Fear of Possession

"Finally, I can sleep in a comfy bed" (Ossio)

He took a gulp of his beer.

"Just another week or so before we reach Zora's Domain" (Jroid)

We're in a tavern enjoying a meal.

We chatted idle and ate our fill.

The pending question of who's been kidnapping elementalists has been bothering me since we came here.

The next morning we left for Zora's Domain.

"Be alert, Hyrule Field is to our left. Guardians could be lurking around" (Jroid)

I wouldn't mind being attacked by a guardian, I need the ancient cores to upgrade Stasis.

Unluckily we only got attacked by a single Guardian Stalker by the time we made it to the Soh Kofi shrine, it dropped everything but a core.

Jroid is happy, ancient parts are worth their weight in gold.

As I activated the shrine, everyone was curious about the inside.

"What's below?" (Jroid)

"Usually a trial to test the Hero" (Link)

After opening the shrine doors I went back to the wagons.

"Are you not going to complete it?" (Jroid)

"That's no longer needed" (Link)

The next thing I did was activate the Lanayru Tower. Jroid stayed with the wagons, after getting the map data we resumed our journey.

Whoever designed the road leading into Zora's Domain needs to go back to architecture school. Some places are unnecessarily long, there is a road riding along the Zora River, why didn't they make a road cutting through Tabahl Woods meeting at the Bank of Wishes.

Oren Bridge is a wasted use of tax money, why didn't they make a bridge starting from the Bank of Wishes. And the worst design of all, who allowed the architects to design a road going around Ruto Mountain. Why didn't they connect Luto's bridge to the Great Zora bridge? There is enough landmass in between to allow it to happen.

If they had done that, this week-long journey could've been cut down into a few days.

Something different about this road and the road in the game, Zora soldiers patrol the roads keeping it safe for travelers.

We can see it in the distance, the Great Zora Bridge, of the 3 bridges connecting to Zora's Domain this one is the grandest. I'm glad it's late afternoon. With the setting sun, the city grew ever brighter giving it an enchanting vibe. The entire city is made of luminous stones, buildings, water fountains, walkways, you name it.

"First time seeing it in person?" (Jroid)

"Not exactly" (Link)

"Absolutely beautiful, I've never seen anything so pleasing to the eyes before" (Biopar)

"You never get tired of the sight" (Ossio)

We reached the guard station on the bridge.

"More Hylians sir" (Zora Guard)

They spoke in a hostile manner.

"Get out of the wagon one at a time" (Zora Superior)

"This is new" (Jroid)

One by one we left the wagons and they patted us down. Any weapon found was confiscated. They didn't count the Sheikah Slate as a dangerous object so I got to hang on to it.

"Corporal, have your men inspect the wagons" (Zora Superior)

"Yes sir" (Zora Corporal)

Is smuggling an increasing problem lately? Is that the reason for this checkpoint?

"Nothing but produce sir" (Zora Corporal)

"Okay, you're free to enter" (Zora Superior)

"What about our weapons?" (Nashi)

"You'll receive them when you leave the city, make sure to leave on this bridge" (Zora Superior)

We rode our wagons in. What just happened?

"Seems like a safe place, if no one possesses weapons but the authorities then violence is sure to dial down" (Biopar)

At least someone is taking it in a good mood.

"Let's just forget what occurred" (Jroid)

He didn't even need to ask, we gazed in awe. Seeing it from afar was one thing, seeing the city up close is another. The brightly lit streets and buildings remind me of Las Vegas. Even at this late hour, people are going about as if it were daylight hours.

The trance wore off when the Zora's stared at us from a distance. They looked at us with disgust and walked in the opposite direction if necessary.

"Look daddy, Hylians" (Child)

"Don't get close to them, they might suddenly attack" (Child's Father)

The father took the child's hand and rushed away from us.

I know some of the Zoras hate Hylians, but I didn't think it'd be this bad.

"I've never seen a Zora before, but are they usually like this?" (Biopar)

"Not at all, they're a kind and peaceful race. Something must've happened" (Jroid)

We rode towards the residential district, we stopped by a group of Gorons doing construction work.

"Dabragra, how's business?" (Jroid)

"Jroid, good to see you again. Companies doing great thanks to you" (Dabragra)

They shook hands.

