Rise of the Goddess

Chapter Two - Aadil

Aadil always enjoyed his trips to Hyrule Castle. Most of the time they were simply for political reasons, sometimes they were celebrations, regardless of the occasion, it was always nice to walk around the Castle, admiring the architecture, enjoying the pleasantries of castle life.

Today, though, was not going to be very fun.

He arrived that morning, appearing at it's front gates alongside a friend of his, Nairem, the Captain of the Guard. Over the past years, due to having to work alongside each other, they grew closer, started throwing jokes back and forth, and now they stood as friends.

The Knights that guarded the front gates nodded and let them in without a single word, and he and Nairem walked by, headed inside to meet with Link in the Library.

Nairem had yet to say a single word, apparently frozen by either awe or social anxiety.

The trip to the library was an easy one, and they waited there, scanning by a few books, when shouting drew his attention.

A young woman, dressed in traveler's clothing, a book in one hand, was shouting at a royal guard.

"Look, Raeden, I don't know what my mother told you, but I am not in need of any kind of 'escort', especially not to the library and especially not in my own home! I find it rather insulting that you even think I would need help coming or leaving here. I am a warrior in my own right, I don't need anyone by my side!" the girl shouted, "Now, leave me alone!"

The knight who had been following her, a shy looking kid with curly hair, froze and awkwardly went away.

The woman collapsed into a chair, frustratedly ran her fingers across her scalp and groaned. Then her eyes caught his. Any irritation had been swept away in that instant.

"Aadil?!" She called, getting to her feet and rushing over.

It took him way too long to recognize her in return.

"Zariah?" he said as he realized who the girl was. This grown woman, could it really be the little girl he'd met so long ago? She looked so different, so much stronger, so much surer of herself. Aadil had only seen her a couple of times as she grew up, but it had to be around 5 years or more since the last time.

She hugged him as she approached, "It's been forever since I last saw you, what's been going on? Why are you here?"

Aadil got sent back 15 years to the moment he first met her as Link and Zelda had been attacked. He had comforted her, offered her any help she needed, and no less than a month later, she'd returned and plunged him into a fight that changed his life forever.

"I've been busy keeping the Gerudo Desert afloat," he started, "Link called me here to see if I can do anything for Zelda, I heard she'd fallen sick,"

Zariah's face grew serious, "She's been getting worse over the past few months... and I— I think she might've been poisoned,"

Aadil raised an eyebrow, "Poisoned? What makes you think that?"

Zariah looked away, "I, uh, it's just a suspicion,"

"It's always smart to consider every possibility, I'll bring it up later,"

"Thanks," she said, "Hey, maybe I'll stop by sometime in my travels—"

"Is that why you're never here?" Aadil interrupted, the question had been bothering him, he'd come to Hyrule Castle several times and yet Zariah never seemed to be here, "You're always on the road?"

"Yeah, I've been traveling as much as possible before I'm dragged back here to rule— whenever that happens," she said,

"I didn't realize you were so reluctant to take the throne,"