Two princesses

The Calamity Warrior

It was early afternoon in Zora's Domain as Princess Mipha returned alone from Veiled Falls. She had spent some time speaking with her friend Link there and remarked how much he had grown since she last saw him. Hylians grew up so quickly! Then Link had gone off to spend time with his childhood playmates Bazz, Rivan, and Gaddison, while she returned to the domain. As Mipha approached the plaza where the shops were located, she noticed Princess Zelda walking slowly with her head down. She looked sad, and Mipha wondered what was wrong. She rushed over to join her.

"Zelda! It's wonderful to see you! But you look unhappy. Is something wrong?"

"Oh, Mipha! I'm so glad you're here," said Zelda as she reached out, and they embraced. "I could use a friend to talk to."

"Come, we can walk together, and you can tell me what's troubling you," said Mipha. "You're not hurt, are you?"

They began walking east across the plaza toward East Reservoir Lake.

"No, no, I'm physically fine," said Zelda. "It's just that nothing seems to be going right for me."

"You can tell me about it if you want to," said Mipha as she took Zelda's hand. "We're best friends, remember?"

Zelda smiled at her and nodded.

"I don't know where to begin," said Zelda. "I guess the last thing was that I just came from a meeting with your father hoping he would permit you to pilot Divine Beast Vah Ruta. But he felt it was too dangerous for you, especially since the swordsman who will help seal the darkness with the blade of the Goddess has not appeared yet."

"Don't lose hope, Zelda. I can speak with my father later," said Mipha. "I believe I would be the best person to pilot Ruta. But you said other things are troubling you?"

"Yes," said Zelda as she lowered her head. "I...well, I have not been able to access my sealing power as is expected of me as a blood descendant of the Goddess. I have prayed every day, and nothing seems to work. My father yells at me that I am not taking this seriously enough, but I am! He looks on me as a failure, and perhaps I am."

"No, Zelda, don't be so hard on yourself," said Mipha. "We can talk about how I access my healing power and what I think of. Perhaps that will work for you too. Is there anything else?"

By now, they had reached the long stairway to East Reservoir Lake and began to climb.

"Yes," said Zelda. "It's Link. As you know, my father assigned him as my knight companion to travel with me everywhere I go."

"Do you not get along with Link? He and I have been friends since he was a child, and we get along well."

"It's not that he is so bad. It's just that his success seems to come so easily while mine doesn't come at all," said Zelda. "My father noticed how courageous he was on the battlefield and promoted him. Father seems prouder of Link than me, and it gets on my nerves. And Link is so quiet. I never know what he is thinking, and I feel he is laughing at me inside. Anyway, I would much prefer to travel alone."

"Well, Hyrule has become more dangerous since we were younger, so it is wise to have a knight to help protect you, Zelda," said Mipha. "Even here, we now have a Lynel on Ploymus Mountain who acts like it is his home."

"And that small guardian we found, it follows Link around like a little puppy," said Zelda. "I can't quite remember, but I have a feeling I've seen that guardian before."

"Yes, it's cute," said Mipha. "The little guardian was with Link when we spoke by Veiled Falls."

By now, they had reached East Reservoir Lake, and they sat down beside each other in the small shelter with the bed under a canopy at the northwest pier. Divine Beast Vah Ruta stood proudly in the middle of the lake, and they both looked at it. It was a massive device with a huge trunk and its body glowing blue in spots from ancient energy.

"I hope Father permits me to pilot it," said Mipha. "I feel I could help Hyrule best that way. Is there anything else troubling you, Zelda?"

"No, that's all I can think of, and thank you for being such a good listener," said Zelda as she smiled at Mipha. "And a good friend."

They sat together and looked out at the lake. The sun glistened off the icy blue cliffs, and the water made a gently lapping sound against the pier. It was quiet there, their only company, a family of ducks, swimming nearby.

Suddenly they heard the sound of someone running up the stairs, and a moment later, a Zora guard appeared.

"Your Highness! Monsters are attacking the domain!"

"What!?"

"Your father is leading the defense," said the guard.

Then he looked about and seemed puzzled.

"But Prince Sidon? Your father thought he was with you."

"Sidon! Sidon is missing? Oh, no!" exclaimed Mipha. "You help my father defend the domain. I will look for Sidon."

"As you command, Highness," said the guard with a bow and rushed off.

"I will help you search for Prince Sidon," said Zelda. "Any idea where he might be?"

"He likes to pretend he is a strong warrior," said Mipha. "I would not be surprised if he headed toward Ploymus Mountain. Let's hurry!"

Zelda and Mipha rushed toward Mikau Lake.

"Here, take my hand, Zelda," said Mipha. "I will pull you up the waterfalls, and it will be faster than climbing."

Mipha pulled Zelda up three waterfalls, and when they reached the top, found Link with his three friends. Word of the attack had not reached them yet. Link looked surprised to see them.

"Mipha? What's wrong?" said Link.

"The domain is under attack," said Mipha. "You three go help my father with its defense."

Bazz, Rivan, and Gaddison nodded and left.

"And you, Link, come with us and help find Sidon," said Zelda.

"Shouldn't I help the soldiers..."

"Did you hear what I said!" said Zelda angrily. "Sidon may be in trouble. Can you just do what I tell you for a change?"

"Very well, Your Highness," said Link.

The rest of the way to Ploymus Mountain was on foot, and after rushing to the peak, they found Sidon confronting the mighty Lynel and holding a spear three times his size.

"Sidon!" gasped Mipha as her hands flew to her mouth.

"I'll handle the Lynel," said Link, who pulled out his sword and prepared to battle.

The Lynel had been staring at the little person who dared to confront him, wondering how best to eliminate him, but then turned when he heard the others. The Lynel attacked with a roar, brandishing its mighty sword, but Link fought him off, and Mipha helped with the occasional stab of her Lightscale Trident. The Lynel was beaten but not killed. With an angry roar, the Lynel galloped off, and Mipha rushed to Sidon's side.

"Sidon! I was so worried about you!" said Mipha as she hugged him. "Why would you try to fight such a terrible beast alone?"

Sidon just shrugged.

"But what a brave little brother I have," said Mipha as she caressed his head.

Their happy reunion was short-lived, however. The air was filled with the sound of monsters, and looking around from the tall mountain peak, they could see hordes of new enemies swarming to attack the domain. Things looked hopeless, but then the little guardian began making sounds, and Zelda's Sheikah Slate beeped and glowed. It showed a picture of Divine Beast Vah Ruta, and Zelda showed it to Mipha. Mipha understood. No matter what her father thought, it was time for her to use Ruta to save the domain.

"I need to do this alone," said Mipha. "The rest of you can help the others."

It was an easy dive for Mipha off Shatterback Point to East Reservoir Lake, and she swam at once to Ruta. After boarding Ruta, Mipha activated the controls as she had been practicing, and soon Ruta was destroying the enemies all across the domain, using its mighty energy beams. A timely blast even saved her father just before he was about to be attacked.

By the time Mipha finished, all the monsters were destroyed. She returned to East Reservoir Lake and reunited with her father, Zelda, and Link.

"Mipha, please step forward," said King Dorephan to Mipha. "You have done well and convinced me the Zora must do their part in defense of Hyrule. You have my permission to pilot the Divine Beast against the Calamity. But you must promise me you will return safely afterward, Mipha."

Mipha felt so proud! She bowed her head and prayed she could do all that was expected of her.