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On the reddish brown slope of Death Mountain, the bodies of red Bokoblins and white-maned lynels litter its ragged surface. As the incline gets higher, more and more bodies continue to pile up. If one were to investigate the bodies, it would quickly become evident that all of them were felled with a single, precise blow from a legendary sword.
And April, the wielder of that very sword, sits at the top of the incline, looking down at the destruction caused by the attack. Lynel swords stick out of the rock, bokoblin clubs lay scattered across the ground, and the scorch marks from bombs turn the already dark terrain black.
It wasn’t anything that she couldn’t handle, of course. She’s more than skilled with the sword, and there’s even a small part of her that found the entire skirmish thrilling. It’s not every day that she gets to take on a horde of monsters solo!
Though… she does find it a little concerning that these types of attacks have become more frequent. Even a thrill-seeker like her knows that this shouldn’t be a common occurrence.
As she sits quietly, a very concerned Prince Donnie investigates an injury on her arm, turning it over very carefully.
Ever since she saved him from the Foot Clan’s assassination attempt in the Gerudo Desert, he’s been warmer—dare she say even kinder—towards her. He even apologized to her for how he’s been treating her! Now he’s talking to her, asking how she’s doing, and even pushing for her opinion on his discoveries during research expeditions! And the Prince actually listens to what she has to say.
It’s a welcome change compared to how he was interacting with her previously. And if April’s honest with herself, she finds the prince’s excitement to share his knowledge on Sheikah technology and Zonai ruins with her rather endearing.
Unintelligible mumbling catches April’s attention, and she turns to look at him. His attention is still focused on her injury, giving it one more look over before humming in satisfaction.
“That cut doesn’t look too bad, actually,” he declares. “Some ointment and a bandage will suffice.”
“See? I told ya I was fine,” April states as the softshell pulls the supplies out of his pack and tends to her wound. “It was just a nick from one of the Lynel’s swords.”
“Yes, you are fine. For now,” he chides as he applies the ointment and begins wrapping her arm up with gauze. “But you know–” he gives her a pointed look, “–there is a fine line between courage and recklessness.”
While Donnie has lectured her numerous times in the past, the angry, cold edge is gone. Now it’s replaced by genuine concern. He's still a bit awkward in showing his care, but April appreciates it nonetheless.
“Well, it was either I fight ‘em, or we risk taking a tumble down the slope.” She gestures with her free hand, reminding him about the steep, jagged incline they’re on. “And I ain’t scared of taking on two lynels at once!”
Donnie follows her gaze, grimacing as he looks down. They were ambushed in a terrible spot on the volcanic slopes. If April hadn’t fought them head-on, escaping could have been potentially more dangerous.
And a part of him feels guilty that she has to risk her life just to protect his.
“Still, as brave as you are, that does not make you immortal,” the prince states as he finishes wrapping up her wound.
“Yeah, I know,” April sighs, looking over the prince’s handiwork before offering him a soft smile, “I’ll be more careful next time, I promise.”
Donnie smiles back, looking relieved.
His attention quickly returns to the slope below them, and the dozens of bodies scattered across it. His brow furrows as his teeth sink into his lip.
“Not only is the frequency of these types of attacks on the rise, but the scale of beasts we are facing is intensifying as well,” he states, his gaze lingering on the lynels.
April hums in agreement, “Yeah, I was thinking that too. Shoot, even some knights at the stable were tellin’ me that they’ve seen more monsters out on patrol.”
The prince nods. “My father has ordered the soldiers we can spare at Castle Town to settlements across Hyrule for that reason.”
The two are quiet for a moment, then Prince Donnie stands up with his hands curled into fists by his side. “I fear that this is an omen which portends the return of the Calamity.”
The knight’s eyes widen as she looks up at him. “You think so?”
The prince nods. ‘Yes, and if that’s the case, I’m ready to expect the worst.”
April looks back out over the dead bodies of monsters in front of them. Is this really an omen? A warning that the Calamity will be on their doorstep sooner rather than later?
She sucks in a deep breath, keeping her expression as neutral as possible. This is what she has been training for, yet apprehension still haunts her; the task at hand weighs heavily on her shoulders.
Both are quiet as they stare out at the carnage. Then the prince turns and holds out his hand to her, his gaze unwavering and his jaw tight.
“We’ll need to make preparations as soon as possible.”
April accepts, letting him pull her up off the ground. Prince Donnie turns to leave, but he quickly realizes his knight has not released his hand. He looks between their hands and her face with an eyebrow raised.
A soft, comforting smile spreads across April’s face as she squeezes his hand. “Don’t worry, Prince Donnie. We can do this, together.”
Donnie blinks and sucks in a breath before exhaling nervously. “And if we can't, we won't have time to worry about it!”
April frowns. “Hey! Not with that attitude, ya dingus! We will awaken your ninpo, and we will defeat the calamity!” She squeezes his hand tightly. “You better believe it!”
The prince attempts to pull his hand away from her grasp. “Ow! Ow! Ok yes! We will defeat the calamity! Together!”
“That’s more like it!"