Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Entry 27: Vah Naboris

Leaving the palace behind, I made my way to the Sand Seal Stable and prepared for the journey. The sun was beginning its descent, painting the dunes in gold as I rode across the desert toward Lookout Tower.

When I arrived, I climbed to the top, where Riju stood watching Vah Naboris, its massive form looming in the distance, crackling with energy.

She turned to me, studying me for a moment. “This is the first time I’ve seen what you really look like.”

I had shed my Gerudo disguise, now wearing proper desert gear for the battle ahead.

I met her gaze. “I’m ready.”

Now at the base of the tower, the desert wind howled, whipping sand across the dunes as I stood beside Riju at the edge of the battlefield. In the distance, Divine Beast Vah Naboris loomed, its massive mechanical legs striding across the Gerudo Desert, arcs of lightning crackling around it.

Riju turned to me, her voice steady but firm. “Here’s the plan: we’ll use the sand seals to ride in close. The feet of Naboris draw energy from the desert—if you hit them with bomb arrows, it should disrupt its movement long enough for you to climb aboard.”

She handed me a bundle of bomb arrows. “Stay close to me,” she continued. “The Thunder Helm will protect us from its lightning strikes, but only if you remain within my barrier.”

With that, she placed the Thunder Helm upon her head and closed her eyes, whispering a quiet prayer to her ancestors.

The moment she finished, the Thunder Helm pulsed with energy, and a golden barrier radiated outward, encasing Riju in a protective aura.

She opened her eyes, her expression resolute yet laced with tension. Gripping the reins of her sand seal, she looked at me.

"Are you ready, Link?"

I nodded. There was no room for hesitation.

We mounted our sand seals, surging forward as the storm raged around us. Vah Naboris sensed our approach. Within seconds, blinding lightning split the sky, bolts crashing into the sand, sending waves of heat and static through the air.

I gripped the sand seal reigns tighter, staying within the protective aura of the Thunder Helm. Riju’s power held strong, shielding us from the deadly storm.

We rode closer, my heart pounding with the sheer enormity of the beast before me. It was relentless—an unstoppable force of destruction. But I knew my task: disable its legs. The challenge was getting close enough to do it.

A deafening crack split the air as another bolt struck just outside the shield’s reach. Riju shouted over the storm. “Now, Link! Use your arrows!”

I drew my bow, bomb arrow nocked. The wind fought me, the sand stung my eyes, but I held steady—then loosed the arrow.

It tore through the storm, striking true. The explosion rippled through Naboris’ leg, making the beast stagger.

I didn’t hesitate. Another shot—another explosion. The massive form of the Divine Beast shuddered, its steps faltering under the force of the attacks.

Riju urged me on. “Keep going! Just a little more!”

I aimed again, but the last leg was harder to hit. The angle was off, the wind unpredictable. I needed to take a risk.

Without thinking, I dashed outside the Thunder Helm’s protection, pushing my sand seal to its limit. The moment I left the barrier, I felt the storm close in—static filled the air, and Naboris turned its full attention to me.

Lightning gathered above, ready to strike.

But I didn’t stop.

With one final breath, I raised my bow, exhaled, and loosed the last arrow.

The explosion erupted against Naboris’ final leg. The beast let out a deep, mechanical groan as the energy flowing through its limbs faded. Its massive frame trembled, then buckled.

For a brief moment, the desert fell silent.

Riju exhaled sharply, lowering her guard. She turned to me, her expression unreadable—a mix of relief, admiration, and disbelief.

"You did it," she said. Then, after a beat, "Naboris is vulnerable now. It's up to you."

I nodded, gripping my weapons as I sprinted toward the fallen beast.

Just as I leapt onto Naboris’ body, its power surged once more. The ground beneath me shifted, and the beast began to rise.

The battle to reclaim the final Divine Beast had begun.

On the underside of Naboris, I find and activate the travel marker. As I do, Urbosa’s voice reaches me—confident, calm, and full of encouragement. She reminds me that I need to find the map terminal and activate the control terminals to regain control of Naboris, just like with the other Divine Beasts.

Naboris is the most complex of the Divine Beasts. Its intricate inner workings make traversal difficult, and I contend with pools of malice and corrupted Guardians as I make my way through the massive machine. One by one, I reactivate the terminals, gradually restoring order to the beast. Finally, with all the terminals active, I return to the main control unit, bracing myself for whatever monstrous entity had defeated Urbosa and seized control of Naboris.

As I step into the heart of Vah Naboris, an eerie silence fills the chamber. I approach the glowing terminal, knowing what comes next. Just like the other Divine Beasts, a Ganon-spawned horror is waiting for me. The moment I activate the terminal with my Slate, the air crackles with electricity. A monstrous figure materializes before me, and the battle begins.

