I think I made a mistake.

With me in front, Link has no other choice than to hold onto me to stay on the saddle. Which doesn't sound like a problem, right? Well, it is a problem since he's a childish bugger. Whenever I make a snarky or sarcastic comment, he tickles me until I apologise, which makes this journey way longer than it needed to be. It was starting to get frustrating.

You know I feel like I'm the only one here taking this quest seriously.

I glanced over my shoulder at Link, only to find him admiring the scenery around us. I admit, seeing such healthy vegetation surrounding Hyrule was refreshing, since in my world we wouldn't get such sights... Not with all the pollution and global warming and all that. However, I had job to do - both of us did.

"Yo, Limp—"

I felt his hands twitch against my sides, and I halted the nickname.

"— Link."

"Yes?" He asked sweetly. I grumbled and urged Epona to go faster.

"How long until we get to the Divine Beast?"

Link's arm removed itself from my waist so he could grab the slate, and he leaned back slightly to give himself space to check the map "There should be a path leading to where it is past that swamp." He pointed towards a boggy area littered with trees. I sighed.

"Great. More setba—AH!" I began squirming when Link's hands attacked my sides once again "OKAY OKAY, I'LL STOP COMPLAINING! JUST CUT IT OUT!"

Link's smirk was apparent behind me when he ceased the assault on my sides, his arms curling around me once again as I signaled our steed to turn towards the swamp. Her hooves picked up mud as she galloped across the marshland, as Link and I kept our eyes peeled for any enemies. There was nothing Link couldn't handle alone with his bow, so all I had to do was focus on the path ahead.

Until I noticed something on Epona's neck, trailing up until it fixed on my thigh. A target.

"Y/N, look out!!" Link yelled as he grabbed my arms, using them to yank Epona into a different direction just in time. As he did, a laser shot past us just where we had been. I snapped my head towards where it came from, only to see something that my breath catch in my throat.

A guardian. A moving guardian. And it was aiming at us again.

In my panic, I kicked Epona into a faster gallop "Go, go!"

She whinnied and sped forward, grunting at her pushed speed as Link and I clung to her in order to stay mounted. I pulled her reigns in different directions to dodge the shots the mechanical nightmare made at us, occasionally looking back to see how close it was.

Once again Link took out his bow, his other hand grasping the fabric of my shirt just over my stomach for support. His knuckles were rubbing against my skin uncomfortably, but right now I was too full of adrenaline to care.

"I'm gonna try and shoot its eye! That seems to be its weak spot!" He yelled behind thumping hooves "Try and get close enough for me to aim!"

"What?! How the hell am I supposed to—"

"Just trust me! I know you won't let us get shot!"

I let out a growl, but obeyed and turned Epona to the right, giving Link a temporary opening to shoot. He knocked an arrow and hit, but missed when releasing a second which made him curse under his breath. I wanted to keep circling the scary spider robot, but just as I focused ahead I noticed we were heading towards a tree. With a yelp I tugged the reigns to change course, which of course made Link lose his aim.

"Hey!"

"That guardian ain't the only threat, Link!"

Link huffed and once again clung to me while I tried to get us back into position, also trying my best to avoid lasers the guardian had shot. Link wasn't making it much easier, either.

"Turn left! Get closer! Come on, go, go, go!"

It had gradually been agitating me to the point I couldn't concentrate on keeping us and Epona safe from lasers.

"Hey!" I finally yelled out "Stop back-horse-driving!"

Link's body tensed against mine, but before he could say anything the sound of the laser pierced our ears. Along with a pained whinny.

Epona's rear was grazed.

She bucked up, which caused the two of us to tumble off onto the muddy ground, and we watched as she cantered off in a panic. I had landed on Link which made my fall less painful, so I was able to scramble to my feet without too much hassle. Though I may have accidentally elbowed Link in the jaw while doing so.

Mechanical footsteps could be heard behind us as we stood, along with the beeping of the guardian's lock on.

Frick!

We leapt sideways and a laser shot between us, right into a nearby tree forcing it down. As I landed, I attempted to run again, however my feet wouldn't move. They had sunk under the water and were enveloped in mud, restricting my movements and ways of escape. I let out a shaky breath before facing the mechanical creature, eyes full of fear as it locked onto me.

I was too scared to move...

However it seemed as if Link would not allow my imminent death.

