The next chapter of "Iridescent" is up! "Safe Return"
“What in the world is that!?” Yona yelped, pointing skyward. A massive dark shape was flying straight for the village. As it came closer, Teba’s eyes widened.
It was a ship. No, not just a ship. An ark.
“There’s no way…” He shook his head in disbelief. Kass hummed The Song of the Stormwind Ark, surrounded by Amali and their daughters.
“Holy shit,” Yuki said.
“That’s a really big boat,” Ivy added.
Teba and Saki immediately took to the air. The ark, the Goddess-damned Stormwind Ark, stopped above Vah Medoh’s perch. It slowly lowered until it wasn’t so insanely high anymore; it floated perhaps where Medoh’s head once was. High, yes, but easy for any Rito to reach.
“Mom! Dad!” Tulin leaned out of a window, waving eagerly, grinning fit to burst. His eyes sparkled with delight and Teba was relieved to see he only looked ruffled and tired, no major injuries to be seen. “Look what we found!”
They flew right up to the window. Behind Tulin, Zelda still had both hands on the wheel and gave them a sheepish grin.
“It’s a long story,” she said.
“I’ll bet,” Teba scoffed, almost laughing. “You do realise Kass is going to grill you both for details as soon as we’re done with you? He already has several song ideas.”
Zelda smiled fondly. “I’d expect nothing less.”
*
Zelda and Tulin return to Rito Village with a giant flying surprise. The Brigade witness more dragon scale visions and regroup with Purah, before returning to Snowfield Stable, in search of Link's missing horse. In the midst of it all, Sidon ponders how to confess to Yona.
The next chapter of "Incandescent" is up! "The Goddess' Chosen Guardian"
She drew her kunai and knelt, just like Izzara. She wondered what it would be like when sacred light burst from the Princess’s hands. Not today, of course, maybe not any time soon. She couldn’t start training until she was seven next year. But it would happen, she knew it would. She’d never met Queen Hespera except in passing, and never saw her use Hylia’s light. Impa would be honoured to see it.
“Your Highness,” Impa said, loud and clear, only a child and willing to swear her life to another. “It is an honour to meet you. My name is Impa.”
She was named in honour of the Sage of Shadow from so long ago. She had been the guardian of another Princess Zelda, and an ally to the Hero of Time.
Impa hoped she could be as strong as the other Impa, a legend among their people. Strong, dedicated and brave. That was what she wanted to be.
The next chapter of "Incandescent" is up! "Bard and Princess"
“You were Harper’s student,” she said. “Link told me.”
Truth be told, Zelda hadn’t paid much attention when Kass sang Harper’s song to Link. She’d been much more interested in talking to Urbosa. She had figured (correctly) that if Kass had anything of importance to say, Link would inform her later.
“Yes, my lady,” Kass said. “He began teaching me when I was a child.”
Zelda had no idea what Harper’s journeys through a post-Calamity Hyrule were like. She wasn’t sure if it was the tie between Blood of the Goddess and the Hero, or if it was because so much of her power and will were focussed on holding Ganon back, but it was always easiest to watch Link. Not anyone else. Even briefly watching Impa, even when she wasn’t far from Link, had been draining.
So then. Harper’s journey. His self-appointed mission. Zelda knew he must have faced great danger again and again. The Age of Burning Fields had been a dangerous and desolate time. And Harper, spoiled and arrogant Harper, was a court bard. A poet and performer, not a warrior. Had he learned to fight? Did he depend on evasion? How in the world did Harper survive?
Zelda still didn’t like him. How could she? He was pushy, arrogant, rude; he refused to take a hint and leave Zelda be. He had been horrible about Link, and that ableist song still made Zelda’s blood boil even now.
*
In which Zelda meets Kass. They have someone in common: Harper the Sheikah court bard. Kass adores him. Zelda does not.
The next chapter of "Incandescent" is up! "Ghost on the Plateau"
“Goddess Hylia,” Rhoam gasped and he would have knelt, if She would let him go. Her warm hands, growing uncomfortably hotter by the second, gripped his shoulders, vice-like and digging into his skin.
“No,” She hissed, eyes blazing. She did not cast a shadow. “Not yet. You will fulfill your duty, Rhoam Bosphoramus.”
