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The climb up to Polymus mountain was quiet.
I silently followed Link as he picked his way through the dirt road. It was midday, yet the clouds overhead darkened the world to make it seem like it was nearing dusk. The frigid temperature did nothing to help this bitter feeling, seeping into my scaled skin despite it being the middle of summer.
Looking up at the boy in front of me, I watch as his messy hair bounces with each of his steps. His visit had come as a surprise to me. We Zora had requested help from the Hyrulians, yet I did not expect… Link to be the one who answered the call.
It’s been a while since we’ve spent time together. Memories of our childhood here at the domain come peeking through my mind. We grew so close together during that time. He was my… escape from the political responsibilities of a princess. His Hylian wildness drew me in, a change of pace from the formal Zora customs. He helped me find and develop my healing power, learning how to control it to do what I wanted.
He was gone too soon, off to the castle to train to protect Hyrule’s throne.
But now he’s back. He’s grown so much since I’ve last seen him as a little boy. His features are so much more defined. He’s… handsome, I will admit it. He walks with a confidence that only could come with age. At the same time, I can see some of that pressure of maturity weighing down on his features. I am aware of his role to Hyrule.
It does make me wonder what hides beneath those crystal blue eyes, behind that carefree smile he greeted me with earlier.
As we reach the peak of the mountain, he slowly stops and turns towards me. “You know the plan?” He whispers.
I nod, clearing my head of the ghosts of the past. The Lynel, that’s why we’re here in the first place. Us Zora have been plagued with this foul beast for far too long. We used to use this mountain as a sort of informal right of passage, the tip of it used as a diving point to the reservoir below. However now the Lynel that made its home here, it has stopped us from doing so.
I wanted to take action to rid of it immediately, yet my father ruled it too dangerous. Due to the lack of experienced warriors, he requested aid from the castle, which eventually led to Link standing in front of me today.
He unsheathed his broadsword from his back, glistening in the open air. The yellow sigil of the Royal Family rested upon its hilt, extending outward to support a polished silver blade.
I readied my trident.
He held out three fingers.
Three.
Two.
One.
Link sprinted out onto the mountaintop above. Peering over the edge of the cliff. I see the Lynel swing it’s head over to the sudden noise. It lived in open field of water, large rocks and tall trees scattered throughout the area.
The Lynel threw its maned head up to the sky, letting out a roar that shook the water beneath it. Drawing its bow from its back, he aims directly at Link, lightning flashing from the arrows.
Link simply puts one hand on his back and waits.
The Lynel fires. Link immediately draws his thick wooden shield from his back and holds it out in front of him.
The arrows dig in with a loud thump, electricity dying out.
I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
It’s my turn.
I sprint out of my hiding place, footsteps splashing in the thin sheet of water. The Lynel’s heavy gaze shifts upon my approaching figure. It draws its sword, raising it behind its head.
Its blade came crashing down. Quickly dashing to the right, I attack his flank with quick thrusts as its sword gets stuck in the muddy dirt beneath us. Its fowl scent of dead fish and musk filled my senses as I hacked away at its tough skin. Underneath it’s belly I see Link’s feet as he the same.
Both of us dash away as it manages to release its blade from the ground. Making eye contact with me, he nods.
Part two of our plan.
I rush forward, the Lynel’s wild eyes locking with mine. I ducked under its initial blow, eluding the second with a quick step back. The third came from my right, too quick to avoid. Firmly gripping my weapon, I parry the blow away, cool metal shuttering underneath my grip.
Using its brief confusion against it, I quickly strike between its eyes, the Lynel rearing back in pain. I retreat as it falls to the ground, catching my breath.
Using its lowered position to his advantage, Link mounts the beast and begins to pummel its neck with repeated attacks. Yelping in pain, the beast jumps to its feet and shakes itself ferociously. Link hangs on for his life with his muscled legs, swinging his sword to get in as many hits as possible.
I hold my breath as I see him slowly slipping off… with one final shake, Link is thrown into the air. Closing my eyes, I will water to gather beneath his falling body to cushion his fall.
Landing in a roll, Link quickly gets back up to his feet. I smile at him, then turn my attention back to the enemy in front of us.
We do that same maneuver three more times, each movement precise and planned. I evade the blade strokes each time with honed agility and foresight. The swings grew sloppier as the Lynel grew more frustrated, strokes
being more powerful rather than well placed. It paid for its mistakes each time I stuck between its glowing eyes, Link unleashing his sword upon its exposed neck. Its red mane grew dirty with blood, dripping down to stain the clear water below.
On the forth attempt, the Lynel realized what it was doing wrong.
Neck ferociously bleeding now, the Lynel regained its balance after shoving Link off its back. Muscles protesting, I run at it full speed again, lifting my trident high into the air.
This time, rather than stepping to me, the Lynel took a step back.
I stopped my pursuit, immediately alert for its next move.
But rather than focusing on me… its head focused on Link, who was still recovering from his previous tumble.
