The Guardian Slayer (botw fanfic)

4. Akkami

After the fight with 4 guardians, Akkami was pretty battered. She had collected dozens more ancient screws, springs and gears and they even dropped 4 ancient cores. Biscuit was also not in the mood for more fighting, immediately going to sleep after Akkami dismounted. 

"Aw come on wake up girl" she said shaking the bridle. "No more guardians. I have to deliver these parts to Purah and Robbie."

Biscuit snorted as Akkami mounted her again. She stared at her map. "We'll take the Dueling Peaks path. Let's see... it's about 4 o' clock. If we can't make it to Kakariko by nightfall, we can stay at the stable." 

It seemed Biscuit really wanted to go home, as she galloped top speed the whole way so it only took a couple hours. She left her horse at a trough and quickly went to Purah's house. She opened the door and saw a Sheikah woman tangled in ropes, plastered to the wall. She was wearing a traditional white sheikah dress and golden research glasses that sat on a neat bun. 

"Ack! Akkami! How's it going?" the woman said struggling against the cords.

Akkami laughed. "Oh my Hylia. What did you get yourself into now, Purah?"

"Look, I was just trying to tie some artifacts to the wall. I feel like it'll look better, visually, you know?" 

"Riiiight" Akkami said sarcastically as she untangled the ropes. Purah was extremely smart, but she tended to get ahead of herself and usually got into a mess. "You should've asked someone else to do it for you" 

As Akkami freed Purah, she sprang out immediately and made a beeline for Akkami's satchel. 

"Oooh what did you bring this time! Oh! screws, gears, springs, yes very nice and- OOH CORES!" She giggled in excitement and examined the glowing orbs. "Yes these will do very nicely, I don't remember the last time I got my hands on one of these- and so many of them!" She laughed like a maniac.

Purah carefully set the ancient cores on her cluttered research table and Akkami wondered if the delicate artifacts were safe in that woman's hands. 

"I can't wait to start researching those things, but-" Purah turned back towards Akkami "How's my favorite Sheikah girl?"

"I'm fine-and I'm not really your favorite am I?" 

"Are you kidding? You're the ONLY person who supplies me with ancient parts, and I still have to split them with Robbie! I'd like you to find another person who actively seeks out guardians like you do. "

Akkami dumped the rest of the ancient parts into Purah's outstretched hands. "Oh I loove being set on fire. And Biscuit likes it too."

Purah frowned "I thought Impa told you to stop doing that. She's tired of seeing you covered in burns."

"Oh tell the guardians that. I'm sure when I say, Hey mister guardian stalker can you maybe not shoot your lasers and cause explosions. they'll definitely listen."

Purah laughed "Anyways, you should get something to eat. I heard Lola has extra pumpkin soup!"

Her stomach grumbled. "I'll have to check that out. Thanks for the tip"

"For sure! oh yeah and also, you should check in with Impa. I think she has something for you but was waiting for when you returned."

Akkami stopped at Lola's pumpkin patch for a little pumpkin stew. She sat alone, even though many people were dining. She just didn't know anybody. As she ate, she could feel people glancing at her. One woman said to her child softly, That's her. That's the Guardian Slayer. Akkami looked at the child, a young boy and gave him a smile. He smiled back with shining eyes. 

After her late dinner, she went to visit Impa who was examining a large battle map, showing enemy encampments, battalion positions and of course, guardian sightings. 

"Hey Impa. Purah told me you wanted to see me?" She said tentatively.

Impa looked up at her with piercing eyes. "Ah yes, join me. Thank you for coming, Akkami"

Impa showed her to a seat at the table. Akkami traced her fingers along the map's rivers. 

"Do you know what they're calling you nowadays?" Impa said, looking back down on the map.

Akkami looked down at her feet. Sometimes, during her travels, she helped people by killing guardians that terrorized their towns. Stories spread fast about a Sheikah girl who could kill the unkillable. They've even reached Kakariko.

"The guardian slayer" She said bitterly.

Impa looked back up at her. "You say it like it's a bad thing. Is it?"

She shrugged"It's just weird. 'Slayer' makes it sound so heroic- and it's not." 

She turned away, not wanting to talk about it. 

Impa sighed. "Well, are you at least being more careful about their lasers. I remember I told you, I don't want you to come back burnt like a torch every time you come back."

"Er... well..." She looked down at her charred tunic. "I may have to visit the boutique again"

Usually if Impa saw Akkami like this, she would send her straight to the infirmery to have her burns checked out, but this time, she seemed distracted, only looking at the battle map. Akkami realized she was looking at one place in particular: Akkala Citadel. She remembered that name. What was it? Some kind of military base, but it was definitely important. So why was Impa looking at it so sadly?

Impa finally looked up. "I want you to stay at Kakariko for a couple days. I'm organizing a group of reinforcements. The Citadel is falling." 

Akkami nodded. Now noting the dozens of monster encampments surrounding the citadel on the map. 

"Look if they need help, say the word and I'll go. How many guardians?"

"No. I'm in communications with the commander of the citadel and we need a planned attack. I've reached out to a couple battalions nearby. But I doubt they'll respond, considering how low we are on soldiers." She studied the map intently "Just stay here until my word." Then seeing the crestfallen look on her face,  "It won't be long. At the most, 3 days."

Akkami gritted her teeth. She needed to get back out there with so many more guardians roaming free to attack. But in the meantime, she could spend time with Purah and maybe Robbie would give her some sweet weapon upgrades.

"OK" She said finally. 

p.s. the header pic is a drawing of young robbie, purah and impa. I didn't draw it, but I thought it was really well done!