"That's it!" He yelled from his spot further from me, and from his quiver he pulled out a strange looking arrow seemingly made of Shiekah tech. I gasped when he placed it to his bow, which was when a blue arrowhead materialised.

It shot through the air in slow motion, towards the guardian who was just about ready to end my life.

But the arrow hit. As if the heavens tossed us a bone, the arrow pierced through the eye and sent the guardian into a malfunctioning frenzy before exploding into a bunch of rundown parts.

I felt like I could finally breathe, but my heart still wouldn't quite calm down.

"What was that...?" I asked quietly when Link approached. His arm wrapped around my torso to lift me out of the mud, and then place me in a much less marshy area. He seemed concerned from my shell shock, but answered anyway.

"It was an ancient arrow," he explained, putting away his bow "Beedle gave it to me as a freebie, saying it could kill even guardians. I was saving it for the Divine Beast, but I guess saving you overshadowed that."

I pursed my lips together, my eyes trailing down to the ground. He saved me... again. I hated throwing aside my pride, however it wouldn't be very heroic of me if I let an act like that go unthanked. I turned to him and opened my mouth to speak—

But a loud neigh was heard nearby cutting me off.

Nevermind.

We quickly turned towards the horse running to us "Epona!"

She stopped a few feet away and reared up, front legs kicking in the air in a panic. I was quick to approach and grab her reigns, pulling her head down so I could calm her.

"S'okay, girl," I soothed with my hand running down her long muzzle "That thing's gone now. Shhh, everything will be okay. You're okay."

Epona snorted and gradually began to calm down enough for me to examine her. I handed her reigns over to Link and made my way to her rear, where I inspected the damage.

"How is she?" Link asked.

"She isn't hurt too badly, which is a good sign." I explained "But I don't think she should continue like this. I saw a stable nearby, so she can rest there until we reclaim the Beast."

"Yeah, she's already taken us far enough." The blonde nodded, his forehead connecting with his steed "You were amazing back there, Epona... thank you."

I resisted the urge to aww, and instead beckoned him to follow me towards the stable. No doubt this would be harder on foot, but as an animal lover I wouldn't dare push Epona in her state.

I guess it is how it is.

—-

Once Epona was safe inside the stable, Link and I once again made our way across the swamp. This time we were way more cautious - not that we weren't cautious already, And Link promised he'd stop the whole tickling thing as I was still kinda jumpy. He was right to be concerned; I had never been so scared for my life than with that darn guardian.

If those were as scary as they were... what would the Divine Beasts be like?

"Oh! You're—"

A voice, that didn't belong to myself nor the blonde next to me had us both reaching for our weapons. "Who's there?" Link demanded.

"O-Over here!"

Our eyes landed on the river we were crossing by bridge, noticing a creature waving at us shyly. She looked to be female, with fishlike features and a slightly startled expression on her face. Link seemed to ease up, and he pushed my hand away from my weapon "It's okay, she's a Zora. Impa told me about them."

"A what?" I asked in suspicion.

"A Zora; they're an aquatic species and also exactly the people we're looking for."

"Oh." I felt kinda guilty for assuming this Zora was another monster, and willingly let Link pull my hand down "Sorry, miss."

"I-It's alright!" The Zora assured me, before turning to Link "Sorry for being blunt, but you're a hylian, right?"

The blonde seemed confused, but answered anyway after giving it a bit of thought "Yeah, I believe I'm hylian."

"I knew it!" The girl squealed excitedly, but looked to me in what seemed like confusion "And you... are you hylian too? Your ears seem a lot different to this guy's."

Ah. The ear thing again...

I laughed nervously and covered my ears with my hair "I'm a rare breed, as some may say. But I assure you I'm just as hylian as him."

That was a lie. I wasn't hylian, I'm human. But it didn't seem like those existed in this world. Would she trust me if I told her the truth? It seemed as if she bought it, as she bawled her fists and threw them up victoriously "Two Hylians! It's a miracle! Well, go on then! Go see Prince Sidon!"

Link and I exchanged glances, looking back at her with the same question in mind "Sorry, who?"

"Prince Sidon! He's the one in need of your help!" She turned to point upstream "He's waiting at Inogo Bridge! Please meet with him and listen to what he has to say! That is... unless you have other things to do."

Link and I once again gave each other a look. This Zora did seem a little urgent with her request, and since we were heading that way anyways... what was the harm?

"We'll go." Link confirmed, which had the girl thanking us like there was no tomorrow.

