The Cries of Coral
===

Your POV

It was a sunny Friday morning, the sun doing its best to dry out the puddles of water from the rainy night before. You were currently eating a baked apple slice topped with melted butter–one of the few snacks you could make. It was barely a meal, yet your stomach was not a chooser.

A stableman came in and told you briefly that Nyx was tacked up and waiting, so you shoved the last of your small breakfast into your mouth. You haphazardly tug on your boots, putting your tunic on, and fastening the belts around it. Securing your sword sheath on your back, you take your knapsack in your hand and you walk outside, where you're greeted with a happy smile from your companion.

"Good morning, love." You murmur, giving Nyx her morning dose of pats. Attaching the sack to the saddlebags, you hoist yourself onto her back, before pulling out the map once more. You'd probably just cut through the y-intersection when you could, as you had to make for Tarrey Town as quick as possible. It'd take a good couple of hours, sure, but it would be the next trustworthy stop.

"No time to waste," you say confidently, kicking her sides and urging her into a comfortable gallop.

~~🌹~~

Revali's POV

Something was off.

And it wasn't the Salmon Meuniere in his bag–although that had been long forgotten about.

Ever since his recovery, his mind would flicker through each thought bubbling in his brain, going from Y/n to Vah Medoh. Of course his Divine Beast never left his mind, but the Rito found it unsettling that there was another that could do the same. He shakes his head angrily, an action which Urbosa saw.

"Revali? You're not feeling dizzy, are you?" The Gerudo asks worriedly as she maneuverers her horse to be walking in line with Revali's.

"No." He says curtly, an unsettling pit in his stomach. "Just trying to remember what had happened then, is all."

"Well if that's the case, do tell us everything you remember. We're equally as stumped." She responds, leaning forward to stroke her mare's mane.

"I remember that I crashed into a tree..." Revali admits with a frown," then I remember blood. and dizziness. But after that, I couldn't remember anything. Oh, except this warm feeling." He murmurs, his beak clicking every so often as he spoke.

"A warm feeling?" Urbosa asks.

"Yeah." He didn't exactly want to elaborate further, as he didn't exactly want to admit what the 'warm feeling' felt like. It made him feel safe, and comfortable. Like he was in his mother's embrace. His expression deepens in sorrow at the very mention.

"Well, alright."

The four champions slowly make their way to Foothill Stable, where they were hoping to intercept Y/n. Both Urbosa and Revali had questions for her, and for the Rito, he desperately needed his answered. Urbosa's was just more out of curiosity than anything else.

"According to the Stable hand, she's already departed from this stable." Mipha explains, as the Champions all wait in a huddled bunch just outside the stable, waiting for their horses to be retacked and cleaned. They were doing their best to remain inconspicuous, but as the Champions of Hyrule, it was sort of hard to do.

"Well, we'll have to leave now if we're to have any hope of catching up to her." Urbosa states, watching the stable hand lift the saddle back onto her horse.

"I mean, we really shouldn't be putting all our worries into one Yiga. Let's just report back to the Princess, fill her in on everythin'." Daruk puts in, his warm–yet gruff–voice a rude awakening to their actions. It really did look like the Champions were straight up stalking Y/n, and to what cost?

"That would be a nice idea, except she already knows everything we do. She specifically wants to know if the myth is true or not, and I suppose there's no better way to find out, than following the person who knows about it." Urbosa explains, directing her voice to Daruk and Mipha–Revali had already known.

"Well, if the myth is true, it'll be a hot topic among everyone in Hyrule if a Yiga manages to wield it. I'm sure if we head back to the Castle, we'll still catch wind of it." Daruk says, looking at each of his companions in turn.

"Yes, but it's the Princesses' orders to follow this Yiga," the Zora responds, as the other two just sit and watch. The four of them knew that if Zelda requested something–such as this–it'd be a crime to ignore it. Daruk knew it well as he spoke once more.

"Yeah, yeah... Fine, I'll help," he says with his usual grin.

"So, let's go find Y/n," Urbosa says, giving a firm nod. The four of them agree, which was also when their horses were ready. Their steeds walk up to their respective owners–minus Daruk–and they whinny, clearly happy to see their companions.

~~🌹~~

Your POV

You reach Tarrey Town a few hours past midday, which was a good time in your opinion. Riding Nyx carefully across the small earth bridge, you dismount her and let her wander near a few yellow trees. The breeze was beautiful at this time of day, blowing gently over your warm face. You walk up to the pond in the middle of the town and smile gently, admiring the town's peaceful auror. Sometimes, traversing the lands of Hyrule, you forgot all about the Yiga–it was just you and the quiet whistle of the wind.

Until that fateful encounter with one of your clanmates. How even his name could cause an army of goosebumps to travel up your arms. You instinctively rub your arms as you walk to the inn of Tarrey Town, filling your mind with thoughts of the Champions to erase any last remnants of Nate.

"Hello, how may I help?" An elderly Zora greets you from behind a wooden table. There was a singular glowing lantern to his left, which–with help of the other hanging lanterns–warmly illuminated the room in a beautiful golden glow.

You take a few seconds to admire the books on a bookshelf next to the counter before replying. "I'd like to rent a bed for the night," you remarked, reading the carved words on the table; 'Tarrey Town Inn'.

The Zora nods. "That'll be 20 ruppees for a normal bed, and 30 ruppees for me to make you a hearty meal." He announced, his kind smile infectious, as you found the expression blossoming upon your once poker face.

