Auburn Brown Boots
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Your POV

The first thing you see is his grin, moonlight glinting off his white teeth. Thoughts begin to swarm your mind, as you were clearly longing for anyone else's company. Yet you were far enough away from the stable that running away would not be an option. You'd have to take any and everything from him.

"So, Y/n... What brings you here? Heading back to the Clan?" He asks in his normal, husky voice. You become keenly away of the Vantablack Blade's location–the stables.

"It's none of your business, Nate," you grit your teeth, glancing at the ground. The cold nips at your exposed skin, the sensation enough to keep you grounded.

"I think you'll find it is all of my business. If you're heading back to the Clan, I'll accompany you. After all, it's no good for a lady to travel by herself," he replies, his eyes locking with yours, "that is... if you are travelling alone."

"Wouldn't you like to know?" You sneer, rolling your eyes to the moon and back. As if it would do anything–it was dark enough for your face to remain partially hidden. You open your mouth to speak, "still, you will not be travelling with me. Head back on your own account."

"So, you are travelling with someone. Boy, girl... monster?" He tilts his head back and forth slowly, causing you to frown. What would happen if you told him you were travelling with someone he knew?

"Enzo," you whisper, and Nate quickly scowls.

"You're travelling with him? Y/n, you can't be serious," there was something in his voice that made you freeze. As if he was bewildered.

"I am indeed travelling with him. Is there a problem with that?" You stand your ground, yet a bad feeling planted itself in your stomach.

"Of course there's a fucking problem. I bet the little shit told you he was friends with me," he scoffs, making you frown.

"He did..." you mumble, suddenly losing the will to speak.

"You have to leave him now. He's not safe to be around. Only reason he knows me, is because he hunts down Yiga. He's damn sly about it, too. Almost had me fooled," Placing a hand on his hip, you knew from his voice, that he was telling the complete truth. You've been walking with an assassin the entire time.

"So, you're saying, that this is all an act? He never was defenceless?" Nate nods his head, and you could finally see his full expression. He was pissed.

"What exactly has he been telling you? What made you let him tag along?" His voice was becoming strained, and an owl perched on a tree branch above the both of you softly hooted, causing the both of you to look up.

"Well, he told me he was heading to Gerudo Town, to check up on his brother, Bozai. Asked me where I was heading, and I said the same place. Asked if he could tag along because he didn't want his insides eaten by some monster," you reply, sighing deeply. You knew now, why he had done everything he did. Why he took you back to the castle. It was so then you would lead him unknowingly to the Clan.

"He must've alerted a few others, then. Perhaps he and his brother know people. All I know, is you have to lose him... now," upon his words, you have no choice but to trust your Clanmate. No matter how much you wanted to leave the Clan, you still grew up with them. They were still the best family you ever had. You certainly didn't want to be the reason behind their downfall. Then another thought flashes across your mind, almost bringing you to your knees.

"The Champions. What if they've been playing me?" The shock in your eyes was visible from under the moonlight, and your question only darkened Nate's expression.

"It's possible. This is why the Yiga's only method of association should be their weapons. Cut first, ask questions later. You should've known that," he grumbles, and the sick feeling in your stomach only grew. None of them really cared about you. It was all just an act. Maybe they were working with Enzo.

"Look, you might think they love you and all, but in truth, I've never seen slyer people than the Champions. Especially the Gerudo and Rito. If they've travelled with you for so long, I can only guess they know about the lack of power you have. They'll be following you. One of them at least. I surmise the Rito would be tasked with tracking." Nate continues, torturing all the good memories of them so that they turned dark.

"Although I choose to believe I can still travel alone. I've escaped Revali's watchful gaze before," looking up at Nate, you saw him raise his brow. Doubt never looked good on anyone.

"I can teleport us back. It saves you many days on the road, as well as avoiding any and all threats."

"How would I know you're telling the truth?" You ask tentatively, squinting your eyes at him.

"Would you trust some people you've known only for a few months, for someone you've basically known your whole life?" Removing the hand from his hip, he walks in the direction of the stables, waving you to walk beside him–which you begrudgingly do, "just get your stuff. I'll have a small talk with the stable owner about your horse. I'll see if I can get her transported to the Gerudo Canyon Stable."

