lot of space that would be hard for you to work around.” I pointed out.
“No really I run on things, flip off things, bolt over- that’s not what makes the technique falter.” she explained. Yet, it made sense.
“Your flow carries you, you use my momentum to build your own, you use less of your own energy because you are using up the energy of your opponent. That is why I was having shortness of breath, and you weren’t. Your main grounding comes from the support of your stomach and feet. Which makes your weak points your stomach and feet, and the way to fight back efficiently is through less movement and single impact strikes.” I smiled feeling like I had won.
“Wow!” Val smiled and clapped. “Ready to try again?” she asked and I nodded, taking my fighting stance. I then thought of something, Val was right, now that I fought with her once it was easy to figure out how she would react to things, better to throw her off her guard. I finally started to be able to get the sword to land hit on her. I lifted the sword off her throat and she smiled and gave me a thumbs up. I didn’t tell her it felt like dancing. The ways she stepped around each other, moved in circles, got close then far again. It felt so familiar. She had gotten four more practice rounds in before the sun started to drop.
“We should head back.” Valerie mentioned after winning once again. We were basically even. I scratched the back of my head and turned to her.
“Guess you are right, didn’t realize the sun started to set.” I replied. She started to pack up and I helped her. We weren’t too far from home Hinato was still a walk away though. While we got closer we saw something strange in the distance. People in strange mask and outfits were obviously Yiga but the man fighting them off was-
“Dorian!” Val screamed and started to run to the fighting zone. I tailed her closely.
Val and I slid down the hill to get to Dorian and I pulled out the practice sword.
“Kids get back!” Dorian lifted up and hand protected us as he yelled back. The three Yiga circled us.
“Yehgah taw ming su jiustsu?” one of the masked men said to us. I had no idea what he just said.
“Where are they!” Dorian yelled at the group. But they were relentless. Dorian held his two swords tight in his hands.
“Deed aka!” shouted one and the group laughed. Val grabbed something from her pouch and started to rub it in her hands.
“You might want to cover your mouth Link” she warned before opening her hands and blowing the bright blue dust into the air. Dorian launched into the dust to attack the group but I was lost not knowing where to go but covered my mouth. I felt Val grab my arm and swung around me kicking someone. I turned and noticed Yiga and smacked his mask off with the wooden sword. The man began coughing until it turned into smoke. When the dust cleared and the other two had been dealt with by Dorian who looked angry at the bodies before they too turned into smoke.
Dorian reached down and picked up a piece of paper. He turned to Val and handed it to her.
“I couldn’t get any information from them either it seems” the older man crouched down and rubbed his face in his hands. He looked distraught and worried. Something I had never seen the man show before.
“Koko and Cottla… they have been kidnapped?” Valerie lifted her head from the paper. My heart stopped. Why would the Yiga steal two children?
“They burned down my shop and while the village worked together to stop it… they took them” he balled his hands in fist.
“You followed them this far, let us help.” Valerie remarked.
“No, I promised their mother I would take care of them and I can’t do that. I knew someday they would find me-” He stopped and held back tears. Dorian stood up and looked up into the sky. “How am I supposed to live with myself if they are dead?” Dorian stated in deep thought.
“We don’t know that yet-” I grit my teeth. I hated the thought of some lower class bandates kidnapping children.
“They are speaking with the northern Yiga Dialect; they must be from the mountains which are closer than the desert-” Valerie observed.
“That is what I thought… but that wouldn’t make sense how they found out about me…” Dorian mumbled.
“Why would that not make sense?” I finally asked. It seemed like both Val and Dorian seemed to know something I didn’t.
“Dorian is a defector of the Desert Yiga Tribe. If they got in contact with the Mountain Tribe, that's bad news.”
“Why?” I questioned and Val made a face.
“I need to go find them-” Dorian started to walk off.
“Wait, You need to tell Impa… you have been sending Sheikah intel for years, they have to help you, it's the least they could do.” Valerie skipped to keep up and grab Dorian’s sleeve.
“They never let me step foot in the tribe-”
“Maybe they’ve changed-” Val furrowed her brows as she radiated concern. I watched their interaction carefully. I always thought Val was close to Dorian because they were both Sheikah but it seems like they had built trust between them since she seemed to know a valuable secret of his.
“I can talk to Impa- Maybe she will believe me if I give her my word.” I suggested.
“That’s right- Link is blessed he has the hero’s sword and the Sheikah seems to trust him.” Valerie added.
“But my kids-”
“They are somewhere in the mountains which are filled with hidden caves and are dangerous. We need more people if we ever want to find them.” Valerie spoke up.
“It will take days to travel to and from Kakoriko.” Dorian responded.
“It wont with the Sheikah Slate.” I explained.
“I will stay with Dorian, Link. You go get Impa. We might find clues…” Valerie explained and I nodded that it would be the first time I wouldn’t have Valerie with me in 3 months. I felt uneasy. But at the same time… I realized she probably wanted to help Dorian and be there for him.
“You’re hurt-” Valerie stated as she motioned to his wounded shoulder. Dorina grabbed his shoulder.
“Well look at that.” he seemed to chuckle in disbelief.
“I will leave, see you in a few Val?” She looked over at me and nodded.

Scene 6: Nothing better could have happened
I met Valerie and Dorian with some Sheikah warriors at the bottom of the mountain.
“Do we know where they are?” I asked Valerie who nodded.
“Yes I was able to send a Minish to scout. They seem to be in a large room in the left cave of the mountain. They poured bioluminescent seeds on the ground to lead us the way.” Valerie smiled proud of her work.
“Minish?” Dorian gave Valerie a strange look.
“They are creatures that live in her walls-” I explain. Dorian shook his head.
“You kids and your fairytales.” he muttered.
“So what do you need to do?” asked a Sheikah warrior Impa sent with me.
“To find his kids, what else?” I started. Val walked up to them and handed them the strange egg stones she tends to get her hands on that glowed.
“These will help you see the trail of glowing seeds the Minish left behind. You can’t see them without it.” she explained. The Sheikah seemed confused but took the stones.
“Are you mixed with a south Hylian?” one of the Sheikah strangely asked her. I looked over at Val with a confused face.
“No I am pure blooded, probably more than you-” She stated quickly before going to Dorian’s side. One of the Sheikah warrier hit the other in the arm.
“Ah a city Sheikah.” and the other hushed him.
“Are we ready or not?” Dorian addressed the group. The men stood at attention as Dorian commanded the group with power and discipline.
We started to climb up the side of the mountain to get to the Cave Valerie had mapped out. Finally at the entrance the Sheikah took out the glowing rocks and started to look around. Funny enough the trail was there.
“Valerie I am starting to think you are too overpowered for your own good…” I was amazed by her sometimes.
“I am not Overpowered, I have friends…” she protested.
“Connections are a power too you know?” I stated.
“You two stop flirting and get ahead of the group.” Dorian ordered.
“Yes, Sir” we both said before walking ahead of the group. A puff of smoke and five Yiga Clansmen appeared.
“What do we have here? A traitor? Lier, and some heretics?” one Yiga pointed to each of us.
“And the girl?” asked the other Yiga beside the ring leader.
“A sick horse that should have been shot a long time ago.” the words from the leader made Val clench onto me. A hand instinctively fell to her gripping her back to show my support.
