Luminous Lake and Twin Shrines
We left the city, the trip would take about 9 days on fast horse.
Shronia had a lot of questions, like what was Hyrule like in the past? What were the other champions like, and so on. I answered each with as little words as possible as I really didn't know either.
Still, Shronia sure did like to talk.
At sundown we made camp. I asked her a question that has been bothering me all morning.
"Shronia, do your people live in secrecy?" (Link)
"After the calamity, everyone blamed the Sheikah Tribe since our ancestors created the guardians. I heard a story from my grandmother, she and my grandfather were on a trip to Riverside City. The guards didn't let them in because they were from the Sheikah Tribe. Others were being harassed as well, we had no choice but to live in hiding. A few years ago, Impa allowed us to venture out into the world. She said that the outside world has forgotten what a Sheikah looked like. However, she said we must've reveal the village or our identities to anyone" (Shronia)
I see, after a war or economic depression the majority will always discriminate against the minority.
"I will restore peace to Hyrule, so your people won't have to live in hiding" (Link)
"Thank you, Link. I'm glad I met you" (Shronia)
With a yawn, we fell asleep.
The next morning I used the amiibo right away.
Cleaning up our campsite we rode out. We would meet the occasional wandering traveler, sometimes they would sell us exotic goods from far away places. Like hearty durians and sunshrooms. In some rare events, some would challenge me to a game of dice. I would always win.
After 2 days we came across a small village near Lake Kolomo.
It was gloomy, the place was quiet and sparse. Everyone looked sad and miserable.
We went to a man chopping wood.
"What's wrong with everybody, why does everyone look so sad?" (Shronia)
"Our way of life has crumbled, we were a hybrid fishing and agricultural village. About 2 weeks ago the lake began to glow at night, the next morning our fishermen reported that all the fish have died. We also use the lake to water our crops, not long after, the crops died as well. With no water to grow food and no living fish to catch, many left, those who stayed are nothing more than a mere shadow of who they were" (Man)
2 weeks ago, that's around the same time I awakened. I wonder if I'm causing these phenomenons like the lynel and hinox incident.
So their main water source has been polluted.
"Do you have any idea what could have caused this?" (Link)
"Now that you mention it, I saw a black and red cloud appear over the island in the middle of the lake a few days before the lake began to glow. At the time I thought nothing of it, but now I wish I would've said something sooner" (Man)
I need to speak to the person in charge of this village.
"Where does the mayor live?" (Link)
"See that larger building than the rest, that's where the mayor lives" (Man)
We thanked the man and left for the mayor's house.
Knock, knock.
"Hello, is the mayor home. We would like to speak to you" (Shronia)
The door opened and an elderly woman appeared before us.
"Whatcha want? Water, we ain't got any. Try the next village or something" (Mayor)
She tried to close the door, I caught it before it slammed shut.
"We want to help with the water problem" (Link)
"Help? Whatcha gonna do? Drain eh lake and pour in new water" (Mayor)
She's right, what can we do. Even if we found out what polluted the water how would we fix it?
Still doing something is better than doing nothing.
What could the cause of the pollution be?
Could it be malice? That would explain the red and black clouds, if so why does the water glow and not have a black tinge to it? Maybe someone pulled a prank and dumped waste into the water. No, they also depend on the water.
I went to the shoreline.
The lake that was used for drinking and other tasks looked fine. I scooped some up and let the Sheikah Slate examine it. It is polluted. It says the water has solubles of luminous particles, if ingested in large amounts it is poisonous to living things.
Luminous? The only thing that comes to mind is the luminous talus in the center of the lake.
"Mayor, I need a boat" (Link)
She offered us one of the boats that were abandoned by the fishermen.
In the boat, Shronia and I rowed to the island in the middle of the lake. While rowing we would bump into dead fish floating on the surface.
As we got closer to the middle, the water around the island shined a fluorescent blueish green. Even in broad daylight, it was bright.
I scooped some of the water into the Sheikah Slate.
'Luminous Water, water with a high concentration of luminous particles'
Arriving on shore we went to find the talus. We got to the exact center of the island, however it wasn't here.
Was I wrong? I was sure there was a luminous talus here.
"Link look at this" (Shronia)
Following her finger, I found a trail of malice and gel-like fluorescent substance. I put some into the Sheikah Slate.