"You'll understand everything when you meet Prince Sidon, trust me! Best of luck!" She bid us farewell and swam off, leaving us to our business. Link and I were quick to take off, too, jumping to the other side of the river and hiking up the path. As we continued, we noticed rain had started falling and was getting heavier the farther we got. My clothes became drenched, Link's too, and I had to pull up the hood of my cloak to give me at least a bit of shelter.

"This is weird..." I muttered.

"Yeah," Link agreed and ran a hand through his damp hair "It seems to get worse from here, too."

"Fun."

After a few inconveniences, a beautiful glowing bridge that contrasted with the dull atmosphere came into view. Link and I approached it, hoping it was the same bridge we'd find the mentioned 'Prince Sidon'.

"Say, hey there! Young ones!"

We paused in confusion, me looking over at Link and mouthing "Who the heck?" as there didn't seem to be anyone around.

"Up top! Above you!" The voice said again, which had us glancing up in confusion.

A red blur jumped from a tower of the bridge, performing a flip and landing perfectly before us. It was another Zora. As he straightened I gawped at his tremendous height, as he was much taller than the Zora we had encountered prior. He was dressed in silver and gems, matching his regal and elegant posture. He stared down at us and smiled.

"Pardon the entrance," he chuckled, noting our bewildered expressions "But you two are Hylians aren't you?"

Link and I nodded, and he grinned, showing a set of sharp pointy teeth making me gulp.

"Marvellous! I was hoping perhaps you'd have a moment to talk." He exclaimed, before recoiling sheepishly "Oh, pardon me, I seemed to forget introductions... I am Sidon, the Zora Prince! And what are your names?"

I eased up a little. His smile and carefree attitude made light in the gloomy atmosphere.

"I'm Link." Link spoke up and gestured to me "And this is Y/N."

"Link and Y/N? What fantastic names! Though I feel like I've heard them somewhere before... In any case, they are strong names!" Sidon beamed and shook Link's hand, before turning to me and kneeling down. I was shocked, and even a little flustered when he took my hand in his much larger one and placed a gentle kiss on top of it "It's a pleasure to meet you two, truly! To be honest, I've been watching you."

"Y-You have?" I stuttered when he once again stood, allowing my hand to fall from his grasp.

"Yes! I've seen how you handle yourselves, and I can tell you are no ordinary people!" He praised "Link! You must be a strong warrior among the Hylians, correct?!"

Link pursed his lips together, as if he was nervous to answer "I mean... you could say that."

Sidon grinned once again "Aha! Just as I suspected! I am a Zora Prince, after all, I have an eye for talent that is unparalleled! In fact, I've been searching for someone like you two for a long while. Right now, Zora's Domain is in grave danger due to a massive rainfall coming from the Divine Beast Vah Ruta!"

Link and I perked up at the mention of the Divine Beast. So it was in Zora's Domain... guess we were right to seek out Sidon after all.

"Please, won't you come to Zora's Domain with me and help us?" Sidon pleaded.

"Of course we will." Link responded determinedly. Sidon lit up

"Wow, really?! Thank you! Both of you!" He placed a hand on each of our shoulders "Now listen closely. Because of the rain, the cliffs will be impossible to climb. To reach the domain, you will have to go straight along the path marked down by the torches. As Hylians, I know you are unable to swim up the river. As such, the path to the domain may be a bit treacherous. You'll likely come across monsters that will certainly attack on sight." He exclaimed, before striking a determined pose "But don't give up! I believe in you two! I'll see you you at the domain!"

Sidon launched himself into the river and waved at us, beginning his long journey upriver to Zora's Domain. I raised the hand he had kissed earlier, my heart fluttering slightly at his words of encouragement.

"You seem happy." Link remarked, and I straightened with a yelp. He was so quiet I almost forgot he was there.

"Well— I mean—" I paused "Look. It's not everyday you have royalty kneel before you, okay?"

The boy rolled his eyes and patted me on the shoulder "Whatever you say, N/N."

"Do you want to make it to the domain alive, Limp Noodle? Because I am this close to drowning you."

Gulping, Link sped past me and across the bridge, where the path awaited us. This was not going to be your everyday field trip, and I wasn't looking forward to it. But Sidon counted on us, as well as the rest of Zora's Domain. I guess being a reincarnated hero comes with it's ups and downs... Haven't found any ups yet, but I'm sure there'll be some along the way.