#zora architecture

[gabelew]

I wanted to draw teen Sidon and Bazz hanging out in Sidon's room, so it was a good moment to finally plan out said room study (that is just a part of his quarters).

It's actually Dorephan’s old quarters, repurposed after he outgrew them. He's responsible for like, half of the clutter, the rest is all Sidon.

[mascamaiorum]

The Grand Elephant of Nantes

Divine Beast Vah Ruta

“Delarozière is not particularly interested in the elephant looking like an elephant, nor his other creations, such as the ray fish or shrimp, closely resembling nature. The purpose of the works, he says, is their transgression of the real and the imaginary. They are made to partially resemble creatures which, through their illusiveness in the real world and proliferation in the narrative world, have entered into myth.”

[marinecorvid]

listening to totk wind temple soundtrack and ouuuough im so sad we'll never get a botw-style guardian signs remake :(((( storming the sky fortress, esp with phase 2 4 and 5..... gamefreak i would kill a man. i would do it

[rebornofstars]

i know shit about wind waker and even less about fishing but PLEASE. takes your hand. we can't keep believing wind when he presents his hyrule as the idyllic seafarer's paradise. he doesn't know the DIFFERENCE. he's a child of the apocalypse just as much as any of time's successors he;s the heir to a kingdom of ruins!!!! there's no fish in his oceans. there's no life in his seas. his zora evolved into birds to get away from the water. does that not tell you something. the fishpeople learnt to fly. the population of the great sea is so SMALL and yet the fishermen still risk their lives searching for enough meat to feed their families because, as ganondorf says, "they are vast seas... they yield no fish to catch." nobody in the game ever gives link a fishing rod. NO FISHING ROD. in the OCEAN BASED ZELDA GAME. no fish motifs in the architecture no swimming for long periods no diving. wind has been born into a world that is unnaturally barren, and it's all but invisible unless you're trying to actually survive there, because the raw power of ocean remains. the tides rise and fall. the moon shines and the islands are peaceful and everything is dead. wind's timeline & the downfall timeline have a lot more in common than you might think. can you imagine the chain travelling to an ocean in another time and wind thinking he knows what an ocean is like. and he doesn't. these new strange oceans are full of fish, and coral, and strange creatures he's never heard of, turtles and dolphins and whales and seals and jellyfish. sharks and eels and stingrays and yabbies and clams and rockpools full of starfish and crabs and octopi. and this is what the ocean is supposed to be like?? hes a CHILD OF THE APOCALYPSE!!!!!! i want someone to take the awestruck wonder people give the downfall boys about fruit-bearing trees and shove it at wind

[hetacon]

Zora May 2025 prompts: Music, Festival

Would y’all believe me if I said this isn’t even my main Zora May piece? Ok, for those of you that have been with me for a bit, you probably do lol

It seems I’ve made a zora band! I had this idea because it's a part of my Sidlink animatic that I’ve mentioned a few times. There's going to be a scene in it of some sort of festival being held in the domain and I knew I wanted a group of zoras playing music for it, so I started doing some research and here we are!! The group consists of Marot on tambourine, Mei on harp, Tona on flute, Cleff on violin, and Laflat on conch! (Also if you guys remember my Sidlink drawing from Linktober this past year, that piece and this piece are from the same scene! Makes sense considering the prompt for that one was also music :D)

This really was supposed to be simple but simple is clearly not in my vocabulary! Originally I’d been saying that I didn’t need to go so hard on this but when I was talking about it in therapy a couple weeks ago and said that, my therapist legitimately told me, as soon as that had left my mouth: “Yes you did” 😂 She didn’t even hesitate for a second and she said it in the most dead-set tone I have ever heard, it low-key cracked me up! Though to be fair, her reasoning for that was genuinely really solid because she pointed out that this is a concept I've been working on for nearly a year and a half, so of course I was going to dedicate a lot of effort to making this, even though it's just a concept piece

Anyways, as usual I have a lot of thoughts so I'll put some more of my explanation under the cut as well as some more design concepts! I’ve actually figured out the designs for 3 of the instruments already so I recommend you take a look! (And there may be something related to the previously mentioned Sidlink piece in there as well 👀)

Something I find interesting is I had come up with the instruments I wanted back in February of 2024 and had actually figured out who I wanted to play each of them in November, meaning I'd decided on this months before I started designing my zora oc and thinking a lot about the Marot Mart dynamics, so it's kind of funny that all of them except for Laflat are part of the Coral Reef Crew or are Coral Reef Crew-adjacent (with Tona being Cleff's sister)! It was completely unintentional, but it coincidentally makes a lot of sense that they would form a group considering they spend a decent amount of time together!

I’ll get into it more when I eventually make a post with the finished designs for all the instruments but one of the main things I tried to think about was what sorts of instruments the zoras would make based on what specific resources are native to them and what materials they commonly work with! You guys know me, there was a lot of research put into this idea, and I’m so happy seeing it start to take shape beyond just a handful of words written on a page in my sketchbook!

I don't have all of the designs for the instruments finalized yet but I did manage to work out approximately what the tambourine, conch, and violin will look like. The latter two are pretty much done aside from maybe a couple tweaks on the violin, but I still need to figure out the pattern I want on the tambourine head cause it looks really empty compared to the rest of the design

But anyways yeah, here’s a version of the band without the background and the designs for some of the instruments, as well as some basic concept sketches for Link/Wild’s festival outfit as a bonus! :)

Also I just wanted to mention that I was originally going to tell y’all that I wasn't sure what I wanted to call the band and ask if you guys had any ideas or suggestions but as I was looking through a glossary of music terminology, "The Luminous Tones" (as a play on words of luminous stones since, you know, they're something the zoras use in a lot of their architecture) suddenly popped into my head and at first I thought that was kind of silly but then the idea got stuck in my head and no other name will feel right now, so I guess the Luminous Tones it is!

[chaotic-zora]

Domain of Volica/Volca (Lore and Timeline)

Pronounced: VOLE-KA

Quick Summary: Located near a dormant underwater Volcano in the Northern Akkala Sea, Volica is a Domain ravaged by recent political upheaval. Once flourishing reefs laid barren by over fishing practices, the Domain is now leading recovery efforts.

Volica predominantly focuses on the extraction of valuable minerals and materials from its underwater volcano. Ores are turned into pure metals by a smelting process and used to produce a variety of goods, and gems are exported or repurposed for their unique elemental properties.

Until recently the Domain was fairly self sufficient, being able to meet most of its own necessities. Now it must form alliances, or risk dissolution.

FULL LORE BELOW!

~ Origins ~

Volica's origins begin with a nomadic zoran mining community. For centuries these zoras traveled from place to place, mining in various regions for ores to barter with until one day they happened upon a dormant underwater Volcano (or seamount) abundant with materials.

Conveniently located several miles out from land, the zoras couldn't believe their luck. Because such a find meant no competition. Gorons sink (being well…rocks), Hylian's can't breath underwater, and neither can Rito! They'd be the only ones able to mine from such a find!

Unwilling to pass on such an opportunity, these zoras settled on a scenic cliff face bordering the ocean. In due time their little community grew, eventually becoming the flourishing Domain of "Volca" or "Volica". Lovingly named after the Volcano they so revere.

Wait a minute hold up- why are there two ways to spell the Domain's name? Well that's cause no one can fuckin agree on it, to the point it's become THE #1 most heatedly debated topic. Technical documents found in the Domain's historical library usually spell it as “Volica”, and Non-technical documents (think casual everyday history records or diaries) spell it as “Volca”.

Rumor has it these differences stem from disagreements between various founders. Some wanted to spell it closer to how it's pronounced. Others wanted to add flourish. And Slippery Dick (that's an actual type of fish btw)? Well Dick really just wanted to piss everyone off.

Silvyr: It's Volica.

Fen'an: It's Volca.

Nyvor: What about Volïca?

Thresh (whose illiterate): You three have been saying the same goddamn thing for the last ten minutes. Shut the fuck up.

~ Volica’s Top Five Professions ~

1.) Mining

Most common. Harvesting from the Volcano is considered a high honor, and is done so with great respect to the sea and earth. The zoras understand not to harvest in excess, as not only is doing so dangerous (tunnels need to be carefully reinforced, and require time to “settle” to prevent cave-ins), but taking excessively without being mindful of how said harvesting is performed can damage the mines, waters, and surrounding ecosystem.

Even if a mine is found to be abundant with materials, if said mine is dug too deep or begins disrupting the natural ecosystem/structural integrity of the Volcano (it may be dormant but that does not mean it is extinct) it will be abandoned in favor of starting new mining tunnels.

As one might imagine, Volcanoes are hot (and not in a sexy way)! To withstand these hot environmental conditions workers wear sapphire inlaid PPE. Imbued with the power of ice, this gem has become a trademark favorite of the Domain.

2.) Smelter Workers

Underwater mine tunnels require reinforcements (less so than on land mines, as water buoyancy helps maintain structural integrity by opposing the weight of rock). As the tensile strength of timber decreases within water and said material degrades quickly it is not viable to use underwater, so Volica uses stainless steel I Beams instead. To produce stainless steel for its mining and architectural needs Volica has smelting factories.

Using materials obtained from the mines, smelter workers use smelting factories to extract metal from melted ores. After a secondary separation process the “purified” metal is then placed into molds to cool and harden.

Smelters are powered by raw zoran strength and supplemented by heat from rubies, gems that harness the power of fire.

Want some imagery? Well imagine Iron Town from Princess Mononoke, and the factory powered by women, similar concept but BUFF zora power is used (these zoras are JACKED).

To be further elaborated upon in Silvyr’s Lore - due to the intense heat within smelting factories zoras with water magic are brought in to cool down workers and help prevent meltdowns. In Volica, all water magic users are born from one specific clann. Silvyr is from this particular clann.

3.) Food Gathering

Volica is incredibly dependent on its local reefs (located next to the Domain’s cliff face) for food. Roughly 85% of their food is obtained from the reefs by fishers, with 10% obtained on land by hunters, and the remaining 5% by trade.

Being near the Volcano has become both a blessing and a curse. Why? Well the hydrothermal activity of the underwater Volcano makes the waters of the Northern Akkala Sea an ideal breeding ground for a particularly aggressive invasive fish, the dreaded sizzlefin trout!

