The Riddle, Solved

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"King Dorephan", both Link and Kate called out in unison, the three entering the throne room as he turned to look at them.

"Hello, Link, Kate, and Sheik, it has been some time since we last spoke", King Dorephan said, "I had received word that you two went missing along with Princess Zelda, why have you come here",

"Zelda's missing, and what we discovered under the castle is causing these phenomena's around the kingdom", Link explained, "we're here to fix everything and find Zelda",

"Well, well... to think that such a thing should transpire for the heroes of Hyrule and Princess Zelda...", King Dorephan said.

"You expect us to believe that Princess Zelda simply disappeared, just like that, do not sully oru ears with your lies", Muzu sneered, "I saw Princess Zelda with my own eyes right after the phenomenon at Hyrule Castle took place",

"Calm yourself, Muzu", King Dorephan reprimanded, "their eyes betray no hint of deception, they remain a trusted friend of the Zora, there must be an explanation; Link, Kate, I will now tell you what happened when we last saw Princess Zelda... we encountered her just after Hyrule Castle ascended into the sky, floating islands appeared as if from nowhere... sludge and fragments of ruins began raining down... Muzu and I had left the domain to investigate these strange occurrences, that is when it happened; Princess Zelda descended from the sky accompanied by a sludge monster, what happened next took us by surprise... she then unleashed the beast upon us",

"What", the three said in shock.

"King Dorephan valiantly vanquished the threat, however... he was gravely injured by the sludge during the battle", Muzu explained, "as for Princess Zelda, she vanished without a trace; if word got out that Princess Zelda lost her mind and harmed the Zora king... the resulting turmoil would be devastating",

"That doesn't even sound like Zelda at all", Kate said.

"According to your story, Princess Zelda disappeared suddenly in the depths beneath Hyrule Castle", King Dorephan stated, "on the other hand, she suddenly appeared near Zora's Domain and unleashed a monster upon us... the waters of truth have become murkier still, but from the Zora perspective, one thing is clear... it all leads back to the sky; this disaster, the sludge, the monster, and even Princess Zelda, it may well be the answer to these riddles can only be found skyward...",

"We've spoken with Jiahto, he mentioned a mark of the king on a stone slate", Sheik explained, "we think it could be a way forward",

"You say that the mark of the king was mentioned on the stone slate that was restored", King Dorephan said, "the mark of the king refers to a Zora king's scale, one of my scales in other words, I have heard it called by the name you mentioned in an ancient ritual, however, none remain who know how it was used; if this particular scale of mine may prove useful to you, by all means, take a few",

King Dorephan took off a few of his scales and handed them over.

"After all that has transpired, and after much reflection, I have come to a realization", King Dorephan stated, "I must be getting on in years to have allowed a mere monster to catch me off guard, perhaps the time is nearing to pass the title of king on to Sidon",

"King Dorephan...", Muzu mumbled.

"In any case, that is a matter for another day, after the chaos surrounding the sludge has quieted", King Dorephan reassured, "please inform Sidon about my situation and about the king's scale, tell him there is no need to worry about me, tell him that he must go forth and do what needs to be done",

"We will, thank you", Link said, the three taking their leave, heading back to where Sidon was at, "...I'm starting to think your theory might be true",

          

"Theory", Sheik asked.

"He's talking about my visions", Kate reassured, "as is this about following after the wrong Zelda",

"I believe so, in our years, Zelda has snapped in anger, but that was just yelling", Link explained, "she wouldn't send monsters after people, or cause anything out of the ordinary",

"We can rule out being possessed", Sheik added, "I mean, she had been holding back the Calamity and it's malice for a hundred years, even when her powers gave out, she still fought back...",

"We still don't know where she is, but I just hope we can find her", Kate said, the three approaching Sidon.

"Link, Kate, Sheik, have you found anything", Sidon asked.

"We have clues we're still deciphering, but it's said a monster attacked King Dorephan", Link explained, "Zelda's believed to have unleashed the creature, but we have no proof of it",

"What, you say my father was attacked by a monster", Sidon said in shock, "and that Princess Zelda unleashed it upon him, what could that possibly mean",

"We don't think Zelda unleashed it, but King Dorephan doesn't want you to worry about him", Sheik stated, "he believes his scales could help us find a way to stop the sludge and we ask for your help",

"Well, for now, I fear all we can do is take my father at his word and try not to let our concern overcome us", Sidon stated, "Thank you for telling me about my father... but Princess Zelda descending from the sky, not to mention the monsters and that filthy sludge... it seems our course is skyward",

"We're looking into that sky island to see if what we think is true", Link reassured.