And perhaps he would have argued that he did, he’d always done his duty, he’d always strived to be a strong King, to be what Hyrule needed, but Rhoam found that he could not speak anymore. He could not even open his mouth.
Goddess Hylia’s eyes narrowed in warning. He realised, with a rush of fear, that She knew what he was thinking.
Her hands began to burn. Rhoam could not even cry out.
Hespera! he wanted to shout. Hespera, help me!
“You will aid My Chosen,” Goddess Hylia ordered, Her voice echoing. It came from the air, from the starlight-water, from the colourful landscape surrounding them, all those lights melding together. “Aiding My Link will aid My Zelda. You will do this, Rhoam Bosphoramus, if you ever hope to see the Sacred Realm. You will wait. You will do your duty.”
Light overtook his vision, too bright, too hot, too much. But he could still hear Her Grace.
“I am not through with you yet.”
*
Rhoam Bosphoramus died in the Calamity, mere seconds after Ganon rises from under the castle. There and gone so swiftly that he barely had time to realise what was happening.
And then he woke up on the Great Plateau. Why? What do the Goddesses have planned for him?
The next chapter of "Incandescent" is up! "The Plateau Shrines"
What was he talking about? Chosen? Goddess Hylia? A trial? He said he wanted to help, but how could Link be sure about that?
But what other option did he have, except go forward? He needed that paraglider.
He tapped the slate off the pedestal and a stiff voice said, Sheikah slate authenticated, like it did at the tower and Link braced himself for more chaos. But no, not this time. There was more light, more strange noises, and a drip of light fell onto the Sheikah slate. Its screen changed, revealing a picture of a pink…shape. Whatever it was.
Magnesis, the screen read. There were empty slots next to the strange pink symbol. Manipulate metallic objects using magnetism. Grab on to metallic objects using the magnetic energy that pours forth from the Magnesis rune. Objects held in the magnetic snare can be lifted up and moved freely.
Link looked at the metal sheets on the floor. Well then. Okay. This just got interesting.
*
Link wanders the Great Plateau, lacking all memories, following the instructions of a mysterious voice. The Sheikah monks confuse him, the Old Man frustrates him. And those empty, dead machines? They terrify him.
Next chapter of "Incandescent" is up! "Manny's Beloved"
“My, um- my buddy really fancies Miss Prima. And he wants to impress her, but she doesn’t ever notice him. So I- my buddy, I mean, he’s hoping to really wow her with a gift. He asked me for advice but I haven’t thought of anything, I’ve been too busy with guarding. You got any idea what a fine lady would appreciate? You Zora are meant to be all…poetic and romantic, right? All that courtly stuff.”
You are the worst liar in Hyrule, Rivan thought with pity. And indeed, it was pity that made him nod and smile at Manny in understanding. At least, he hoped he looked understanding.
“Would you like help in thinking of a gift?” he asked. “I’m free from my duties for today. Perhaps it would be good to ask Miss Prima’s friends what she likes.”
“I can’t do that,” Manny sighed. “They don’t notice me- my friend- either.”
Rivan nodded, humming thoughtfully. Well…Manny seemed harmless. Harmless but, if he may be blunt, hopeless too. Poor fellow. He couldn’t be more than…twenty? Nineteen? He didn’t seem much older than Link anyway.
Manny said this Prima lady never noticed him and perhaps that was true. Perhaps she simply wasn’t interested. But Manny was tying himself up in knots over this; he looked on the verge of tears.
So Rivan took pity on him and promised to find out what the young lady would like.
*
During their first visit to Hateno, Rivan runs into Manny, pining away outside the inn. He tries his best to help, with limited success.
"Incandescent," featuring deleted scenes from "Luminous" is up!
The first chapter: in which Lady Izzara, Impa and Purah's mother, introduces Link to Hyrule Castle
She was Sheikah. The Elder, no less. The former aide and guardian of Queen Hespera. Izzara knew her role and was honoured to fulfil it…So then, why could she not bring herself to kneel? This boy wielded the Master Sword, he was Hylia’s Chosen, the reincarnation of the man Goddess Hylia Herself had adored so many aeons ago. Her people were sworn to him, just as they were sworn to the Blood of the Goddess.