Accidentally introduced into the ecosystem nearly 200 years ago by passing merchant vessels, the population of this invasive fish has spiraled out of control, and completely driven out the native fish of the Northern Akkala Sea, leaving nothing but small fry and other inedible creatures left!

And you know what's worse? Volica zora can't eat sizzlefin trout, because they're inexplicably allergic to them!

Well, at least they’ve managed to prevent the sizzlefin trout from infesting their reefs. Nothing can possibly go wrong when your population is almost completely dependent on one food source…..right?

4.) Blacksmithing

With an abundance of materials available, blacksmithing has become a popular trade in the Domain. Blacksmiths produce weapons, armor, jewelry, decorations, and even PPE!

5.) Fighters/Defenders

Those who protect the Domain are placed within one of the two following categories;

Knights: More structured than their Warrior counterpart, Knights work within teams, are formally educated, disciplined, and directly employed under the royal crown.

Warriors: Less structured than their Knightly counterpart, Warriors operate independently (only teaming up with others if they so please). They are paid based on results/missions, and often utilize different/unique fighting styles and weapons. Those who train to be Knights and are deemed….unsuitable for the position (read: disobedient) usually become Warriors (i.e. Thresh).

Knights/Warriors are ranked by the color of their armor/accessories, which are: Silver (Novice), Bronze (Advanced), Gold (Expert), and Blued (Certified BAMF. This metal is blackish in appearance and a sign of prestige, for it recognizes the dedication and sacrifices one has made to protect the Domain. Few have earned it).

Blued armor is produced via a process called fire bluing. To blue metal, its surface must be polished to a near mirror finish. A Knight or Warrior shall polish the metal themselves before providing it to a blacksmith for bluing. This typically takes months to achieve, and is an age-old tradition performed to honor the steel that will adorn their scales for the rest of their life.

Those who achieve such a status may also gift blued accessories to their mates. What a cool way to show you're married to a badass amiright?

~ The Monarchy ~

Structured as a typical Monarchy, the Queen and King rank at the top of society, governing with final say and authority. They are followed closely in rank by a council run and formed by Nobles, who once held the highest positions (diplomats, traders, right-hands, ect.) within the Domain (note, this was the structure before the coup).

Originally Volica had a fantastic queen. She kept the Nobles and her husband, the King (a zora who married in from another Domain to establish an alliance. It was not a great marriage), under strict control. She was outspoken, stern, and ruthless whenever the King and Nobles attempted to oppose her, favoring the people and their well being over those who ranked highest in society.

Then one day, she fell ill.

Over time her mysterious illness worsened, and with the ailing Queen unable to manage the King and Nobles, they began to favor profit over their people. This marks the beginning of The Reign of the Corrupt King.

Using bottom trawling methods, The King and Nobles began excessively harvesting fish from Volica’s nearby reefs, and selling off the excess for profit. The effects of this aren't immediate, but inevitably the reef's ecosystem becomes disrupted, and with the Nobles continuing to trade away what little food is being obtained for profit the Domain spirals into a famine.

Aha! Now I can go into the timeline and bring you up to speed about what happened and where things are now! But before I do, allow me to quickly introduce you to a few key characters, so you have some knowledge to put to their names!

~ Key Characters ~

Silvyr (They/Them):

Captain of Volica's Knights, Silvyr is regarded as a lethal, but slowly deteriorating weapon. They are intellectual, collected, and fiercely loyal with strong personal morals, favoring the well being and safety of their community above all else, even themselves. Their ability to wield powerful ice magic has consequently given them numerous health problems.

Post coup Silvyr retires as a Captain to become a Diplomat, Advisor, ect., essentially doing whatever tasks are needed of them to manage the Domain.

Thresh (he/him/they/them):

Volica's loose cannonball and top ranking warrior, Thresh is considered a menace by those who wish to control him. He is rowdy, playful, and incredibly social, getting along with virtually anyone and anything. He gets up to alot of mischief, thrives under chaos, and faces adversity with a smile.

Thresh is head over fins in love with Nyvor, his best friend of nearly 15 years who he has been relentlessly flirting with the entire damn time.

Nyvor (he/him):

A powerful healer and well-rounded medic, Nyvor is empathetic, nurturing, and altruistic. Recognized by many as a trustworthy individual, others tend to confide in him during their hardships. He has taken an oath to do no harm upon others, and is so incredibly pacifistic that he sometimes cries over having to eat fish.

Nyvor is head over fins in love with Thresh, but is incredibly dense.

Fen'an (she/her):

[FULL BIO + ART HERE]

One very strong gal, Fen'an is sociable, outspoken, and very feisty. She works for Volica's Rescue and Retrieval program, rescuing miners trapped in cave-ins and retrieving wounded knights/warriors during battle.

She's also a professional dancer, and dances for Volica's royal court whenever called upon. It was a great gig till the Queen fell ill, and she started noticing things.....did I mention she has a short fuse where it pertains to terrible people?

Necalli (she/her) (belongs to @vaquero-azul-art):

Standing at a towering 15 ft tall, Necalli is the most experienced and oldested warrior still on active duty within the Domain. Despite her battle worn appearance, she is incredibly charismatic and kind. Warriors frequently seek her out for tutelage, eager to learn from someone so skilled. She helped train Thresh, who later succeeded her in becoming the top warrior within the Domain. She is regarded as the unofficial "leader" of the Warriors.

~Timeline (where it all goes to Shit)~

Year 0

The Queen falls ill and the King and Nobles begin taking small steps to secure power. The Reign of the Corrupt King begins.

Year 5

Renowned for his healing abilities, word of Nyvor eventually reaches the Domain. The Queen herself sends a group of warriors to recruit him, hoping he'll be able to cure her of her mysterious ailment, and if not, slow down the progress of the disease.

Nyvor accepts the position, and he and his slither (sea krait equivalent to a pod) relocate to the Domain.

Small signs of disruption begin to show within the Domain’s food distribution system, and the King and Nobles seem to be opposing the weakened Queen more and more frequently.

Year 10

The Queen has fallen into a coma. Food shortages are occurring, a result of fishers returning empty handed more often than not. A famine is knocking at the door, barely staved off by new policies on food consumption put in place by the Nobles. Silvyr (currently Captain of the Domain's Knights) is becoming worried for the health of those around them, and begins to investigate, recruiting those they trust (Fen’an and @vaquero-azul-art seahorse butler Xipilli) and have access to the court's inner circle.

Year 17

The famine is in full swing. Zora are starving, the reefs ecosystem is almost destroyed, the miners are being overworked. Silvyr, along with others, suspect the corruption lies with one particular Noble who governs food distribution. They’ve been trying to get him tried for two years now, but the other Noble’s keep delaying it.

Everyone is discontent. Many contemplate leaving the Domain but upending one's life to move isn't easy, and there have been instances of zora leaving and getting caught, who were then punished. This has created a sense of fear and uncertainty.

Silvyr begins taking the necessary measures to formulate a coup (recruiting, planning, preparing, ect.). Many are aware, but wisely hush about it. There is hope, but how many will leave or starve before Silvyr is able to take action?

Year 18.5

Thresh is FED UP WITH THIS BULLSHIT. He is tired of waiting for Silvyr to initiate the coup. Silvyr, understandably, has to move slowly, less they and others get caught and hanged for treason, but Thresh is one very impatient and pissed off zora. So, in an act of anger fueled aggression, he kills the Noble (and a few others for good measure) who everyone thinks is the source of the problem.

Too bad he’s a terrible planner, because Nyvor (who was returning from the Queen’s room after his latest check up on her) catches him in the act. Utterly in love with Thresh, and desperate to protect him in the only way he knows how, Nyvor takes the fall for the murder.

'Even now....he treats me gently....'

This is all Thresh can think as Nyvor slowly plucks the bloodied blade from their hand. Nyvor’s motions are slow, and there is a gentleness to his actions that betray his hidden affections towards the small zora. If Thresh was not so overwhelmed with confusion, perhaps they would have noticed, but alas, this was not the case.

"Nyvor, what are you doing?"

The clatter of armor echoes faintly in the distance. Guards are approaching, and they are early in their check in rounds.

"Protecting you."

Thresh’s breath stills. They watch, stricken, as Nyvor moves towards the corner of the room, and brandishes their own weapon against them.

"Stop. Fuck! Don’t you dare-"

Nyvor's smile is kind. Loving. And his voice is soft. A stark contrast to his intimidating stature.

"It's okay Thresh. Everything is going to be okay."

Everything is not okay. No one believes Thresh when he says he was the one who murdered the Nobles, not Nyvor. Ever better with words Nyvor cleverly twists the facts to ensure the blame remains solely on him, and it works. The King and Nobles want him eliminated anyway due to his proximity to the Queen, concerned he will discover the truth behind her illness.

So they sentence Nyvor to death by cliff face (thrown over a cliff into shallow rocky waters below), and as punishment for "defending a killer", Thresh is tied up and forced to watch Nyvor be knocked out and thrown over said cliff.

In one last desperate attempt to save his best friend and love interest, Thresh uses a knife Silvyr slipped him to escape his bindings and flings himself after the other. He uses his body to physically protect Nyvor's head, and upon impact, takes the brunt of the damage and gets knocked out.

Miraculously they both survive, but get separated in the current, and Thresh wakes up washed ashore on North Akkala Beach, alone, and lost. Thus begins his journey across Hyrule to find Nyvor. This goes on for a year, and everyone thinks they're dead. Meanwhile in Volica....

Year 19

Silvyr is pissed. Their community is starving, their two closest friends (Thresh and Nyvor) are presumed dead, and they’ve just discovered a nauseating secret after reviewing Nyvor’s final medical journal entry.

The Queen’s illness is not natural.

She’s being poisoned. Something Nyvor discovered right before his sentence, and his primary suspect was the King. For the King is the only one permitted to be with the Queen unattended. Nyvor laments over the fact he did not figure it out sooner, but there was no cause to think a poison was being used in such a disturbingly calculated manner. How could he have known?

Silvyr, joined by Necalli, prepare to usurp the King and Nobles. They are joined by nearly the entirety of the Domain’s remaining workers, who are willing to stand beside them.