"Should you find anything, do let me know, I'll see if anyone can take my place for the time being", Sidon stated as the three nodded their heads and made their way skyward by swimming up a waterfall.

"The sky fish with a lofty view", Shiek mumbled, the three looking around.

"Over here, the droplet we're looking for", Link called out, the two running towards him; from below, pieces of floating rock came together in what appeared to be of an illusion, forming a droplet.

"With an arrow, shoot the droplet with the mark of the king", Kate muttered, attaching one of King Dorephan's scales onto an arrow before shooting it at the droplet; it began to glow as a waterfall poured down onto the reservoir.

"And the watery bridge to connect the Zora's to the sky people", Link finished.

"Let's get back to Sidon and tell him the good news", Sheik said as the two paraglided down, only to see Yona standing with Sidon.

"Lady Yona, it is far too dangerous for you to be here", Sidon stated, worry in his tone.

"Darling, I came here because there is something I need to speak with you about", Yona said, "I have been thinking for quite some time",

"Sidon", Sheik called out, the three landing a few feet away.

"What has happened, my friends, did you figure something out", Sidon asked.

"We found a way skyward", Link explained.

"Well done, Link, this is a huge development", Sidon cheered.

"I see... my dear Sidon, I think you should go with them to investigate", Yona explained, "as I was just about to say... for a long time, I have been concerned that you are holding yourself back and not acting as freely as I would have expected; but my love, if you, Link, Kate, and Shiek join your powers, I am certain you shall be able to overcome whatever danger awaits",

"That is undoubtedly true, however...", Sidon said, hesitation in his tone.

"Whatever is troubling you, Sidon, why are you hesitating so", Yona asked.

"I... it is simply that...", Sidon began.

"Sidon's at a crossroads with himself", Kate explained, gaining their attention, "I've been there a lot to know what's going through the mind, while Sidon wants to help us with saving the domain, someone also has to hold the sludge back and protect the domain itself; and Yona is also right, with new duties, it feels like your freedom is taken away... but that's not true, you're still able to do the things you love while you take on your responsibilities",

"Her majesty's right...", Yona began as a noise rang out, gaining everyone's attention; from the sludge, a monster, a Sludge Like came out, roaring at them.

"That monster is covered in sludge", Sidon stated, pulling out his weapon, "could that be the foul beast that harmed father",

"Sidon, we can take care of the water, at least for a little while", Yona reassured, "do not fret about the domain",

"...You are right as ever, it is up to you, milady", Sidon stated, "my friends, please, I must ask that you fight at my side once more", 

"We have your back", Link reassured, the three sunning towards the Sludge Like; it began spitting out numerous amounts of sludge, slowing them down, but with Sidon's power, they were able to clear the sludge away from it and quickly take it out before it could cause any harm.

"You did it, take that, foul beast of the sludge", Sidon shouted before turning around to face Yona, "is everyone alright",

"We are unharmed", Yona reassured.

"Thank goodness, Lady Yona, if something had happened to you...", Sidon said, before clearing his throat, "in any case, it is possible that another monster will appear, I suggest you return to the domain at once",

"Thank you for the sentiment, Sidon, however, more importantly, we must consider what their majesties spoke of earlier", Yona explained, "the waterfall they said appeared at the reservoir begs to be investigated, this may be an opportunity to learn the cause of the sludge, or even Princess Zelda's whereabouts; leave this place to us, dearest Sidon, your friends need your help getting to the bottom of this mystery",

"W-well... of course it would be the best for me to accompany them", Sidon stated, "however, I cannot leave you alone in this dangerous place",

"Did you not entrust this task to us already", Yona asked, "we will not be on our own for long, we shall be just fine, I truly appreciate that you worry so for my safety, it speaks to the kindness in your heart, but you are the prince of the Zora, one day, you will lead the people of your beloved domain, I can see right through you, whether you want me to or not, you are yielding to the fear of losing someone you love again, you must overcome your past and face whatever the future holds with courage",

"But... I...", Sidon began.

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, YOU ARE NOT ACTING LIKE YOURSELF", Yona shouted, calming down but sill speaking in a stern voice, "you must leave this place to me; sweet Sidon... do not get lost in the past, you must keep moving ever onward, just follow your heart, as you always do",

"Like my old self... like I always do...", Sidon muttered.

"It is alright, I swear it, I am not going anywhere", Yona reassured.

"YOU ARE RIGHT, YONA, I WILL NOT GIVE INTO THIS FEAR, NOR FORSAKE MY TRUST IN YOU, I LEAVE THIS PLACE TO YOU, MY LOVE", Sidon shouted, later calming down and turning back to the three, giving them his signature smile, "off we go, to the waterfall, I shall blaze on ahead, my friends",

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