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A week has passed, and much to Yona’s and Sidon’s sadness, some of the Zora’s are still sick, not due to the now disappeared sludge, but from entirely new illnesses. Although less people were sick, only the children and the elderly, this was still of huge concern, and the both of them know… that they won’t let a single life get taken by this wave of sickness, they’ve already gone this far!
”My dearest Sidon… I’m going to collect more herbs and other materials to help out in the making of medicine. I will be away from the domain for only a few hours.”
”Oh, Yona my dear, are you sure? You’ve only been to the region for a month… and well, I worry you might get lost.” Yona rolls her eyes, and rubs her husbands tail fin lovingly.
”Worry not, I believe your very good friend Link will help me travel, after all, he’s visited you many times before, so he surely knows his way around as well as any Zora born in our domain.” Sidon smiles, nodding to Yona’s statement.
”Indeed, how could I ever forget?! Link is a very dear friend for me, and I’ve even heard he climbed up the mountain walls instead of taking the actual path… he is quite an amazing person, don’t you agree, my lady?” Sidon asks, blushing a deep red and grinning. Yona could only chuckle at how cute and excited Sidon looks. “The two of you will be quite safe then. I hope you have a wondrous trip with him!”
“Worry not dear, I will.” Yona nods, as she starts walking down the steps of the domain, seeing many of the Zora guppies playing tag together, Cleff offering fish to a Hylian and Goron, as well as the exalted Dorephan swimming in the waters… likely patrolling for any Octorok’s and Lizalfos’s that may have moved into the waters when that sludge fell down. Looking around, Yona could spot Link on top of the tail, sitting on the right side of the tail fin of the fish statue. “Oh… dear.”
Well… this is a little difficult, she thought. She could yell at Link to get his attention, but then she’d be causing a bit of a scene, and she wouldn’t want to disturb the first peaceful days the domain was having since Mucktorok’s death. Could she swim up to the statue? She thought not, due to the waterfalls being too short for her to jump high enough to get to Link. Oh… Sidon did say that Link uses sign language, right? Perhaps she could get his attention that way?
So, Yona decides to use her own sign language, hoping that Link may understand. He looks down and, confused at what she is nonverbally saying, Link glides down at ground level, to see what was up.
”Hello Yona…… I don’t recognize that sign language.” Link states using the Zora’s own sign language.
”Aha… yeah, umm, well, I haven’t quite mastered this domains sign… so I was using my own native one. What I was trying to say though was if you wanted to accompany me on collecting medicinal products?” Yona asks verbally. Link nods, agreeing to Yona’s request. “Oh, that is very wonderful Link, I’ve always wanted to talk to you in private.”
Link looks at Yona in confusion, talking in private? What for? He shrugs, as he follows Yona out of the domain, and the two go into the water after Link puts on his Zora armor. The two of them swim downriver, so as to arrive to the lanayru wetlands.
—
”So, what type of stuff are we looking for?” Link signs, deciding he wants to talk to Yona.
”Well… we have fleet lotus seeds already, but it wouldn’t hurt to get more, just in case. Armored and mighty carps would be good at rebuilding the constitution of their immune systems, Stamella shrooms would help them regain the energy they lost when getting sick, and maybe, if we’re lucky, we might find some tireless frogs, they are especially good for that purpose!” Yona states, excitably. “And indeed, perhaps once I get the ability to make syringes, I might be able to make vaccines, allowing these folk to build up a better immune response to those illnesses.”
Link was very confused on the last part Yona was saying. What are “vaccines” or an “immune response?” Yona could see Link’s great confusion, and, excited over the idea of talking more about ehr interests, speaks to him about that.
”Oh, do you not know? Well, in my domain, we have these hollow glass tubes with needles named syringes. They are quite superb in their function and allow for many a purpose, whether that be injecting liquid forms of medication, tranquilizers to weaken or incapacitate large game or monsters, and allow for the testing of blood and other bodily fluids, yes yes!” Link nods to what Yona is saying, interested and curious in hearing about that kind of device.
”Oh… we don’t have those… also, what is a “vaccine?” Is it like some kind of magic?” Link non-verbally states, Yona chuckling in response.
”Well… a vaccination is the process in which you… well, weaken whatever sickness or illness that someone could potentially have, and then inject it back into a person. Now, I know that sounds crazy, but in actuality, the weakened illness allows your body to better build up its strength in fighting the illness back. If all goes well, the person becomes either immune or is better able to recover from that illness.” Link nods, a little confused but trying his best to understand. “It’s unfortunate Hyrule doesn’t have that kind of medicinal technology, for it would be of great use for combatting this “Gloom” I’ve been hearing so much about.”
”Wow… what is your home like?” The two get out of the River, and start walking to the Lanayru wetlands.