“Where are my kids?” Dorian demanded.
“In our bellies!” laughed one of the Yiga who made the others laugh. Dorian growled and pointed a sword at them.
“I should have had the Sheikah clear you out a long time ago!” Dorian and the Sheikah launched their attack.
My mind paused for a moment. When I first met the Yiga, it was after I got the master sword. There were only three of them. They didn’t know who I was till they saw the sword and got angry. I had almost died but I was able to run away to the Sheikah for help. Since then I hadn’t used the master sword since.
“And you call yourself the hero-” a Yiga had said back then. My grip tightened on the hilt of the master sword. Why was I so afraid to use this thing? Wasn’t I the hero? I was brought out of my thoughts as I blocked a strike from a Yiga with the wooden sword.
“Come on lier of Hylia! You can do better than that!” shouted the Yiga who attacked me again and again, pushing me into a cave wall. His sword was steel against wood. As I continued to block I felt the sword begin to splinter. I continued to fight back my muscles stronger than they were when I first fought with these punks. I smacked the man in the head with my own making him stumble. That’s right, their masks are their weekspots. I swept a leg kicking the mask causing it to break under my stop. The man poofed into a cloud of smoke. I felt another charge at me so I lifted my sword swiftly into an effortless block. But stopped back when the wooden sword sliced in half and flew out of my hand. The Yiga in front of me cackled.
I took the master sword out of my sheath and flipped it in my hand.
“Don’t worry I have a replacement-” I smirked. The Yiga paused his laugh and looked confused but also a terrier. “And this one’s shiny!” I slashed at the Yiga who attempted to block with his own sword. With a crack of steel the two touched and then a burst of light formed and a wave of force blew the man away. The light shone through the cave.
“Have you accepted it yet, hero?” I heard a metallic voice that I felt come in front of the sword I held.
“You used the hero's sword Link! Go Link!” Valerie cheered and I turned to her. She was pinned down by a Yiga. Yet she seemed unphased.
“You shouldn’t be cheering when you’re a’bout to die!” Yiga lifted his sword above his head to strike. Valerie grabbed his mask, pulled it to her and released it making a rubber band hard into his face. The man howled in pain as she kicked him off. I smiled, she seemed to be doing fine.
Once the five were dealt with, more flooded in. Yet, the master sword carved through them like butter. I didn’t realize how much easier it was to fight with it, my body just seemed to know what to do. We continued to follow the path while taking out more Yiga than I could count. Finally, in a large room two little girls tied up with rope sat in the middle. Koko stood up taking off the rope.
“See I told you, dad would get here too late we should have ran.” Koko stated. Dorian watched as his daughters removed the precut rope around them effortlessly.
“I told you daddy would save us, Koko.” Cottla argued with her sister. Dorian smiled brightly, proud of his girls.
“Girls!” He ran to them and knelt down to give them a hug.
“They said they were going to eat us, dad!” Cottle cried. “But I told them we were poisonous dad!” She hugged her father.
“I knew they wouldn’t believe that so I told them that cannibalism causes multiple health concerns such as Kuru which degenerates the brain just like mommy told me!” Koko cried. Valerie snorted in laughter next to me.
“She told me that too.” Valerie said without thinking.
“You knew her?’ I asked while I watched the happy reunion.
“I was her apprentice. She taught me herbalism and that was why I got into witchcraft.” Valerie smiled and looked at the girls in front of her and crossed her arms.
“I am so glad they are okay, they are family to me.” Valerie stated. Finally I understood. Dorian was similar to an adopted parent of an uncle to Val. Though I don’t know her story fully, she never talked about her parents before. So I could only assume they weren’t around.
“Let’s go home.” Dorian hugged his kids.
We headed back to Kakariko village but Vallerie paused and said she would rather sleep outside of town. I didn’t ask but she seemed shook when realizing we were healing back there to drop Dorian and the kids off there. She held herself and looked down lost in thought.
“I will stay with you-” I told her. She just looked up and smiled.
“Thank you,” she nodded her head.
“Thank you Val, without you we couldn’t have found the kids.” I said back she just shook her head.
“It’s the least I could do.” she shrugged. I just smiled. I didn’t know her well, but I was excited to start getting to.

Chapter Text

I met Valerie and Dorian with some Sheikah warriors at the bottom of the mountain.
“Do we know where they are?” I asked Valerie who nodded.
“Yes I was able to send a Minish to scout. They seem to be in a large room in the left cave of the mountain. They poured bioluminescent seeds on the ground to lead us the way.” Valerie smiled proud of her work.
“Minish?” Dorian gave Valerie a strange look.
“They are creatures that live in her walls-” I explain. Dorian shook his head.
“You kids and your fairytales.” he muttered.
“So what do you need to do?” asked a Sheikah warrior Impa sent with me.
“To find his kids, what else?” I started. Val walked up to them and handed them the strange egg stones she tends to get her hands on that glowed.
“These will help you see the trail of glowing seeds the Minish left behind. You can’t see them without it.” she explained. The Sheikah seemed confused but took the stones.
“Are you mixed with a south Hylian?” one of the Sheikah strangely asked her. I looked over at Val with a confused face.
“No I am pure blooded, probably more than you-” She stated quickly before going to Dorian’s side. One of the Sheikah warrier hit the other in the arm.
“Ah a city Sheikah.” and the other hushed him.
“Are we ready or not?” Dorian addressed the group. The men stood at attention as Dorian commanded the group with power and discipline.
We started to climb up the side of the mountain to get to the Cave Valerie had mapped out. Finally at the entrance the Sheikah took out the glowing rocks and started to look around. Funny enough the trail was there.
“Valerie I am starting to think you are too overpowered for your own good…” I was amazed by her sometimes.
“I am not Overpowered, I have friends…” she protested.
“Connections are a power too you know?” I stated.
“You two stop flirting and get ahead of the group.” Dorian ordered.
“Yes, Sir” we both said before walking ahead of the group. A puff of smoke and five Yiga Clansmen appeared.
“What do we have here? A traitor? Lier, and some heretics?” one Yiga pointed to each of us.
“And the girl?” asked the other Yiga beside the ring leader.
“A sick horse that should have been shot a long time ago.” the words from the leader made Val clench onto me. A hand instinctively fell to her gripping her back to show my support.
“Where are my kids?” Dorian demanded.
“In our bellies!” laughed one of the Yiga who made the others laugh. Dorian growled and pointed a sword at them.
“I should have had the Sheikah clear you out a long time ago!” Dorian and the Sheikah launched their attack.
My mind paused for a moment. When I first met the Yiga, it was after I got the master sword. There were only three of them. They didn’t know who I was till they saw the sword and got angry. I had almost died but I was able to run away to the Sheikah for help. Since then I hadn’t used the master sword since.
“And you call yourself the hero-” a Yiga had said back then. My grip tightened on the hilt of the master sword. Why was I so afraid to use this thing? Wasn’t I the hero? I was brought out of my thoughts as I blocked a strike from a Yiga with the wooden sword.
