Winds of Desperation - Vaati x Female Reader (BotW AU)

Kindredship

"Your form and stance are wrong. Again!"

How did I end up getting myself into this?

"No, [Y/n]." I sighed. "You're putting too much effort into it. Your magic isn't flowing as it should."

She sighed back at me. "Then what do you want me to do? We've been at this for hours. Instead of criticizing my every move, wouldn't it be better if you told me what I'm doing wrong and helped me correct it?"

"What are you, a child?" I groaned. "You know what? Fine. This is exhausting... Let's get this over with."

I had no choice but to walk towards her and teach her how to stand on her own two feet. Literally.

Was this really the most powerful mage in Hyrule?

"When fighting one-on-one, as opposed to fighting large groups, you should position yourself like this..."

And of course she had to flinch like she didn't expect any physical contact to happen...

"Hey. Quit it. You're not some scared stray puppy."

"Well, excuse me for being surprised."

"Now, your back should be straight, but never tense... and your shoulders... No. This won't do. Your entire body is tense. It doesn't only block the appropriate flow of your magic and your concentration, it also makes you look awkward."

"Wow... anything else you missed?"

"Stop holding your breath. Using magic drains you as it is. Holding your breath like you do only makes your body more exhausted."

This is giving me a headache.

She let out a big sigh and sat down on a nearby tree. Are Hylians really that weak...?

"Don't think we're done already, [Y/n]. Your power also benefits me. Just so you know, I'm not doing this out of the goodness in my heart." I crossed my arms and smiled at her.

"No, of course not... I just need to collect my thoughts. There's too many things I've been doing wrong all these years. It's greatly appreciated, but I just wish you would refrain from destroying my pride so mercilessly like this."

I couldn't sense any lies coming out of her this time.

"...Hey, let me ask you something."

"Hm?"

"You know that my power has been dormant for years. That means it is far from restored yet. You could easily plunge a dagger into my back and leave me severely hurt, only to have the Royal Family execute me and give you a life of recognition and luxury in return... isn't that tempting? Why haven't you done that yet?"

She sighed and grinned bitterly at me. "Do you really think I would sink that low? I thought we both had a similar sense of morality. That means I plan to reach glory by my own means. Besides, even if they believed me when I said I'd captured the Evil Wind Sorcerer that came back from the legends... I haven't heard your side of the story, Vaati."

"...Excuse me?"

"The Hylian Royal Family has always painted history in black and white; us and them. The Gerudo were once thought to be an evil race. Nowadays, they live in harmony with everyone else. They had their side of the story. I don't think you're evil, Vaati. I think you may simply be cruel. Perhaps."

"Cruel? Me?" I scoffed. "Don't get cocky, [Y/n]."

"Oh, I didn't mean it that way. You see, I once read in a book that being cruel and being evil were widely different things when looking at them in a certain way. When a storm destroys a village, you say it was a cruel disaster, right? You don't say the storm was evil, you say it was cruel. You see, the storm acted according to its nature, and, sadly, people inevitably got hurt in the process. I think... well, it may be stupid to say, but I think you and I may be similar in that aspect. Take that as you will. I'm sure the idea of having something in common with a lowly Hylian like me must be even comical to you."