Year 19 to 20

Thresh reunites with Nyvor, and the two finally confess their feelings for eachother. Silvyr learns of their survival and tracks them down, bringing them home in order to take down the King. It is a violent overthrow. Silvyr and Necalli kill the King, and banish all the Nobles and their supporters.

When royalty is usurped, the one to kill the reigning Monarch becomes the next Monarch. Silvyr declines the title, but becomes somewhat of a shadow leader in order to keep the Domain running, and Necalli becomes the Usurper King.

Year 20 & Onwards (The Present)

With the Nobles banished, and many others forced into retirement (or not so politely asked to leave) due to their previous connections to the Nobles, the Domain is now lacking in skilled expertise.

This results in Silvyr holding a mixture of titles, including that of Volica’s only Diplomat. They do whatever is needed of them to prevent the Domain from collapsing in on itself. Because of this they are occasionally referred to as Volica’s Shadow Monarch.

Presently, Silvyr is running ragged trying to secure food sources and new allies for the Domain. Volica has recovered slightly, but has a long way to go. The entire Domain is on mandatory rations, all food is distributed proportionally (with additional considerations as needed and children who get extra meals) to every zora within the Domain regardless of who they are.

Necalli hates being King, and is actively trying to dismantle the system so it is more egalitarian. In fact a majority of Volica is now wary of those born into royalty, including Silvyr, who finds interacting with most royals mentally exhausting.

Thresh and Nyvor court for six months and then get married.

The Queen passes away not long after the coup (in her sleep by natural causes). Up until her death she was visited every day by various zoras, telling her news of the Domain’s, albeit slow, recovery. It is believed she held on as a way to prevent the King from securing the last line of power, and once she knew her Domain was on a better path finally allowed herself to rest. Still respected and loved, the entire Domain attended her funeral to wish her good tides on the other side.

Andddddd ruh oh 60% of the Domain's population is now food aggressive!

[mirthfulmoonshine]

LoZ: Ternary Ages △ World of Hyrule

⚔ Hyrule Overworld

Hyrule is broken into 9 major regions: Central Hyrule, Faron, Necluda, Lanayru, Eldin, Woodlands, Hebra, Tabantha, and Gerudo. Smaller regions such as Lost Woods, Akalla, Lurelin, Ridgelands, and the Barren Basins fill the gaps.

The colored map highlights the territories of the existing nations. The Sheikah of Necluda and Hylians os Faron/Lurelin are considered in Hyrule proper but are still unique nations.

The Rito have not unified and the Kokiri do not consider themselves a 'nation.'

❇ Central Hyrule

Leader: Hylian Royal Family (King Rhoam, Queen Zirda, Princess/Queen Zelda)

Allies: Zora, Goron, Kokiri, Sheikah, Lurelins

Adversaries: Gerudo, Hebra Rito

Neutral: Tabantha Rito

Sage of Light - Zirda | Triforce of Wisdom - Zelda

Central Hyrule is the land of Hylia, filled with sloping plains, green grass, gentle winds, and elegant mountains reaching for the heavens. The land is rich with grains, fruit, lumber, cattle, and fresh water bodies. Dotting the plains, hills, and forests are small towns, surviving on cattle and the land, harvesting and trading to stay afloat in their prosperity. On an inselberg, north of the nation, sits Hyrule Castle and its town. Bustling with trade, music, and wealth, the town and castle are architectural beauties, densely populated and only silent at night. Cathedral structures, cool cobalt stone, and glorious red banners lined with golden embroidery loudly announce abundance. Nothing beats the Temple of Time, a huge ancient structure said to protect the gate to the Sacred Realm, where Hylia rests. Gardens with archways, marble altars, and murals are scattered throughout. Castle Town is known for its grand festivals and parties, adoring their king, queen, and princess and praying for the Hero. It' people worship the primordial goddess Hylia and the Three Golden Goddesses: Farore, Din, and Nayru. Their sovereign leader is the reigning royal family, a monarchy known for their generosity to their people, divine powers, and a desire to unify the land at large.

𑁍 Lurelin/Faron

Leader: N/A

Vassal nation to Hyrule

Hero of Courage/Triforce of Courage - Link

South of Central Hyrule, Faron is a wet and coastal region, littered with some dense woodlands abundant with rain. Its people are all former pirates and seafarers, having settled in this coastal region after the Great Sea pulled away, revealing its lush, fertile soils. Trades of fishing, butchery, woven mercantile, glorious fabrics and tapestries, and ivory/shell material have earned the area a name for itself. The region is a vassal to Hyrule, serving its royal family and has no internal governmental structure. While they worship Hylia, the land is said to be Farore's birthplace so her divinity is highly respected here, thus, so is the Hero. The Hero is worshipped and all children are prayed to be the Hero. The Earth Temple is here.

𓁿 Necluda

Leader: Sheikah Elder, Diya

Vassal state to Hyrule.

Sage of Shadow - Parrane

Necluda is the mountainous valley home to the Sheikah tribe, a collection of white-haired people who have long served the Hylian royal family and institution. Often called the 'Shadow People,' the Sheikah are very secretive in their valley, keeping close, barred watch on its eastern border with Lurelin. Kakariko Village, if reached, is friendly and sacred. Legend says that dragons are born from their neighboring lake, swirling into the sky and cutting through the famous, notably Dual Peaks. The Sheikah are masters in stealth, potions and oils, balms, chicken byproducts, and metallurgy. The people are led by the Sheikah Elder, Diya. Her niece, Impa, serves as Hyrule's princess' guard. The Sheikah nobody Parrane would eventually awaken as the Sage of Shadow, the tenant of the Shadow Temple - a dense system of caves and wells all connected, eventually turned into a torture chamber for the royal family.

⏾ Lanayru

Leaders: Zora Royal Family (King Inogo, Queen Lala, Princess Ruti)

Allies: Hyrule, Gorons

Adversaries: Gerudo

Neutral: Ritos

Sage of Water - Malan

The Zora live in the rainy, dark, mountainous, and luminescent Lanayru. A watery paradise filled with glowing stones, ancient ruins half-buried in lakes, and dense evergreens, Lanayru is a heavenly place. Soaked, the land thrives in an industry of trading metals, crabs, fish, flora such as honeysuckles, nightshades, and evergreen saps. With a rich history in monument building, the Zora's have impeccable craftsmanship with stone, metal, and ice, trading statues and polished stone and gem talismans. King Inogo and Queen Lala run the Zora with a benevolent but iron fist, being pompous and pretentious much of the time. Jabu-Jabu is the god of the Zora, a turbulent and finicky water creature that lives in Lake Ruta, believed to bring floods, rains, droughts, and ice storms with a simple bellow. To keep Jabu-Jabu pleased, the Zora employ a royal musician to soothe the god.

ঌ Eldin

Leader: Goron Chief Amato

Allies: Hyrule, Zora

Adversaries: Gerudo

Neutral: Hebra Rito

Sage of Fire - Dobras

At the mercy of Death Mountain, the Gorons populate the region of Eldin. Eldin is mountainous, jagged, hot, and overflowing with lava and hidden hot springs. Abundant in the mountain is ores and metals, making fine armor, weapons, and armaments/artillery. With the lava of the mountain, Gorons make ointments, religious and brotherly souvenirs, towering monuments/statues, and deadly catapults. Death Mountain is seen as the Golden Goddess Din's throne, where she sits and bestows either blessing or destruction on the denizens of Hyrule - earning the mountain a godlike reverence from the Gorons. Born from the stone, Gorons are a peaceful but powerful race, led by a chief Amato. The Gorons are expert blacksmiths, strategists, and musicians - being friendly above all else. Their rock roast and spring-boiled eggs are to die for!

𖤓 Gerudo

Leader: King/Lord Ganondorf Dragmire

Allies: Tabantha Rito

Adversaries: Hyrule, Zora, Goron, Kokiri

Neutral: Hebra Rito

Triforce of Power/Vessel of Malice - Ganondorf | Sage of Spirit - Riar'svah

Locked in by towering mountains, the Gerudo desert is a harsh, near unlivable area. Despite this, a rich array of creatures, flora, and people dwell in the desert. Amidst Molduga, saffina, juicy melons, oases, and tangy fruits, the Gerudo people have amassed an empire. The Gerudo Fortress is a feat: built jutting out of the mountain at the foot of the Desert Colossus, with windcatchers using the winds from the Highlands to cool the fortress, the underground reservoir waters are pumped upwards to flow through the fortress. Mosaics, walls of glass and gems, and tapestries ordain the fortress with beauty. Their matrilineal and matriarchal society worship the Sand Goddess and spiritually venerate their ancestors through colossal statues, colosseums, and underground sanctuaries. Trading fabrics, gems, dyes, Molduga parts, and gold, the Gerudo are wealthy and sovereign. A male is born once every 100 years, the current one on the throne, overseeing their three part government: king/chief, spiritual priestess, and magic elders.

𐦍 Rito

Tabantha:

Leader: Komilli & Needeema

Allies: Gerudo

Adversaries: Hebra Rito

Neutral: Hyrule

Sage of Wind | Komilli

Tabantha is a rich area of sloping plains, tall grass, and a gradual fade into cold, windy mountains, dense with snow. The Tabantha Rito tribe live in the northwest pocket of the region, specifically on the bird-shaped island in Medhoh Lake. There, they thrive in the towering ivory and stone structure, creating expert bows, arrows, wheat and grain products, and woven/braided material. They trade little with Hyrule, usually in exchange for foodstuffs. These Rito are tactical archers and woodwind musicians, famous for their lullabies and melodies heard echoing across Tabantha's frontier. In the Rito divide, the Tabantha coveted the Wind Temple, a towering structure nestled away in the mountains where the wind howls relentlessly, buffeting all who come near. This temple is their sacred place, challenging young Rito to brave the tormenting winds to reach it and leave offerings to the mysterious half-Rito, half-Hylian there, simply named Wind Player. The Sage of Wind, Komilli, turns his back on Hyrule when the war starts and his fellow leader, Needeema agrees, making the Tabantha Rito a neutral party...mostly. Komilli receives a vision and flies into the Gerudo Highlands where he meets with the Gerudo Sage... a deal was struck, that's all many know.