“Come on lier of Hylia! You can do better than that!” shouted the Yiga who attacked me again and again, pushing me into a cave wall. His sword was steel against wood. As I continued to block I felt the sword begin to splinter. I continued to fight back my muscles stronger than they were when I first fought with these punks. I smacked the man in the head with my own making him stumble. That’s right, their masks are their weekspots. I swept a leg kicking the mask causing it to break under my stop. The man poofed into a cloud of smoke. I felt another charge at me so I lifted my sword swiftly into an effortless block. But stopped back when the wooden sword sliced in half and flew out of my hand. The Yiga in front of me cackled.
I took the master sword out of my sheath and flipped it in my hand.
“Don’t worry I have a replacement-” I smirked. The Yiga paused his laugh and looked confused but also a terrier. “And this one’s shiny!” I slashed at the Yiga who attempted to block with his own sword. With a crack of steel the two touched and then a burst of light formed and a wave of force blew the man away. The light shone through the cave.
“Have you accepted it yet, hero?” I heard a metallic voice that I felt come in front of the sword I held.
“You used the hero's sword Link! Go Link!” Valerie cheered and I turned to her. She was pinned down by a Yiga. Yet she seemed unphased.
“You shouldn’t be cheering when you’re a’bout to die!” Yiga lifted his sword above his head to strike. Valerie grabbed his mask, pulled it to her and released it making a rubber band hard into his face. The man howled in pain as she kicked him off. I smiled, she seemed to be doing fine.
Once the five were dealt with, more flooded in. Yet, the master sword carved through them like butter. I didn’t realize how much easier it was to fight with it, my body just seemed to know what to do. We continued to follow the path while taking out more Yiga than I could count. Finally, in a large room two little girls tied up with rope sat in the middle. Koko stood up taking off the rope.
“See I told you, dad would get here too late we should have ran.” Koko stated. Dorian watched as his daughters removed the precut rope around them effortlessly.
“I told you daddy would save us, Koko.” Cottla argued with her sister. Dorian smiled brightly, proud of his girls.
“Girls!” He ran to them and knelt down to give them a hug.
“They said they were going to eat us, dad!” Cottle cried. “But I told them we were poisonous dad!” She hugged her father.
“I knew they wouldn’t believe that so I told them that cannibalism causes multiple health concerns such as Kuru which degenerates the brain just like mommy told me!” Koko cried. Valerie snorted in laughter next to me.
“She told me that too.” Valerie said without thinking.
“You knew her?’ I asked while I watched the happy reunion.
“I was her apprentice. She taught me herbalism and that was why I got into witchcraft.” Valerie smiled and looked at the girls in front of her and crossed her arms.
“I am so glad they are okay, they are family to me.” Valerie stated. Finally I understood. Dorian was similar to an adopted parent of an uncle to Val. Though I don’t know her story fully, she never talked about her parents before. So I could only assume they weren’t around.
“Let’s go home.” Dorian hugged his kids.
We headed back to Kakariko village but Vallerie paused and said she would rather sleep outside of town. I didn’t ask but she seemed shook when realizing we were healing back there to drop Dorian and the kids off there. She held herself and looked down lost in thought.
“I will stay with you-” I told her. She just looked up and smiled.
“Thank you,” she nodded her head.
“Thank you Val, without you we couldn’t have found the kids.” I said back she just shook her head.
“It’s the least I could do.” she shrugged. I just smiled. I didn’t know her well, but I was excited to start getting to.

Chapter Text

The dewy floor of the small glade Valerie and I set up camp at was welcoming. Even with the light sleeping bag underneath me I didn’t mind not having a blanket to cover me. Valerie, however, was nesting under two blankets and shaped into a ball on her sleeping bag, huddling for warmth.
I raised my hand up above my head to cover the moon and closed my eyes. Visions of the Korok forest came to my mind.
“May I ask…How did you get that sword?” Paya had asked when I first returned to the Sheikah Camp.
“I don’t know, It just- Found me”
I opened my eyes and looked at the sword resting next to me. How did I survive that? It was almost like all the bad had seemed to disappear and it was just puzzles. I smiled to myself, I did enjoy the puzzles though.
Rustling brought me out of my thoughts and I turned my head to see Valerie twitching. We were feet away from each other. She was on the other side of the smoking fire pit but I could still see her under the moonlight.
“Hmmm” a whine came from Valerie as her feet jerked again. I sat up immediately. Normally Val would be knocked out until morning. She was a heavy sleeper while every little thing tended to wake me up.
I heard some muttering but couldn’t tell the words. I got up to go over to her just to make sure she was all right.
“I’m sorry-” I finally hear her clearly. The whines seemed to be crying. I quickly got down to her and attempted to unwrap her cocoon she made too well. I lifted her up into my arms.
“Val-” I shook her finally finding her sweaty face, her entire body was covered in it. My heart sank, she looked pitiful. I removed more of the blanket and shook her again.
“I’m sorry” she muttered again, her face stained with tears. I felt her head and she was boiling. I blew in her face and that seemed to shock her awake. I was holding her in my arms when she had awoken and she looked shocked not realizing who I was until she relaxed her body and hid her face in my shift using a hand to grab on tightly to my neckline.
I started to ruckus both as I shushed her. I had no idea what was happening but she scared me. She continued to cry and repeat the same “I’m sorry” over and over. All I could do was purse my lips and close my eyes and remind myself that whatever she had seen in her dreams would go away. Her temperature was starting to make me feel hot as I started to shake due to the chills I was feeling.
Finally, she lifted up her face just to lift a hand and to grab my ear. I shivered at her habit.
“I’m sorry-” she repeated.
“For what? You don’t need to tell me if you don’t want to.” I informed her in a whisper. She shook her head.
“I’ve lied to you, I’ve lied about everything.” I felt my heart sink again wondering what she could have lied about. “I’m not a Sheikah-” her voice came out as a crack. In a second I was mad, ‘that is what caused this?’I thought it was odd and a bit silly to be mad at something like that. But then fear flashed on her face and it seemed to calm the little irritation I had.
“What do you mean?” I asked her.
“I’m Yiga” she gulped and I felt her clench her jaw. My brain ran backwards. The Yiga are just simple Bandits right? Why did that seem to scare her?
“So?” I said to her, She pulled away from me and sat up giving me a confused look. I in return gave her a confused look.
“You don’t hate me?” I almost spat out in laughter when she said that with all the seriousness she could muster written on her face. I covered my mouth with an arm and turned away. She probably heard the start of my laugh without fail. She shoved me lightly. “It’s not a funny Link, I am mortified.”
“Why?” I fired back and turned to look at her. She still seemed to be bothered so I tried to push down my desire to laugh at the situation and shook my head to force a more serious impression on my features. “Sorry, what happened in your dream Val?” I sincerely worried about what she had seen.
“I just remembered when I was excommunicated.” She brought her legs close to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
“Excommunicating from a bandit group seems harsh-” I said and looked at me in confusion.
“The Yiga are not a Bandit group. Why do you think that?” I shrugged at her response.
“Because they do petty theft and they hardly bother people.” I rubbed the back of my neck not seeing the big deal in why she seemed fired up and bothered.
“I don’t know what Impa has told you-”
“Well they did scout me out and tried to kill me when I-” I stopped talking. Up until that point I had never once spoken about my “situation”. Valerie had her theories of my strange “condition” but she had no idea that the hero from 100 years ago and I were the same person. She didn’t know that I had lost my memories, and up until then I was trying to keep “that side” and this life separate from her. I couldn’ help but think she was doing the same thing from me.
