Link had never been on a boat before the ferry to Zora's Domain. And in a few short minutes, he developed his opinion on the vessels: he absolutely hated them.

It wasn't like he couldn't swim, he could swim quite well, in fact. It was just the overwhelming churning that had overtaken his insides the moment the boat hit the open water. He swore he could feel his stomach shifting with the waves, and he hopelessly clung to the boat's railing as Luce comforted him.

Zelda wasn't in the greatest position either. But instead of vomiting her organs up, she sat on the deck as far from the railing as she could be. Fira sat beside her, surely talking with her as she occasionally nodded or shook her head.

"I... can't swim," Zelda had admitted before they boarded, looking shameful as she did so. Link didn't know how someone was incapable of swimming; all you needed to do was not drown. But it made her shy away from the water, and Link could almost feel some pity for her.

The ferry's few other passengers either stayed on the opposite side of the deck or sat beneath a small, awning-sheltered sitting area—as far from Link and Zelda as possible.

I'm fortunate to not have any organs in this body, Resa muttered with a hint of disgust. Otherwise I know I would be in the same position as you, Courage. Fortunately, this ride is only supposed to be an hour or two.

An hour or two too long, Link thought, shuddering as yet another wave of nausea hit him. He stared bitterly at the foamy water, cursing it under his breath. This was only the ride to the Domain, they would still have to go back. He spat out more curses along with bile, childishly wishing there was a way he could punch the ocean.

As Link continued to stare, he noticed something unusual. Beneath the water's surface, he swore he could see faint flashes of red. They were always gone before he could look at them too long. Curious, he opened his senses to Aura, and he was able to detect two auras before they dove out of his range.

"Pokémon?" Link coughed to Luce, who tilted her head before nodding. He faintly recalled the ticket-seller mentioning something about Tentacool and Tentacruel. He'd brushed it off then, but he couldn't now.

Not hostile, I hope, Resa said. Link shrugged. One aura had been stronger than the other, though they both radiated uncertainty, not overt anger or suspicion.

"They're gone now, so unless they come back, it doesn't matter," Link sighed, sliding down to sit on the deck. He'd rather feel horrible down here than risk toppling over the railing. And at least staring at the sky made him feel a tad better.

The water only seemed to become choppier as the ferry got closer to Zora's Domain. It took everything Link had to not curl into a miserable ball, though he could see Zelda had forgotten her pride. Fira was practically hugging her, and Link was glad Luce had enough restraint not to do the same, though it was for the sake of his own pride.

A large wave then crashed against the side of the ferry, violently rocking the ship and sending glimmering spray into the air, where it rained down on the passengers on the starboard side. Link was at least able to strain a bit of amusement out of watching the starboard-dwellers squawk like ruffled Starly as their clothes were dampened. The amusement left him when another, taller wave struck the port side, almost soaking him and the rest of his group. He was glad it was hot out, because the water was near-freezing.

Zelda's shocked cry generated laughter from a few of the awning-protected passengers, and irritation sprung to Link. He struggled to his feet, grasping the rail for balance. "The hell're ya laughin' at, ya pampered Furfrou?" he snapped, which generated the shock he expected. He couldn't help but smirk smugly. He did acknowledge Zelda's appreciative look, though it didn't last for long.

I'm surprised, Fira commented.

What, she did nothin' wrong, Link said, looking at him. And those people're just bein' asses 'cause their five-hundred rupee shoes didn't get wet. He turned back to face the other side. They've—He stopped when he saw what was now approaching, and his eyes widened.

A wave over a story tall was towering over the ship. It was like it had come from nowhere. Within it, Link could see two distinct pairs of red lights. The shouts of the other passengers paled in comparison to the shock that struck Link.

Grab the railing! Resa demanded, making a dive for it. The wave began to break over the side of the ship, and it was like the vessel had been struck by a full-powered Rollout from a Golem as it began to tilt. Link barely had enough time to hook his arm around the railing before he was deluged in the crashing water.