Hebra:

Leader: Edeeri

Perilous drops, slick ice, and thick snow loom over the dry, windy tundras of Hebra. Isolated, adversarial, and unwelcome, the Hebra Rito tribe are hostile to all who cross their lands, flying high above to spot and dive bomb intruders. Their hostility is unknown in origin but their callousness is not out of a violent inclination rather a desire to be left alone, safe, and separate from the divine back and forth in Hyrule proper. Since they engage in no trade or official communications, not much is known about the Hebra Rito save for a few stories and ideas. Their arrows are crafted of stone and lumber, with feathers plucked from the tail feathers of their user. They worship no god or goddess and their leader, seen in glimpses so brief many wonder is she is real, is Edeeri, an all-black Rito near twice the size of her companions.

𖧧 Woodlands / Lost Woods

The Kokiri and the Lost Woods inhabitants are non affiliated, choosing to remain in their shrouded depths of gnarled roots, misty meadows, endless lakes, and the shade of the Great Deku Tree. Tatu, the keeper of the Master Sword, is the only Kokiri who graces Hyrule, citing a divine calling to reach out and aid in the incoming rise of the Demon King.

[actuallysaiyan]

Kinktober Day 6: Monster Fucking(Hybrids opened up the door...)

warnings/kinks: monster fucking, dub con, mating season, double cocks, oral sex(fem receiving), unprotected sex word count: 0.7k pairings: Prince Sidon x Fem!Hylian!Reader teaser: “My, my, what a pretty little Hylian…” taglist: @beneathstarryskies @loki-love @witchofcustom @dreadsuitsamus @pyrofanatic @butterflieskeepcominback

You’ve always been so intrigued by the Zora. Everything about them made you so curious. You hardly ventured out of your hometown, but sometimes you wondered if you’d ever be able to make it to Zora’s Domain. Your daydreams were filled with them teaching you how to swim and what their ways of life were like.

One day, you decide to find your way to Zora's Domain. It took a lot of money and a few days of carriage ride there, but you knew it was worth it. You wanted to befriend these people and you knew that you’d find happiness once you arrived.

What you weren’t anticipating was that the Zora were in their mating season…

As soon as you approach the domain, you realize something feels off. There aren’t nearly as many visitors or locals around. The place seemed almost a little deserted. A few guards are scattered about, but even they seem distracted by something. You make your way into the home of the Zora, looking around for anyone to talk to.

Yet the place seems so empty. You ask one of the guards, and he has very little explanation. That, or he’s much too distracted by something else to tell you. So you continue looking around, admiring the scenery and architecture.

Soon you arrive at a beautifully adorned bridge. You cross it, making your way out of the domain. The water is so beautiful here. There’s nice patches of grass amongst the beaches as well. You make your way to a sunny spot and you sit down. As much as you’re confused as to why this place seems deserted, you’re happy to have a moment to yourself.

 Prince Sidon is suddenly roused from what he’s doing by the sweet smell of something so alluring. And he knows that whatever it is, he’s going to get it. Just for himself. How could he ever deny himself something so sweet?

When he sees you lying on the grass, he can’t help the way his cocks seem to harden and start to slip out of the slit on his pelvis. You’re the source of the smell, and when you raise your head to greet him, he’s smirking to himself.

“My, my, what a pretty little Hylian…”

He barely gives you time to register what’s going on as he scoops you up into his arms. You almost feel dazed and you aren’t really sure what’s going on. But something about this feels so good. He nuzzles himself in the crook of your neck, purring and growling.

“Pretty little Hylian…you were just begging to be bred, weren’t you?”

You try to deny it, but you feel arousal coursing through you. When his long nails slash your clothing, you don’t know what to think. There’s something thick in the air as he presses wet kisses all over your now exposed body. You wonder if maybe you’ve been bewitched.

Another purr rumbles through him before he spreads your thighs. That sweet smell is amplified as soon as he gets closer to your wet cunt. You squeal once you feel his tongue gliding over your folds, and you feel your heart skip a beat when his nails dig into the meat of your thighs.It’s all happening so fast, but you don’t have the strength to push him off. And with the way his tongue keeps lapping at your most sensitive spots, you know you wouldn’t even want him to stop.

“That’s my good girl,” Sidon says between languid strokes of his tongue.

Soon he’s got you on your back and he’s stroking one of the fat cocks that’s prominently popping out from the slit on his pelvis. He brings that one over to your folds, and slips it into your hole. You cry out and your nails dig into the ground beneath you.

“Shhh, you can take it.”

His words go straight to your core, making your walls clamp down around him. He can’t take it slow anymore. Sidon begins pistoning into you at a break-neck speed, leaving you breathless and dazed. Your eyes roll back as an orgasm begins to build almost immediately.

Juices squirt from you as your thighs begin to tremble. Sidon seems even happier to be covered in your essence, his other cock coming up to rest between your folds. He pouts softly, guiding it to your already stuffed hole.

“More? Please, I need more.”

[perpetual-fandom-brainrot]

Shadow (Dark Link x Reader x Link)

Summary: The reader accidentally stumbles into Dink's boss room while scouting ahead for monsters.

MASTERLIST Warnings: 18+ themes such as gore, graphic descriptions of death and fatal injury, emotional/psychological manipulation, etc. coming up. Reader actually dies and is revived. This story is not suitable for small children and easily disturbed individuals.

The temple is completely silent aside from the moves of yourself and your best friend, Link. At first he'd warned you to stay in the safety of Kakariko, but lost that argument when you'd held your own in a sparring match.

Now, the two of you gaze upon the expanse of the room you'd emerged from. Lots of water, as expected, fills the area. You notice a plethora of hookshot points, platforms, and tectites. None of them see you or Link as you swim past them to a hallway entrance. You find that it leads to an underwater passage.

In fact, most hallways do, you realize as you trail Link throughout the temple. Most of that trailing is spent picking off monsters Link can't get to, helping point out puzzle solutions, and quickly stealing Navi's attention if her timing is inopportune. Conversation between Link and yourself is scarce, both a strategic decision and a comfortable one, especially for you. Too many other things might come up right now, things that will cause more problems than will be solved if you choose silence. So you do, especially underwater, where magic is your lifeline. Both you and Link have fully stocked up on bottles of magic for this reason.

That magic almost goes to waste when a sing-song voice calls Link's name. You resist a gasp as your attention is drawn to the literal princess who produced it. How in Hylia's name is she here? You suppose, as the sacred house to the water medallion, it's technically still part of the Zora domain, but you distinctly remember hearing how all of Hyrule's royalty is dead, hiding, or otherwise decommissioned. Perhaps Ruto is safe here? When you look to Link's face to read his expression, he looks shocked and semi-afraid.

"It's me! Your fiancée! Ruto! I never forgot our vows from seven years ago." The princess' words horrify the hero and leave you nearly choking again. Fiancée? Vows? Seven years? She's not serious, is she? "You were so mean to keep me waiting," definitely serious, "but this moment can't be for love. My domain, I know you saw it's completely frozen! A man named Sheik freed me from the ice. The others haven't woken, so I need your help to save them! As my future husband it's your duty!" Ruto, finally ready to drop the marriage topic, proceeds to explain the temple's three water control points, and even leads you to one of them. She's gone by the time you and Link reach the top, most likely continuing ahead without you.

Link reads over the symbols on the wall, muttering to himself the whole time you're inspecting this tiny room. A soothing song comes from that ocarina of his mere moments later. The water level lowers, much to your intrigue. Magic must be part of the architecture here, you think. Instead of vocalizing your curiosity about the subject, you wordlessly follow Link into the next room and help pick off the monsters you find, grabbing the map out of the chest that appears. After examining it, you decide to head back for the bottom floor. The string of rooms brimming with monsters and puzzles begins with that simple jump down. A puzzle, a new room, some monsters, a key. This process repeats twice to get you to the second water control point, which also has to be activated through song.

This one raises the water, although not as high as it was earlier, allowing you and Link to enter a newly revealed passage. It leads deeper into the temple, where the new area leads to a puzzle, more monsters, and another key.

"Is this what every temple is like?" You ask, fingers tapping against your weapon's grip point.

"Yep." Link grunts as he stores the key in his satchel. "There's usually more foes than this," he adds. Your chest swells and tightens at the same time, your eyes going wide with a harsh realization. He could die here. You could both die here. What if one of you gets fatally injured in the midst of a difficult battle? It would be a choice between saving the other person or trying to fight off the monsters quick enough to still have time to do so. What if you ran out of healing items?

"We should split up soon," you find yourself blurting, partially for good reason and partially for the selfishness of not wanting to potentially see Link die.

"Why?" He asks firmly. He was difficult to persuade when it came to your accompaniment, you hope this might be easier.

"We have no idea what to expect in here! Monsters, items, locked doors, sure we know that. Not what kind of monsters, or how many, or where any of those item chests might be. Plus, if you run out of supplies before we split up, I'd be able to smash a jar here and there to bring you back more."

At your words, the same reluctance from Kakariko this morning crosses his face. You know Navi can identify new monsters for him, but you also latch onto the glimmer of consideration adorning his eyes at your offer to pick some off and scavenge for extra items.

"Fine," he finally says, hesitance mostly gone. Warmth blooms in you at his trust that you can handle yourself on that level. This isn't something any random Hylian can handle. You keep that thought in the front of your mind as Link dives back in the direction you came from. You follow soon after.

The third and final water control point sits above a room containing a water geyser puzzle. You draw your bow to shoot the crystal once you and Link both stand on it, raising you to the door leading to the control point. With the water only partially filling the temple, the point you've entered appears to be a vantage point over the temple's main area. It becomes level with everything else when Link brings the water up, and on you go to the next locked door.

You instantly shoot down two waiting keese on the wall behind the door, returning it to your gear when no more show up. Link yanks you back as you attempt to step further into the room. You're preparing to be annoyed, but immediately take notice of how the room is built. You would have fallen clean off the area you now stand on and landed on a platform about 10 feet below you. That platform leads to more platforms, one of which sits on the same wall and four others slowly fall down a waterfall's current. You groan when you notice the hookshot platforms. Link laughs softly beside you.

