Break The Cycle

chapter 5

A few days passed, and still, there had been no sign of the Yiga you freed.

But there had been a few attacks here and there.

One in Zora's Domain, one at a fruit stall in Gerudo, and one frighteningly close to you, in Castle Town.

As much as you hated to admit it, Paya had been right.

So you decided to suck it up and apologise.

But before that, you wanted to change your outfit. That would show her the apology was personal, right?

You glanced at your hand before knocking on the door, silently cursing Nayru. If she had just given you the wisdom you had required, that boy would have still been locked up.

Had you been too trusting?

The door to Paya's door swung open, and she was stood in the doorway.

Her arms were folded across her chest, and she had a raised eyebrow.

"Y/N? What brings you here?"

You awkwardly rubbed the back of your neck and took a deep breath. "May I come in?"

"Hmm... you may."

You nodded your head in thanks.

You hadn't been in here for a couple of months, and you had to say it looked... different.

Clothes were strewn about on the floor, and a book lay open on her desk. Now that you looked at your nanny properly, you noticed how she looked slightly disheveled herself.

"Are you okay?" She glanced at you, and bit her lip. Slowly, she nodded. "You're worried. Aren't you? Because of what I did..." you trailed off.

She shook her head, still not saying anything.

"Oh, Paya... I'm just going to come out and say it. I'm sorry for arguing with you. I was rude, and... I shouldn't have been. I was wrong, too, and because of my stupid mistake I could've helped the Yiga unintentionally. Again, I'm sorry. I was just trying to keep you out of it, but instead I hurt your feelings."

She gave a tiny smile. "Oh, Y/N, it's alright. I forgive you. Truth is, I've been worried too. I wanted to check on you, but I wasn't sure if you hated me or not."

Paya smiled fondly at a spot behind you, so you turned to see what she was looking at. It was a drawing you had done years ago, when you were still a small child. The drawing was simple yet messy, as many drawings done by children were.

It depicted a princess with (h/l), (h/c) hair, (e/c) eyes and a royal blue dress. Next to her was a taller woman with silver hair, and blue eyes. There was a badly drawn Eye of the Sheikah emblazoned on her head as a crest. She wore a blue and pale brown coloured outfit.

"I remember the day you gave me that picture. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were relaxing in the gardens." Paya smiled fondly. "Before... yes, that was before you carried your burdens."

You fidgeted with your hands. "Want to go to Castle Town? We... We could relax, maybe, and- um-"

"Y/N, I like spending time with you. You're like a daughter to me."

"And you're like my mother," you smiled, remembering how you both used to play together.

She threw the clothes into a basket, then put a bookmark into the novel she had been reading. The Sheikah showed you what she had been reading.

"'History of the Yiga Clan'? But, Paya, don't you already know their past inside and out?"

Paya hugged the book to her chest, frowning. "Well, yes, but... I could have missed something. I don't know about their individual history, like what they do in rituals. Stuff like that."

You nodded. "I get it."

"Now, shall we go?" she asked, holding out her arm. You laughed, then linked yours into hers and set off.

As the two of you walked out of the castle, and into the streets, you noticed a lot of people giving confused looks.

"Ignore them," Paya murmured. "It's probably just because we haven't spoken in a few days."

You nodded, then held your head up high. "Where should we go first?"

You instantly knew what Paya was wanting to do, as her stomach gave a low rumble. She apologised, clearly embarrassed, and you decided to lead her to a new cafe.

You didn't order anything, but the Sheikah decided to get some Seafood Curry.

"How do you like the meal?" you asked, resting your chin onto your hand and smiling. Paya nodded gratefully, then wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"It's lovely. Something on your mind?"

You bit your lip and sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm meant to be spending time with you to clear my mind, and all I can think about is that horribly attra- that, erm, horribly awful Yiga soldier."

Paya finished eating, then suggested the idea of going for a walk. You thought that would be perfect, so once you had paid, you both set off.

It was nice to just relax, and have fun with your closest friend!

You both reminisced about the past while sitting under the shade of a tree, laughing at embarrassing memories; like how you would use to barge into the room during meetings and announce it was time to play.

"I still remember your mother's mortified face!" Paya laughed, and you stifled one too.

"Ah... the good old days. The sun is setting already," you commented, shielding your eyes.

"I suppose that means we need to be getting back. This was nice, Princess."

You nodded in agreement. Paya got up first, then extended a hand to help you up. You gently dusted the grass off of your trousers, and linked your arm with your nanny's.

As you walked throughout the streets of Castle Town, you noticed how many shops had started to close up.

"Already? But... it's not even that late?" you exclaimed.

"Probably due to the Yiga attack," a male said from behind you. His face was obscured with a hood, and he held a sword in one of his hands.

"Who are you?" Paya asked, stepping in front of you. Her own weapon, the Devoted Kodachi, had appeared in her hand.

The male raised his hands, shaking his head. "Hey, I'm not here to attack. I just... I need someone to escort me to Hyrule Castle. I think I'm being followed."

You strode past Impa and towards the male, examining him. There was something familiar, but what was it?

You placed a hand on each of his shoulders and smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry. We'll take you! Won't we, Paya?" The Sheikah nodded, and you gently took the male's hand in your own. "Come with us. We'll keep you safe."

The three of you stayed mostly silent, despite your many attempts to speak with the male.

Once you reached the castle, you noticed how nervous he suddenly became.

This, apparently, was also noticed by Paya. "Are you alright, boy?"

He looked at the Sheikah, and nodded hurriedly. "Yes, it's just..."

"Intimidating?" you offered, giving a comforting smile. He nodded again.

Luckily, your father was still awake.

"Father! We found someone who might need a bit of help!" you announced with a smile.

Paya whispered something to the male, and he shook his head frantically. The Sheikah reached for the back of his hood and pulled it down.

A mess of golden locks fell down like a waterfall. Half of the back was pulled into a ponytail, and the other half hung down to his shoulders. Sideburns framed his face, and cerulean eyes were wide from terror.

That's why he was familiar.

Him.