“See? They are assassins, highly trained.” her words pierced my ears.
“And you call yourself the hero-” I shook my head from the memory of being ambushed on my way out of the forest. “Not only that but they were the cause of the death of the late Queen, and sided with the dark Lord 100 years ago…you should know that.” my ears twitched at the sound of her retelling. I took a deep breath, I guess it was as good a time as any to tell her.
“I don’t know, because I can’t remember anything.” I looked back up just to see her eyebrows furrowed. “I haven’t been honest to you either Val-” I started off. She straightened up showing me that she was ready to hear anything I had to say. “You said I was bless by the goddess and I have a strong spirit but shattered constitution, that I have signs of escaping death and-”
“No that’s crazy-” she blurted out and Looked at her face and she was smiling widely. “So my theory was right?” she seemed to be now stuck on the fact she was right rather than being worried about me keeping a secret from her. I felt a bit relieved, she was the same as ever.
“And you being Yiga?” I asked, circling the conversation back.
“Well since you don’t know, I guess I feel relieved. The Yiga are not wanted or loved across Hyrule. Though the clan has become basically as you call it a “petty crime and theft group” they are still organized, so far. But most have been dismantled after 100 years of being created. Originally the Yiga clan were sympathizers of the Dark Lord Gannon. They were Sheikah who disagreed with siding with the royals after many Sheikah died in a war and the Hylians seemed to be using them as cannon fodder. The Yiga clan grew and were big on keeping their connection with shadow magic and their history. They are big on blood purity and wanting to keep any semblance of their connections to being part shadow kin.” she gave me a pretty understandable exposition dump.
I was thankful for it, because Impa would just tell me to “stay away” from the Yigas and that they are just a “lost, sorry, group” but never explain to me why they were such a problem.
“Some places still card Sheikahs to make sure they are not Yiga and an old 100 year law that some towns still follow. But not all, which is why I am limited to where I can live and go, until I have a Identification Card I can’t even step foot into a Sheikah Clan or they wouldn’t hesitate to throw me out or kill me-” information clicked into my head as she explained to me her situation. That is why she didn’t know who Paya was and when I asked Impa about her, Impa didn’t know who Val was. Many other things started to make sense in my head.
“So the dream then?” I asked and Valerie’s face dropped.
“Master Kohga, gave me an option to leave the clan or to stay and be an outcast for the rest of myself. I can’t do shadow magic, I wasn’t a good assassin, I didn’t add anything to the group, and I would avoid murdering or theft. He empathized with me but knew that if I had stayed, I would be unhappy for the rest of my life. For the price of freedom, I lost the only family I have ever known.” she stated.
“You know, my memories being gone also makes me feel like for the price of a new life I had to lose everything too.” I agreed with her. She looked back at me and put on a light smile.
“Now I feel stupid for not telling you beforehand.”
“It’s okay you thought I was going to kill you, which I would never do.” I shook my head as I smiled back.
“Thanks Link.” Valerie smiled and couldn’t help but snort at her innocence. I waved some air towards her. She still looked hot but seemed to be doing a lot better.
“Thank you too Val, I couldn’t get this far if it weren’t for you.” I meant what I said.
“Goodnight Link,”
“Goodnight Val-”

Chapter Text

Val picked up more flowers and shoved them into the tweed bag on her back. It had been weeks since the Yiga adventure and I had pestered Valerie for more since.
“Come on Val, you saw me with the sword! I can wield it now.” I tried to argue with her. I didn’t know why I needed her so badly to agree to let me go.
“I told you you can go, I just don’t agree with the idea of you going to the Gorons when you just healed your spirit and you are still sensitive to hot environments.” She explained for the third time that day. I walked backwards while she continued gathering ingredients.
“Why not?” I threw my hands up.
“Why do you want me to go? I helped you heal, you can do anything you want, you don’t need me.” she stated as she picked yet another flower.
“I want you to go with me. It feels boring without you.” I explained to her . Val paused and straightened her back holding the straps of the basket behind her.
“That sounds like you're procrastinating.” she identified.
“No, I just procrastinate when I am not with you.” she crossed her arms at my statement. “Trust me I have tried doing odd things here and there, on my own but it’s just not fun.”
“Is that why you came up with a reason to stay with me for over a week now?” she offered an answer and I clapped.
“Yes, right on the nose.” she rolled her eyes at me.
“But why the Gorons? I would be okay with it if it were Zora and Rito.” she stated. I smiled and pulled out a paper to give to her.
“Because they just opened a hot spring.” I pointed to the paper I handed to her.
“So instead of doing what you are supposed to be doing with the Gorons you are going to go to the Hot Springs?” she raised a brow at me.
“Yep, and if I just so happen to do the things on Impa’s list while I am there, I happen to do so.” I shrugged.
“I told you, you are week to heat-”
“Yes, but… you’re hot natured. And this is a “HOT Springs” you have been so busy lastly always concerned, worried, and high strung you need a break.” I explained to her. Valerie sighed and began to take off her basket.
“So all of this nagging is for me?” she pointed to herself.
“All of this nagging is for you, no one else.” I shook my head. Valerie smiled at me and finally seemed to get more relaxed.
“What about you?” She was still concerned for my health.
“I will take cold potions and eat a lot of bananas.” I joked and she smiled at me.
“Fine, but only because this was really sweet of you.” I bowed my head and she pushed it away playfully.
“Lets go pack.” she said while trying to keep down her laughter.
Heading back to Val’s house was always a treat. It didn’t help since I crashed there for over a week, my stuff was all over the place.
“Val, have you seen my bow!” I yelled out while searching the piles of outfits I had collected since my travels. I”Val have you seen my-” I paused as I looked up to see Lyle holding the bow up to me. “Oh thanks Lyle.” Dorthy clicked in the background. As my rummaging continued.
“Val have you seen my-” I stopped when arrows were brought to my face. I refocused on Val and I smiled, grabbing them from her hands.
“How has archery been?” she asked.
“I am starting to get used to this whole, muscle memory thing. It’s been getting better since I have been constantly exploring monster camps.”
“You mean destroying and killing every monster insight?” She corrected me.
“I don’t want to be harsh since I know you care about them, so let's stick to ‘exploring’” I smiled at her as I sat on the countertop of her shop. Dorthy clicked and went up to Val handing her bag to her.
“So I loaded my bag up with a bunch of ice crystals for you.” she smiled over at me.
“Why thank you.” I nodded my head. Allen Henry came in with another bag and clicked over to Dorthy who clicked back.
“What are they so bothered by?”
“They think we're going on a couples trip. Also Dorthy is sick and tired of you throwing your things around like this is a ‘bachelor pad’”. Valerie interpreted for me.
“Come on Dorothy, I am busy.” the Lizard clicked back at me and chirped.
“She said “You aren’t busy you are just Lazy-”” Valerie translated. “I prepared orders for you Dorothy they should be all in place and-”
“Ma’m a letter-” a Rito male came in through the shop window and then handed Valerie the letter.
“Nice to see you Allen Henry, Lady Dorothy-” He greeted with a solute. The lizard’s soluted back. The bird whistled and looked around.
“You like you have been busy.” he observed, looking at the packages and potions everywhere as well as loose herbs across the counter I was sitting on.