"The hookshot is uncomfortable!" You whine in defense, while a much worse feeling creeps up your spine. How many rooms has it been since you last encountered a monster? "Tell you what, I have to get used to it anyway. Let me scout ahead now! I'll tell you all about the next puzzles when I come back," you hastily promise before snatching the hookshot from Link. You cross the room before you can back down and before he can protest. The next room, another hookshot puzzle which contains a crystal, almost makes you want to rip your hair out. You don't, instead keeping a cool head as you pass through the room, alternating between bow and hookshot to activate the crystal and cross gaps between the platforms.

You're about to celebrate when you see one last hookshot point, but your face goes pale when you notice spikes directly underneath it and a slime creature bigger than you waiting on the other side. With sword drawn, you hook onto the ceiling, immediately doing a downwards spin-slash to finish it off when you drop to the floor. The next door is not locked.

The room it leads to is not inhabited. Instead of monsters, puzzles, or chests, you're greeted by a peaceful scene. An endless expanse of calm, shallow water expanded on all sides. The only disruptions are the door you came from, the door leading forward, and a small sand mound with a leafless tree sitting between them. You take a step forward and find that the water reflects your face perfectly. You feel oddly safe to take another step despite no visual of solid ground. Your feet sink slightly, but nothing more. You walk, then pause when you notice the door ahead has bars on it. The room is empty, isn't it? You turn around in a panic, trying to spot anywhere a monster could hide. In the water maybe? You take a second look at the surface, only to see a lack of your reflection. The pit of your stomach sinks. This room, and whatever is going on, is fueled by magic. This thing didn't need to hide from you, it could hide itself.

"You're not the hero," a voice sneers, sounding as though the room itself is speaking. That tone, that slight rasp anyone else would miss, it sounds just like-

A hand suddenly covers your mouth, your body being pulled backwards against another. Your instincts call on your weapons, but your assailant grips your wrist with superior strength. A sob begins building in your throat. This is a foe, one who is clearly prepared for Link and not some Hylian girl. You're dead. You'll never get to run around the village again. You'll never get to train with a sword again. You'll never get to tell Link-

"That's right, you'll never get to tell Mr. Hero-boy that you loOove him~" the voice purrs against your ear, his its tone cruel and mocking in a level whisper. Your lungs freeze when you process the words' true meaning. this thing knows your deepest secret and deepest fear. Worst of all, its voice sounds almost like Link's with the exceptions of a heavier rasp, being slightly deeper, and a permanent sadistic venom lacing every word he it spoke.

"I'm so touched you know who I am," it continues. Your body is jerked in a 180-degree spin and shoved to the ground, leaving you sprawled out and disoriented. You're still reeling from being winded like that when you notice a blade at your throat and freeze. A familiar blade, only darkly colored rather than the hauntingly beautiful silver you're used to. You slowly bring your gaze upwards, eyes meeting Link's face when you fully meet the monster's. It's Link?

"I am not that foolish child of the light," it says with a snort, still sounding calm and deadly whilst amused. "No, I am the stronger and more courageous warrior he could not bring himself to be. That Link, that hero that you love so much, he will never be what you think he is. He will never be what I am. I will pry what is rightfully mine from his sinking corpse." The last sentence is a growl full of venom and jealousy that has you trembling. Something tells you this monster really does stand a chance against the mighty hero of time. You would be mad, you should be mad, but his blade still sat against your neck. You don't dare to move or speak as you try to form a plan.

"Tell you what, here's a plan:" Link's evil copy presses his blade against your throat more, "I kill you, possess your corpse, and force hero boy to choose between letting it kill him or mangling it in order to stop me!" The monster says it like it's trying to suggest a fun new game you haven't heard of before. His eyes are wide with a sadistic kind of glee, one that enjoys seeing you so terrified, meanwhile something in you stirs. At first it's slight, something you bite back, but you can't just let him talk about Link like that.

"Don't even-" Evil Link begins, slashing his blade, but you roll away in time to get slashed on the shoulder instead. It isn't too deep of a wound, but you need to make quick work of this foe or else you'll lose your edge. Springing up, you jump backwards before drawing your sword and shield. The monster charges at you with a cry not unlike your Link's. You try not to think about it as you raise your shield to parry the incoming slash. With the opening it creates you manage a minor slice on his its shoulder. It isn't the monster's sword shoulder, but if it causes any struggle it's worth it.

As you take the second to acknowledge your handiwork, you find your own wrist being slashed at. You get a mild cut, hand starting to shake as you force yourself to support your sword. You back away in even steps, Link's dark version matching your pace. He It suddenly sinks back into the floor below when you're about to reach the other door again. Your reflection not returning keeps you on guard. As you survey the room for the monster, its words pop back into your head. It talked about Link like he's nothing! You internally seethe. Clinking behind you gathers your alert and you turn around just in time to brace your shield against his blade. It bounces backwards harshly enough to dent your shield and send the monster stumbling into the wall behind him. You step forward and slash at him again, inflicting a gash on his arm that's severe but not deadly. He drops his sword and shield, one arm now too hurt and one arm holding the gash. He only grits his teeth at you and glares before disappearing again.

You smile victoriously and saunter back to the door leading forward. I never could've gotten a hit on the real Link, you think as you reach for the bars over the door-

Wait, what? Your heart speeds up immediately as you retreat from the door. That's impo-

You feel warmth travel down your abdomen, a very heavy warmth that makes you instantly sleepy. You yawn and reach down to try to pull it over you like a blanket, hands wrapping around something. Your hazed mind doesn't realize the object is sharp as you weakly tug on it, becoming frustrated when you have no success pulling it up. You tear up, but a soothing feeling settles in your throat when you try to cry rather than choking. Slowly, you find yourself falling asleep as your vision fades out.

You wake up what feels like hours later, to Navi's concerned voice and a fairy missing from your inventory. Exhaustion is still burrowed into your bones and unconsciousness keeps a desperate grip on the corners of your mind.

"Y/n! Y/n! Thank Hylia! What in her name happened here?!" The fairy's voice is fast, full of panic. You open your mouth to speak, but as the memories fade back you can't even begin to process it. Saying it proves impossible when you burst into tears, resisting the urge to scream when your body instinctively tries to choke.

"I- I'll get Link! Stay here!" You reach to try to stop Navi when she flies towards you, but you're too fatigued and a sharp pain in your abdomen stops you. You lose the ability to keep your cries silent. It hurts so badly, you don't even want to breathe because even that causes pain. You swear you can feel it in your organs, even. The little blue-winged fairy carefully, silently, sifts through your belongings and extracts the hookshot before she leaves the room. You curl up in the water, which no longer bears your reflection in the absence of the shadow being, and lift your armor slowly to peek at the wound.

Despite having a fairy's healing applied, the wound is horrendous, and looking at the surrounding skin has you in hysterics. Inflamed, red, with a bubbling rash and several tender bruises already visible. Not to mention the stab wound sitting in the center, looking somewhat scabbed over but still obviously new. You try not to think too hard about it, or about anything except Link, as you slip into the simplicity of the morning's memories for comfort.

"Link! Link!" You call excitedly as you jog towards the Death Mountain gate to greet the currently blue-clad hero. You notice he's brandishing a different sword than the famous Blade of Evil's Bane. "New tunic and a new blade in the same day? Awesome!" You cheer, skipping next to Link, who stays quiet beside you. "Where're you headed now?"

"Water temple," Link grunts. When he notices the spark in your eye, visible concern replaces his typically stoic expression.

"Do you need extra eyes?" You ask eagerly. "An extra blade to back you up?" Link turns to you and grabs your shoulders. You know what he's about to say when he opens his mouth.

"Y/n, it is my job to save Hyrule. Not yours. I'll be back before you know it. You're safest in Kakariko," he says in a firm yet comforting tone. A cheeky grin spreads across your face as you form a plan.

"Let me spar you! How about that? If I can't defend myself against you, I'll stay here!" You announce. Link sighs with a defeated look as you celebrate and prepare your gear.

The door opening and Link's alarmed exclamations bring you back to your unfortunate reality. You open your mouth to try to explain, but break all over again when he gently moves to shush you. You can't help but flinch away from his hand. He looks confused, hurt for a moment, before he notices a fairy missing from your healing items. Potion is immediately poured into your mouth, your eyes tracking the seams on the leather covering his hands. You physically relax as the calm warmth of healing comes over you, a much different and more blissful warmth than the one you remember from earlier. You drift back to sleep, barely registering a pair of arms lifting you as you fade away.

You wake in the middle of Kakariko. It's the middle of the night and it's foggy. Everyone is inside for the night. The village is dead silent. The moon and stars are absent, yet a gentle light is barely visible through the fog. It's beautiful, and red. You think it may be a torch at first, other villagers you can't see, but the light seems to shrink as you approach. Curiosity fills you, urging you forward. More characteristics about the light become distinct the closer you get. The source splits into two separate ones when you're what seems to be a few feet away. Their shape becomes perfectly circular.

Your blood goes cold. You freeze in place when you see Link. The evil one, the one made of darkness. The one who had... encountered you in the temple. A smirk crawls up his face as he yanks you towards him and pivots. You feel the edge of the abandoned well dig into your back. You don't have time to process how his eyes aren't red, how his hair turned white, how his skin turned grey. How he looks more human now. He completely fills your personal space, his body pressed wholly against yours as he tips you backwards over the edge of the well, lips poking your ear.

"Welcome home, y/n~" he whispers before shoving you over the well's rim. A scream rips from your throat as you fall into infinite darkness, Kakariko village, your home, getting smaller and smaller. You flail, you cry, you helplessly try to grab for anything that will get you out of this. The air feels like it's moving too fast for you to breathe.

"Help! Help!" You scream out desperately as your heart twists and your stomach flips inside out. Your hands finally grip something you can't see, and you squeeze as hard as you can, not caring when you feel tingling in your knuckles. You pray to Hylia for safety as you clench your eyes shut.

You wake in Kakariko, in your bed, in Link's arms. You tense, prepared to scramble away from him, and burst into tears when you process that this is your Link. Your hero, your best friend, your crush, not the monster that-

You choke at the thought. Link gently brings you into a full embrace, one you desperately want to find comfort in, but all you can think about is how many times that's happened to him.

"D- Does it a- always hurt?" You choke. Link lets out an audible breath and holds you closer.

