Heroes Between Realms

Zelda

Zelda was covered in sand. She was continuesly falling off the board on purpose, hoping to stall time so Sidon could get there. Riju got a little flustered with her, wanting to go for a ride with Patricia.

    "I'm sorry, Lady Riju," Zelda said. "Maybe we should take a break."

    "No, you almost got it," she protested.

    Zelda resisted the urge to sigh as she stepped on the board again, sliding her feet under the straps. She wobbled and swayed, then let herself fall back on her behind.

    Then all of a sudden, a distant BOOM reverberated through the air.

    "What was that?" Riju asked.

    Zelda stood as another BOOM echoed across the desert. Then another and another. They seemed to be coming from the Gerudo Highlands. Zelda started shaking, fearing Link was in the middle of whatever was happening up there.

    "Is that. . .Sidon?" Riju questioned, blocking the sun with her hand. Zelda took her eyes off the cliffs and instead found a hazy red blob running towards them. He made it.

    Zelda ran through the sand, stumbling over a dune. Sidon headed for her, too, and soon they were embracing.

    "You're much smaller than I remember," Sidon remarked when he pulled away.

    Zelda craned her neck to look up at him. He was twice her size now. The last she could recall, Sidon was barely taller than her waist, tail dragging on the ground. "You're much taller than I remember!"

    Another BOOM sounded.

    "What is that?" Sidon turned to find whatever was exploding on the highlands.

    "What are you doing here?" Riju inquired.

    "Link needs our help!"

    Another cascade of explosions rattled the ground. This time, they didn't stop for a whole minute, then there were no more.

    "Lady Riju!" a Gerudo called. The warrior dropped to one knee in the sand. "We have reasons to believe the Yiga Clan is active in the Gerudo Highlands. Permission is needed to send scouts to further evaluate."

    "Link is up there!" Zelda cried. "We need to send an army to retrieve him. Who knows what the Yiga are doing?"

    "Uh. . ." Riju mumbled with indecision.

    "We need an order, or the Yiga Clan could disperse soon," the warrior said.

    "What is that?" Sidon asked. The others followed his gaze to see a strange hazy shape.

    The shape came closer and closer, until it became clear. Terrako was riding on the back of a Rito, who carried Link in his talons. The Rito eased Link down to a sitting position on the shrine platform.

    "Link!" Zelda cried, running through the sand. She practically threw herself onto him, squeezing tight like he could disappear any second.

    Link grunted, patting her arm. "Princess-" he broke off into another pain-filled grunt.

    Zelda pulled back, finally realizing his state. Dry blood covered half his body, his nose was currently bleeding, his arm was cut pretty bad, his side looked as if it had beed baking over a fire, his right leg was bend at an odd angle, and he was holding a scarlet-stained scarf to his left hand. The Master Sword layed in its sheath on his lap, the Sheikah Slate sitting on top. Broken shackles hung from his wrists and ankles.

    "What happened?" she gasped, tears rolling down her cheeks.

    "A whole lot of bad," the Rito said.

    "I'm sorry, but who are you?" Zelda asked.

    "Teba. I aided Link with getting him into Vah Medoh. I just saved him from the Yiga Clan."

    Zelda looked into his eyes. "Thank you." She turned back to Link, wondering what she could do. She placed a hand on his shin and Link pulled back, hissing in pain. "Sorry!"

    Link shook his head. "They broke it, and I don't think the bone set right when I used Mipha's Grace."

    "But that means breaking it again and splinting it for it to heal properly," Sidon said.

    Zelda's shoulders went heavy with guilt. She felt that this was partly her fault. Her fault for letting Link fly through the first portal, her fault for the pain Poe caused him, and now this. Terrako whooped a little too brightly.

    "I'll get some splints," Riju said. She headed into the town.

    "What of Daruk's Protection?" Teba asked. "How come that didn't work?"

    "The powers aren't mine, so they have to recharge after so many uses," Link explained. "I struck out, and they got me."

    Riju came back with arms full of bandages, rags, medicines, and small boards. "Will this do?"

    Link nodded, then grimaced down at his leg. He hissed as he bent to expertly examine it. He pointed to a spot on his shin and said, "Here."

    No one moved to break the bone again, not wanting to hurt their friend. Terrako stepped closer, whooping as he pointed to the spot on Link's leg, confirming. Link nodded, shoving his fist into his mouth. Terrako jumped, landing hard on his leg. Link bit down on his fist, grunting in pain.

    He took the supplies he needed from Riju, carefully wrapping his leg with precision, slightly fumbling with his left hand. Zelda caught sight of his bloody hand missing a thumb, gasped and turned away. Bile rose in her mouth, but she swallowed it.

    Zelda dared to look back, watching as Link pulled a clear bottle containing a fairy from the Sheikah Slate. He popped out the cork with his mouth and the fairy flew out. It then circled Link, healing him. The fairy flew away after its work was done, but Link didn't take the splint off.

    "The effects will linger, but I'm fine now," Link explained. Sidon helped him up. Zelda could tell he was putting most of his weight on his left leg.

    "Why were you taking on the Yiga anyway?" Teba asked.

    Zelda told them everything concerning Poe and the other world.

    "Well then, let's take them down!" Sidon cheered.

    Zelda looked to Link, who was picking up the Slate and Sword that Seals the Darkness. His eyes met hers.

    "Gather anyone who can fight," Zelda started. "We need everyone we can get to take that facility down. Hurry back to Zora's Domain and Rito Village, and everyone meet again at Lake Kolomo, in Cental Hyrule. Terrako, you will need to rally the Gorons. We'll create a further plan once all are there."

    "Terrako," Link added, "talk to Daruk's descendent, Yunobo. He'll help."

    Terrako whooped twice.

    "We've got this!" Sidon boomed. "Let's save the other realms!"

    "It will be an honor to fight under your command, Princess Zelda," Teba said.

    "Let's go!" Riju cheered. "Some good action for my warriors and myself, of course!"

    "Thank you all," Zelda said, meeting everyone's eyes, landing last on Link. Her heart broke for him. After all he had suffered, he was going into battle again, and Zelda knew there was no persuading him otherwise. "Link and I will converse with Impa in the meantime."

    Link nodded, pulling out the Sheikah Slate. His left hand fumbled a little as he struggled to hold it, setting in commands. But soon, Zelda was weightless, flying over Hyrule, back to Kakariko Village.