You give a feeble nod, walking tiredly into the tent. You sneak back to your bed, grabbing your knapsack quietly. You lift the sheath onto your back, securing it with the belt buckles. Silently checking to make sure there was still everything in your bag, you then spare one final look at Enzo. Yet your gaze was filled with nothing but hatred. For a person you had known for a small while, it had turned out there was much more behind those innocent, weak eyes.

Turning away, you walk out of the tent where Nate was waiting. Slinging the knapsack over one shoulder, you approach him, "I'm ready."

"Good," without any further warning, he grabs your arm, and the red light and tickets shrouded the both of you, before you felt a force pressing down on you harshly. Within mere seconds, you were back in your room, albeit a little shocked. Nate gives you a small nod, before vanishing elsewhere, leaving you by yourself.

So much had happened to you since you'd left. A little too much to wrap your head around, because now that you were safely back in your room, it felt like only a day had passed since you left.

Dropping to the floor, a lone tear trickles down your face, the weight of everything crushing down on you. To be back in the base, it felt like a nightmare. The small breath of freedom that you'd felt previously, was now gone. There was nothing. You had nothing.

You were just a piece on the chessboard, with the Champions carelessly disposing you. Enzo had partaken in it too, casting you aside like a mere fish. No matter if the words that had come out of Nate's mouth was the truth, you had to admit you enjoyed their company. Yet if what he said was true, you would've put the whole clan in danger.

Gritting your teeth, you cry quietly. In the morning, you'd have to face everything. You'd no doubt be punished for sneaking away. Everyone would find out about the death of Malum, and you'd be cast into the furthest dungeon to pay for your sins.

Taking a minute to compose yourself, you stare out into the darkness, making out the vague shape of your makeshift bed. Bringing yourself sluggishly to your feet, you dispose of your knapsack onto the table, dropping the Vantablack Blade next to your bed, keeping the handle close enough to grab at any time. Kicking your boots off, you throw yourself onto the bed. It wasn't the comfiest, but it sure damn felt like home. At least, for the moment.

Without a second thought, you let unconsciousness carry you away, your body needing the rest. Even if it meant the possibility of dreaming about him again.

~~🌹~~

The first thing that caused you to shoot out of bed was the familiar knocking on every footsoldier door. It lit your heart up to hear the familiar voice, "footsoldiers, assemble in the great hall immediately!" When the knocking reaches your door, you could tell his fist was faltering, hovering just in front of the door. You hear the lightest of a sigh, before he gives a soft knock on the door. You could barely register it as he moved on and continued knocking on every other door. Had Sooga really never given up on you?

Scrambling off your bed, you slip your boots on and attach the Blade sheath, before opening your door. The familiar scurry of feet greets your ears, the sight of many footsoldiers swarming through the halls greeting your eyes. A ghost of a smile appears on your face as you follow the stream of clan members. They all had their soldier armour on, which you'd have to get a new set of. For now, you stuck out like a sore thumb, and everyone noticed, as you felt dozens of pairs of eyes on you.

You give a small nod to most of them. If they Yiga were anything, they'd be dumb, so it surprised you when they acknowledged your Yiga status by your black hair–and the sheer audacity to step into their hideout meant you were a member.

You notice the tall man up ahead, his parted black hair blowing slightly from the speed he was moving. You noticed he always stayed in perfect armour, the only scratch being the deep gash running across his mask. You remember your past-self carving through the crowd to get to him, but even as you wished to do it now, your feet wouldn't let you. Your new past wouldn't let you.

Eventually the footsoldiers made it to the great hall, where Kohga was at the top, as usual. Sooga walks up to stand beside him, his eyes combing the crowd like he usually did. Kohga starts his usual morning rambling, boasting about his wonderful efforts in finding materials to make parts for his 'wonderous divine beast', which you still thought would be a flop. There were a few less soldiers than normal, which no doubt would've been because they'd be out, hunting for the princess and her Champions. The very thought of your own family hunting the people you once called your friends makes your heart hurt, and in ways you didn't quite understand.

