Chapter Text
It was as if he was not there. As if he was merely a figure to position himself in a stance that would project hope and warmth. A statue not to be acknowledged, just looked at in times of need and desperation-which nowadays was every time. And- on top of everything else -he was supposed to be grateful.
Grateful that he had status while others had nothing, grateful that he had a room to seethe in while others hardly had a home, grateful that he had food to refuse while others starved. As if “Others” was simply a baseline of which one pit themselves against to feel better- instead of other living breathing people. As if he didn't have enough to think about already, Sidon’s found his own rage perturbing. He didn’t want to be angry, by any means. However, nowadays he rarely had a say in his own feelings.
The prismatic tile squeaked slightly as Sidon rose to his waist, taking in the world in which he found himself. Red scales clashing with the azure walls around him, and sharp nails clicking against the smooth floor. The stark difference between his chambers and himself only settled his discomfort deeper into his heart. Admittedly, he was lucky to even be able to reflect on himself in this way. Most other zora didn’t have their own emergent room to ponder in.
In today's world especially, emergent sites were far and few. They were structures built above the oceans surface, dedicated to activities impossible to do underwater. Cooking, crafting, nursing, even trading. A zora would consider themselves lucky to live in a town with 2 emergent sites, and yet Sidon had his own built right into his room. And his own privilege wouldn't disgust him so- if he could actually do something with the fortune he had been given. Every council, every conference, every assembly, Sidon stood there next to his father-and was utterly ignored. Or ridiculed. Or shamed. And afterwards, he was expected to go outside and reassure everyone everything was perfect. He was but a nominal ruler, a charlatan in his own eyes. How was he to know what was best for his people if he couldn’t even see them?
80 years had passed since Sidon had last reunited with the Zora outside the domain. Ever since that great beast started rampaging, travel between the domain and ocean was considered highly dangerous. Hell, travel from town to town in the ocean was dangerous. Occasionally Sidon could see Vah Ruta in the sea, as it swam along its rigid path, bringing storms and destruction in its wake. Thankfully, it seemed unable to get past the terrain into the domain itself.
Still, on a clear day you could see it from the very top of the domain. Sidon couldn't stay up there for long of course, he’d dry out. But, occasionally, the risk was worth the sight. Supposedly, Ruta used to reside in the East Reservoir before it went haywire. Below the Reservoir, was a large channel leading to the sea. It has been there since before the Divine beast, and served as the main route from the domain to the sea. Of course, it was no longer in use. Vah Ruta had decimated the channel long ago, it was hardly fit for travel.
The clarity Sidon felt from up to the domain was unparalleled, and seeing Vah Ruta only served to assist the feeling. He thought it was an odd paradox, that the thing that caused him the most destruction in this world also served as a sedative to his nerves. He couldn't help but feel…drawn to it. Its wailing and trashing and howling, stuck on a seemingly predestined path. Of course, the elder Zora found the notion incomprehensible. That, along with everything else Sidon felt.
He couldn't help the way his frustration mounted every time they mentioned the “accursed machine” that took Mipha from them. Sidon grieved for his dear sister as much as anybody, no doubt. But he couldn't find it in himself to blame Vah Ruta, a companion- no friend- that Mipha held in such high regard. It was for that same reason that Sidon lacked the vehement hate for Hyleans that seemed so potent among the hearts of the Zora. Ruta had killed Mipha, and the Hyleans had made her pilot Mipha. Therefore, the hyleans were even more to blame than the divine beast.
Sidon held the Hyleans in no negative regard, however he couldn't deny that they had been the source of turbulence in his life as of late. Then again, it wasn't the hyleans that
called King Dorephan a “Fool with no empathy.” Sidon had said that of his own free will.
…
It had been about an hour ago, when Sidon was once again being talked over as he stood next to his fathers throne. The situation at hand was dire- Lightning had hit a village emergent site, causing it to collapse and injure the Zora inside. Many of the aforementioned Zora had been farmers who-now out of commission- couldn't tend to their crops or fish. Without their support, the village would no doubt suffer a food shortage. King Dorephan had summoned the elders to find a solution, of which everybody knew there was none. Transporting food between villages was a risky endeavor, and required resources they simply didn't have. Rebuilding the Emergent site would be impossible, those sites were built with resources from land and ships couldn't travel out to sea without encountering Vah Ruta's storms. Sending Zora to tend to the injured would be counterproductive, as they would no doubt get injured as well. Sidon would’ve liked to be more hopeful on the latter, but the injured messenger who came to deliver the news was a testimony in himself. As usual, the table quickly descended into heavy fighting and no solutions. Except for one little idea that persisted in the back of Sidon's stubborn mind.