Link squeezed his eyes shut, though it was like the wind had been knocked from him from the water's force. His body was wrenched sideways and over the railing, and his arm screamed in protest as it felt like it had been wrenched out of its socket. Instinct made him let go, and he instantly regretted it.

In seconds, he was in the ocean. Reflexes overtook thought as he tried to inhale, only to instantly start gagging and choking as water filled his mouth. He was still tumbling through the water, though he tried to strike out and start swimming towards what he prayed was the surface. The need for air dominated every last vestige of his mind.

Something thin but strong then wrapped around his ankle, yanking him to a stop. Panic struck him as memories of the Tangrowth's vines resurfaced. Something else ensnared his wrist, firm but rubbery, and it began to drag him downwards.

Agony crushed his chest in a vice as he desperately struggled. He needed air! His desperation tore Farore's essence into existence and sent that light in pulses through his limbs. A muffled groan was heard beneath him as whatever held him let go. Hope weakly flared in him, and using his remaining strength, he swam up.

He was on the verge of losing consciousness when he broke the surface, and he was torn back to awareness when he inhaled as deeply as he could. A moment later his innards rebelled as he began vomiting up water. Any strength he had left after using Courage was spent swimming, and he unwillingly went limp.

Link was moments away from rolling face-down in the water when somebody grabbed him, and they wrapped his arm around their shoulder. He was able to relax when he recognized Luce's aura. He managed to give her an acknowledging look, and she looked relieved beyond words, though he could also see pain behind the relief. Link could only imagine how horrible it was to swim with fractured ribs while supporting someone. It wasn't like he could swim himself, however.

"Cari!" Luce then let out a strong bark to someone or something nearby.

I'll get him! Link heard Fira call back before he was lifted from Luce's hold and out of the water entirely. Luce paddled in the water beneath him, looking up at him. Fira joined her a second later, and the two began swimming in a random direction. Link was pulled along after them by Fira's telekinetic hold. He could sense Zelda's and Resa's auras nearby as well as an unknown one, though he was too drained to even look up.

I'm glad to see you're all right, Courage, Resa said. Link didn't try to respond, nor did he bother questioning anything. All he could do was weakly cough and spit up water.

At least he was still conscious.

After far too long, the floor of the ocean came into view, appearing as a green and blue-lit sheet of pebbles that steadily began to rise upwards. Luce's and Fira's paws soon were able to make contact with the pebbles, and that quickly turned into a rocky beach.

The moment the water was no more than a few inches deep, both Luce and Fira collapsed. Link found himself falling into the shallows as well, though by then he had regained enough strength to push himself up on one elbow. He wasn't about to drown in three inches of water.

Link couldn't help but groan as he got up. He was sure he looked like an absolute wreck, because he felt like one. He couldn't stop shaking, his throat burned, and his stomach muscles ached horribly. Still, he managed to get to his knees.

Fira and Luce lay sprawled out on the rocks, both gasping as they were utterly exhausted by the too-long swim.

"L-Luce, you okay?" Link asked, worried about the state of her injuries. Luce was able to lift her head a little, and she smiled at him before falling back down.

I will examine her... once some of my strength returns, Fira said, not even trying to move. It was frustratingly understandable, and Link did feel some level of relief. Only then did he observe his new surroundings.

To his left were Zelda and Resa. Zelda was unconscious, though she seemed to be stirring now. There was also another woman who Link recognized as one of the ferry's other passengers. Link frowned, though he could understand why Fira had saved her.

The beach they were on was all pebbles, each one worn smooth by the waves. This beach quickly sloped up into moderately tall grayish cliffs whose edges somewhat hung over the beach. While it may have seemed strange for an island to be almost all sharp cliffs, it made sense to the dwellers of Hyrule and Zora's Domain itself.