“Well it seems when you are the only shop in town you get that way. Here are the orders for the Rito.” Valerie handed him four stacked boxes. The Rito smelled the packages and hummed happily.
“Honey teas and rose teas. Smells great… and the potions?”
“In the bottom box” Valerie pointed. Valerie seemed to be going all over the place and bonked her head on a lower shelf. “Oh the minish left a note ‘please tell Link to stop snoring, it's shaking our houses apart- Guhlee.’ You heard that Link?” she called out.
“Yeah, yeah, I heard. Tell them, if they have a potion to help with that I am willing to try it.” I started back. The bird looked at me and placed the letter on the table next to him.
“You’re Link? Ms. Valerie says you are best friends.” he smiled.
“He is!” Valerie’s head popped up from under the counter as she looked at me and smiled.
“That I am-” I agreed.
“Oh, Link this is Percy he is my new package delivery boy. He is the only one I could find that wasn’t bothered by the monsters.” She introduced me to the Rito who was starting to attach the boxes to his hips.
“That is true, I don’t mind though. They are nice, even the large cat.” Percy pointed to Lyle.
“Yeah he is just a giant kitten.” I said with a smile.
“Okay that’s it- ready to go?” Valerie asked, putting a backpack on her shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” I chimed.
“Where are you two going?” Percy asked. Allen Henry held up a sign. “A… date?” Percy read out loud in confusion. Valerie looked at the sign and smiled.
“Wow Allen Henry you’ve gotten better at Hylian, good for you.” she smiled.
“Yeah but he spelled vacation wrong.” I joked.
“Yes, D.A.T.E definitely is a misspelling of vacation. You ground people are weird.” Percy shook his head.
“He was just joking Percy. Allen Henry thinks it's a date but Link is just taking me to the Goron Hot Springs because I have been stressed.” Valerie continued to explain.
“And you two are going together?” The rito used a wing feather to point from Val to me.
“Yes.” Val stated.
“Alone?”
“Yes?” Val seemed to pause, not understanding his questioning.
“Sounds like a date to me.” he shrugged.
“It’s not.” we said at the same time.
“Fine don’t shoot the messenger, I left the letter for you Val, I am going to head out.” he stated before hopping onto the window sill.
“Careful flying!” Val waved him off.
“Ready?” I asked.
“Ready-” she agreed.
Val and I walked to the Stable as she gave me a look.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing, I thought you traveled there before-” she muttered.
“Well… I haven’t because my doctor suggested for me to ‘stay away from warm atmospheres’ till I felt 100% heeled”. I quoted her and wanted to grab the lead.
“Really?” her voice was high pitched in excitement.
“Really-” I affirmed until I felt a hug behind me. I paused and looked down at her, she was trying to squeeze me as hard as she could with a smile written across her features. “What is this for?” I asked in curiosity and amusement.
“Because you listened, and that makes me feel like you cared about my opinion.” She looked up at me with her sparkling eyes. As an attempt not to fall into her stare further, I looked away.
“Right” I cleared my throat. “I respect you but everyone should be doing that.” I responded and she finally let go.
“Still, I really appreciate it.” she stood on her tippy toes to meet my height. I patted her head as I smiled to myself. She sure was cute.
I got down on one knee and cupped my hand.
“Ready?” I asked her and she smiled. Valused my hand to step on to get onto the horse first. I easily mounted behind her. Valerie took the reigns and I was about to stop her whens she she pulled on them and yelled “Hya!” which sent Epona reared off, almost causing me to fall off. I grabbed on to Val as she sent Epona into a sprint.
“Val, I love your enthusiasm, please make her slow down?” I requested.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because if she gets tired too fast it will take longer to get there-” Val immediately pulled to signal a break into a gallup. “And she will need to take a break.” I added as we started to go into a trot.
“Sorry girl, here has some corn.” Valerie pulled corn from out her pouch and started to feed Epona while we trotted.
“Here, let me.” I gestured for the reins and Valerie let them to me while focusing on the horse leaning further to feed her loose corn. O smiled while Valerie petted her mane.
`”What a good girl Epona, sweet girl Epona.” Valerie sang as she petted the horse. “Remember when you first bought her and I told you her fur would make a good pelt?” Valerie remembered out of nowhere it took me off guard and I looked back at her.
“No, I don't remember that.” I coughed. Valerie had this tendency to get bored and speak her mind without a filter. I was thrown off everytime she did it but I recognized that it was a good thing she felt comfortable enough around to speak her mind, even on the matters that seemed off.
“Oh, must have said it in my head then.” she said blankly and then went back to humming and petting the horse. I snorted to myself.
“Valerie, why do you see everything as marketable?” I wondered out loud.
“Not marketable, useful. Death is just life given back to the earth where it was created- haven’t you heard that before?” She stated and I nodded my head following her line of thought but not wanting her to win that easy.
“Empona is NOT dead-” I remarked and Val just smiled and gave Empona a hug.
“I know that- I guess I am just so used to surviving I tend not to think about the lives that are just ‘living’.” she paused resting her head on Empona’s neck. I hummed to myself.
“I see that, but don’t ‘usify’ my horse please.” I asked.
“I promise, besides, she is so sweet and saved my life. How could I not be kind to something that has helped me?” I shook my head at her words. The ‘saving” Valerie was referring to was when Empona bludgeoned a Stalmoblin that attacked her while she was dangerously looking for wisp orbs in the middle of the night, right after a blood moon.
“If you were dead I would make your hair into wigs.” she joked as she lifted her head up to look back at me. If she said anything like this to another person I bet they would feel offended. I just thought she was being her normal goofy self.
“Yeah? And I would use your eyes for enchantments.” I threatened back.
“I’d take your kidney-”
“Which one?”
“Left”
“Bummer, I liked that one, then I’d take your left rib.”
“You can't, I already have one less than you.”
“Then what’s one less more?”
“Fine, then I’d take your heart.” Val sat up proud.
“Can’t take something I already gave.” I smirked back and she paused.
“You’d give me your heart?” she gasped in excitement. Strangely enough my heart started to race. I was sure Valerie was excited at the fact she thought I was a willing participant in organ donation right now.
“Yes.” I said with a smile willing to give it in at least a metaphorical sense.
“I don’t know what I could do with the hero’s heart- probably save a life or use it as an enchantment.” I nodded as I followed her thought process.
“What would I do with a witch’s heart…” I thought outloud. “Probably lock it up in a chest to keep it for myself.” I joked.
“So unuseful-” Valerie tisked.
“It does have a use.” I clarified.
“What?”
“It makes me happy.” I pointed out and Valerie seemed pleased in my response as she nodded her head with a hum.
We talked all the way up to Gronon's land as the air grew thicker with heat and ash.
“As Sweet is to vinegar as honey is to-” I paused for her to answer.
“Salt-” Valerie answered. “As night is to day then man is to-”
“Women-” I answered, we had been going 8 rounds now with no real desire to stop “As Land is to sea as dust is to-”
“Death,” she smiled.
“That’s a good one,” I told her.
“As death is to life as life it to-”
“Death.” I smiled widened since for some season we were finding such joy in the game we made up. “Look-” I pointed up and Valerie followed my finger.
“There it is-” I said with a smile.
“Wow a mountain.” Valerie said sarcastically.