When he departs for the temple again, you want to beg him to stay. You want to cry to him and tell him everything eating at your brain. Instead, you insist he at least takes your remaining healing items. Two fairies and five potions. You made him pledge to give the bottles back when they were empty, those things took years to gather. All you can do now is wait and hope he makes it back safe and sound.

Read the next chapter here

[zeldaelmo]

Many thanks to @bahbahhh for loving the terrible Muzu just like me and @itcantbe for making my story as pretty as a proper Regency lady.

I really like the Zora's Domain arc although it's not as action packed as the previous one. But the characters really shine here and I enjoyed that we're entering the "cleaning up the mess" phase.

The Promise, Chapter 16

The sun had risen a while ago and put an orange veil on the refined architecture of Zora's Domain. Link leaned onto the window sill of Dorephan’s kindly offered guest room and looked out onto the already bustling pavement. Ladies twirling their parasols on their way to shop in the Domain's exclusive stores roamed the street. The women were greeted by a couple of finely dressed gentlemen who aimed to be the first today to take a sip of water from the spring in the middle of the town. The ball season might still be barely approaching, but the Domain was always a place to be.

Link had spent many pleasant months here, back when they still had a summer house on this exact street. Like so many things, their visits dwindled and eventually stopped after his father's death.

Did Zelda’s father own a townhouse here, too? Most rich families did, so he wouldn't be surprised. But Zelda would likely have brought it up if that was the case, right? Maybe not. Girahim would also know of any house of hers, so that wouldn’t be safe for them either. His thoughts drifted, imagining summer outings in the lush fields surrounding the Domain, laughter shared between his two favorite women, Zelda and Mipha, to Revali teasing him in a fake, mocking tone. Would they ever get a chance to relax?

Read the chapter here!

[gabelew]

Bazz's captain office, that I finally sketched out and properly planned, after at least two years of rotating it in my brain.

Bazz doesn't have many personal belongings or hobbies besides *trying to make sure the Domain survives another day*, so the decor is pretty sparse. He dragged in a whole rack of spears and other never-to-be-used weaponry from the armory just to cover up the depressingly bare walls...

[the0maski]

Dungeon analysis! Part 1

Obvious things first, they are in the same place just in the past.

It’s an all known fact, that they’re time traveling, but had this also been the case the first time they’re crossed the gate?

Those this mean that The Shadow’s ability is limited by time, or has he been too weak to change also the location of the gate?

Now starting with the pillars. Many say they look like the ones from Midoro Palace from TloZ 2 The Adventure of Link:

Personally, there are just little similarities, but those could just be artistic differences, and the pillars could be from Hyrule’s Era.

Other things that could be evidence that there are in the Era of Decline or The Gold Era are the statues around.

The stone statues

Resemble a lot those found in The Legend of Zelda 1

Where there one looking like a zora faces the right and the dragon faces to the left.

Minish Cap also features dragon face statues, like the once found in the Royal Crypt.

What could implied that Hylian architecture had always used dragons in some way.

Because of the 10 pictures only limit, I have to cut this post into part two.

See you all in part 2!

[that-vexaholic-cryptid]

So about The Depths

Nothing in the game explains what this place is. It's never even alluded to by the main quest. And nothing down there makes any sense if you're looking for specifics. But, if you look at what's not there, it tells you a lot.

There's Gorondia, there's a Zora civilization, there's a Gerudo civilization. And then there's the Zonai mines, which are aesthetically completely different than the surrounding architecture which looks significantly older. This suggests that the Zonai operations are more recent, as they're cleaner and less degraded.

And what isn't down there? Rito. There's not a hint of a Rito civilization where they correspond to on the surface. And that's because the Rito evolved after the Goddesses flooded Hyrule when once Ganondorf took power.

When this area was flooded, it was then sealed with new earth. This created a giant underground chamber, full of water and nutrient rich soil, which eventually filled it with giant flora and fauna.

We're told that Breath of the Wild takes place so far down the timeline that the rest of the timeline doesn't matter. They aren't kidding, because this evolution of everything in the Depths would take hundreds of thousands of years if we're on a real-world time scale.

This flooded Hyrule was founded at the end of Skyward Sword. The Depths is what remains of everything between Skyward Sword and Windwaker on the timeline. Even the coliseums, specifically designed for combat, seem very much like a thing that would have evolved in a society under Ganondorf's rule.

A new land was created on top of the old, and THAT is what was what Rauru and Sonia became the founding monarchs of.

The only question that remains is where did the Zonai come from? Who are they? Are there any other people in the lore that the Zonai could be descended from? There are also statues down there that don't look like any other species in the game.

Geru? Mogma? Something else?

[sombersummerskies]

A Sage's Regret: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Water Temple

Word Count: 4894

CW: Violence, injury

Want all the chapters? -> Masterlist

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Traveling through the water temple gives you an odd sense of nostalgia. The grand architecture, the ancient technology, and the intricate puzzles. It was impossible not to be reminded of your time in the Divine Beasts, solving the mysteries and secrets of the machines. Of course, it wasn’t entirely the same. This time you had soldier constructs to fend off and Zonai devices that would react to your arm. Rather than gloom you had poisonous much that needed to be avoided.

And this time you had a companion fighting alongside you.

Sidon’s assistance was immediately a huge aid to you, even if you might not have wanted to say it aloud. With all the internal battles of emotion you were having, you almost thought it would have been easy to trudge through the temple alone. But you knew better than that, and you knew that it would be foolish to turn him away now- after how far you’d already come. Besides, with the strange voice that had called out to him and referred to him as ‘kin’ you knew that he was integral to solving the problem here at the wellspring.

Together you discover that to activate the other four water vessels that you must activate a series of cogs- rather, they resemble water wheels more than anything. 

The first of these is hidden behind a wall of raging flames, but with the shield of water that the prince is able to grant you you’re able to run through without injury. On the other side you find a switch that deactivates the fire, allowing Sidon to join you. Using your right arm you manipulate several hoverstones: Zonai devices that can suspend themselves in the air using the energy from your battery cells. Using these stones you find an orb that solves the puzzle, granting you access to the first water wheel.

When you both return to the main area you see that two of the five water jugs are now pouring over with fresh water.

“Well, it’s progress,” you hum, pulling an apple out of your travel pack. You were beginning to feel famished, but the last thing you wanted to do was pause to cook a meal.

“Indeed,” the prince replies, momentarily glancing your way as you take a bite of the fruit. If he too was hungry he didn’t make note of it. Instead, he turns to look out across the land, peering down at the surface below. “I wonder… what is it like down there right now? Across all of Hyrule. You’ve informed me about the new threats of monsters, of course, but what of the people? What of the other towns? How are they faring under these new circumstances we find ourselves in?”

You pause, thinking before you answer. The truth was that you weren’t sure, it felt as though you’d been traveling at a breakneck pace ever since arriving on the surface. Far too focused on aiding others and locating the princess. 

“I… I don’t know,” you mutter after a moment’s quiet, “well. Lookout Landing is fine. If anything, they’re more fortified now than ever. But Purah informed me that Zora’s Domain, along with the three other major settlements, are all facing unnatural phenomena that have put the people at risk. And I don’t even know what might be happening in Kakariko or Hateno or even Lurelin… everything’s happening so fast… I’m just trying to get everywhere. To help everyone… you know?”

Sidon nods, “I understand completely. I’ve rarely afforded myself a moment's rest ever since the Upheaval. Far too many Zora depend on me… far too many lives hang in the balance…”

His voice wavers, and you know exactly who he’s thinking of. His father. You can picture King Dorephan in your mind so clearly, still unsettled by seeing him so sickly and pale on that throne within the sanctum.

You try to change the subject. After momentarily digging through your pack you pull out another apple- though this has a crisp, golden skin. A unique apple that you harvested from one of the sky archipelagos. You then jut your arm out toward the prince, offering the fruit to him.

“You have to be hungry by now,” you say matter-of-factly, “it’s not a three-course meal, but it’s something.”

Sidon laughs softly, taking the apple and holding it up to admire the way it reflects the sunlight. “Thank you, dearest,” he replies, “it’s rather pretty, it almost feels like a shame to have to eat it.” But eat it he does, sinking his sharp teeth into it as he takes a bite.

The two of you snack in silence, and you take the chance to view the map of the temple on the Purah Pad. In your head you formulate a plan, examining the terrain that surrounds the three remaining terminals for the wellspring. They were on separate floating islands rather than being connected to the main area as the first had been. But, you had a feeling that with the low-gravity you’d be able to find a way across.

When you return your attention back to the prince he’s just about finished with his apple, left holding only the core in his hands (and you try to ignore how your eyes are drawn to the small dribble of juice down his chin). “Well,” you clear your throat, hooking the tablet back onto your belt, “shall we explore the rest?”

Together, you work your way through the Great Wellspring. To unlock the second of the water wheels you need to figure out how to transport a large orb between two separate islands. As you find a solution the prince fends off a captain construct, and you nearly let yourself get distracted as you admire his spearmanship. Despite how exhausted you both were he could effortlessly hold his own in battle, gracefully lunging forward with the Lightscale Trident as he pierced his foe. Luckily, after the construct was slain you were able to keep its horn for crafting a new weapon in the future.

It doesn’t take you much longer to solve this puzzle, and you’re happy to activate the next water wheel. Simultaneously the third water vessel opens with a stream of water beginning to pour out. “Two down, two to go,” you sigh as you return to Sidon’s side, hands on your hips, “the others are on the other side of the temple.

“Then allow me to escort you,” he replies with a chuckle, making a show of bowing his head as he extends his arm toward you.

You roll your eyes as you playfully shove him in response, “no need, prince. C’mon.”

After traveling across the main island and dodging a handful of Chuchus you ascend another waterfall. At the top, however, you come face to face with a Like-Like. Unlike the one you’d fought at Mipha Court, this one didn’t have an armor of sludge, instead its body was coated in flames- making it easily susceptible to your splash fruits. It’s quickly disposed of as you move to the next marked point of the map.