Before I could fully process what I was up against, it lunged—a blur of motion, then searing pain as a bolt of energy struck me, nearly knocking my shield from my grasp. It was fast—unnervingly so—moving with the speed of a lightning strike. I barely managed to deflect the next attack, my shield vibrating from the impact.

This was unlike any foe I had faced. It vanished and reappeared in an instant, its electrified speed making it nearly impossible to track. I had to adapt.

Then I remembered—Daruk’s Protection. Locking eyes with the monster, I braced myself. The moment it lunged again, I activated the ancient Goron power. This time, when its attack struck, it rebounded off the protective shield, sending the creature staggering. I seized the opportunity, unleashing a relentless flurry of strikes with the Master Sword until it retreated. It lunged again, and again it met the same fate.

But then, the monster adapted.

Metallic spikes rained down from above, embedding themselves into the stone floor. Electricity surged between them, crackling with deadly intent. This wasn’t just an attack—it was a trap. I barely had time to react, dashing between the spikes before leaping off a nearby ledge. As I fell, I knocked an ancient arrow, aimed for its head, and loosed the shot, feeling I was on the path to victory.

But no—the monster's shield flared to life, infused with Sheikah technology, and deflected the arrow. I tried shock arrows next, only to meet the same result. We circled each other, each dodging the other's attacks, neither yielding. I stayed patient, shifting my position, searching for an opening. Finally, I slipped an ancient arrow past its defenses, stunning the beast long enough to unleash another flurry of sword strikes.

Then, the monster prepared a devastating laser blast. But this time, it was unprepared for Robbie’s ingenuity. I raised the ancient shield just as the beam fired—the blast ricocheted straight back at it. Staggered, it reeled, and I followed up with a volley of shock arrows. The chamber erupted with blinding light.

Thunderblight Ganon let out an unearthly wail, its twisted form unraveling into shadow before vanishing entirely. Silence fell over the chamber, the air settling once more.

Then I see her—the spirit of Urbosa—walking toward me. Radiant, tall, and proud, she carries herself with effortless confidence, arms crossed, her voice rich with warmth and strength.

"I knew you had it in you, little one."

She steps closer, placing a hand over her chest. "And now, it’s time I fulfill my duty as a Champion." A golden light gathers around her, coalescing into a brilliant orb. "Take this—my power, Urbosa’s Fury. It will serve you well against the darkness ahead."

The energy surges into me, crackling through my body—not painful, but commanding. Strength radiates from within, like a storm lying in wait, ready to be unleashed.

Urbosa smiles again, but this time, there’s a trace of sorrow behind it. "Look after Zelda, will you?" she murmurs. "She… she has always been strong, but even the strongest need someone to stand by their side." There’s an unmistakable tenderness in her voice, an almost motherly care for Zelda.

She gives me one last nod, proud and resolute. Then, orbs of light swirl around me, and in an instant, I am transported back to Gerudo Town.

High above, the Divine Beast stirs. Slowly, it moves to its place atop the cliffs of the Gerudo Highlands, where Urbosa, ever fierce, waits at its helm—ready to take her long-awaited revenge.

Back at the town gates, the guards no longer look wary. Their stances are relaxed as they recognize me. Though it's late in the evening, the streets are alive with Gerudo voices proclaiming Riju's success in calming Naboris. The sight brings a sense of satisfaction—knowing how much Riju longed for her people to see her as worthy.Despite the late hour, I make my way to the throne room, certain the young chief is still awake.

Riju sits atop the throne platform, her small frame adorned in regal gold and teal. The Thunder Helm, now gleaming proudly, rests on a stand beside her. When she sees me approach, a mixture of relief and admiration crosses her face.

"You did it," she says, her voice steady but thick with emotion. "Vah Naboris has been calmed. Our people are safe… because of you."

As a reward, she presents me with two treasures—the Daybreaker Shield and the Scimitar of the Seven, weapons once wielded by Urbosa herself.

As we talk, Riju confides in me. When she donned the Thunder Helm, she heard a voice—one she believes to be Urbosa’s. I confirm that it’s likely true. She then assures me that the Gerudo will always welcome me as a friend. But she knows I cannot stay—I have a duty to Hyrule.

Still, she speaks wisely. Strength in battle is important, but leadership goes beyond physical prowess. If I’m willing to remain in Gerudo Town a little longer, she would like my help addressing the town’s needs before I go.

I agree.

With that, I leave the throne room, exhaustion finally weighing on me. As I step into the quiet streets, I make my way toward the inn, ready for much-needed rest.