“LINK” I call out, his head snapping up. Drawing in its chest, the Lynel spews out huge fireballs, hurling straight at Link. He dives out of the way just in time of the first one, let the second catches him on his arm.
He stumbles to the ground.
I rush at the Lynel once more, screaming a battle cry. I need to get its attention…
Its eyes do not shift from Link’s trembling body. It senses his weakness. The Lynel begins to charge forward at full speed. Quickly getting to his feet, Link readies his shield. How he find the energy to do so was beyond me, yet a testament to the warrior he has become.
The Lynel swings down, full weight of its body coming across on the weapon. Link parries his shield- but he is too early.
The blunt side of the claymore strikes him on his leg beneath his exposed flank, sending him flying backwards.
Link’s body flies through the air, landing with a thump behind me.
I rush in without a moment of hesitation. Using my trident as a guide, I push the shallow water up from my feet, gaining elevation over the foul beast. The lake becomes dry as I encircle myself with a tornado of water, swimming to the top. The Lynel notices me now, rearing back to throw on of its fireballs at my body.
I am prepared.
Encircling my body with the water around me, I use my trident to focus all of the liquid to propel me forward.
The Lynel shoots at my approaching figure.
I do not flinch as my water pierces through the fire, my trident striking true.
The prongs impale the beast’s eyes. Using its face to shift my momentum, I land land cleanly on the ground below, raising my trident up in the air to continue fighting.
I don’t hear Link behind me.
It rears back on its hind legs, roaring in pain. It’s weapons splash onto the ground, large body following with a large thump. I watch in sick fascination at its body turns completely black, dissolving into the crisp air. Its internal organs on the ground are the only testament that it ever existed in the first place.
I fall to my knees in exhaustion. We finally did it. We… panic sets in. Link. Where…?
There-
He’s laying on the ground by the edge of the water. I run over.
Oh no…
Gazing upon his body, I can clearly see he is dangerously hurt.
His right leg and left arm are at an awkward angle that should not be possible for a Hylian. Cuts and bruises litter his body, shirt shredded to tatters with skin peeking through. His eyes are closed- leaning down I feel a pulse. He’s just unconscious.
Sitting down in the water, I lay my hands on his body. I close my eyes.
I find the healing power deep within myself. This boy protected me today. Now is my chance to pay him back. Coaxing it out with my desire to help him, I feel the warmth of my blessing of health come to my fingertips. It’s a familiar feeling, the tranquillity and care that accompany the warm light under my palm.
Running my hands along his torso, I feel for any cuts or abrasions, focusing on halting the flow of blood and repairing the skin. His skin is… soft, yet toned with muscles. Drifting over his stomach, I feel his hard abbs under my fingertips, muscles leading me down to-
I feel myself blush, my power stuttering. Why am I getting so distracted? I have a job to do.
Shaking my head, I begin to focus on his arm. The bone is protruding out of his skin at the elbow, blood leaking everywhere. I begin my gently pushing the bone back into its place, using my power to numb the area so he didn’t feel as much pain. Once it was there, I smoothed over the rough, bloody patches of skin across his arm, making sure I minimized the risk for scarring.
Narrowing my eyes. I inspect my work. Good.
I shift over to his lower half. I do the same thing I did with his arm to his broken leg. Here, some bone chipped off, but that would just add time to the healing process. It will need to settle naturally before I can fully heal the bone, yet my treatment will suffice for now. He’ll need regular checkups for about a week so I can fully heal it.
I… wouldn’t mind his company if I’m honest.
Finishing with his legs, I move up to his head. Wrapping his messy hair with a blanket of water to wash away the dried blood, I gently touch his cheek with soft hands. Letting my power flow through his head, I sooth the sharp pain that pulses from within. He shutters, eyelashes flickering. Running over his body once more, I heal all the minor cuts that I skipped over before. I usually skip this step, as they only cause minor discomfort and it takes too much energy, but… for him I’ll make the sacrifice. He’s worth it.
Fatigue finally setting in, I fall back onto my hands. I wince in pain as dozens of cuts burn my skin. I’ve forgotten to help myself.
Oh well. I can deal with it later.
Feeling Link stir beside me, I quickly glance over, his eyes opening and focusing on my face.
He sits up suddenly. “The Lynel-?”
His body sways as the blood rushes to his head. I gently lower him back onto the ground. “It is dealt with. We did it.” I smile.
He falls back onto the ground, eyes narrowing in satisfaction. “Good…” he drowsily said as he drifted into unconsciousness.
As tried as I am… we need to get back before dark, so my people do not worry. Arms screaming in protest, I scoop Link up from the ground, putting our weapons into the straps on my back.
With him in my arms, I slowly trudged back to the domain.
I couldn’t help but admire his courage today, willing to dive headfirst into danger to help us Zora with a problem that did not affect him.
I brush his hair from out of his eyes, wiping away drops of water on his forehead.
I’ve really missed him.