“Ha- very funny-” I started Emppna into a gallup and climbed up to the address on the paper I brought.
The location of the spring was in between the canyons surrounding it. The water is a deep azure blue mirroring the sky. The place was colorful, more than Death Mountain was in the Eldin Country. I lept off Epona and helped Valerie down as we were greeted with a smaller Gron who wore a large backpack, sun glasses, and a Hawaiian shirt. He waved at us and I lifted a brow, he wa spettery far from home.
“Howdy! You must be the hero everyone keeps talking about- man it was hard to track you down until I found the address in Hinato." The Goron greeted us. I shivered at the thought he knew where I lived. “Don’t worry I ain’t gonna tell anybody. Besides you’re a friend.” He laughed. I looked at Val who seemed to be surveying the area.
“This palace seems empty-” She brought up.
“Yeah, yeah let me show you the lay of the land, This place was my grandfather, grandmother's sister's name Rudala. Who was over 700,000 years old in the Hylian years.” He brought up and started to walk to a wood hutch.
“What made you want to set up a Hot Spring?” Valerie asked.
“Like I said, this place has been in the family for generations. But never was used. I was hoping the hero could take a look at it. It seems like I have a bit of an ‘infestation problem’ nothing big-” the man nervously laughed. “But I can’t seem to get rid of the pest you see?” the man scratched his head with rocky hands. “Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, Name’s Kent” he gave a hand for Vla and I to shake.
“Link-” I greeted.
“Valerie-” Valerie offered her name as well. The Gronon looked between us and lowered his sunglasses to appear over the rim.
“I am not gonna lie, lil fellow, you should keep the lass away from the pest they are pretty nasty I tell yah.” he stated in a darker tone then I thought was possible for a Goron. But the guy didn’t seem like a normal Goron at all.
“If they are poisonous, count me out, but other than that I can handle it.” Valerie said with a reassuring smile. The man laughed and motioned for us to follow him up the stairs.
“Now this hutch could use some fixing up, it was… uh… like this when I got here- I swear… but if I get a chef it could make a good restaurant… I hope.” he showed off the open room. “Now there is a lower deck that leads straight into the cave system that leads to many rooms where you can have your own private springs… it seems like the pest is coming from there-”
“So you invited the hero- just to get rid of your “pest Problem?” Valerie stated and he gave her a thumbs up.
“Right o’ lil lady. That and free commercial profits. If people knew the hero came here, more people would come.” I felt my mouth pursed at what he said. Sure I guess he was smart in marketing but I felt a bit taken advantage of.
“Where did you learn commercialism from the Zora?” Valerie seemed to get mad at my behavior when she crossed her arms.
“Haha No, the Zora no trades but nothing about profits!” The Goron winked. “No I learned from the sea side-”
“Oh tourist locations-” Val and I said at the same time and looked at each other.
“Righty O’ and no offense lil buddy. I will pay you back handsomely.” He made a motion of ‘cha ching’ with his fingers.
“How handsome?” Val asked with skepticism.
“Free food and board, that is if I get this place up and going. Just see yourself as a 10% shareholder.” Kent stated.
“That’s literally nothing if you don’t get this place running-” Valerie barked.
“Then I guess you have to trust me-” He smiled. Valerie looked at me and hmmed she wasn’t convinced but I shrugged.
“20% and it’s a deal-” I stated and he snapped.
“Done and did friend-” he then reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out two keys. “Didn’t plan on two baths being used, but I am glad I prepared. Take care and enjoy the stay, towels are in the back of that.. Slightly damaged counter.” he pointed. I looked back and saw the completely damaged wooden counter with multiple towels neatly folded and some on the floor covered in wood dust. The man saluted us and left us alone.
I followed Valerie into the middle of the tea room picking up our bath towels. I looked around, the stools were strung about with broken glass on the floor. I looked at Valerie who seemed oblivious to the mess.
“Hay Val- You want tea?” I asked. Internally I was sensing something was off so before we headed into the individual steam rooms I wanted to, map the area.
“Did we pack your tea set?” She asked and I pulled the tea set from my bag.
“I always have my tea set.” I smuggly pulled out the set and then grabbed a table to flip it right before setting things down.
“Have fire pellets?” I asked and Val nodded, reaching in her bag and handing me the pellets. I set up the Sheikah tea set and she watched me carefully when I pulled out a tea puck and placed it in the liner breaking it apart. I pulled out my flask and put a fire pellet in and started to shake to make hot water. I poured the water through the tea and then poured Val and I a cup. I took a drink and looked around. The main tea house looked like one of the windows had been broken into as I looked at the wood that was pushed to our direction. Now that I had the chance to really look, scratch marks had been left on the ground and a wall.
I looked back at Val who had her nose scrunched up.
“What?” I chuckled at her silly face.
“It’s bitter.” she whined and I snorted.
“It’s strong black tea.” I smiled back at her while taking another sip. The girl could drink her gross tasting potions but couldn’t handle bitter tea.
“It’s Pu-erh, it’s strong because it’s fermented.” I explained and she took another sip again making a face.
“We can change into another one-”
“No, now it’s a question of my pride.” she chugged the tea down and slammed the shot onto the table still making a face. “Ah-” she let out but not because it was refreshing but because she was attempting to hold herself together. I just smiled and sipped mine again, continuing to look around.
“Val… What does the scratch mark look like? Are they animals or monsters?’ I asked her and used my pinky to point at the marks on the floor. Valerie stood up from her spot on the ground to take a closer look at the scratch marks.
“We are in the Eldin Region, by the Canyon’s and we are around a cave… this resort is even built in deep caves…they could be… Horriblin…but they don’t leave the deeps…” Valerie turned to be with furrowed brows.
“Never heard of them.” I drank more Tea.
“That’s because most caves safe for adventuring in and living in… aren’t deep enough to go into the section that fills into cave lakes. But since I have ventured into the Zora Depths and their air pocket caves, I have run into them. My question is, why are they above ground?” Valerie turned to me and I shrugged.
“You don’t think-” Valerie tilted her head as she pitched her voice looking concerned.
“That is was a set up? Yes I do…” I finished drinking and started to clean things up.
“No- this was supposed to be an easy day…” Valerie looked over her shoulder at the ruined window.
“Well, adventure is fun, just see it as fun.” I tried to think positively.
“I sense… coolness. This place is strangely colder than one would expect being close to Death Mountain… and there is a thick coat of ink in the air.” Valerie started on a tangent.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” I told her.
“I am saying that we might be on a monster spawn point-” she began and i realized I got her started and it was my fault. “Remember how I said that my theory is that all monsters started from below? They ended up crawling up and forming villages and communities but they all started from somewhere. When they die their bodies seem to ‘disappear’. But my theory is that they return to where they came-kinda like the water cycle but with monsters-.” she explained. I nodded and let her keep talking while I threw out the tea, a waste, but I will get more. “Anyways Monsters seem to always seem to be thickest in areas dense with shadow magic. Either it be the cold, water, or death. Like in the desert most monsters appear where places are haunted or when death is occurring frequently. Oh why in the fields they show up more near gravesites. Getting off track- but I think the hot spring pools lead to a monster spawn point.” Valerie finally closed up her statement and I clapped and stood up.
