Linktober 2023

Day 11, Monsters/beasts

Monster extermination services: a one man army.

Tags: Zelda/Link, Fluff, Post botw, Humor

Zelda received word from Zora's Domain that there was a Hinox that seemed to have evaded their first raid of monsters in the area. Zelda and Link were going around the Kingdom, helping the settlers deal with nearby monster camps and enemy places since the blood moons stopped. It was a taxing job for Zelda's nerves, since Link insisted on taking minimal soldiers. She was sure the only reason he agreed to bring anyone else along at all was so she wouldn't worry. She had no doubt he was skilled enough to do it on his own – hell, he made it this far with little to no help – but actually watching him fight was an entirely different matter than hearing about it after the fact. He was reckless and stubborn, to traits that weren't the greatest when fighting monsters.

Link was excited to return to Zora's Domain. He never refused an excuse to go there, not with so many memories tied to the place, from both his childhood and past five years since waking up.

When they arrived, they met with Sidon as soon as possible, to discuss the threat.

"It's just a Hinox nearby, south of Ruta dam," Sidon said. "But there is also a Talus in the valley of Ja'Abu Ridge, that seemed to sneak by our first time through."

"Sounds easy enough," Link said, flexing his fingers. "Who gets to keep the Talus spoils?"

Sidon and Link looked at each other, a challenge in the air. Zelda squirmed, already not liking it.

"Link, please be serious."

The two both sat back in their chairs, grinning. Zelda sighed.

The Hinox hunt was uneventful. It was just Link, Zelda, Sidon, and two Zora soldiers in their party. And Link tried to convince Zelda last night that he could do it alone. Yet he was joking around with Sidon and the soldiers, so she supposed he wasn't all that mad.

They found the Hinox quickly, and the joking quickly came to a halt.

"We await Sir Link's orders," Sidon told the other two soldiers.

Link was ducked behind a nearby rock, Zelda knelt next to him, analyzing. The Zora stayed behind a moment, behind the trees, awaiting orders.

Link pulled his quiver around and pulled out a handful of fire arrows. He tossed a handful to each Zora.

"Aim those at the armor on the ankles. It'll burn, so I can attack from the ground." One of the Zora was about to touch the glowing tip of the arrow when Link added, "Don't touch the tip. It'll explode." The Zora quickly moved his hand. "Stay in front of him, and try to lead him away from trees," Link whispered, hardly taking his eyes away from the beast in question. "I'll shoot from above, in the eye. It'll disorient him."

The Zora nodded, and Link gave them each a position to fire from. He also gave them a signal that would wake the Hinox. Once they were in position, Link turned to Zelda.

"Stay out of sight."

Zelda nodded, but right before he ran off, she grabbed his arm. "Don't die on me."

"Me, die to a Hinox? It'll take much more than that to take me out."

Zelda pulled him down and kissed him. When she pulled away, Link had a stupid smirk on his face.

"Now go, so we can get back in time for dinner with King Dorephan."

Link, still smirking, nodded and ran for a nearby tree. A moment later and he was at the top of the tree, his smirk was gone, replaced with determination.