This puzzle involves you having to use your Ultrahand ability. You haphazardly construct a spinning cog that uses the force of a small water fountain to generate electricity. As soon as you see the current running across the floor you jump in front of Sidon, pressing a hand to his chest as you force him to step backward. With how vulnerable the Zora were to anything electric, the last thing you needed right now was for him to get injured. When he gently places his hand atop your own, though, you quickly find yourself retracting it. You struggle to get rid of the heat on your face as you complete the current, unlocking the next water wheel and activating the fourth vessel.

‘Just one more, and the sludge will be gone, and this whole problem will be over,’ you tell yourself as you trek to the final area, ‘then I can keep looking for Zelda.’

After a short climb, you find yourself at a large pond, the center of which holds the activation terminal for the final water jug. The issue is that the pond was surrounded on all sides by constructs, soldiers and captains alike. It seemed as though the further you progressed through the temple, the more of them would be summoned. You do your best to handle them from a distance, as a well-timed arrow to the eye will knock them back into the water- and constructs can’t swim. To no avail, however, as it seems with everyone you take down a new one spawns to take its place.

“Alright then,” you grumble, casting a sideways glance to the prince, “new course of action. I run to that spinning tower because I bet that will unlock the next water wheel. You watch my back- make sure nothing, y’know, shoves a spear in me or anything like that.”

Though you laugh at yourself, Sidon looks less than enthused. Perhaps it was a poorly timed joke, considering the amount of times you both had been injured in battle- specifically by spears. And those were all occasions that you’d prefer not to reminisce about. Certainly not when you’d been stabbed by a Lizalfos, certainly not when Sidon had been attacked by the Yiga-

You force yourself to focus on the task at hand.

You sneak along the side of the water, kicking aside some of the small Chuchus that tried to crawl near you. You both move quietly, trying to avoid drawing the attention of the bow-wielding soldier constructs. The tower at the center of the pond has a fast-spinning component on top, far too fast for you to be able to sneak inside of it in any way. But as you stare at it you can see small blips of something within it- something covered in sludge. You had to get rid of the muck somehow.

Unfortunately, you were too busy trying to think of a plan that you didn’t see the arrow being aimed at you.

Before you can react, Sidon is calling out your name. You feel a strong arm wrap around your torso and tug you down onto the ground. You watch with wide eyes as a flaming arrow goes flying above your heads. You find the source, a captain construct that’s docking another arrow. Your arms move faster than you can think, grabbing your own bow and aiming for the eye stalk. You’re able to shoot first, knocking the construct back into the water.

Once the foe disappears you can still feel yourself buzzing with adrenaline. You let out a huff of air, looking down as your brain finally catches up with your physical movements. You were leaning back against the prince who was now kneeling on the stone floor. His arms were still wrapped tightly around you, pulling you against him as you still kept a tight grip on your bow. 

Nervously you cough, looking up at Sidon as you say a small, “thanks.”

He slowly nods, the irises of his eyes formed into thin slits as he gazes around to assess any further danger. Once he seems to deduce that everything is safe he looks down, meeting your gaze. “Of course, dearest,” he murmurs, gently loosening his hold on you, “I had to… I couldn’t-”

You place your hand on his bicep and look away. You understood why he had to grab you in such a way, you understood his impulse. If he was in imminent danger you would have acted in a similar fashion. Even still, you detested the way it made your heart pound in excitement when you knew he shouldn’t have been putting his hands on you in such a way. The hesitation is obvious as you pull away from one another, slowly rising to your feet once more.

‘Pull yourself together and focus,’ you internally chastise yourself, grimacing as you focus on the tower once more.

Once you get close enough you’re able to utilize a few hover stones to give yourself some leverage. Using your ascension ability you’re able to hop up directly through the stones, something which the prince watches with a curious fascination. Now, you find yourself balancing atop the floating rock, staring at the spinning tower as you draw your bow once more. 

“If I can just time this right…” you whisper to yourself, taking in a deep breath as you raise your arms to aim. With Fuse you attach a splash fruit to the tip of the arrow, narrowing your eyes as your eyes focus on the target. You watch it closely. One spine, a second, a third, a fourth. You time the revolutions in your head.

You breathe out. You shoot. 

When the splash fruit makes contact and washes away the sludge you sigh with relief. Now you’re able to see a glowing orange switch inside of the spinning component.

“Brilliant shot, little one!” Sidon cheers from down below. You smile in response, giving him a thumbs up.

You perform the same trick, carefully aiming and shooting another arrow. The light switches to green, signifying your success. The water drains from the pond and a hatch opens, giving you access to the final terminal and final water wheel. You peer over the edge down at Sidon and grin, shouting out, “finally!”

The low-gravity lets you hop down gracefully and as a pair you run over to the final cog. Once more you’re enveloped in the water shield that the prince grants you, using the water to spin the water wheel. In response, the last of the five vessels begins to overflow.

“You did it!” Sidon beams with excitement.

“We did it,” you correct him, nudging his side with a grin.

The prince smiles bashfully before nodding his head toward the central island of the wellspring. “Okay, they’re all filled up! Now we just need to use the central device.”

It was about midday now as you returned to the first pedestal, the one that allowed you to tip over the water jugs and drown out the muck. As you stare up at it you reach into your travel pack in search of another energizing elixir. You grumble, however, when you realize that you’d already drank the last one you’d brought with you. You really needed to get some proper sleep soon.

Beside you, Sidon sighs dreamily. “Being up here makes me long for my days of exploring once more.”

The days when he had been traveling with you to train the pilots for the Divine Beasts. Years ago. Days that you preferred not to think about.

You clear your throat before replying, “it is pretty nice on these sky islands. There’s so many of them, though, to be frank they intimidated me when I first saw them.”

A small grin reaches his lips as he gazes up, eyes curiously searching for the plethora of floating islands in the distance. “They’re immensely fascinating, aren't they? I’m sure every being walking the surface has had their attention captured by the new presence. Have you been able to survey any of them, little one?”

“A few, though I can’t take credit for any of the mapping. That’s all thanks to the Purah Pad,” you respond, casually tapping the tablet on your hip, “but the handful I’ve been able to explore have been interesting. It’s an odd feeling, though, standing in a place that was once probably full of life but is now abandoned. All the old buildings and constructs are just sitting around, waiting to be used. Like, it’s so clear that there’s so much untapped history. It’s the same in the depths.”

“The depths?” Sidon repeats, curious.

Oh. It hadn’t occurred to you that you hadn’t told him about the depths yet, nor the fact that he’d been so busy with matters in the domain that he was wholly unaware of an entire third layer of land beneath the surface. ‘Well, he’s in for a bit of a surprise.’ You grab the Purah Pad and open the application, scrolling downwards to reveal the depths map. The few Lightroots you were able to document flash on the screen, but they’re dwarfed by how much land you had yet to chart. 

“It’s a whole new region beneath the surface,” you explain to him, watching an expression of shock flicker across his face, “during the Upheaval there were chasms that opened up across Hyrule, which is how we can access it now. Lookout Landing has put together a crew to explore the new land. I went down there myself, it’s a strange place. All sorts of new plants and animals and-”

“Is it safe?” he interrupts you, obvious concern in his eyes.

You hesitate. It isn’t, of course, and you’re not going to lie to him about that. But nothing that you did was safe- it came with the territory of being the princess’ sworn knight. So the sudden question was off-putting.

You were tired.

“I- well… no. No it’s not,” you retort with a frown, “I mean, it’s a long fall, there’s gloom that saps your strength, camps of monsters- but I deal with the same dangers if I’m anywhere in the wilds of Hyrule. Why does it matter?”

Sidon falters, sensing that he may have struck a nerve. “I simply worry for you-”

You narrow your eyes, turning to step backward and away from him. Though it isn’t wise your first instinct is to say, “my safety is none of your concern-”

“I would argue otherwise-”

“Well worry about yourself!” you practically erupt. All of your stress, all of your pain, you knew he wasn’t the true cause of it all but you were exhausted of the rollercoaster of emotions that it put you through. And as the words left your mouth you regretted it, but you could hardly stop yourself. You were so exhausted, and every encounter with him only left you more confused than the last.

“And worry about your wife,” you add on, spitting out the title as if it were venom.

He practically jolts backward with a look of disgust from your tone. Now he reflects your anger, retorting with, “it matters not if I’m simply engaged still. Lady Yona is a dear friend of mine and you will not speak of her in such a way. Where is your respect?”

You scoff, ignoring the stinging pain in your throat as you bury your emotions, “respect? Don’t talk to me about respect. Do you know what I’ve endured in the past two weeks? My best friend is gone- again! And I couldn’t save her- again! My sword, my destiny, has been destroyed. My arm has been replaced with strange ancient technology that I don’t even understand-”

You were so tired.

The prince tries to get another word in but you swiftly cut him off as your rant continues, “I- I can’t handle this damn back and forth that you put me through. I have so much I need to worry about- the last thing I need is to be constantly reminded of the scraps of a relationship that could never be! We can’t be together, Sidon! At this point, I think it would hurt my heart less if you simply treated me like a stranger, that way I wouldn’t have to be constantly reminded of your affection for me-”

In your exhaustion and anger, you’d thrown your arms up, and you were swiftly cut off guard by the sound of the pedestal activating. Your right arm had touched the Zonai device without you meaning to do so. There’s a rumbling of water as the mechanisms of the wellspring activate.

Your chest heaves as you turn and look up, tears threatening to spill as you watch the water vessels tip over. You knew you’d messed up, you knew you’d have to apologize. But at the very least all of this muck would finally be gone. At the very least the Zora would be safe. Sidon would be safe.

The streams of fresh water come rushing down, ridding the fountain of all of the filth that had been clogging it. What you don’t see is the ball of muck that goes flying above your heads, landing in the plaza behind you. “The sludge dissolved,” Sidon gasps behind you. But his voice is quiet. Unhappy. You can hear it immediately. “The domain is surely safe now…”

A shrill shrieking pulls both of your attentions. You each spin on your heels and look to find the source. That’s when you spot it, the single piece of sludge that survived. It bubbled and festered in the middle of the island, and suddenly something- someone, shot up out of it.

“Shit,” you quietly curse, arming yourself with a sword.

“Not good,” the prince hisses at the same time, immediately grabbing for his spear and getting into a defensive position, “this strange creature must be responsible. Get ready!”

