Dimension-Dino

Aria woke to morning light peeking through a window. After her long soak in the Zora pools, she and her father had been escorted to a small house reserved for Hylian visitors--one that had not seen use in over a decade due to lack of Hylian commerce and visitors. At first, Aria had been amused. The mattress she sat upon swished and swayed whenever she moved on it. Her father had said it was a waterbed, and that he had slept on one during his stays at the domain. It almost baffled her that her father could speak of it so casually, while she was bordering on childlike giddiness at such a strange yet brilliant concept. It almost pained her to watch him just sit on the edge of his bed and watch her shift and roll around like she was a kid again. Only when he told her they had a long day come morning did she finally settle down and draw a blanket over herself. Only in silence did she realize what awaited them in the morning. Thankfully, it did not deprive her of sleep, nor did it

Zora’s Domain lay waiting for them as they exited the tunnel, and a dread began to creep through Aria’s veins. Long-gone was the sense of wonder at seeing a new, unfamiliar place and in its place was knowledge that a grim and somber time was fast-approaching. As they reached the dock, Thya was waiting and gave them a hand out of the unsteady boat. “We’re to meet with father to make our plans.” she said to them, “For both Rifsha’s funeral and what we will do from there. Follow me.” As they followed the Zora princess through the domain, Aria definitely felt a heavy air permeate from her surroundings. More zoras were out and about than usual, yet never in high spirits. She did her best to ignore them, but gossip reached her ears that she could not ignore. “It’s not true. Tell me it’s not true.” “Our crown prince? Dead?” “Who-or what-would do such a thing?” “How’s the king handling all this?” The palm of a hand rested itself on her back. She knew it was her father, nonverbally

The great serpentine beast shrieked in pain as it bucked and swayed like never before. As Aria watched, she saw that it was not just its eye socket that was "bleeding" malice. The substance oozed from its mouth, sprayed from the soft parts between its segments. Only then did Link finally let go and fell back into the water with a "splash", resurfacing seconds later and paddling toward the platform. He scrambled onto the shore and Thya was right at his side in an instant, inspecting his hands for wounds. The attempt was interrupted when the beast swayed to and fro, its pained roars turning into an almost dizzy-sounding groan. It reached up towards the very top of the chamber, then the substance holding it together seemed to combust in a blood-red smoke. With it went the patches of malice in the water…as well as what was on Link's hand, leaving behind raw, red skin. With nothing supporting it, every piece of the beast fell, disappearing into the water with several colossal splashes

The sound rumbled from beneath the waters, stone against stone. This time, the water's surface shifted and swelled. Whatever was beneath their feet had to be massive, though whether it was friend or foe was yet to be seen. Still, weapons all found their respective owner's hands–sword, spear, club, and bow-and-arrow. Koifa retreated closer to the exit, for shelter was scarce in this place. Thya as well, though she kept a close eye on those who were willing to fight, should anything awful happen. Then the rumbling fell silent–silent as a grave. It did nothing to ease Aria or anyone around her, for the air was thick with unease. All she could hear for a time was the sound of her heart in her throat. Her racing pulse had just started to ease when it happened. Just when it felt the danger had lessened the slightest bit, the water to their left began to swell at an alarming rate. Something huge was emerging, something dark, too. The water burst with a splash and from its depths emerged

Aria sunk into the previously-poisoned pool that Koifa purified, eyes peeled for any sign of danger. The patch of moss she plucked from before was her only source of light aside from the cenote’s sparse sunlight. They would have to act fast. If the sun started going down, visibility would only further diminish. In a network of caves full of water, Aria knew not what could be lurking further in the depths, and had a feeling that the Octorok was only a taste of things to come. The light of her moss fell on the floor of the pool and she actually recoiled at what resided there. It looked like a flower, but if it was made of some kind of fleshy substance with wormlike tentacles in place of flowers. The water around it was steadily turning a familiar and toxic shade of purple, leaving Aria to conclude that this thing was what poisoned the pool. Not wanting anyone to fall victim to it, Aria took her knife from her belt and pushed it right into the “flower’s” core. It writhed and flexed