"Dabragra, this is Link. He saved my life a few months back" (Jroid)

"Nice to meet you Link. This guy only thinks of money, never cares about safety" (Dabragra)

"So what's the deal, the bridge inspection, the dirty looks" (Jroid)

"A lot has happened since you last came here. It started a few weeks ago, Hylians started attacking at random. Crazed the Zora's up a bit, this right here" (Dabragra)

He pointed to the damaged road that his company is fixing.

"Well, some Hylian lunatic was carrying around some explosives. Ran in the direction of a family of four and killed them along with himself. Been happening a lot lately, it's like they're possessed or something. I heard a story that a Hylian was choking a Zora to death then she jumped into the lake and drowned herself. No matter what the authorities try, they would never give up. Always fighting till the death" (Dabragra)

"Any leads?" (Jroid)

"None, well I doubt you'll turn into a maniac. We'll catch up some time" (Dabragra)

"That we will" (Jroid)

We drove away.

"Possession" (Shronia)

"I wonder why it's only affecting Hylians" (Nashi)

She's right, the timing is too perfect. With the recent kidnappings, someone is trying to create a bad image of Hylians.

The innkeeper was no different, he stared daggers at us and reached below the counter.

"You're kind is not welcomed here, get lost before I call the authorities" (Innkeeper)

"Is that any way to treat an old friend" (Jroid)

He unveiled his rain hood.

"Jroid!" (Innkeeper)

The innkeeper's expression changed, the once hostile man became nice and calm.

"Tilama, let me introduce you to Link. This is the man who saved my life" (Jroid)

The innkeeper held his hand out.

"Sorry for the earlier confrontation, you probably already know but your kind has a bad name around these parts lately. I just didn't want any trouble" (Tilama)

"No problem" (Link)

"How's the business going?" (Jroid)

"Not so great. It has been crazy these past few months, 3 Viscounts were incarcerated for disobeying the fishing restrictions so the power balance is off-centered. Then Hylians started attacking people for no good reason. It's been a living hell these past few weeks, I'm just trying to keep my inn running. The only good thing, the government cut down on taxes" (Tilama)

"I heard the Zora race held a grudge against Hylians" (Link)

"It was just the elderly, they blamed the Hylians and the Hylian Champion for the death of Mipha. I was too young at the time, so I didn't really understand. Now with these recent attacks, I don't know what to think" (Tilama)

"May the Goddess Hylia save us" (Jroid)

"Well enough talk, let me get you all accommodated" (Tilama)

We had dinner at another place, Jroid is friends with the owner. The other Zora's dining were giving us dirty faces.

"If it'll affect business we can leave" (Jroid)

"To hell with them, I don't care what they think of me. Just enjoy the food" (Yunomi)

It was hard to eat while dozens judged your every motion.

The next day Jroid took us to his buyer.

"Top of the line goods, you never disappoint Jroid" (Buyer)

He held a tough pumpkin and squeezed it. It was firm and the fruit still has a nice sheen on it.

Jroid pulled me up.

"Daan, let me introduce you to Link. The man who saved my life" (Jroid)

"Handsome young man, ever thought about becoming a merchant. With your charming face you could sell practically anything" (Daan)

"I'll think about" (Link)

"I brought a special product this time" (Jroid)

"What is it?" (Daan)

"Show him Link" (Jroid)

On a different wagon, I pulled the tarp away revealing a few sacks of Hylian Rice.

"Jroid you know better, by the time they reach the city the rice becomes moldy" (Daan)

"That was before, cut it open and see for yourself" (Jroid)

The guards took away Jroid's knife so Daan had to do it himself.

"What's this?! The rice, it's dry. You never stop surprising me" (Daan)

"I'll say 750 per sack" (Jroid)

"500" (Daan)

"650" (Jroid)

"Deal" (Daan)

They shook on it.

We sold 5 sacks today.

"They'll be more tomorrow, just you wait" (Jroid)

We drove away, in the wagon I asked Jroid a question.

"Why didn't we sell all 100 sacks?" (Link)

"No one knows that Hylian rice is in the market, if we sold all of it to him today the rice will turn moldy soon. Today is just a test run, soon word will get out and then we'll sell more" (Jroid)

As expected of an experienced merchant.