Something small and fish-like lands in front of you both, with a squid-like face and flailing arms. It doesn’t seem to be much of a threat at first, and that almost causes you to lower your guard. But then it uses the sludge to its advantage, creating a shark-like form for itself. The muck shark roars, creating a wave of filth around it.

“Water,” you say, throat still tight from your rant. But now you needed to focus, the little spat would have to be put behind you for now. “We need to get rid of all that sludge with water. I have splash fruits, you have your abilities.”

Sidon nods, a fierce expression on his face as he stares down the land shark, “yes, absolutely. Should we try and split up to-”

You’re quick to shake your head, “no, if any of that sludge gets into your gills you’ll get stuck out there. We have to stick together. And we need to move… now!”

The shark- squid- sludge monster- thing lunged forward, gliding across the stone and leaving a trail of muck in its wake. Your previous fatigue is overridden by the adrenaline that now courses through your veins. You grab Sidon’s arm and run in the opposite direction, attempting to put distance between him and the monster. 

“My water manipulation,” he urges you, “use it as a shield and attack it with a wave of water!”

He envelops you in the sphere of water and you focus your gaze on the sludge creature. After sucking in a breath of air you run toward it, avoiding the trail of muck it left in its wake. Using both hands to grip the sword, you yell as you fling it forward, the protective bubble dissipating as it shoots forward in tandem. 

The shark is struck and is momentarily stilled. You take advantage of its vulnerability to pull a splash fruit from your bag and launch it directly at the monster. With this attack, the sludge body disappears, leaving only the small fish-like body of the real creature. The little squid thing panics, its arms flailing about as it runs away from you. Now Sidon takes the opportunity to attack, dashing forward with his trident and attacking.

Your legs feel as if they’re on fire, your body’s exhaustion catching up with you mid-battle. You wince as you push through the pain, running to join the fray. As you begin to slash with your sword, however, the small monster jumps away and back into the sludge. Now, it spits more balls of filth into the air.

“Sidon-” you gasp, watching one fall right toward him, “Sidon, move!”

You run in front of him and shove him aside, hissing in pain as the sludge hits you instead. Though most of it landed on your armor, some of it stains your face and neck. It strings terribly, and you grit your teeth as you try to wipe it away.

The prince calls out your name but you shake your head, squinting as you attempt to refocus on the monster. It’s regained its shark form now, quickly swimming across the floor of the island and circling back toward you. You feel a strong hand wrap around your right arm, and this time it’s you who has to be guided away from the creature’s attacks.

As you run you fumble with your free hand, grabbing another splash fruit and puncturing it with your thumb. You let the water flow down onto your face, offering yourself some temporary relief from the poison of the muck. “Damn,” you mutter, “it got me good. But we just have to do that again, that sludge is its shield. It’s defenseless without it.”

The prince comes to a halt, turning and kneeling before you. He puts his hands on your shoulders and looks at you with sad eyes. “And what if you get hit by it again?” he asks with concern.

“Then I will deal with it-” you retort, but his grip on you tightens and grounds you.

“Stop that,” he says sternly, pleading with you, “please, beloved, I care about you far too much for you to be risking your life like this-”

You’re both interrupted by the shark roaring once more. This time it spits out a beam of the sludge, and your eyes widen as you start to run. You each are able to dodge the attack but it unfortunately puts you in different directions, now separated. The shark begins to move once more, this time toward the prince, and you know you have to act.

With another splash fruit fused to an arrow, you take aim. Your legs wobble and your knees threaten to buckle, fire coursing through your veins as you straighten your arms. You had to make this shot. Your heart pounds in your chest, brow furrowing as you watch the monster approach the prince.

You shoot. You could almost cry from the relief you felt when the shark cried out, halting in its tracks. Sidon then takes the lead, using his own water-based attack to pull the creature out of its shark disguise. Once again left tiny and defenseless, it attempts to run around to avoid the prince’s attacks.

It hops from one pool of sludge to another, before making the unfortunate decision of landing within your reach. You give it a nasty glare before stepping forward and sticking your sword right into its side. The monster, which up close you can see slightly resembles an Octorok, pitifully cries out. As pathetic as its body is, so is its death, it wriggles and writhes on the floor as its body starts to deflate.

Then, in a puff of air, it’s gone.

Your shoulders sag as you stumble backward, taking in a haggard breath as you look around. Slowly, but thankfully, all of the sludge begins to fade away. Every puddle, pile, and stain fades into the air. Even the muck that had landed on you in the battle disappears, and the stinging pain goes along with it.

With the adrenaline gone you practically collapse into a heap on the floor, crumpling to your knees. You lean on your hand, blinking rapidly as the fatigue washes over you once again. As the exhaustion returns so do all of the emotions 

You hear the padding of footsteps as the prince walks over to you. Your vision fills with red as he kneels before you once more. You feel a gentle hand atop the back of your head. He whispers your name.

“... I didn’t mean it.” you mumble, throat tight as you speak.

Sidon is silent for a moment and you fear his rejection. But instead, he moves to hold your chin, slowly lifting your head so that you look up at him instead. His eyes, gold and bright with the light of the sun, reflect your own sadness.

“I didn’t mean any of it,” you continue, tears finally sliding down your cheeks, “I don’t want to be a stranger to you. I want to be reminded of you, always, I think about you all the time. I want to be with you. I… I lo…”

He inhales sharply.

“I love you,” you choke out, voice cracking as you do so, “I love you so much it hurts-”

He pulls you into a tight hug, his arms wrapped securely around you as he pulls you against him. Your face is wet with tears that stain his scales but he seems not to care. You can hear his heartbeat and you can feel the way he shudders as he holds you. He breathes shakily as he presses a kiss to your temple.

“I love you too,” he whispers, rubbing soothing circles into your back, “and I am so sorry. For everything.”

You sob. For the first time since the engagement announcement, you let yourself fully relax into him. You don’t pull back, you don’t hesitate, you don’t flinch. You let him hold you. It was all you wanted.

And you were no fool, you knew you couldn’t have this forever. You still had to return to the domain, return him to his father and the council and his fiance. But, you had him for right now.

You would let yourself be held by him while you still could.

~~~ <> ~~~

hi y'all !!

i wrote a uhhh saucy lil sidon/reader/bazz smut oneshot over on my AO3 :) it's called invitation and i had a lot of fun writing it (it has nothing to do with this story, totally separate timeline)

Link to that fic

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[frost-link]

Can I have a Sidon x hylian reader angst fanfic or headcanon, where Sidon is in love with reader and wants to marry her, but he’s engaged to Yona, and his people might not like a hylian queen?

(Absolutely! I apologize if this is cheesy and short, it's currently 3AM!)

Where Fate Leads (Sidon X Reader Angst)

The sounds of water rippled throughout the architecture of Mipha's Court. The night was solemn, like the gentle rain falling from the gloom. Sidon stared upon Mipha's statue lost in thought. He pondered many different possibilities. What if his beloved sister was still alive? Would she have married Link? Would that have enabled the possibility of him getting to marry you instead? While the Zora had gained respect for Link, they had not opened their hearts to the idea of any other Hylians coming into the picture. Sidon had only ever seen Yona as a sister to him, you were the love of his life. His face was filled with so many different complex emotions. Words alone couldn't explain the pain he felt.

"Sister... I wish you were here to give me advice..." Sidon's voice was close to breaking. His fists were tightly clenched, as he was doing the best he could to maintain himself. "It's not fair, why must fate be so cruel?" He spoke quietly, soon shifting his gaze to the ground. He could see his own reflection being distorted from the rainfall. He was trying hard to control his own emotions. He didn't want anyone to see him in such a disheveled state. He soon heard a voice echo through his whole being.

"Sidon..." You had whispered gently, he immediately turned to you. He had lost his composure at the sight of you. He felt tears starting to pour from his golden irises.

"It's simply not fair, (Y/n). The only thing fate had ever done to me was take away the things I love." He had said in a broken tone. You had never heard or seen him like this before. He was clearly unhappy with his engagement to Yona. You approached him, softly grasping onto his tightened fists.

"Well, fate brought us together for a brief moment though, hasn't it? Isn't that at least a good thing?" You asked, trying to comfort him. You were beyond broken yourself but you wanted to be strong for him. You didn't want him to feel anymore pain. Sidon's hands had loosened a bit, before he moved them to hold yours.

"It's cruel nonetheless, my love... I'm always supposed to see the good in everything, but I can't see the good in fate right now, not when it's being the thing that's going to tear us apart." He cried to you, beginning to pull you into his arms. He held you close and tight, as if you would vanish if he ever let go.

"Sidon, I'll always love you. Even if you marry another. Even if we can't be together in this lifetime..." You murmured, feeling yourself wanting to cry as well. Sidon then pulled away.

"No... I refuse to let fate get in between us!" Sidon stated with a firm tone.

"Sidon, you can't just alter the arrangement. The Zora don't even like seeing us together..." You said trying to reason with him, you didn't want to watch his reputation crumble either. You wanted the best for him, your feelings didn't matter at this moment. This is what you told yourself anyway.

His saddened gaze turned into a stern one, eyeing you. "My people are important to me, (Y/n)..." Sidon starts, his voice picking up a bit more. "However, this supposed fate is not real to me... Not anymore. What's real to me is you. I don't care what my people think. They'll learn to get to know you, and eventually love you for who you are. If they can do that for Link, they can do it for you." He said, determined. He seemed to have a new possible spark in his slitted pupils. You nodded quietly at him. "I'll find a way to call off this engagement, my love." Sidon said before giving you a kiss on the forehead. To him, you were worth fighting for. Even if fate took that away.

[hetacon]

Linktober 2024 Day 7: Royalty/Noble

I surprisingly managed to finish today’s piece at not 10 in the evening lol, here is the lovely princess Mipha 💜

I already said it when I posted day 4’s piece and this won’t be the last time either but I absolutely adore Zora’s Domain in BOTW, and while part of it is because of how beautiful the architecture is, the royal siblings definitely also contribute to my love for it. Mipha and Sidon’s existence in the game was really just an absolute gift for my bisexual ass

I asked my younger sister who also likes BOTW/TOTK if there was anything in particular she would like for me to draw for Linktober this year and I was not at all surprised when one of her requests was Mipha, and luckily this prompt was perfect for it! It’s certainly not like I’d complain 🤧