For a time, all that Aria could see around her was pitch darkness. It got to the point that she hoped there was air somewhere in the cave. The Zora scales prolonged the time that one could hold their breath, but she would still need to surface for a breath. Her thinking was interrupted when she saw a familiar glow above her. Turning her gaze upward, she saw a patch of bluish-green light–the same shade that she saw in the cave with her father. Thya saw it too and swam towards it. In time, both their heads actually broke the surface. After taking several breaths of cool air, Aria commented in relief, “Good to know there’s air in places. I was worried for a moment.” “As was I, Aria.” Thya agreed, then reached up and took a handful of the moss. With a little effort, she had taken a handful of it off of the rocky concave. “I have the feeling we’re going to need this. Take what you need.” Aria nodded, then mimicked her. The moss was fuzzy, as it had been in the tunnel she and her father

“You’re certain you saw him around there?” “Absolutely.” Marlo said, gesturing to a spot of ocean with his spear, “After what happened, I could never forget.” “He said he left us a trail.” Grupa butted in, “What’re we looking for?” “Did you notice anything?” Link asked their group, now gathered at a spot of seashore. “About what?” Koifa asked, tilting her head. “Rifsha.” he answered, seemingly unfazed, “Did you notice anything peculiar about him?” Aria had the distinct feeling that, had Beytho been here minutes ago, she would have made some offhand remark about “him being dead”. When she looked between the siblings and thought back on Rifsha’s dying form, something struck her. “He was bare.” Aria said aloud, seemingly without thinking, her volume and pace increasing as it became clearer to her. “Look at you all, you’re wearing jewels, armbands, Marlo and Grupa have weapons…” Link actually turned back to his daughter with some surprise, but managed a smile. “Exactly.” he said

Aria could form no words-no thoughts-at what she was witnessing. She had no idea what Marlo had come to tell them of--only that it was not good news. Now, she could only stare with numb shock, wanting to look away, but finding herself completely unable. Not out of awe, rather the exact opposite. The sight was so horrid and sad that she could not avert her eyes no matter how much her subconscious screamed for her to. The Zora siblings had all gathered around another Zora. Judging from his build and stature, this one was male, his silvery scales marred by faint stripes, his teeth larger and more fearsome-looking than Marlo or Grupa’s, and his fins short and curved, giving him a streamlined appearance. This had to be their other brother. Rifsha, as Grupa had called him. He might have been quite the impressive Zora specimen, had it not been for his current condition. He lay on his back, eyes closed and breathing labored. He appeared to be on the brink of consciousness. Then Aria saw

Link had been hoping to get some much-needed information, as King Ceto had suggested. Yet as he strolled down the beach with the remaining Zora siblings to what was Rifsha’s last known location, he was bombarded with a story from Marlo. “Though you were a leader of the Hylian Army, I should remind you I’ve become quite the soldier since we last met.” he boasted, then held up his spear to show it off. “This spear in particular is one of my finer moments, if not my absolute finest.” Link’s ears did not miss the exhausted sigh from Beytho. Marlo had clearly told this story a lot to anyone who would listen. “The head of my spear is my finest catch--the marlin is a fast fish, one that many of our strongest warriors could not outpace. Yet, I seemed to be the exception. Eager to prove to my people that it could be done, I caught up to the beast and ran my spear through its side, wrangling it back to shore-and risking impalement, I should add. Now the mighty creature’s skull acts as my

She was lost. She was cold. She was alone. In the dark of the night, all she knew was that the world was a terrifying place to be. And she could do nothing. All she could do was sob and wail in her loneliness. Then it all changed. Someone took her into their arms. There, she felt warmth again. The hum of a song crept into her ears--one simple, but comforting. It told her all that she needed to know… That she was not alone. That everything was all right. Then a soft voice spoke her name… -- “Aria?” Aria’s eyes sprang open, both at once, and she found herself gazing at the open sky above Zora’s domain. “Are you okay?” A flood of memories coursed through her mind as she became aware of her situation. After Thya had healed her injury, she had told her of the Zoras’ plight--how Hylians rarely, if ever, visited the Domain and that they were often hunted for their scales and skins, despite having been allies of the old Royal Family for generations. She remembered feeling