The Hyrule Paradox: Worlds Collide | BOTW Isekai (Book 1)

Chapter 34: Decimated

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He turned around to see everyone staring at him in disbelief. It was only then that Jordan realized how tired he was. He was breathing hard, there was sweat running down his face. All of his energy had been sapped now that the adrenaline was wearing off, and Jordan walked over to the couch and plopped down on it. By now, the sun had barely risen over the horizon, and there was light. He sighed and closed his eyes, the events of the battle playing on repeat in his head. Still nobody had spoken. Jordan couldn't bear the silence.

"What the fuck was that?!" He punched the couch in frustration, his hands clenched into fists. Then he heard Olivia speak.

"Um...is anybody injured? I can heal you." Matt and Oscar murmured haphazardly about some bruises, and he heard some shuffling. What were they supposed to do now? What would happen to Allison and Maria? He was so lost in his thoughts that it took him a second before he heard Olivia talking to him. "Jordan? Are you okay? Do you have any injuries?"

"...I dunno. Lemme check." his voice came. He couldn't find any injuries, but he was exhausted and his mind had taken a big hit. Everyone's had. "I think...I'm fine."

He laid back and closed his eyes again. The scene replayed in his mind over and over again. The Yiga soldier, standing triumphant. Allison and Maria looking helpless and sad. And the worst part, the feeling of powerlessness that he felt when he realized he would have to let them go in order to stop the Yiga from hurting them. And now he was here, feeling crushed, like there was a hole in his soul. He was exhausted, and his mind was all over the place. More thoughts kept washing over him as he sat there. Who was he as a leader if he couldn't keep the people safe? His only consolation was that he knew where they had been taken.

After a few more minutes of silence, Jordan opened his eyes, stood up, and looked around. Everyone was just sitting on the ground, staring off into space. Jordan looked at Olivia and saw that she was looking at him, but not with a wide-eyed spaced-out stare. She was actually looking at him. Jordan opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Olivia continued to look at him like he was a poor child who had lost his mother. Jordan tried to speak again, but before he could, someone else said something. It was Oscar, who was still staring off into space.

"Why?"

Jordan and Olivia turned to him at the same time. Oscar broke his gaze with the void and looked at Jordan.

"What?" Jordan asked.

"Why did you let them go?!" Oscar demanded.

"Do you think I had a choice?" Jordan shot back.

Oscar stood up and took a step towards him. "Yes! Yes you did! You have powers! You were supposed to take them down!"

"You heard what he said! They would have hurt them!" Jordan said, standing up to defend himself.

"The Yiga Clan is going to hurt them anyway!" Oscar shouted back. The argument seemed to stir the others out of their daze. They all turned to watch the scene unfold. Jordan took a step towards Oscar.

"You don't know that! When Barta was captured in the game, they didn't hurt her, they just threw her in a cell!" Jordan yelled.

"But they aren't just regular people! They are humans! The Yiga Clan attacked us to get revenge because you attacked their soldiers!"

"You don't think I know that? I–" His voice cracked and it gave a second to build his defense. He took a deep breath and lowered his voice, trying to keep himself restrained. "They would've been taken no matter what. While we were busy fighting, a clansman got into Allison's room where they were hiding."