'Luminous jelly, a gel-like substance created from the evaporation of luminous water'
We followed it to a cave, the cave glowed brightly from the trail of luminous jelly.
The cave continued on for hundreds of feet, it was inhabited by strange glowing keese. Killing some I let the Sheikah Slate examine a wing.
'Luminous keese, the luminous keese glow from eating luminous jelly'
At the end of the cave, we entered a large cavern. The luminous stone talus was just lying there. It looked like a regular talus, except shards of malice protruded from its back. It was also 3 times larger than a regular talus. It was half-submerged in water, the water around it was blinding.
We found the problem. Just what happened to it? Did the malice cause it to grow? How are the luminous keese able to eat luminous jelly?
It didn't move when we entered. It just laid there, it can't be dead. All dead things turn into a puff of smoke and disappear.
Getting closer it opened, one very large eye. It looked like a vertical snake eye, the pupil and sclera were pitch black, and the iris was a bright orange color. It looked at me as I touched the body of the talus with a stick. The stick began to glow, surprised, I dropped it. The stick shattered scattering shards of glowing fragments.
I picked up a nearby rock and touched the talus with it. The rock glowed, putting it into the Sheikah Slate it said.
'Luminous Stone, this mysterious mineral gives off a pale blue glow in the dark, which some believe to be the souls of the dead. Apparently, this stone can be used as a base to make special clothing'
I think I found a way to help the village or the crash of the luminous stone market.
The talus couldn't move nor did the eye try to harm us. We left the cave.
The village may not be able to use the lake for drinking but I have another idea. On the way back I discussed the plan with Shronia, she would be a major factor in this. She agreed.
We went to the mayor's house.
"You're still here?" (Mayor)
"I have an idea that could make this village very prosperous" (Link)
"Oh, and what would that be" (Mayor)
"A resort" (Link)
I told her that the lake was forever undrinkable and would shine a light blue, however they could use this to turn a profit. We could name this the Luminous Resort, the lake that glows during the day. We are adventurers so as we travel all over Hyrule we could advertise the resort.
"A beautiful lake during the day and magnificent during the night" (Link)
"Huh, this does sound like a great idea. Except, we're broke! Even if we could turn the village into a resort, we just don't have the money" (Mayor)
"Shronia could sponsor you in return for a 10% share in profits" (Link)
Shronia had amassed quite the wealth over the past few years. Before leaving Outskirt City she withdrew all her money, she had a total of 268,467 rupees. Carrying that amount of rupees in gold pieces would be absurd, but there are higher denominations of rupees. After gold is diamond, it is a light translucent blue, they are worth a thousand. After diamond is crystal, they are transparent all the way, they are worth 5,000. Finally, the most valuable rupee is the rainbow rupee. It is worth 10,000 rupees.
The mayor thought hard and long.
"Eh, why not. What does this village have to lose" (Mayor)
Shaking hands and saying an oath on the name of the Goddess Hylia, Shronia just became a business owner.
The village is also near the Oman Au shrine, so I could teleport here whenever we want. Can I teleport others with me? I'll have to test that later.
With my idea in motion, we left the village. I didn't share the information about the talus as I didn't want luminous stones to become worthless, if someone did find the cave I hope they'll run in fear once they see the talus.
"We'll return in a few weeks and see how things are going" (Shronia)
"Aight, thank you for helping us. I'll make sure to turn this place into a great resort" (Mayor)
Like that we left.
About a day later we came across a shrine, the Bosh Kala shrine. I slowed my horse down.
"Link why are we stopping, we still have plenty of sunlight" (Shronia)
"Wait for a bit I have to do something" (Link)
Going to the pedestal I lit it up, getting in, I was ready to conquer this shrine.
"Whoa, I never thought I'd see the day when a shrine would open" (Shronia)
The shrine was nothing special, it revolved around the concept of giant fans. I had to use the air currents and glide across to reach new platforms.
There were 2 chests in the shrine. they contained a piece of amber and a soldier's claymore.
With my new treasures, I exited the shrine and continued onward.
On the 5th day since we left Outskirt City, we were attacked by bandits near Squabble River. They weren't much of a threat, most of their equipment was shabby at best. I trusted Shronia so I used my power in front of her.
