The Guardian Slayer (botw fanfic)

1. Devan

Of course it had to rain. 

Devan perched on the ledge of the turret and scoured the land in front of him. The grey downpour hindered his view, but he didn't see anything suspicious. It was already hard enough to climb in the rain but now he couldn't even properly scout. 

"Are you ever going to come down from there?" a voice called from the ground.

Devan glanced downward, seeing a redhead man in full armor. "I need to scout, Granoli. We had a surprise attack yesterday. Both Yacon and Freya got major wounds. I can see any enemies from a distance." Devan answered as he turned back and squinted in at the rain soaked field.

"Yeah well. it's 8 in the morning! When did you come out?"

"Just a couple hours ago"

Granoli sighed. "You need sleep, Devan. We were all up fighting last night and we're all tired. Everyone just woke up."

Devan looked back towards the encampment. Someone got a fire going and was roasting some mushrooms. Others were putting on their armor or sharpening weapons. They all looked battered and tired and the rain certainly didn't help. A couple of them looked reproachfully at the dreary sky. 

"Come down and have breakfast. Your battalion needs their leader."

Devan hopped down from the turret, his armor clunking on the stone. He climbed down the ladder onto the muddy grass. He rubbed the rain out of his eyes and joined his soldiers under a cloth tent. Granoli passed him a mushroom skewer. 

"How's the wounded?" He asked Adrien, the paramedic. 

"Yacon's doing fine. I put him in a sling so he'll be back in shape in a couple days. Just a nasty cut." Adrien said quickly. "And Freya's gained consciousness. She'll need bed rest but nothing major."

Granoli clapped him on the back. "Well that's wonderful news! Thank you Adrien!"

 There were a couple murmers of approval, but Devan could tell morale was low among his soldiers. Monster attacks happened on a daily basis, and even though the battalion was strong, someone always got injured. Through the 2 years stationed at Fort Hateno, 24 people had to be sent back to the village to heal and so many people had died he didn't even remember the number. It hurt him every time a comrade fell in battle and it probably hurt the mood of his soldiers. 

After breakfast was finished, Devan laid out the defense plan for the day. "I doubt this rain is going to let up so I want archers positioned at high points to see any approaching enemies. The rain blocks some of our vision, but it also means that monsters can't see us hidden in the grass or in high places. Do not engage until my signal..... and if this rain turns into a thunderstorm, retreat immediately. Only the archers will remain." 

His soldiers nodded and went to their respective posts. Devan and Granoli patrolled the outer wall together Granoli hefted his crossbow. "You know, you should put more faith into your soldiers. Since you came in charge, we haven't lost anyone. You lead very well and the battalion trusts you." 

"The monsters are only getting stronger. You can never be too careful."

"I know this rain is troubling you. Don't worry, it won't turn into a thunderstorm. That only happened once."

Devan looked away. "And I won't let it happen again. I-"

Just then, the archer signaled that something was coming. Devan narrowed his eyes, searching for any sign of movement in the grass. He saw a flash of red, then blue, then there was a familiar grunt of a bokoblin. He could see a horde of monsters closing in towards the fort. Devan drew his sword and raised it in the air, signaling the soldiers to engage. They all rushed forward through the fort gates. In response, the monsters squealed a battle cry as both sides met each other in battle.