“Good, let's look for the opening then- You have your key?” I questioned as I showed her mine. She nodded and held up hers. We took out stuff and split up each of our bathrooms. Just as the owners said I had to walk through a maze of cave walls to find my spot. It looked like a normal hot spring, only the furthest wall, the water seemed to disappear.
“Huh a sump” as the voice said in unison with my own. I paused and looked around. “Valerie?” I called out.
“Looks like we share a water source… gross.” I heard her behind a wall but echoing it looked like the wall in between us wasn’t closing off. I went over to the wall and knocked, it was still limestone.
“Could it be a man made wall?” I questioned out loud.
“Look like the water flow goes under-” Valerie observed.
“That’s what I thought-” I stated. Before I could say anything else I heard a growl bubble up from the water. The water started going down.
“Ah!” I heard Val scream and my heart rate spiked. I ran to the wall between us and pounded on it.
“Val!” I yelled.
“Step away from the wall I am sending it to you!” She shouted I was confused on “what” she was “Sending” to me but I stepped away hearing a roar and a ‘bang’ on the wall. Cracks begin to form as stone breaks off the wall.
“Val?” I called out asking for her to give me more information.
“Okay one more time- It’s some kind of Igneo.” she explained from the other side. “Don’t be in front of the wall!” I flinched as Io moved to the side and another bang almost shattered the wall. Finally I could see the beast. It shook its head.
“Never mind, third times the charm!” Val called out “I hope” I heard her mutter. I ran to my bag and pulled out a shield and sword.
“Go ahead and send it my way!” I yelled back. Finally the wall was crushed down and the monster ran right into the other wall in my room. I hit my sword on the shield getting its attention. The whole monster filled the room with steam as it marched out of the room it was trapped in. The heat made it hard to breathe and the steam made it hard to see. The Igneo Pebblits glowed a dull red going in and out. In the steam I could still see the glow of its body where visible cracks formed. Which put me at an advantage of sorts if it couldn’t see me. I used the time I was cloaked to use the cold potions Val made me on my swords and rush the rock giant. I pieces it but strangely it didn’t seem to be phased. I stared in confusion as it swung me away, the sword still stuck.
I managed to stay up even after being shaken off.
“Val a little help!” I yelled out. The boulder roared and started to kick its legs back to charge at me. I rolled away, barely missing me. I looked back as it hit the entrance of the room causing the loose ceiling rocks to hit it. It shook in confusion.
“What’s wrong-did you not eat the cold crystals?” I shook my head, why was she mentioning them? My head started to throb and I felt myself getting dizzy. I shook my head trying to focus, the steam seeming to be getting to me.
“No, I used a potion to make my sword cold but it did nothing!” I shouted back, Where on earth was she? I looked around… I couldn’t see the large rock and it glowed anywhere.
I stumped back and looked around for the wall and finally found it. My sense of direction was foggy but if I memorized the room well enough I was near my bag again. I looked around and couldn’t find the bag.
“Val! Seriously, I can't see!” I yelled back.
“Stop screaming, it can hear you!” I heard Valerie as I then heard a bunch of banging noises. “It’s not a regular Magma Igneo! Or a tundra! So the only thing that works is getting it to ram into things or exploding it!” I heard Valerie scream. I paused…she was right. Finally I found that darned bag and opened up the sheikah slate.
“Can you clear out the steam!?” I yelled back.
“Use the dam leaf! I don’t have any Wind Tunnel Potions!” her yelling sounded annoyed. I wiped the sweat from my head, why was it so hard to think, I knew that I normally can solve things on my own. I did it for weeks before coming back to see Val. Why was I depending on her so much? Took out the Deku leaf and blue the steam away and saw the Igneo standing confused. It seemed to be going from me and Valerie as we were shouting but now that it saw me, it turned and started to pick up a rock to throw. I rolled out of the way and started using the sheikah slate to try to bomb the creature. I locked on and started to cause it to crack with each bomb placed, finally- it was down. The creature left in smoke. I looked around, the water was completely dead. Now the shaft that drained the water down was completely exposed.
Valerie ran over in a towel. I was confused why she was wearing that-
“Oh my gosh Link-” She forcibly sat me down and felt my head. She reached into my bag and took out an Ice crystal and placed it on my head and blew on my face. Funny enough, my head felt more clear and I could think straight. Valerie dug in her own bag and moved her mouth open and I opened my own. She popped a pill in my mouth and I felt the cool feeling run over my body.
“You know- there you go again forgetting about your health.” Valerie looked over at the Cave Shaft and Smiled. “At least that monster helped us find a way deeper into the cave.” I crunched on the pill and slowed. My body felt a lot lighter and less sweaty.
“Why are you in a towel?” I asked and she gave me a look.
“Because we are going in water and my outfit is leather-” she pointed to the shaft opening I nodded.
“You’re gonna stay in your clothes?” she asked and I shrugged.
“Well now that you mention it, I should put on my swim trunks-” I grabbed my bag and pulled out the trunks.
“Okay you do that, but…” She grabbed a string of ice crystals and started to place it around my neck.
“The further we get down the colder it will be. But you are still injured so… keep this for at least 15 minutes.” She ordered and I gave her a solute.
“Yes mam.” she smiled and walked back into her room to give me space to change.
She met me back into my room and I picked up my bag and sword, putting it back on my hip. We looked at each other and without hesitation jumped straight down.
The wind pushed us down until we fell into an open space and landed into the cave lake. We surfaced at the same time and looked around. The place glowed with algae and fungi. But no Luminous stones were there. The Blue hugh of the dim light covered everything. The water itself looked black. We climbed out onto land but it was slippery and hard to grasp. Noises of chattering came all around us as large steps came closer.
I jumped up and got out my sword but didn’t see anyone. Valerie stayed by myself and poked my arm. I looked at her and she pointed up. I looked up and there on the ceiling of the cave and the walls, were strange monsters with mushrooms growing on them.
“It’s a Horriblin den.” she whispered but even her whisper has a slight echo to it. They seemed to be leaving us alone for the time being.
“Looks like we fell 1.32 acres, possibly a bit more. We could use a wind bomb and the leaf to get back up.” I pointed out.
“We can also follow the water, Cave Lakes drain into rivers” Valerie suggested.
“Yeah, but if my internal map is right, that would take us days- and would lead out to the ocean.” I sighed looking around. Valerie went up to touch a wall.
“I am looking for a dark ink- that has smoke coming off of it- but it shouldn't be this high without a spawner close by.” Valer paused. “Also don’t touch it, it drains me and I can only be around it for 20 minutes, but it might kill you.” I nodded my head, noted. We walked around until Valerie noticed an opening to another section of the cave.
“How is that brain map of yours?” She asked and I smiled as we shimmied through a tight fit.
“Memorizing ever-” Something popped up in front of me and I stabbed it as it seemed to laugh and flip around to land in front of me. “Let me guess- Horriblin?” I slashed its head off with one motion and Val looked at me amazed. I just shrugged and we continued.
Finally we made it to what it looked like a pool of blood, moving early as red fog wisped around it.
“Is that what you talked about?” I pointed to the moving blood. Valerie noded.
“Like I said… it should be here- See that purple crystal in the center? That’s the spawn point, we destroy that and monsters will die.
“Let me get this straight- if I just get rid of all the things you call “spawners in hyrule then I could kill all the monsters in Hyrule?” I asked her in disbelief.