When Sooga's gaze sweeps across your location, his eyes focus on the figure standing without the Yiga armour. He stops dead on you, narrowing his eyes–to which you felt through your skull. Only Kohga was close enough to hear the gasp slip past Sooga's lips, as the Master stopped and faced his friend, silently questioning him. Sooga then lent in and whispered something into his ear, whilst the natural murmur of the Clan started up in the hall.

Your insides twist worriedly as you do anything you could to disguise yourself. Yet, with how you dressed, and with the large, black sword on your back, you knew it wouldn't be possible.

Kohga then faces the crowd, staring solely at you–which sent waves of shivers down your spine, "Y/n? Y/n L/n?" Kohga speaks up, his voice loud enough to reach every corner of the hall. When all eyes turn to you, you temporarily freeze, giving a slight nod in his direction. Upon seeing your nod, Kohga raises his arms in the air, "rejoice, dear subjects! She's returned to us at last!" If not for the cheering through the hall, you would've thought your ears were lying. There would've been no way that anyone was glad to see your sorry ass. So why was the whole Clan celebrating your return?

Kohga then waves you up to the front, and the crowd in front of you parts–just enough for you to walk through. Tentatively taking a step forward, you await with bated breath as to what would happen. Reaching Kohga, he nods once at you, pushing you out of the way, enough for you to be standing next to Sooga. You look confusedly up at him, yet he doesn't look back at you. As if nothing had ever happened, Kohga continues his speech, briefing the soldiers of anything he could think of.

After the meeting, Sooga pulls you into a separate room to talk. "Just where have you been?" He asks, a hint of worry cracking through his dull voice. You frown for a second, thinking of every possibility on why he'd give a shit.

"I... adventured across Hyrule. The Vantablack Blade myth is true," you withdraw the Blade from its home, holding it in front of you for him to see.

"It isn't possible... is it? I never thought your mother was telling the truth..." you look unexpectedly at him, and he gives a low chuckle, "and you have her reflexes. Quick as a cat, they say."

"Sooga... you know my mother?" He scoffs, turning away from you. He crosses his arms against his chest, looking up at the ceiling.

"Of course I know her. Why wouldn't I know my sister?" Your eyes widen with shock. You grab his arm, turning him to face you.

"You're my... Uncle?" You whisper, looking up at him. He gives a small nod, removing his mask. It was then, that you saw the subtle features in which you saw in both yourself and the weak memories of your mother. The grip on his arm falters, your hand falling limp at your side. "Then why'd she die?" You say, your voice growing quieter. Your mind was swarming with billions of thoughts, each wanting to escape and be free. Yet your mouth couldn't ask them fast enough.

"She got... mauled by monsters. If you ask about your father, all I can say is he disappeared," Sooga states, keeping his voice relatively low.

"What else do you know about them? My parents, I mean," he cups his chin with his fingers, his stubble dotting most of his jawline. Closing his eyes for a minute, the silence swallows you whole.

He opens his eyes, looking at you carefully, "well, what can I say? Your parents were always kind. Too kind to trust you with the Clan, but... I've known Kohga a long time. Your parents trusted him because I trusted him. Your father was a Rito, if you didn't know. I wouldn't know what makes you," he explains, smiling slightly at the thought of it all, "your mother was always devastated over her husband's disappearance. Really broke her, I'd say. So, she took on a fight with monsters she knew she wouldn't be able to win. It was basically suicide."

You stand there, shocked. Learning that your mother had killed herself tore your heart open–and in a bad way. "Did you... watch her die?" At your question, he slips his mask back on, walking around you. "Hey, don't leave!" You raise your voice, anger bubbling in your throat. You spin around and face him, just as he reaches for the handle.

"All I can say... is that she told me she'd be okay. Then I never saw her again," then with that, he swings the door open and leaves. You stand once more, in the middle of the room, a few tears rolling down your cheek.

Storming out of the room, you manage to make your way back to your room, staring at your knapsack. The first thing you notice, is your Yiga armour laying neatly on the bed, ready for you to put it on. With a small sigh, you walk over to it.