Zora's Domain was said to be a mountain range that had been submerged and buried tens of thousands of years ago, with the mountains' peaks being all that was visible above the water. The largest peak housed the domain as well as the Zora Palace, all extending through underwater tunnels carved into the mountain range's depths. Unfortunately, there was only one entrance to the Domain that non-Zoran races could access, and Link couldn't see any sign of it in either direction.

Zelda sat up, shoving damp hair out of her face before looking at Link. "L-Link? Are you—"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered before she asked. She nodded and put a hand to her shoulder, looking pained. "Uh... you okay?" Link asked.

Zelda's eyebrows rose, though she responded. "Battered, and a bit sore because of it," she said. "I know Fira will be holding this over me for months, that I never learned to swim...." She looked to her partner before crawling over to him.

"What're we gonna do now?" Link asked. "Luce and Fira are exhausted, and that woman's still out cold..."

Zelda sighed. "I-I suppose all we can do is wait," she said.

I can go look for help if you need me to, Resa offered as she floated upright and began to wring her sashes out.

Link shook his head. "We should just wait. No use gettin' split up."

"Wow, we're actually agreeing on something for once," Zelda said with a weak chuckle.

Link let out a sharp exhale that barely qualified as a laugh. "Yeah, weird, huh?" His senses then pricked as he felt the faintest presence of an aura in the distance. No sooner than he felt it than he heard a fragmented voice bouncing off the rocks.

"Hey... Okay..?"

Both Holders looked to the right to see a few people approaching. The single aura multiplied into four, all giving off the same concern. Even with their distance, Link could tell that they were Zora. If it wasn't for their sleeker silhouettes, then it was for the bright colors of the scales that covered their entire bodies.

The Zora rushed to the half-drowned group, revealing themselves to be three Zora guards and a Wingull.

"You six were from the ferry incident, I'm guessing?" the one male guard asked as he crouched before Link. Link nodded, and the guard looked to his companions. "That makes all but one accounted for."

One of the female guards frowned worriedly. "It's been four hours, so should we report that the last passenger is..."

"No, we'll still keep up the search like we were told," the other female guard said. "In the meantime, Wingull," the bird blinked, "go fetch a couple Lapras." The Wingull squawked and took off, soaring down the beach.

Link wished he could relax then, knowing that help was on its way. But he couldn't, because now some of the Domain's guards saw their faces, and it was only a matter of time until they were recognized and apprehended.

After riding a Lapras to the front of the Domain, Link and the others were led through a grand archway several stories tall and built with elegantly-carved lapis. Luminous stones lit the tunnel sloping downwards, and the splashing of water echoed up to them. Other, smaller tunnels branched off from the main one, though the two escorts they were with didn't deviate from the path.

A great wash of blue light flooded into the main tunnel before it then opened into a cavernous room. It was like a courtyard and city square combined into one, with countless Zora exiting from one of two other large tunnels into the cavern, only to leave through another. Waterfalls poured into rivers that ringed the cavern and carved through its floor, separating it into four sections that were connected by bridges. An elegant, tall fountain sat in the cavern's center, topped by a statue depicting a Zora warrior fighting a Sharpedo in beautiful marble that sparkled blue from the stones coating the ceiling.

Across the cavern from the tunnel they just walked was another, though it was decidedly more decorated than the others. The entrance resembled a Gyarados with its mouth agape, the tunnel stretching down its gullet. Long, blue banners hung on either side of the entrance, each emblazoned with three golden half-moon shapes that were connected at their backs. It was was the symbol of Nayru.

It was here that the group split. The passenger was escorted elsewhere by one of the guards while the other, the male guard that Link and Zelda had first encountered on the beach, stayed behind.

"You and your friends will be recovering in the palace," he said, gesturing to the Gyrados tunnel.

"What? Why?" Link asked, his wariness spiking.

