Zelda – Third Person]
The desert greeted her like a long-forgotten adversary.
Zelda stepped down from the skycraft's ladder, boots crunching into the red sand just outside Gerudo Town's perimeter. The sun was merciless. Fitting.
So was she.
The wind caught her hair and tossed it like golden flame behind her. She adjusted the light royal cloak she wore, designed to pass as desert-appropriate. A gift from Riju, once. She almost laughed at the irony.
> "And now I'm here to take what's mine back from her."
Not that she would admit it aloud.
She hadn't told anyone the real reason for her journey—only that she was checking on Gerudo security and investigating Zonai ruins in the canyon. Lies, all of it.
The only ruin she cared about stood between two women's hearts.
---
The guards recognized her instantly. Of course they did. She was the princess. The sage. The symbol of light. They bowed, stiff and hesitant.
"She's expecting you," one whispered.
Zelda raised an eyebrow. "She knew I'd come?"
"Not exactly," the woman stammered. "But… Lady Riju said, 'If she ever shows her face here, I'll know by the wind.' And this morning, she shut down the entire plaza."
A chill slid down Zelda's spine.
She walked forward.
---
[OC – Third Person]
I sat in the throne room beside Riju. She was composed, regal, like a sculpture of war and desire. Her guards had been dismissed. The door remained open, though.
"She's close," Riju murmured. "I can feel her."
"You're sure?"
She nodded. "You're the Balance. She's the Light. When you tilt… she comes to steady you."
I didn't answer. My stomach twisted.
I wanted to believe I was prepared. But I wasn't ready to see Zelda again—not like this. Not after that dream. Not after Riju.
The wind shifted.
And then… she entered.
---
[Zelda – Third Person]
Zelda stepped through the palace doors with a grace that made time seem to pause.
She wore no crown. No formal guard. But her presence filled the chamber like a sacred decree. Her eyes locked on mine instantly—not Riju's, not the chamber itself—me.
I stood.
The moment stretched.
"Hello," I said softly.
Zelda's lips curved faintly. "You look well."
"You too."
Riju didn't rise. She sat on her throne like it belonged to her blood, her voice smooth. "Princess Zelda. You honor us."
Zelda finally looked at her. "Riju. You've grown into your title, I see."
A pause.
"I heard you've grown closer to my… companion."
Riju tilted her head. "He's not your companion. He belongs to no one."
Zelda's smile thinned. "He once did."
---
[OC – First Person]
I had no idea what to say.
Their words were polite. But their eyes? Fire and frost, both weaponized.
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Why did this feel like more pressure than the Ganondorf fight?
Riju rose at last. "Walk with us, Zelda. We can talk in the sun garden."
Zelda nodded slowly. "Of course. I wouldn't want to intrude."
They walked ahead. I followed, somehow the center of their universe and yet completely on the outside.
I felt like I was being carved open—every step revealing more than I wanted.
---
[Gerudo Palace Garden – Third Person]
The sun beat down, but none of them sweat. They burned in their own ways.
Zelda moved like a diplomat. Riju, like a queen. But their voices? Blades hidden behind words.
"I find it strange," Zelda said lightly, "that a man as powerful as he is has stayed here so long."
"He's been resting. Healing," Riju said coolly. "And learning. I have much to teach."
"Of course." Zelda's gaze flicked to me. "And what do you think? Are you enjoying your… studies?"
I hesitated. "I'm learning a lot from both of you."
A mistake.
Two daggers of glances hit me from either side.
---
[First Person – OC]
I couldn't take it anymore.
"I'm not a prize," I said, stepping forward. "You both care for me, I get that. But this isn't a competition."
Zelda stepped closer. "It already is."
Riju stepped between us. "No. It's a warning."
They stared each other down. Neither raised a voice. But the wind shifted.
And I felt something crackle between them.
A tear of energy opened for half a second behind Zelda—visible only to me.
> A future.
> One where their love turns to war.
> One where I am the cause.
And then it vanished.
---
Zelda turned to me. "We'll speak alone tonight."
It wasn't a question.
Riju's jaw tightened. "Only if I'm there."
Zelda smiled—sharp, perfect. "Of course."