Moving like a blur I incapacitated all the bandits, tieing them up I left them by the side of the road. Someone will come by eventually, the Dueling Peaks Stable was up ahead, or is it a city now.
"Shronia is there a city west of here" (Link)
"Yes, the Duel Peaks City should be fairly close" (Shronia)
I see, either most or all of the stables have turned into cities. Well, when I get there I can tell some soldiers to come pick up the bandits.
We were nearing the Dueling Peaks Tower, getting off I tied my horse to a nearby tree. Shronia asked what I was doing now. I said I was going to climb that, I pointed at the tower. Seeing no harm I asked her to join me.
The tower was surrounded by water, using Cryonis I made platforms to jump across.
Shronia was a great climber, she could cover more distance than me in less time. Does she have a lot of stamina gauges?
"Shronia how many stamina gauges do you have?" (Link)
"I have one stamina gauge" (Shronia)
What?! I was almost at 2 stamina gauges and yet she is climbing faster than me.
"Shronia, how are you so fast?" (Link)
"I use a Sheikah breathing technique so I don't use as much stamina, if you want I could teach it to you later" (Shronia)
"That'd be nice" (Link)
Once at the top I placed the Sheikah Slate into the pedestal, taking the Sheikah Slate out I got the map information of this region. It even showed the small village we passed by.
Looking over the tower we saw the beautiful lake with the sun reflecting off it, now for the fun part.
"Shronia get on, we're going to do something fun" (Link)
Getting on my back I stood at the edge of the tower.
"Link, what are you doing?!" (Shronia)
I jumped off.
"LINK!!! WE'RE GOING TO DIE!" (Shronia)
This reminded me of the time I practiced using my power on the Great Plateau Tower, I no longer have the fear of heights.
"Hahaha" (Link)
I laughed like a mad man. The first time I jumped off was terrifying, but as I continued jumping off I began to enjoy the feeling of air flowing through my hair as I fell down towards the ground.
After a few seconds I deployed the paraglider, we glided over to the Dueling Peaks where 3 other shrines are located.
Ouch, she bit me.
"What were you trying to do!!? Give me a heart attack!!?" (Shronia)
I guess she wasn't happy about my recent stunt, I apologized to her. She said she would forgive me if I let her into the next shrine.
I don't know if I can bring people with me, but we'll see.
"Okay, I promise" (Link)
We landed on a ledge around the middle half of the northern part of Dueling Peaks. Scaling the side we came across the next shrine, the Shee Venath shrine. Opening the doors we got in the elevator. Slowly we descended down into the basement.
It worked, with Shronia's help we can conquer shrines faster.
The next question is would we both get a spirit orb or just me since I possess the Sheikah Slate. Also, could others besides me use the Sheikah Slate?
She was amazed at how large the basement was. Seeing this for the 7th time I've gotten used to this. The floor had ditches, some of the ditches had orbs in them. The placement of the orbs is incorrect, this order is the solution for the other shrine, the Shee Vaneer shrine. In the Shee Vaneer shrine, it should have the solution to this shrine.
We documented the placement of orbs, Shronia was also a good artist. She had many interesting talents. Leaving the shrine I decided to go to the Ree Dahee shrine first.
The shrine had giant Rube Goldberg machines for puzzles, there were giant pads and when you stood on it a platform would tilt rolling a ball down a slope. Shronia enjoyed it.
The Ree Dahee shrine had a climbers bandana, it increases climbing speed.
Once at the wrinkled person I had Shronia touch the transparent box, it didn't shatter apart. I touched it and it shattered, I heard the familiar voice.
"Shronia, can you hear a voice?" (Link)
"What voice? Did someone say something?" (Shronia)
She can't hear it, the spirit orb came to me.
Leaving the shrine we made our way to the Shee Vaneer shrine. The shrines have good ventilation and are at a perfect temperature. I wonder if I could live in here?
Using the solution from the Shee Venath shrine we were able to conquer the Shee Vaneer shrine.
The Shee Vaneer shrine had an edge of duality, it has an attack damage of 50.
Leaving this shrine we went back to the Shee Venath shrine. The Shee Venath shrine had a serpentine spear.
Taking the spirit orb we teleported back to the entrance. I let Shronia hold the Sheikah Slate to see if it would react to her. Nothing, it might as well be a stone slab in other people's hands.
We glided down to our horses.
I now have 5 spirit orbs in my possession.