Sidon knew beforehand that it would get him berated for sure. He would almost certainly be asked to leave. But what else was he meant to do? No progress was being made. At the very least they’d all be yelling about the same thing instead of yelling over each other.
His gills flared and shuddered as he hesitated. Not that anyone noticed him until he opened his mouth.
“ah…Ahem.”
The room hushed as all heads turned to the Prince. They didn't like him, but they couldn't tell him to shut his trap without cause. Despite his lack of true power, he was still the Prince.
Sidon glided into the front of the throne, ignoring his fathers boring eyes with all his might as he forced a soft smile onto his face.
“It is my personal belief that the problem at hand takes us on one clear, unmovable path. We Zora, though strong, are not nearly as strong as our opinions- and people -are divided.” Sidon took a large inhale before continuing.
“I propose a revisit of my proposal of sourcing outside hel-”
The uproar was instantaneous, which was a surprise to absolutely nobody. It took an unexpected amount of effort for Sidon to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Although expected, the turmoil had stirred up more anger than he foresaw. The hush that fell over the room indicated that behind him, Sidon's father had raised his hand to quell the yelling. As such, he turned around and took an appropriate swish back.
King Dorephan’s chest rose and fell, eyes settling on his son as he exhaled.
“...Prince Sidon-”
Oh goddess above.
“-I believe this discussion has been brought about many times. Tell me, what exactly do you hope to achieve by further discussion- when a decision has already been made?”
Dorephan's voice was hard as stone, and unmoved as usual. Sidon was similarly unswayed.
“...King Dorephan-”
The king’s face hardened.
“It is my belief that, unfortunately, you are mistaken my King. The idea is what has been brought about many times. A discussion is what is yet to be held.” Sidon continued, despite the heavy tension growing behind him. “I am…very aware of the opinion surrounding the suggestion. However, in the eyes of this counsel no formal decision can be made without proper discussion. Therefore-”
“You are wrong.”
…Sidon expected to get a little farther than that at least. He had only begun to form a protest in his head before his father spoke again.
“I believe you are already aware that this counsel will not entertain the idea of receiving outside help. Our kind and noble people have received injustice and loss at the hands of others. The precedent has been set, their stance against us is clear.”
“...How do you know their stance has not changed..My king.”
Sidon knew he was out of line 4 sentences ago.
“I- we -have no interest in whatever outsiders have to offer.”
“I-”
“We have no interest in if their opinion on us has changed.”
“But-”
King Dorphan’s back became erect as he spoke, his voice approaching a volume able to be heard outside the room.
“The damage Hyleans have done to us is irreversible and deep. The fact that you continuously broach the subject of approaching them is evidence that you do not understand that, Sidon.”
Besides King Dorphan's voice, the room had never been quieter. The tension had never been higher. Never before had the young prince's gills had never flared in such a violent way.
“...you are implying that I did not feel the loss of my own sister, father.”
“Clearly you have not. Mipha would not want our people to suffer, at the hands of her murderers-”
“Mipha wouldn't want our people to suffer at the hands of a stubborn old fool with the empathy capacity of a minnow-who refuses to believe in any point of view beyond his own mouth!”
…
Owch. Sidon at present shuddered. Somehow that sounded worse a second time. No secret why he was kicked out of there, he supposed.
…That’d likely been his last chance.
Night had long since fallen, and he was most certain no solution had ever been found. Sidon didn't need to be there to know that. However, that night had fallen, he could leave his room free of ridicule. There was only one place he really wanted to be.
…
The air was cool and soothing against his fins. Construction channels allowed Sidon to enter places in the domain the average Zora wouldn’t stumble across. Being above everything was clarifying as it was lonely. Vah Ruta was off on the farther side of its route, even she was not there to keep Sidon company.
The only sound Sidon could hear clearly now was the waterfall at the Great Zora Bridge, ironically made by hyleans. He could remember the days long ago when he was just a child, he saw hyleans come across the bridge for trading and food and rest. Now he could hardly recall what they looked like.
The quiet in the air encouraged thoughts- words -to echo in Sidon's head. Apparently, the hyleans had set a "precedent."
Well, so had Dorphan.
Sidon wanted nothing more than to place hope in his father, but even he knew better than to be such a fool. Now, his hope glistened under the moonlight and gushed from the stream. That waterfall was the way into the mainland, where hopefully, someone willing to help awaited him. The beating of Sidon’s heart almost rivaled that of the roaring water. As his scales squeaked against the tile, Sidon slid back into the construction channel which would lead him back into the Domain. It would be rude to leave without saying goodbye.
…It seemed Sidon had some letters to write.