The guard didn't seem bothered by Link's coldness. "It's only proper etiquette. After all, we've been expecting your arrival, Holders." Link stiffened, scowling, while Zelda flinched. The guard noticed their alarm and held up his hands. "There's nothing to worry about. We're on your side, and Queen Mipha will be happy to explain. Now if you may, please follow me." He began to head for the Gyrados tunnel.

"I-I think we can trust him," Zelda said as she watched him walk away.

Link crossed his arms, not trying to hide his suspicion. "Of course you would, but I don't."

I'd hate to sound so trusting as well, but I agree with Wisdom, Resa said. We would have been locked up in minutes of entering the Domain, and yet the guard is letting us follow him.

"Then it's a trap," Link said.

"Then ignoring the trusting thing, would you rather Luce rest in a place of comfort or back out on that rocky beach?" Link averted his gaze to Luce. Tiredness slouched her shoulders, and she looked drained overall. Link's silence was enough for Zelda, as she said, "That's what I thought. Now come on."

—~*~—

Link paced about the lavish bedroom he and Luce had been left in with a feverish pace. His own exhaustion was long-forgotten now as tension and anxiety built up in him.

The longer he remained in the Domain, the more he wanted to leave, and it wasn't because of his mistrust. He hated knowing that he was essentially trapped in this mountain, and the usual ocean of auras that filled cities wasn't helping.

"Lu..." Luce tiredly yapped from her place on one of the room's couches. It was fancy enough that it had had couches.

"I know, but I just can't sit still!" Link muttered through gritted teeth. The only thing that had been able to somewhat calm his nerves was knowing that the Zoran healers has been able to repair the remainder of Luce's injuries. Still, the relief was short-lived.

   He paced a few more times before he flopped down on the four-poster bed, almost sinking an inch into the mattress. Meditation. Whether he liked it or not, it was his best bet for calming down, at least enough that he could get some of his usual fire back into his belly.

He closed his eyes and opened his mind. In, and out... The faint sound of Luce's breathing. In, and out... The light babbling of the waterfall-fed bath in the connecting bathroom. His pounding heart began to slow, and calmness spread through him.

"Okay... I'm fine now..." he breathed, still keeping his eyes closed. In that short time, his tiredness had returned, and he quickly felt himself drifting off. Just a few moments, he thought faintly before he was out.

It felt like no sooner than Link closed his eyes that he was startled awake by Luce gently shaking him. He sat bolt upright, stiffening when he saw a different Zora guard standing at the room's door.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but Queen Mipha is waiting," the guard said. Link's eyes narrowed, though he still followed the guard out into the hall. Zelda, Resa, and Fira were also out in the hall, seemingly waiting for him and Luce.

"You fell asleep, I'm guessing?" Zelda commented, smiling in amusement.

Link frowned. "Maybe. How long were we waitin' for?"

A couple of hours, Resa said. Apparently the queen wants us to join her for dinner.

That caught Link's attention, as his seasickness was long-forgotten by now. He hoped that there were berries or something he could indulge himself on, because there was no way he was eating any kind of fish Pokémon.

The guard ushered the Holders and their companions into a large dining room with a surprisingly small table set up in it. It only seated about ten people, and the Zora Queen herself sat at the head of this table.

She was young, though for a Zora, "young" ranged from sixty to one-hundred due to their much longer lifespans. Her red scales were adorned with lapis jewelry as well as her pale blue gown that matched her eyes, and she wore a circlet crafted from opals in place of a crown. Did monarchs just not like crowns anymore?

"Welcome, Holders of Courage and Wisdom," she said in a sweet voice. "I apologize that your introduction to my domain was rather unpleasant. A certain bloom of Tentacool and Tentacruel try to claim the Zora Channel as their territory every year. Even when we teach them a lesson, they're awfully stubborn." She sighed. "Anyways, I am Queen Mipha Rutan of the Zora, though I'm sure you already knew that."

"It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty," Zelda said as she bowed deeply. Resa, Fira, and Luce followed, though Link was reluctant.