“Yes and no, the monsters above ground have been here for ages and therefore have made establishments. They don’t need the spawners, they have biological factors and survival skills.”
“And the blood moon resurrects them anyways.” I thought outloud her crazy theory was sounding more and more plausible. The blood started to gurgle as hands from nowhere appeared from the ink and climbed out. Twitching Horriblins with the blood-like substance running from their eyes stood up as if they were being puppeted by something.
“The spawner is trying to protect itself.” Valerie stated and I cracked my neck. I was about to launch into an attack but felt something snap off my neck. Valerie grabbed the ice crystal necklace and threw it into the blood. I looked at her confused.
“I need to prove a theory I have never been up close to before, it’s 100% shadow blood magic. Light would be the best tool to destroy it… or spirit…” Valerie took one of her polished egg shaped stones out and the Horrible hissed as then began to run at us.
“Great- I don’t have any light arrows…” then I looked at my sword… the spirit sword… oh yeah. I shook my head and dodged an attack and ran my sword through the Horrible and kicked him off of it. The creatures poofed and went back into the crystal and another one began to form from the blood like substance. I Hit about and dodged another. But there were 16 for them and the number was multiplying slowly.
“Val…” I said with a worried tone. Even if I could cut all of them down, they just kept coming.
I heard Val smashing something and then ran around me to throw a luminescent dust at the group. They started wailing and disappearing back into the crystal. She handed me some fragments from thos stones she collected.
“How good are you at the slingshot?” she asked and I smirked.
“Very good, first weapon I ever learned to use.” I took out my sling shot and placed the stone in before aiming at the stone. The creatures were starting to form again. I released the sling shot and it was sent right into the crystal. It cracked and completely shattered the blood retreated and so did the monsters wailing in agony. I covered my ears. I could hear the same screaming from where we came from.

Everything became silent and we decided to make our way back. I was a bit shaken by what we had just seen, but Val seemed unphased.
“Have you seen the spawners before?” I finally asked as he climbed back out of the room we were in and back to the Cave Lake.
“Yeah, I avoided them. I couldn't get close because it hurts to buy them… I don’t die… but I feel it crawling inside me…” she shivered.
“You don’t have to tell me-”
“No, I was curious…wouldn’t wish it on anyone. That was when I was really interested in the tablets the Zora’s hid. I took some time down in their catacombs. They have Ancient Hylian tablets there too.”
“How do you know if it’s Hylian?” I was curious about what she had found out while she was down there.
“That's the only explanation… The Tablets state there was a God that once lived in a place called the Holy Place, there was once placed an artifact that could undo the darkness and reverse corruption. The artifact is some kind of Triangle.” She explained.
“Why would the Zora be hiding Hylian History?”
“Maybe they were entrusted with it- maybe they stole it- what does it matter? The Lizalfos only report that the Zora stole their land and gained the knowledge of the egg in the sky. See why I can’t trust them?” Valerie shrugged and kept moving to the place we started.
“Hold on val, you are going different directions to slow down for me while you are lore dumping okay?” I started and she nodded.
“Lizolfos worship the sun, and they believe it's a Yoke. They are also, along with the Zora, the oldest sentient monster race. They talk about wars. So there must have been wars way before Hyrule was established. As for the ‘Holy Place’ and Artifact… I know nothing about the Holy place, only that they kept the artifact there. The Artifact is something that undoes corruption and darkness. What if the land was just darkness, until the artifact changed that brought heaven to earth as one may say. Assuming the dark magic we seen here today is the same that the artifact is supposed to heal- I am guessing my dark Lord of Monsters Theory is right. Theory being- The Dark Lord Calamity Gannon was a necromanor that fought the gods, corrupted the land and took over. The gods chose Hylians to take the artifact and banish evil. The hero was one of the chosen to banish the evil.” Valerie gasped which made me jump. “What if Hylia wasn’t a goddess? But a chosen person who was treated like a goddess because she could use the artifact? Then she chose the champion, just like the princess from 100 years ago. I saw pictures in the old ruins of 7 people standing next to a girl and boy. The words written translates to the ‘7 wise men with the hero and goddess’. Or could be translated to Sages, or Maharishi which is similar to a Yiga word meaning a Spirit essence brought to life like- wind, fire, water, earth, spirit, light, and shadow.” she started to spiral
“Come down from the spiral and let me take it in.” I placed a hand on her shoulder and she calmed down.
“So, Your theory is that Hylians came from the sky? Hell was on earth till they came down? They used their magic Artifact to seal away all the demons under them? This continued to happen constantly- and the ones that used this artifact are usually a Hero, Princess, and 7 Champions?” I was trying to make sense of everything she told me.
“Kinda, I like your Hylians came from the sky theory but we don’t have evidence, if anything the world was always flooded with monsters till the artifact helped get rid of them. If we find that artifact we could reseal Calamity Gannon and all the monsters.” she explained and I scratched the back of my neck. I was confused but at least I understood the bare minimum of her theory.
“You know I said Neutral magic is only found in Hylians?” her question caught me off guard as I prepared to blast up out of here.
“They are earth and rock right?” I hesitated to say anything.
“I lied, neutral magic is also found in fairies. Nature being the most neutral of all the magics. So if I go from Purest to Darkest in magic it would go: Spirit, Light, Fire, Plasma, Time, Nature, Mineral, Wind, Water, Shadow, Death or Blood… which makes 11 not 7. So that means… the 7 in theory could technically be any one of those elements at any given time there isn’t a set specific.” I ruffled her hair to get her to stop and she looked at me in confusion.
“You need to calm down Val- you are worrying yourself too much.” I suggested and she sighed with a pout.
“Yeah, but it’s making me think… I am worried about Link. If you're the hero… where is the relic? Is the princess from 100 years ago using it to seal herself in with the Dark Lord Gannon? And what about the 7 Wise Men? Or Sages or Champions?” I grabbed her shoulders and gave her a look.
“Let's not worry about the future, let's worry about the present. Are you ready to hang on?” I asked her to pull her into me so she could hold me while I blew up in the air with a wind bomb. She nodded and I took out my shield to drop it under us.
As we were lifted up I pulled out the leaf and was sent up in the air, back in the spring room that was empty with water. Waiting for us was Kent who fell backwards, shocked at us coming from the hole in the ground.
“You’re both alive?”
“What surprised us that we didn't die in your death trap?” Valerie and I landed and he let go of me.
“I swear I wasn’t trying to hurt you all, but if anyone can figure out a monster problem its the hero…” Kent explained.
“I don’t understand why you just didn’t tell the truth-” I remarked and Kent stood up, dusting himself off.
“That is- I heard the Hero tends to enjoy being lazy… so I guess I was playing on the fact your laziness would make you want to relax and not fix a mess of someone else's.” he had a point there, he played me at my own game.
“I am lazy, not cruel- next time just tell me. It might not be when you want it, but sometimes it’s good to be patient.” I motioned and the Goron bowed.
“Yes, I am sorry, so sorry, friend.” he apologized.
“Now we got that out of the way- it’s time for a vacation from this vacation.” Valerie sighed and I nodded.
“Good meeting you Kent, see you around.” I waved and Kent waved back.
“Enjoy the adventure lil buddy!” he called out as we left.