He was so young. Link Hallow held himself tensely, staring at the ground. The Master Sword was strapped to his back again, drawing everyone’s gazes. He was twelve-years-old and so very quiet.
Sir Audric, his first escort, looked at her expectantly. Every passing servant, courtier and guard was watching, and doing a terrible job of pretending they weren’t. It would be the greatest disrespect if Izzara did not kneel and welcome this boy as the Chosen Hero…But he was also a child, with anxiety shining bright in his eyes.
Izzara could not shake the feeling that this boy did not need someone to worship him. Twelve-years-old, torn away from his home, he did not need blind worship. He needed a genuine welcome, not a script. In that way, he was much like the Princess.
“Link, isn’t it?” she asked, though she knew very well. The Hero, the child, glanced up and nodded. Sir Audric’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
Izzara smiled and held a hand to her heart. “My name is Izzara,” she said. “Welcome to Hyrule Castle, dear.”
*
Hyrule is a vast and storied land. Let's examine some of those stories.
Or: Deleted scenes and POVs from Luminous. Reunions, shrine quests, pre-Calamity tales and found family galore.
Have one more "Radiant" sneak peek! In which Link is having a rough time, but you can always count on Purah and Robbie to lighten the mood
As soon as he stepped into the lab, Link regretted it. The Sheikah all stopped what they were doing, snapping to attention. Many of them bowed, one or even both hands on their hearts.
Before, he could walk in and no one would care. Someone might direct him to Purah, but that would be all. Before, it was always Princess Zelda they showed such respect to, and Impa as her mother’s heir. Link hadn’t been important and he’d liked it that way.
Now, he heard murmurs of “Chosen,” instead of his name.
One researcher practically tiptoed forward, eyes bright with reverence. It made Link’s skin crawl.
“Hylia’s Chosen,” the researcher breathed. He bowed again, lower this time. “You honour us with your presence. How may we serve you?”
As it did so often lately, Link’s voice deserted him. I’m looking for Purah, he signed, spelling out her name, because Explode Rock-On would make no sense to anyone else.
The researcher blinked. “Apologies, Chosen,” he said, looking embarrassed. “I do not understand Hylian Sign. I believe Cherry does, if you’ll permit me to fetch her?”
Everyone was staring. Link wanted to turn around and run right out the doors. This was stupid, this was so stupid. Why did it have to be him, why did Fi react to him, why would Hylia want him? Zelda and Revali wouldn’t talk to him, Impa was so weirdly distant and professional, his parents were fighting non-stop. Daruk was acting like he was made of glass, Uncle Duncan was tense and watchful, Nana was overwhelmed, and Urbosa looked at him like something horrible happened. Which he supposed it had.
He wished Dorephan hadn’t called Mipha home so soon.
He just wanted someone to still be normal and if he knew Purah at all, then she’d be the same as always. He just wanted to see his friend, that was all.
Maybe it was a bad idea to come here.
Before he could do anything else (leave, write his answer down, unlock his vocal chords somehow) an arm was flung over his shoulders and Purah cried, “Heya, Linky!”
Robbie slid into view, grinning from ear to ear. “Hey, kid,” he said cheerfully, as casual as ever. “How’s it going?”
“We’ve got some upgraded bombs that you’re gonna love,” Purah said, steering him towards her and Robbie’s private office. “Come on!”
“Purah, Robbie!” the researcher hissed, mortified. “He is-”
“Our friend,” Purah said firmly. “It’s just Linky, calm your tits.”
Robbie snorted, practically dancing across the lab to the office. He opened the door with a flourish and a loud, “After you!”
Purah all but pushed Link inside. The door closed behind them and Link felt like he could breathe for the first time in weeks.
“They’re all so dramatic,” Robbie said. He sauntered over to his desk. “You old enough to drink, kid?”
Link shrugged. Technically no, but his birthday was only a month away.
“How bad has it been?” Purah asked. In response, Link flopped down into his usual chair and knocked his head against her desk.
“Oof, it’s that bad, huh?”
Link grunted.
“Sounds about right,” Purah said, sitting on the desk. She squeezed his shoulder and pressed a glowing square bomb into his hands. It was nearly as big as his head and Link turned it over curiously. It didn’t look any different from before, so what was the upgrade?
“We’re all gonna have a drink,” she said. “And then we’re gonna blow stuff up.”
