Redemption (Link x Reader)

Chapter 27: Grerudo Invasion

The Lomei Labyrinths always had a bit of an unsettling feeling, even before the Upheaval. The feeling was only intensified in the Depths. Instead of the lonely wind of Gerudo Desert, the air was still and stale. Even with the Lightroot banishing the darkness, it felt like you were in a world of the dead. As much as you'd gotten used to the Depths, there was still part of you that felt it was forbidden. Part of you also hoped to see Sharpe again, but there didn't seem to be a sign of your friend's shade anywhere nearby.

The underground section of the labyrinth was far more straightforward than its compatriots above. A simple section looped downward. Ancient carvings threatened a duel against a terrible guardian – which only turned out to be a Flux Construct. While you and Link weren't exactly wowed, your third party member was overjoyed.

Your vision swam as the labyrinth was temporarily replaced by an art gallery in the basement of a forgotten mansion, dark Poes and puppets of Ganondorf floating between the paintings. One monster rode a skeletal horse wearing an evil skull-like mask. You took a deep breath and closed your eyes, letting the feeling pass as the room changed back to normal. Sidon's suggestion floated back to you; could the Demon King alter time? Were these just echoes of the past? That only raised more questions, namely why? Why would the Demon King, or anyone, want to show you these over and over?

The past... that's it! If anyone would know anything about the new dreams... well, it'd be Zelda first, but Tauro was practically a walking encyclopedia of Zonai knowledge!

You stood at the edge of the bazaar, just beyond the veil of sand that stretched high into the sky.

You had changed into a set of your armor dyed in your favorite color. It may not have had the same protection as some of your other armor, but no other set was more suited to the desert heat. Link had changed into his own set as well.

Link started up the Flame Emitter, and the balloon rose into the air. As the bazaar grew smaller below you, the air grew cooler. Just as the balloon was about to give out, you crested over the top of the sandstorm.

The two of you walked through the town. The raging sandstorm had covered a good portion of the market in a layer of coarse grit. There wasn't a sign of life anywhere, until you found a hole in the stairway leading to the Chief's home. The hole led downward to a pit and a doorway, safe from the storm. Beyond, you could barely make out the sound of people moving.

"Hello?" You called. "Is anyone there?" Link preemptively readied a shock arrow.

"Begone! No voe allowed!"

Both of you breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the goddesses. Is the entire town in there?"

"Begone!"

For a moment you saw an eye peek at you through the peephole. Another voice came, this one a bit gruffer. "Let them in, these voe are allowed. After all, they are honorary Gerudo and our heroes."

The door rolled to the side. You gave the giant woman on the other side a friendly wave. "Captain Buliara, thank you for letting us in."

She gave you a traditional Gerudo salute. "Your Highness, it is a pleasure to see you. Did the Gibdos give you trouble?"

"Not exactly, but we only ran into one. Where did they come from?"

"We're still trying to understand exactly where, but the sand towers seem to be like a hive for them."

"If that's their hive and they're weak to the elements, maybe a strong enough blast would destroy it?"

Buliara nodded. "It's what we suspect as well. Chief Riju has been training tirelessly to practice her lightning abilities to combat this threat. She's just about to go train again, but you might catch her if you hurry."