"I could argue that it's more of an honor to meet you. Monarchs are commonplace, while Holders are once in a millennium." She waved a hand at the rest of the open chairs. "You may be seated, if you wish."

Thankfully, there were no fish Pokémon on the menu. The only thing that Link cared about was the exotic-looking chopped fruits and berries that were served in stone bowls. Thankfully, the bowls were not as heavy as they looked.

"The coolness of the domain allows us more access to delicacies that need to be kept chilled for freshness. Although I long for windows to the outside, I almost prefer my access to fresh pineapple," Mipha said.

Fresh or not, Link refused to touch anything, and thankfully the others did the same. Well, except Zelda, who ate a chopped bit of apple before reluctantly stopping. Link was about to ask what was really going on when Resa stepped in.

We appreciate your hospitality, Your Highness, but why are you treating us so kindly? You obviously know Daemos is searching for us.

"Of course. How else could we have prepared for your arrival?" Mipha's calm expression melted away into seriousness. "With the domain's alliship with Hyrule, I am often invited to dinners with King Daemos along with King Wodefalle of the Deku. That was where I heard that he was searching for the Holders of Courage and Wisdom. See, to Hyrule Kingdom, you're rouges who sought to steal from King Daemos' personal archives. But only us monarchs know of your true identities."

And captains of the guard, apparently, Link thought. But it could be reasoned that Caedmon must have found out his information from the king.

Mipha shook her head mournfully. "That poor fool Wodefalle is either blind or refuses to acknowledge it, but I've noticed it. King Daemos isn't... right." Her eyes narrowed. "The last few times I saw him, he's had this sort of air about him, almost like some foul aura."

Link and Luce exchanged knowing looks.

"I've known him since he was a babe, and I've never seen anything like that. We have several Gerudo guards stationed here courtesy of Daemos, and they appear to share my sentiments about him." At the Holders' disconcerted looks, she followed up with, "There are some who I trust completely and have even confided in me about their own troubles concerning the state of things in the guard. Only they will know of your presence. With the others, however, regardless of their true thoughts, I'll make sure that they don't know you're here. I truly hate to keep them in the dark like this, but it's for the best until we figure out what is happening."

I can explain, Resa said before proceeding to recount the details of their mission. Mipha quietly listened for the entire time, her chin resting on her folded hands as she nodded every so often. She didn't speak until Resa finished.

"A demon?" Mipha frowned, and Link waited for her to call blasphemy. "I... can believe that." Link's eyebrows rose as surprise struck him. "Daemos has always been calm and pacifistic, even as a child," Mipha said. "He wouldn't turn to anger for no reason like that. Even if it isn't a demon, it is certainly something nefarious."

"So are you going to help us?" Zelda asked hopefully.

Mipha nodded. "Of course. Daemos is like a son to me, and his late mother Queen Aveil wished that I try to watch over him." Sadness dulled her brief cheeriness. Aveil... Even if she isn't here, I know she's worried sick about her son."

I'm sure she is, Resa said sadly. Though, I'm also sure she's grateful to have someone like you watching over him. But thank you, Your Majesty. For being so willing to assist us, I will forever be in your debt. She again bowed to the queen.

"There is no need for that," Mipha said with a girlish giggle. "And of course. I'll make sure you are escorted to the Riptide Temple safely. I never knew that the temple served such an important role. It's common knowledge that it contains a guardian of this land."

And that is the idea that has been spread across Hyrule. Not many are supposed to know of Farore's Watchers, Resa said with a pointed look at Zelda.

"Really? I read about the Watchers in a book in my hometown's library, and I found a copy of it in the Nayru Archives."

That is quite odd... Resa muttered. But at least many still appear oblivious to the truth. Perhaps these books are dismissed as mere fairytale.

"I promise that the information you gave me doesn't leave this room," Mipha said with a deadly seriousness that belied her gentle appearance. "Merely give me the word when you need to depart, and you can be on your way."