Life in Kakariko

It was early in the morning, I checked the time on the Sheikah Slate, it was 5 A.M. Someone was knocking on my door, I got up half-asleep to see who it was. Standing outside fully dressed was Ossio.

"Link, training begins in 10 minutes" (Ossio)

Leaving me to change he turned around and walked down the stairs.

Quickly I dressed, Paya gave me some Sheikah styled pajamas to wear the night before. They were soft, breathable, and easy to change out of.

Wearing nothing more than a plain shirt and some shorts I exited the room. Downstairs Ossio was waiting for me.

"Today we will do strength training, then some light cardio, and finally practicing with the sword. Any questions?" (Ossio)

"No" (Link)

Like that my day began.

Training, I wonder what this'll be like. The only training I've ever done was jumping off towers.

Bringing me outside he gave me a long rod with 2 giant pots on either end.

"We will fill these pots up with water and go to homes dropping the pots off. Then we will repeat until everyone has their water for the day" (Ossio)

Chores? I was expecting hardcore weight lifting or maybe rolling boulders up a slope.

Listening to him I placed the rod behind my shoulders, I followed Ossio and filled the pots up in a nearby stream, after that we went to our first destination.

The place looked and smelled like a bakery, there was a chimney puffing out black smoke and the scent of fresh bread flowed out of the place.

We went around back to drop the pots off. There were empty pots waiting to be filled. Picking up the empty pots we went back to the stream.

Surely the residents can carry their own water.

After we delivered water to all the residents, Ossio made me help him chop wood.

It wasn't difficult, my physique was definitely superior to most Hylians.

After we chopped enough wood, we distributed it to the villagers. Then we helped farmers till the land. Honestly we were doing chores, not strength training.

Though we are using every muscle in the body.

At noon, Paya brought lunch for us.

Our lunches were served in small boxes, she called them bentos. She made these weird egg omelets, there were also chicken sausages shaped like octoroks, an assortment of steamed greens, and rice as the main carbohydrate.

After lunch was over it was back to training. Ossio took me to the obstacle course that is accessible to everyone.

Once we got there I saw young adults clearing the course.

Ossio joined me and we competed to see who would finish the course first.

The course was tiring, my stamina gauge just wasn't big enough. Ossio cleared it with ease leaving me in the dust.

Panting I finally reached the end of the course. I was curious, how was Ossio able to complete this course so easily.

"Ossio, how are you not winded?" (Link)

"We use a breathing technique that decreases the usage of the stamina gauge" (Ossio)

I think I heard about this from Shronia when we climbed the Dueling Peaks Tower. I forgot about it.

"Can you teach me" (Link)

"Certainly, if you whistle while running, climbing, or other demanding actions you can decrease the amount of stamina used. I know this sounds bizarre, but this really works" (Ossio)

It isn't that bizarre, in the game there is a glitch called whistle running which allows you to run at 80% of your maximum speed without using stamina. I never thought it would work in this world.

I tried it out, my stamina did decrease however at a much slower rate than without whistling. I wonder if I could use this in combination with my power. I'll have to test that out later, right now I need to beat Ossio at his own game.

We raced through the obstacle course, with the new insight I was able to clear the course without stopping once.

To make it more challenging Ossio gave me weighted accessories. It definitely did make it more difficult.

After we couldn't walk anymore Ossio and I laid on the grass.

"Link, there's this friend I've met when I traveled the world a few years back. He and his sister are such wonderful people, I want to show them this beautiful village but I don't know if Impa will allow it" (Ossio)

"Impa seems like an understanding person" (Link)

"So you think Impa will say yes and allow me to invite my friend?" (Ossio)

I don't see why not, unless that person is secretly trying to kill all the Sheikahs.

"Yes" (Link)

I think she would allow Ossio to invite his friend, I just wonder who it is.

"What's the name of this friend?" (Link)

"His name is Jroid, his little sister's name is Caroline but we just call her Carol" (Ossio)

Jroid! I can't believe Ossio knows him, what a small world.

After catching our breaths we resumed our training.

It is time for sword training.

He gave me a wooden sword and told me to show him what I know.

I swung randomly without any motivation, I needed all the guidance I could get.

Ossio saw what I was doing and had a surprised look on his face.

"How were you able to defeat monsters a century ago?" (Ossio)

I shrugged.

"We have a lot to do then" (Ossio)

He taught me simple stances and swings. That's what we did for the remainder of the day. By dusk, we were meditating and clearing the mind.

We sat in silence listening to the chirping crickets and the buzzing flies. A bird would call out occasionally.

After a long day of training, this was all the mind needed.

Finally, the day was over.

I am now in the main room with Paya and Impa enjoying supper.

"Link how was training today?" (Paya)

"Okay" (Link)

"Was it difficult?" (Paya)

"No" (Link)

"How do you like Ossio?" (Impa)

"He's a good teacher" (Link)

For the whole evening that is how it went. I need to get better at socializing.

The next day we did the same thing. Filled the pots for everyone, chopped the wood, and helped the farmers.