Pull off both your tunic and undershirt, you slip on the tight armour, annoyed by how much it highlighted your curves. You wanted nothing more than to throw a bag shirt on over the top of it. Replacing trousers with the Yiga pants and skirt, you tug on the mask, letting your black hair sprout up on top of your head–in a way similar to Sooga's. Looking down at yourself, you finally know why Sooga went to so much trouble to have a custom Yiga outfit for you–one fit for a girl. Because you were his niece.

Walking to the knapsack, you pull out Mipha's letter once more, giving it a once-over. You held it firmly in your hands, breathing slowly through the mask. You'd get her the scroll. You knew Mipha well enough that she'd keep her end of the deal, as long as you kept yours.

Slinging the bag over your shoulder, you walk out calmly into the hallway, nodding at the few passing Yiga members. You knew exactly where Kohga would keep this scroll. The one place that Sooga was always at, if he wasn't at his Master's side.

You charm your way past a few of the Blademasters standing guard, creeping silently through the tunnel. At about now, Sooga would be with Kohga, no doubt examining the progress of the 'divine beast'. This would leave you with around fifteen minutes to find and leave with the scroll. You had a few places you thought to look, so when you arrived at the abandoned room, you immediately hunted through worn down crates.

Most of them housed bananas–and a few smuggled ruppees–but there was nothing. You then walk over to the desk, searching its drawers, and knocking on any parts that could seem hollow. Your frown deepens when you return with nothing. Walking to a sack of bananas, you lift it up and move it out of the way–which was considerably easy for you. Peering on the ground where the sack once was, there was a little crack in the ground.

Looking at it closely, you deduced it was a little too straight to be a regular crack. It looked like a gap, where a hidden handle could be. Feeling the crack with your fingers, you try and pry your nails in between the ground. When you felt something move, it only compels you to try harder, doing your best to lift the small panel with your fingers.

The wood scratched at your fingers, leaving small cuts and scrapes, yet when the panel lifted enough for you to get your fingers underneath, any and all pain you felt was nullified as you lifted it up. It revealed a small, hidden compartment within the wood flooring, with what appeared to be a small, brown box.

Taking it carefully within your hands, you examine it closely. It had intricate floral carvings along the rim of the box, and it had a deep mahogany colour to it. It had no lock, which sent a wave of relief through you as you carefully opened it. There in the box, sat a scroll. It's colours were antique and paled, but as far as you could tell, it was still in good condition.

Peering behind your shoulder briefly, you unwrap the scroll, letting it unravel in front of you. When it unravels, you notice that it was seven pages, all neatly wound together, held by some old twine. Looking at the first page, you noticed the lists of many names. Without a second glance, you knew it was the scroll she was after. The names at the top were not ones you recognised, but as you sifted through the pages, the names became more familiar. Names such as Malum's and Nate's were situated a bit earlier in the list to yours. Yours was on the sixth page. Not many people had joined after you, it seems.

You also noticed that it included everyone's full names. You read over Malum's name; Malum Paed. His last name was odd enough, but together, it just sounded like something sinister.

Not thinking too much about it, you wrapped the pages back up, placing it back in the box. You then house the box inside your knapsack, placing the panel back where it belongs, before quietly moving the sack of bananas back over the top of it. Breathing heavily, you realised it was not as hard as you thought, obtaining the scroll.

Turning around, you walk out of the room, giving a brief nod to Sooga, who tilted his head curiously at you, yet he never stopped. You knew he'd check on the scroll at some point, so you'd have to get out of here. Again. This time, without the help of Malum.

Would that even be possible? With how elated the Clan was at your arrival, your gut told you they wouldn't be so keen to let you go again. Especially if Sooga had anything to do with it. It's like you were Rapunzel, trapped in her own home. The thought made you sick.

Then again, if you had the Vantablack Blade with you, there wasn't anything you couldn't do. Yet you didn't exactly find the thought of slaughtering your family endearing. If anything, you wanted to get out of here without causing any bloodshed. At least, until you got out of the Gerudo Region.

As you walk back inside your room, Nate's words enter your mind once more. Could you really trust the Champions? What would they, of all people, want with every name of the Yiga? You could very well be putting the Clan in horrible danger by doing what you're about to do. You're aware you wouldn't be allowed back in... not next time.

You'd have to make a decision. Either the Champions... or your family.

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3597 words.