#linkpha

Just as the sun was swallowed by the sea, she rose to watch the horizon. The last few rays of light shimmered like amber on the cool waters of Lanayru Bay. In the next few moments, the whole ocean was washed by the cold of night. Waves crashed against the ragged rocks, the white foam pooling near her ankles. The princess’ eyes were fixed on the sky, the sea breeze nipped at her face, swaying her fins and clinking her silver jewelry. It was a cloudless night, the stars seemed to twinkle restlessly in the air. The moon was nowhere to be seen, the bay only reflected the silent stars, and the flickering orange light from behind her. The Sergeant probed the campfire with a stick, fiddling with the charred wood. Kneeling by its warmth, he looked towards the shore to where she was. “Your Highness, you need not sit so close to the shore. We don’t know what kind of monsters lurk in the sea at this hour.” Mipha turned her head back at him, a wry smile on her lips. “Do not worry yourself, Seggin. I am quite skilled with my trident thanks to your teachings.” She patted her weapon that lay beside her, its metal clicked against the rocks at her touch. “Besides,” she returned her gaze to the sky. The summit of Mount Lanayru seemed to go beyond the stars. “We should hope that one beast appears tonight.” 

Rising himself from the campfire, Sergeant Seggins walked and stood beside Mipha. The towering figure of Mount Lanayru cloaked the bay, along with the surrounding trees in a soft shadow. The evergreens rustled, the familiar smell of the ocean was carried across the air. A collection of loose pebbles crawled lazily across the shore from the forces of water and wind. Shifting her bare feet, she could feel the smooth and rounded stones under her. 

It was not four hours ago, when Mipha and Seggins had swam through the Rutala River, and hiked across the Brynna Plains to get to their current point. While her father had known the true purpose of her trip, she had truly only told the Sergeant only the bare details necessary in order to get him to come. Afterall, she would never be allowed to do this on her own. Seggins set the hilt of his own spear against the ground, leaning his weight against it. He gazed at the sky along with her, although he was unsure of exactly what he should be looking for. “So, this beast...er...spirit? Whatever you called it? You say you are not certain it will appear? How long should we expect to stay until we can reach a conclusive answer?”

Mipha’s eyes stayed fixed on the sky, searching for something that would complete the serene picture. “It is the spiritual form of a great goddess. If she should appear at all, it would help give confirmation...or more like a blessing, to a certain decision I must make.” The beauty of the night was laid out before them, but still, something was missing. After a beat she continued, “I should hope it should appear sometime tonight. However, if nothing changes by sunrise, we can return to the Domain immediately. I know you are always anxious about my wellbeing.” She gave a familiar smile. That much was true, despite teaching her combat, the Sergeant, along with most of the royal staff, was always eager to have the princess safe in their company at the palace. Nonetheless, Seggin cocked a curious brow. “Forgive me if it is not my place to pry, but the decision you speak of, what might it be?”

A silence fell for a moment. Telling him the full story would bring about a conversation she was not yet ready to have. She sighed. “I must...I wish to craft something.”

“Oh?”

“Yes...something very important to me.” Mipha looked at the ground, watching the foaming waves encircle her feet. “Although, should this certain spirit not appear, I should take it as a sign that I must not pull through with a certain decision.”

Seggin narrowed his eyes. Though their dark complexion had reflected the blur of war many times, he was still able to give a soft and kind gaze towards her. “For the sake of this decision, do you wish for this beast to appear?”

In the waters, Mipha watched her reflection. Her topaz eyes stared back at her, before being taken away by the waves.

“Yes.”

A silence returned once more between them. The crashing waves and whispering wind decorated the hours, with Seggin occasionally going back to feed the fire. The night continued to the point where both of the Zora leaned their tired weight against the large grey boulders across the rocky beach. The looming figure of Mount Lanayru continued, its shadow stretched across the waters. Mipha let out a sigh. One way or another, this night would decide her fate. And through the dark, she would see what the gods and spirits had planned for her future.

- - - - - 

Suddenly, she gasped. The sound was as swift as a common breeze, but with the sentiment of a last breath. All words escaped her, as it descended from the heavens. It seemed to wear a crown of frost, but its brilliant size and majesty alone would command the attention of any army. The waves reflected its silver and arctic glow. The winds rose, the waves roared, the stars settled, and the sky was complete.