After the chores, we would run through the obstacle course, practice swinging with the sword, and meditate.

Not only did I improve my combat skills but I think I got better at socializing. Every night for dinner I would try my best and talk with Impa and Paya.

Last night I actually asked Impa and Paya a question that wasn't necessary and only meant to prolong the conversation. I only talk when absolutely needed.

I'm quite proud of that feat, I feel like I could start a conversation on my own now.

And for the whole week, we did the same regiment.

I didn't understand why we were doing this, besides maybe the sword practice.

Why are we training the body? Does that help in any way?

At the end of the week, Ossio let me have a break. Before he left me I asked him a question.

"Why are we training the body?" (Link)

"To develop physical strength and speed" (Ossio)

"How does that help in combat?" (Link)

"Link come with me" (Ossio)

He sat me down, laying a sheet of paper he asked me to pierce my finger. Following the same routine as when I enlisted at the adventurer's guild, I let the drop of blood drip onto the paper.

Ossio then took a vile of water and poured some of it onto the paper where the blood was. The paper got wet.

"That's strange, it's supposed to change color" (Ossio)

Ossio took the needle and pierced his own finger, pouring some of the water onto the blood, the blood changed colors.

On the west side the blood was a dark blue, on the east it was a cyan color. What is the meaning of this?

"I'm not sure why your blood didn't change color. Anyways we use this method to determine your maximum strength and speed. The west side determines your strength parameter and the east side determines your speed. The water we use is from the Great Fairy Fountain" (Ossio)

Strength and speed? Does more strength equivalent to more health or maybe more damage or just pure physical might?

Ossio saw the confused look on my face, he then explained it to me.

"Strength determines how strong you are, it doesn't affect damage at all. Even if you were the strongest person in the world, a stick that deals 2 damage will always deal 2 damage. Speed determines your reflexive abilities and running speed. The colors are a little hard to explain, red means that you are as weak as you can get. As you train, your physical body changes and when I test you again, the blood should turn a different color. For instance, my strength is blue color and my speed is cyan color. If the blood becomes transparent you have reached your maximum potential, it is different for everyone. In your case, since the blood is still red even from all this training your maximum potential must be very high, as expected of the Hylian Champion" (Ossio)

Interesting, my speed isn't at its maximum value? What if I activate my power?

With my power activated I pierced my finger and let a drop of blood fall. I told Ossio to test it again.

He seemed confused but did it anyway.

This time the blood on the east side turned a green. It's not transparent, that means I can still be faster.

"HOW?! Just a moment ago the color was red" (Ossio)

He just looked at me with disbelief.

I just shrugged it off.

He sat there pondering the meaning of life.

After lunch that day I walked around the village. There are 2 shrines and a Great Fairy Fountain, but I could visit those later.

Enjoying the peaceful atmosphere I smiled as I watched people do their everyday routines.

"Hey Link" (Shronia)

Shronia was walking towards me. Her clothing was covered in splotches of dirt.

"Why are you so dirty?" (Link)

"I was helping my dad with work, I was going to the butcher's to pick some goat meat up. Do you want to accompany me?" (Shronia)

I nodded.

I followed her to the butcher, I would always pass by when I did my rounds with Ossio. I was curious about the inside.

"Shronia, welcome dear and the hero too what a surprise" (Lady)

A nice elderly lady was working the counter.

"Hello Mrs. Jousa, do you have any goat meat" (Shronia)

"Of course dear give me a moment" (Mrs. Jousa)

She went to the back.

"Link, do you want to come to my house for dinner later?" (Shronia)

I had nothing else to do and I haven't spoken to Shronia for quite some time.

"Yes" (Link)

After thanking Mrs. Jousa for the goat meat I followed Shronia to her place.

It was a store, the sign said Rianu's and Alical's Pottery. The inside was nice, there were various decorated pots and vases on display. Then a man came.

"Shronia, did you get the meat? You must be Link. How do you do, I'm Shronia's dad, Rianu" (Rianu)

Shaking Rianu's hand I asked him if he made all this.

"You are very talented?" (Link)

I pointed to the pots and vases.

"Well I can't take all the credit, my wife decorates the pots I just make them. Shronia has also been helping out ever since she came back home" (Rianu)

"Do you want to see something we made recently?" (Shronia)

I nod.

She went around back, she later showed up with a large elephant-shaped vase. It was beautifully painted and it resembled the divine beast, Rah Ruta.

"This is lovely" (Link)

"We made this with the image of the divine beast Rah Ruta in mind" (Rianu)

Just then the older version of Shronia came into the shop carrying a large bag of groceries.

"Dear I bought the vegetables, oh you must be the Hero Link. We met before but I don't think I introduced myself. My name is Alical" (Alical)

We shook hands.

"Would you care to stay for dinner, we're having hot pot" (Alical)

I nodded.

It was still a while before dinner would begin.

"Link, want to help us make pots?" (Shronia)

I was curious at how pots were made, seeing no harm I accepted her invitation.

They took me to the workshop, it was a separate building located in the backyard of the shop. The workplace is filled with a variety of potter's wheels in varying sizes and other instruments I've never seen before.