”Well…… it is tropical and very swampy. We made those vaccines given how many diseases exist in such a rich, messy environment. We are a fellow neighbor to the Labrynna republic.”
“Oh, so like Faron?”
”Sort of… if it was much flatter and if most of the ground was covered in water, meaning trees would have to adapt to rooting in the water.” Yona states. “Also, the place has a LOT of alligators… we even domesticated them!”
”Alli……gators?”
”Giant, water dwelling reptiles. They’re actually quite cuddly once you gain their trust!” Yona blushes and grins, thinking about her childhood memories of playing with several domestic alligators. Link see’s her excitement… and gives a thumbs up to it.
There, the both of them trudge through the water, collecting some mighty and armored carp, several fleet lotus and stamella shrooms, and Yona even manages to catch two tireless frogs, putting them into a leather-proof satchel.
”Say… is the wetlands kinda like home?” Link signs to the Zora.
”Sort of, but has much more trees, less islands, and the water is deeper and saltier.” Link nods, as he catches a mighty carp with his bare teeth, shaking it like a rabid dog. Yona sees what Link is doing, and laughs.
”Ahahah, my dearest Sidon always told me about how “unique” you can be sometimes, I’m very happy to have seen this trait of you finally.” Link looks back, and takes teh now dead carp out of his mouth. “Although, I think it be best if you eat it, I haven’t seen you lunch on anything today.” Link nods, and puts the fish back in his mouth, now chewing and eating.
”Hmm… I believe I have enough frogs and products for all of the sick, how about you, dear friend?” Link nods, and shows off all the fish he caught… and it’s a lot of them. “Wow… that is…… oh dear, it appears my precious husband didn’t tell me of all your achievements, then? I believe we have more than enough for the domain.”
Link gives a slight smile to Yona, and the two silently agree that they can now get back to the domain. They go walk through the wetlands back to the river until five Lizalfo’s ambushed them, being led by one silver. The silver was about to blast a powerful gust of water at Yona, until Link blocked the blast with his shield.
”O-oh dear!” Two of the Lizalfos jump hi into the air, about to stab their spears down at the two. As Yona dodges the first ones blade, Link snipes one of the monsters with a bow, instantly killing them. Two others approach with swords, as the silver prepares to fire a shock arrow at the Zora, knowing that such a shot will instantly kill her. Link also realizes this, and pulls out a shield with a rocket attached, shield surfing quickly at the monster before they could fire. The silver let’s go of their bow early, and the arrow drops, shocking both them and the Hylian.
”LINK!” Yona dodges several more swipes from the Lizalfos’s blade and tail swipes, and grabbing a spear from the first one that died, she fights the three reptilian monsters off, trying her best to approach the stunned Link. She stabs two of the monsters, killing them, and as the fourth one charges at her, believing that she is too distracted, she kicks the fourth and snaps their neck, instantly poofing them into a mere tail and horn.
The silver recovers, and picking up the club dropped by Link, prepares to bring it up in the air, hoping to smash the Hylian’s brains in. Yona sees what is about to happen and, dropping the spear so as to approach more quickly, charges at the distracted Lizalfos.
”STAY AWAY FROM HIM!” The Lizalfos had just enough time to turn around, and see the Zora queen tackling them into the waters. Link recovers from the electric shock, and sees that the two of them are fighting in the water, clawing and attempting to bite one another in mutual rage. Link is at a lost on what to do, and can only watch as the two fight, hoping that Yona swims away lest she be hurt.
However, Yona does not and, to the Hylians pleasant surprise and shock, he sees her successfully putting the silver into a chokehold. Half a minute passes, and the Lizalfos floats on top of the surface lifelessly before poofing into purplish smoke. Yona swims upwards, still fully conscious and only having a few cuts from the silvers horn slicing her a bit. She steps out of the water, and breaths in heavily.
“*Breathing heavily* Fool believed me to be weak without a weapon, and it costed them of their foolish life!” Yona see’s Link looking at her in extreme shock, his mouth agape. He then decides to ask her something
“How… did you manage to kill a silver barehanded? Even I have some difficulty with them sometimes, and that’s with a weapon!” Link silently asks, earning Yona a somewhat pained, but happy chuckle.
”Well… when you live in a place filled to the brim with Zora-eating, Moblin sized Gyorg’s, you have to learn some fighting skills to protect yourself. Plus… wrestling alligators is something I did a lot during my childhood!” Link nods, amazed and blushing from how amazing Yona was.
”Could… you tech me?”
”Someday Link… right now, I’m too exhausted and we need to bring these supplies back to the domain.” Link nods, and he and Yona swim back to the domain.
