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

Chapter 38: The Psychic

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"Olivia, are you sure you are okay? I mean, from everything that happened yesterday?" he asked as the two of them trekked up the hill toward the training arena in the mid-morning light.

She looked over at him and shrugged like she didn't really know. "Well...I know I'm doing better than most of the others. You gave me confidence, but, you know, it's...still scary and traumatizing to think about. I guess my answer would be, yes I am okay, but...I can't guarantee that it'll stay that way."

"Oh...well if you need any help–"

"–I can come to you." she finished for him, a small smile appearing on her face as he realized just how predictable some of his sayings had become. Her smile quickly faded, and it was replaced with a worried look. "You always say that. But I wonder, Jordan, are you doing okay? You are always working to make everyone's lives easier. Both me and Mayla have cried on your shoulder — and yes she told me. You help everybody with their problems, but what about your own problems, your own trauma? You've had to hurt people and strain yourself to make sure everyone is safe. There is no way that someone with your responsibility could have no problems, so don't tell me you don't have any."

Jordan looked at her and saw that she was looking at him with genuine concern. He didn't know what to say. At no point in the last two weeks had anyone really stopped to ask him how he was doing. But he was the leader wasn't he? He didn't need anybody to help him with his feelings. He was totally fine. But then he thought about it and...he suddenly didn't feel so great.

He had gained powers that would ensure that he could never be normal again, and he had almost killed at least three people in two weeks. He had harmed even more people than that. The dark magic he had gained was affecting his emotions, and he knew it. He had shouldered the responsibility of taking charge of a community, and had (in his mind, at least) lost Leenie, and could possibly lose two more. It didn't matter whether he liked it in Hyrule or not, being brought here had brought on a lot of negativity.

While he had gained so much by coming here, he had also lost so much by leaving Earth. And he still didn't know why Hylia had brought him here, and it seemed almost impossible to get back to Earth. It felt like there was trauma and injuries every week. But, Jordan wouldn't tell Olivia how shitty he felt. He could do it by himself, he was the leader. Besides, he didn't want to burden Olivia, or anybody for that matter, with his problems. So he feigned a smile and lied.

"I'm fine. It's a little scary, but I'm doing good, you know?"

She must have been able to tell that something was off, so she persisted. "Are you sure?"

He turned his head away and tried to make his voice sound as normal and un-guilty as possible. "Yep, I really am okay. You don't have to worry about me."

"Jordan, yesterday morning when we were fighting those guys I saw something in your eyes. It was like...you just looked so...wrong. So broken, and sad. I don't know how to describe it."

Jordan was silent for a few seconds before he responded. This wasn't something he could just deny. But then he shook his head. He wasn't going to do this. "Keep it to yourself."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm fine." he responded as evenly as he could. Olivia hesitated for a long moment, but then thankfully decided to let it go. They continued walking until they made it to the training area. It also gave Jordan time to cool off for what felt like the millionth time in the last two days.

"Alright, let's figure this out." Olivia said, gazing at her hands, "What can I do with this magic?"

"Yesterday morning you shot a blast of pink energy at the Yiga from your hands. How did you figure out how to do that?"