Shronia took a seat near a wheel and signaled for me to come. There was some clay to the side.

Sitting near her she began to spin the wheel.

With her fingers, she gradually made the clay wider and into a pot shape. It took a few minutes for the pot to be finished. Carefully she transferred the clay pot onto a tray to later dry and placed in the kiln.

She returned and allowed me to do one of my own.

"I don't know how to do it though" (Link)

"I'll teach you" (Shronia)

Sitting down I began spinning the wheel, following her instructions I plopped a lump of clay onto the wheel, I tried to do the same thing that Shronia did. It was quite difficult, sometimes the clay walls would get too thin and I would puncture a hole.

I didn't stop, I persevered through and made a crude clay pot. It wasn't much but for my first try, I was rather proud of my creation.

There was still a lot of time before dinner and the requests for the customers were met for the day.

"Link, want to see something amazing?" (Shronia)

Amazing? What does she have in mind?

I nod.

"Follow me. Dad I'm going to show Link something" (Shronia)

Her father was baking some pots.

"Okay, but don't be late for dinner" (Rianu)

She took my hand and we left the workshop. She led me up the path leading to the shrine. Did she want me to see that?

I was wrong, we passed that and continued down the road. The only thing down here should be the Great Fairy Fountain.

As we approached the Great Fairy I spotted a glowing figure in the brush. Using the scope feature I zoomed in on the creature, it was a rabbit with an owl's face, it had pale transparent fur. There were also yellow ferns growing out of its scalp. It is a blupee.

In the game, you shot at these creatures and you would receive rupees. Readying my bow I shot the creature, then rupees exploded out of it, the blupee was fine, the arrows passed right through it.

"Link what did you shoot at?" (Shronia)

"A blupee" (Link)

"What's that?" (Shronia)

"It looks like a rabbit with an owls face, also they glow blue" (Link)

"Oh, I saw something glowing in a bush but I thought it was just my imagination. So they drop rupees when you shoot them?" (Shronia)

I nod.

I started to pick up the rupees, I gave half of them to Shronia since she did lead me here.

"Thank you" (Shronia)

After pocketing the rupees, Shronia took my hand and we continued down the trail, we stopped at a beautiful sight.

There is a giant glistering bud, in the middle of the bud was a fountain. There were fairies flying around and exotic plants like endura carrots and silent princesses grew around the bud.

"We're here, I present to you our Great Fairy, Cotera" (Shronia)

Hearing her name a giant person emerged from the fountain.

"Ah-HAAAAA!" (Cotera)

When I say giant I mean giant. Her face was as big as my body. She had blonde hair and brown eyes.

"Oh Shronia my dear it's been so long. How have you been?" (Cotera)

"Good, my travels around the continent have been incredible. I've met a lot of other elementalists and the outside world is very different compared to Kkakariko " (Shronia)

"I'm glad that you enjoyed the outside world, I wish I could see it as well. I can't leave the fountain or else our powers will dwindle. My sisters and I do chat about our areas, I'm so grateful that the Guerdo's found Tera recently. Now we are as powerful as we can be" (Cotera)

It would seem that others have been activating the Great Fairies, in the game Link had to travel all across Hyrule and awakening the Great Fairies.

"My and who are you handsome? My name is Cotera" (Cotera)

"Link" (Link)

"Is that a Sheikah Slate on your waist?" (Cotera)

I nod.

"Cotera, this is the Legendary Hero Link" (Shronia)

"Link! As in the Hylian Champion, what an honor it is to meet you. Sit I have much to speak about" (Cotera)

We sat beside the fountain and chatted for a while, I joined in a few times.

"Shronia you were accused of theft" (Cotera)

Cotera started laughing.

"Yeah, they thought we stole the Edge of Duality, thankfully Link saved us" (Shronia)

"My what a story. It's getting late, both of you should be returning, Link it was nice chatting with you. If you ever need upgraded equipment, you just come to me" (Cotera)

She then descended back down into the fountain.

We returned to the shop, getting inside a delicious aroma entered our noses.

"Mom, we're home" (Shronia)

"Come to the main room, your father can barely wait any longer" (Alical)

We went to the main room.

There was a pot filled with food. Rianu was sitting down awaiting us, besides him was Alical.

"Sit, let's eat" (Alical)

The food was good, I got to know Shronia's parents a little better.

"You met Shronia at Outskirt City, I've only heard stories of that place. When Rianu and I were younger we too traveled across the continent, we made everlasting memories" (Alical)

Alical looked at me as if seeing something I couldn't.

After the food was finished I excused myself and tried to leave.

"Link can I join you in training tomorrow?" (Shronia)

There's no harm in more training partners.

I nodded.

I returned to Impa's house.

Paya was outside, she looked anxious.

"Link, where were you?! You missed dinner" (Paya)

Paya greeted me the moment I came.

"Shronia's house" (Link)

"Oh, well I was just wondering" (Paya)

She left me to be, she pouted as she went inside the house.

Does Paya also resent Shronia?

Returning to my room I tucked myself in and went to sleep.