The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule's Hope

Chapter 15: Divine Beast Vah Ruta, Part 3

Rhiannon, Dori, and Zya walked into Zora's Domain when they noticed that there was a large crowd surrounding the statue of Mipha and Sidon. "What's happening?" Dori asked. "Oh no..." Zya gasped, "My grandfather!"

She took off, heading to the palace. Rhiannon and Dori followed behind closely. "Grandfather!" Zya called as she walked into the throne room. "Zyannah, lower your voice," Lady Arala said, "it is time for you to say goodbye."

"No! Please!" Zya sobbed, approaching the Zora king carefully, "Please, grandfather! I already lost too much!"

"I am afraid it is too late, Zyannah," King Dorephan said faintly, "Goddess Hylia is calling me to her kingdom. My time has come..."

"Stay with me, grandfather!" Zya cried, "Don't leave me!"

"P-Princess Rhiannon," he called, "come closer..."

Rhiannon obeyed, approaching the king shyly. "Promise me you will save Hyrule," King Dorephan said. "I promise, Your Majesty," Rhiannon answered, trying to contain her tears, "I promise I will fix everything. I promise Princess Mipha and Prince Sidon's deaths will not go without receiving the justice they deserve."

"Now, promise me...one more thing," King Dorephan said in a voice so faint it was hard to hear, "promise you will take care of my dear Zyannah."

"I promise," Rhiannon nodded. "Thank you..." the Zora king whispered as his voice faded away. Suddenly, he closed his eyes, only for them to never open again. "Grandfather? Grandfather!" Zya called, "Wake up! Please!"

"Zya, I'm sorry," Rhiannon said. Zya hugged Rhiannon tightly as she sobbed uncontrollably into her shoulder.

By sundown, despite the heavy rain, the people of Zora's Domain gathered in East Reservoir Lake for the king's funeral. Rhiannon and Dori stood in the front row. "My grandfather sadly met his fate today," Zya said, "after grieving the loss of his daughter and son, 125 years apart, he has finally joined them in eternal slumber. King Dorephan will be remembered as a beloved leader for the Zora, a hero, and a loving father and grandfather. May Goddess Hylia receive him in her eternal grace."

"I feel so guilty," Rhiannon sighed. "Hey, it's not your fault, Rhia," Dori said reassuringly, "you don't have to blame yourself for it."

"I know," Rhiannon said, "but it still feels like it."

"Hey, cheer up a bit," Dori said, "Zya's gonna need lots of comfort right now, the least she needs is you feeling gloomy."

"I guess you're right," Rhiannon nodded. After the funeral, Zya and Rhiannon reunited in her bedroom. "Why do these things happen to me?" Zya sobbed, "I keep losing loved ones left and right. First I lost my father, then I lost you for 25 years, then I lost my grandfather..."

"I'm sorry, Zya," Rhiannon said, "if I could fix the past, I would. I feel like this is all my fault."

"No, my love," Zya sighed, gently caressing the Hylian princess's face, "nothing about this is your fault. You don't have to feel guilty for any of this."

"I promise I will put an end to this suffering, Zya," Rhiannon said, "even if I must lay down my life for it. I'm bringing an end to the war, to the Calamity, to the bleeding and the deaths."

"I know you will, my dearest," Zya smiled softly, "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Zya," Rhiannon smiled, leaning forward to give the Zora princess a passionate kiss. After spending the evening together, Rhiannon returned to the Seabed Inn. "I'm heading for Divine Beast Vah Ruta with Zya tomorrow," she thought, "I'm very nervous. What if I don't make it out alive? No, you can't let negative thoughts discourage you, Rhiannon. If my father made it out, so can I, right?"