"A hearty meal?" You question.

He nods. "Yes, madam. For 10 extra ruppees, I'll make you a lovely hearty cream soup, with only the finest hearty radishes." He conceded, showing you a book with the page opened to the recipe. It looked quite nice, you thought. You check your pouch, seeing what ruppees you had left. You had about 120 ruppees, which wouldn't get you very far in terms of arrows and weapons, so it wouldn't do too bad to use in on a lovely meal.

"Sure, I'll have the hearty meal as well." You reply, digging out a blue and red ruppee, which he happily takes. "Although, could I pay for a bed now, but come back at night? After all, it's only about 17:00." You query, crossing your fingers behind your back for a good answer.

"You may. I'll be here waiting, making the soup for you." He smiles, before waving at you as you were already making for the door. "Stay safe, miss."

"Thanks," You retort, before shutting the wooden door behind you.

You breathe heavily, and walk back to Nyx, who was eating a fallen apple. "Wanna go on a ride through Torin Wetlands?" You ask her, holding your map out. She lets out a happy whinny, which gives you your answer. You mount her, and wave goodbye to a few of the locals of the town, before gently making your way out.

Turning left, you ride Nyx carefully down the slope, before turning left again at the crossroad. It was a leisurely ride in amongst a few trees, which bristled calmly in the afternoon wind. You lean back a little in the saddle, feeling at peace for the first time in forever.

About half an hour passed and you reach the Torin Wetlands, bypassing a few of the red, green, and yellow trees. Their autumn aesthetic was pleasing to look at as you kept your eye on the scenery, letting Nyx follow the path.

Although at some point, you must've accidentally tugged on the reins, as she veered left. When your eyes finally leave the trees, you notice all these broken down Guardians. It sends a slight shiver down your spine, but when they show no signs of activating, you release a breath you didn't know you'd held in.

It was only when you saw a flicker of bright blue between a few trees when your blood ran cold. You pull on Nyx's reins harshly, pulling her to a noisy stop. When she lets out a loud, aggravated whinny, the Guardian's head spins agonisingly slow towards you. Its beady eye locked onto you, and with a shriek, you kick Nyx's sides, urging her into a quick gallop.

The red beam locked onto you, following your every move. A loud beeping noise was heard from the quickly advancing Guardian, which was now glowing a pinkish red. "Run, now!" You shout to your mount, who senses the immediate danger creeping towards you.

The creaky noise of the Guardian's legs pierces your ears, sending shivers down your spine as you hear the beeping noise grow both louder and quicker. "Shit," you curse as you see in your peripherals a blinding light blue light.

Nyx quickly jumps out of the way, safely avoiding the huge explosion behind you. You scream as both you and Nyx hit the ground harshly, and you feel a terrible pain bloom in your left leg. You had landed on a rusted bit of broken down Guardian.

Nyx kept letting out worried whinnies, as she stands herself back up–the fall hadn't done too much to her, which you were grateful for.

You stand up as best you can, gripping the saddle for support. There was already blood seeping through your trousers, staining the sand brown cloth red. You wince in pain before placing your foot in the stirrups, lifting yourself into the saddle. You grit your teeth harshly, as you take the pain from your leg with the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

As soon as Nyx registered your weight on her back, she took off quickly, just as the Guardian pointed another red laser at you. You curse internally to yourself.

Nyx makes for the hill, but before she could, the Guardian blocks her away, and she's forced to turn to the left. As you run deeper into the forest, you harshly tug on her reins and sharply pull her to the right, just missing the dangerous beam that shot from the Guardian. You felt the heat from the blast brush past your face, and your leg felt it more as the increased heat aggravated it.

You ride Nyx through the thicket of trees, swerving left and ride whenever possible to break the Guardian's gaze. For a second or two, you felt that it had given up, as the red beam finally left you. That was until, you approached another Guardian, which was already preparing to shoot you.

Nyx lets out an anguished neigh as she's forced to stop because of a few fallen logs. With despair visibly seen in your eyes, you force yourself to dismount, drawing your sword from its sheath and planting yourself firmly in front of her.

"Nyx, run." You say to your horse, your tone leaving no room for discussion. After all, the Guardians were only after you. Nyx did not deserve to die, out here. She lets out a sad whinny, before walking up to you and gently nuzzling her head into your shoulder. She gives you a mournful look. With the red beam still planted firmly on you, you turn around to face Nyx.

"Please, darling. I can't bear to see you die. At least, if you get out of here, you'll be able to run free with your herd once again." You murmur, tears stinging your eyes, as you desperately try to swallow the lump forming in your throat. "Go." You whisper, pointing to the hill. If she was able, she'd surely talk back, maybe even refuse. Yet with your expression, she took one step, her front hoof hovering above the ground.

Looking back once at you, she gallops away, the tears from her eyes falling to the wind.

You turn back to the Guardian, and do a barrel roll to the side, just missing its beam. As you stand back up, your leg complains bitterly from the action, yet you ball your hands into fists as you grip your sword harder. When you heard the other Guardian approach behind you, you let out a sad sigh.

Looking to the side, you watch Nyx sadly disappear around the corner. At least one life will be saved.

You look back to the second Guardian, who fired its red beam at your chest once more.

With no time to do anything, you watch in despair as the blue light engulfs your field of vision.

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2236 words.