—
“Wow… Zonai technology really is something. The fact you can carry around a pot that can cook even if the environment is wet…. It is simply delightful.” Yona looks at Link cooking some fish, Hateno cheese and rock salt inside the pot, which is exuding a blue flame, one that shines bright;y even in this rainy weather. After the food is cooked, Link then skewers the cooked cheese and meat onto a stick, and offers them to Yona. “Thank you Link. I am honored to eat your ever famed food o-my dearest Sidon has told me much about.”
”You stopped yourself from saying something.” Link casually states with his hands
”Oh… well, we have food, I say we eat it until it gets cold.” Link shrugs, and both he and Yona eat their skewered fish and cheese. Feelings the cheese melt in her mouth, and tasting the delicious, cooked salted fish makes Yona let out a satisfied sigh, finding the food to be absolutely delicious. Link also does so, albeit a little louder. The email was quick, but very tasty, both in it’s initial and aftertaste. Link then looks at Yona.
”So… what was that word you were about to say?” Yona looks away briefly to Link’s question, but then looks back at him.
”Well… you know how much Sidon talks about you, how much he admires yout, and how he is glad to have you as a friend?” Link nods to Yona’s words. “Well… it was clear right from the getgo that he had a very deep crush for you… and seeing how much you look up to Sidon… I believe you have a crush too.” Yona soft;y smiles at Link, seeing him blush.
”……Well…… you see…”
”I don’t mind it one bit, of course. Perhaps…… we could share him, you and I?” Link blushes even more at Yona’s statement.
“That’d be nice… but…… I already am in a relationship with someone.”
”That being Zelda…” Link nods with sadness. “Well, once you manage to find and talk to her, maybe you could ask her about a polycule, it’s when more than 3 or more people are connected romantically. It’s what my people practice in Labrynna.”
”What if… she takes it the wrong way? I don’t want to break her heart, make her think I don’t love her anymore, because I do love her greatly. It’s just…… I dunno?” Yona nods to Link, understanding what he means.
”I can understand that perfectly… you wish for the princess to be happy, and you feel as though if you ask her about that, it might hurt her emotionally.” Yona puts her hand on Link’s shoulder, or atleast, the upper part of her hand, given his small stature. “Perhaps you could offer her a letter when you meet up physically, maybe have she and Sidon talk with you? I could explain to them both about what you and I meant.”
”You’d… do that?” Link says verbally, who then quickly covers his mouth, blushing.
”Of course, you are a dear friend Link.” Yona offers her hand for Link to stand back up. “Oh, that may have been the first time I’ve ever heard you speak verbally. Your voice is nice.”
”…Thanks Yona.” Yona nods to Link’s statement, seeing him smile.
”You’re very much welcome Link.” She gives a smile to him. “Now let us continue on one our return trip!”
Yona then dives into the water, and Link follows suit, the two of them swimming upriver back to Zora’s domain with their supplies.
—
“They’ve been gone… for a while.” Sidon was very nervous, and he had a hard time knowing whether this is a justified fear or not? He knows that Link often gets sidetracked in collecting items, but also… it could easily possible that they were attacked, or even captured! Sidon was silent;y panicking, to the point that his father Dorephan was aware of it, swimming towards him.
“Sidon, I can understand your fear quite well. More often than not, I fell into those same whirlpools as you did when it came to people not coming back soon.” Dorephan states, as he sits on the rock foundation that holds up Zora’s domain. “However, it is your duty as king to consider your own people’s abilities, and to have faith in them, for it is not you alone that cares for the domain. Yona and Link are very strong willed individuals, and you must remember such things. It is good to worry for your people, but you mustn’t let it cloud reality.”
”Indeed, you are right father, I must place my faith on my best friend and wife.” Sidon states, as he then sees a familiar green Zora and Hylian swimming towards the domain.
”As you can see, you have no need to fear son.” Sidon nods as he excitably swims to the two, hugging both of them at once.
”I am so very glad to see my dearest Yona and companion Link back!” Yona lays her head on her husbands right shoulder, as Link lays his head on Sidon’s chest. “Goodness, what happened for you to come back so late. I was so very worried for you two!”
”I…… I wrestled a silver Lizalfos barehanded, because they were going to kill Link.” Sidon looks at Yona with great surprise and excitement.
”Really!? That is so amazing of you my dearest Yona! I am so glad that you came to Link’s aid!” Sidon states excitable, as he hugs the two tighter. Dorephan was also smiling.
”Hahaha… it is great to see that my daughter in law is as willing to barehand monsters as I once did! Truly, the domain is in very capable hands!”
”Thank you.” Yona states, until eati ing something. “Speaking of the domain, my dearest Sidon, may you let me go so that I and Link can help treat the ill?”
”Of course my dear! I wish for the current to be strong do you two!” Sidon let’s Link and Yona go, and the two of them swim up one of the waterfalls to the domain. Truly, Sidon was so lucky to meet two wonderful individuals such as Yona and Link. The two could also attest to this mutual pining.