Raised by the Yiga // Chapter 3 - A Beautiful Lie

Instructions

I made vector art on Yiga Link lol, I was too lazy to make digital art. Chapter down below! Chapter 3 - A Beautiful Lie Link eventually made it to the Outskirts Stable by nightfall. He stopped, peering up at the cozy resting place. “It probably would be wise to stop for the night,” he said through shallow breaths. A short Hylian man awaited him inside. A genuine smile spread across his face. “Hi! I don’t think we’ve met,” he said invitingly, prancing over to him. “The name’s Toma, and you are...?” he added, waving. Link’s lips tried to move, but no words came out of his mouth. “Do you want a soft bed or a normal one?” Toma asked politely. Sweat dripped from Link’s temples. “Uh... y-yes,” he stuttered, pulling out his satchel and missing the strap by a hair as it fell with a faint thud. Another Hylian appeared beside him, reaching his hand out. “Here, let me help,” he said, grabbing the leather strap with his palm. Link’s stomach squeezed, eyeing him with caution. “No,” Link grunted, his voice deep and terrifying. The Hylian raised an eyebrow, then dropped the satchel back onto the ground. Link took the opportunity to seize his bag, hugging it like it was worth a fortune. The Hylian wrinkled his face at him before walking away, leaving him alone in silence with the stable clerk. “Uh, a soft bed would be nice,” Link replied to Toma, giving him the rupees. Toma stood there, darting his eyes back and forth before snatching the rupees. Link turned away, focusing on his bed. He sat down as it bounced from the sudden weight. It was much comfier than the makeshift sleeping bag he slept on at the Hideout. A sudden warmth washed over him, drifting his thoughts back home. The banana stashes, the training grounds, even the bed chamber. Though he rarely slept there due to being on guard duty, he longed for the day he would return. “Isn’t it weird, though?” a sudden voice spoke, snapping Link from his thoughts. Two Hylians stood right in front of him. One was a woman with a bob haircut, and she was extremely tall, her long shadow looming over Link’s bed. The other was a man wearing armor with the Hylian crest pressed neatly into the fabric front. “Who knows, but if the Yiga are around—it can’t be something good,” the soldier answered, placing his hand on his chin. Link’s jaw clenched at the sudden mention of the Yiga Clan. If they were going to talk trash, they could’ve at least done it outside. “Thank you,” the soldier said with a bow before exiting the stable, leaving the girl alone. Morning came in a blink of an eye. Link swiftly packed up his gear and began to head out of the stable. “Safe travels!” Toma exclaimed, waving goodbye to him. Link froze for a moment, thinking they figured out his identity, before wiping a hand over his forehead in relief. “T-thanks,” he mumbled, giving an awkward smile. Then he left the stable, continuing on the road. The sky poured with deep shades of orange, pink, and purple like a magnificent painting over the land. As the sun peeked over the horizon, it erupted golden light over the hills. “Whoa,” Link gasped, spinning around. He saw wild horses running through the fields, birds soaring through the skies, and travelers in the distance as their wagons moved down the roads. The Yiga made the outside world sound horrible, but it’s beautiful. This made him question them—if only by a little. Suddenly, a faint smell engulfed the air. Smoke rose from the nearby cooking fires as Hylians cooked up a mighty breakfast. This made Link’s stomach rumble at the thought of food. He hadn’t eaten since he left the Gerudo Canyon. (continued in notes and credits)