The Guardian Slayer (botw fanfic)

10. Akkami

Traveling at the pace of the battalion was unbearably slow. The group was pretty spread out on the path. Akkami rode several meters ahead, partly to scout out the trail, and partly because she wanted to be alone. Even if she HAD to travel with a group, she didn't want to feel like someone was breathing down her neck all the time. Her horse, Biscuit also didn't seem to like the slow pace, trying to speed up, but Akkami held her back to a slow trot, remembering Impa's words. Stay with the group.

By lunchtime, the group had reached the Dueling Peaks Mountain. Ordinarily, Akkami would have galloped past it without a second thought, but she took the opportunity to admire how the two sides of the mountain spiraled into the sky. It was kind of nice to take in the scenery every once in a while. Wow ONE advantage of this snail's pace. I get to stop and smell the flowers. She slumped down on the saddle and groaned. If she went alone like she planned to yesterday, she would have already fought at least one guardian. But from what Devan laid out in his plan. They wouldn't find any until much later. So it was going to be boring these first few days.

She looked around absentmindedly as they emerged from the other side of Dueling Peaks. Then, she spotted a monster pack camping out on the side of the road. Even from a distance, she could see the red and blue ugly things. Bokoblins, 6 of them. She thought distastefully and slowed down to alert the others.

Devan was the first to catch up and she pointed them out to him. He narrowed his eyes. "I see them." He made a signal to his soldiers and a couple warriors stepped forward, an archer and 2 swordsmen. They approached the monster encampment and the archer let loose his first arrow which struck a blue bokoblin. The monsters jumped up in surprise and the swordsmen leaped in and attacked the monsters before they could react. Akkami was impressed how the soldiers worked together, the archer releasing one arrow after another and swordsmen striking down the monsters. Since she travelled alone, she wouldn't usually attack so many monsters by herself, but by traveling with these people, they could take down any number of small enemies. Soon, the enemies were all defeated and exploded in purple flames and the group continued.

Akkami rode to the front again and briefly checked the time. 2:15pm. What?! More than half of the first day is already gone and we just passed the Dueling Peaks! We haven't even left Necluda! She looked at the passing river, seeing Hyrule Bass wiggling in the water. Even fish travel faster than us. 

Then she heard a horse whinny as someone sped up to catch up to her. It was that green eyed commander, Devan. She sighed as he rode up next to her. Devan had tried to ignite conversation multiple times, which was really annoying. Above all else, Akkami hated one thing the most, and it was smalltalk. Her worst fears, in order, were Calamity Ganon, failure, and pointless conversations. 

Devan slowed his horse to match her pace and gave her a big grin. "Hey! How's your day been going so far?"

Immensely boring. Boring to the point I want to die. But I prefer doing absolutely nothing over talking to you. She thought about the few interactions they've had in the past few days. Every damn time, Devan was eager to talk. 

She gritted her teeth. "It's been fine." 

"Why don't you slow down for the group? We should stay close together in case we're ambushed."

She pulled on Biscuit's reins and rode next to some archers on horseback. 

She looked around to try to find a distraction. Over the hills on her left, she spotted a lake with what looked liked ruins of a town. She pulled out her map to see what it was. Deya Village. 

"Looks like there used to be a town over there." said a soldier behind her. "It's directly next to Hyrule Field. Must have been hit pretty hard in the Calamity."

"That's Deya Village!" said another. "Careful with your words, that's Commander Devan's hometown."

"Oops, sorry."

Then, there was a shuffle of reins as a new person joined on the conversation. Granoli had ridden up. "Devan did indeed live in Deya Village." he said looking sadly towards the front of the group where Devan rode. "However, he was sent away as a soldier, leaving his family behind. Deya Village was one of the first town to be attacked in the events of the Calamity. His parents, simple farmers, died in the attack and his sister was badly wounded."

Akkami studied Devan as he rode at the front, oblivious to the conversation. He was an orphan, just like her, and had a dark past.  His parents had died while he was away. He didn't even have the chance to say goodbye... 

Akkami's parents had also died in the Calamity, in the Royal Ancient tech lab, but she was with them when it happened. She watched them die and barely escaped with her own life. She almost envied Devan in that way. After they died, she didn't even have time to grieve, as she was sent to the Great Plateau for an important mission... her biggest secret.

Though... Granoli's story did make her see Devan in a new light. He had been greatly affected by the events of the Calamity similarly to herself.  It must be very challenging to ride by the ruins of his old home, and the place where his parents died. Even now, as they passed Deya Lake, Devan didn't look at the ruins, he kept his eyes in the front. 

Though, as they moved on and the ruins were getting farther and farther away. He did turn around and look longingly at the distant sight. His face kept a hard expression, but his eyes were full of pain. 

Then, he turned and rode on without a word.