I know I said I was going to wait until I updated my other stories before I updated this one again, but I got writer's block on them and decided to keep writing this one to get the writing juices flowing again. I'm just happy to finally be putting something out. I have not had a lot of time to write, so I'm glad that within all the college reports and exams I could find a bit of time to work on my stories. Well, I hope you guys like this chapter and I'll be back soon with a new one. See you all then!

Waves crashed onto the walls of Vah Ruta, as the corrupted Mipha sent blades of water shooting towards her opponents. Link and Sidon worked together to dodge and gain some ground in the liquid onslaught.

Sidon jumped to the side, dodging a water blade and began to swim against the current, trying to reach his corrupted sister. He jumped out of the water and swung his spear at Mipha, who blocked it with her own spear.

Sidon called out, "Hear me, beast! I am Prince Sidon of the Zora. You who trespass upon our sacred beast, have trespassed upon our honor. For that, I will defeat you. My sister had dominion over this beast and this beast became her tomb. I will not allow you to desecrate it like this."

Mipha looked at her brother, appearing sad for a moment, but a sharp pain in her head quickly changed her mood, causing her to strike out at her brother, knocking him away. Sidon landed in the water and caught himself from his flight.

Sidon looked to his side and saw Link, now wearing his Zora armor, charging towards Mipha, who fired a blast of water to stop him. Link saw the column of water and smiled, diving into it. He shot upwards and jumped out of the water, slashing at Mipha with the Master Sword. To which Mipha quickly dispersed into a torrent of black water, just as the blade touched her.

Link and Sidon looked down at the black water and saw a large arm, clutching the trident, shoot out of the water and stab towards Link. Link lifted his shield and blocked the blow, but was sent flying back. Sidon dove into the water and swam through the water at high speed, jumped out, and caught Link, bringing him back down safely.

Sidon groaned and pondered, "How do we harm this thing?" He turned to Link and asked, "Are you in one piece?"

Link shook the cobwebs out of his head and replied, "Yeah. I'm good. Thanks." He looked back at Sidon and quickly pushed him before jumping back, as a large blade of water shot past them.

Link took out his bow and fired off a series of arrows at the beast, but noticed them passing through her, with no visual damage being made apparent. Mipha lifted her trident and swung it, sending a large wave of water barrelling towards the two warriors.

Sidon growled angrily, bearing his teeth. He stepped forward, his eyes glowing an aqua blue as he yelled out, "I've had enough of this!" He stuck his hands quickly into the wave and pulled them apart, splitting the large wave down the middle, causing it to safely pass them by. "One second of your trespass here was too much already!"

Sidon jumped into the water and shot towards Mipha, who stabbed towards her brother. Sidon jumped out of the water and onto her arm, using her as a platform to attack her abdomen with his spear. Mipha was hit by the spear, but quickly formed back into a liquid form and avoided the damage.

"By the gods, this is going to be infuriating!" Sidon exclaimed as he landed back into the water below.

Sidon looked down and saw two large glowing red eyes in the water, glaring at him. A large hand erupted from the water and grabbed him. The corrupted Mipha reformed from the water beneath her and rose, with Sidon in her left hand.

Mipha looked at Sidon and let out an enraged and pained scream. She faced her younger brother and was still for a moment. Her eyes relaxed and the red light vanished, returning to their original form as she looked at her little brother. Sidon noticed this, which confused him. Why did her aggression suddenly melt away? At least for the moment.

Mipha suddenly let out a scream and used her other hand to clutch her head, throwing it back in agony. She lowered her head and glared at her brother, her eyes glowing once more and now she began to snarl at Sidon.

Sidon knew that he was once more in danger and continued to struggle against her grasp. Mipha responded by clenching her hand, beginning to crush Sidon in her hand. She looked back towards Link and was met with a bomb hitting her head and sinking into the water.

Link called out, "Zelda, blow it up!"

The bomb inside Mipha's head exploded, destroying her head and causing a black rain to fall onto the chamber. Mipha released Sidon and flailed back in pain using the wall to support herself as her head began to reform.

Link ran to Sidon and checked on him, "Sidon, are you alright?"

Sidon flexed an arm, "It'll take more than that to take me down." He stood and cracked his back, "Something about this beast bothers me. It stopped its aggression for a moment when it had me in its grasp. Why do you think that is?"

Link thought for a moment and paled when he came to a horrible realization. He thought to himself, "It can't be...can it?" Despite this, he figured that telling Sidon would not be the best decision at the time. "I don't know." He looked back at Mipha, seeing her head beginning to form. For a split second, he shot his glance at something. Within the water, he saw what looked like a black orb swirling within the water, but it quickly vanished within the reformed head, hidden behind the black water.

Link took a moment to think and soon called out, "Zelda, can you spawn in some shock arrows?" He stuck out his hands and, after a moment, a pile of shock arrows materialized in his hands. "Thank you!" Looking now to Sidon, he explained, "I have a few ideas. This thing appears to be mostly composed of water. So I'm guessing that these babies can deal a decent bit of damage to it. That and I think I know where it's weak point is. I need to disrupt its watery body to get to it."

Sidon asked, "Need me to swim you around again?"

Link smiled, "I wasn't thinking about that at first, but that would be a big help. Heads up!"

Both warriors quickly jumped to the side, avoiding a slam from the trident, further frustrating the massive Mipha. She lifted her spear and screamed, which summoned four orbs of water into the sky. The orbs suddenly froze in the air and shattered in various shards. Mipha thrust her spear forward, commanding the shards to fire towards the pair.

"Get behind me!" Link commanded.

Sidon did so, jumping behind Link as he flexed and summoned a shield of energy, surprising Sidon.

Link turned and jumped onto Sidon's back, drawing his bow, and drawing a shock arrow back, ready to fire. Sidon did his part by swimming through the water and dodging more projectile attacks.

Link waited until they got closer and let loose one of the shock arrows, which sank into Mipha, surging her body with electricity. Mipha let out a pained scream and staggered, taking a great deal of damage from the attack. She hissed in pain and then growled angrily before stabbing towards the pair.

Sidon saw the attack and shot towards a wall, using it to bounce off of and gain more lift in the air and avoid the stab from the trident. Link jumped off Sidon and unloaded a series of arrows into the beast, electrocuting her.

Mipha let out a louder scream of pain and her form began to break down, revealing the black orb. Link took aim and fired an arrow at the orb, but it was deflected when Mipha lifted her trident and knocked it away as her form continued to degenerate. The orb fell into the water, vanishing into black water once more.

Sidon laughed, "Well, it DOES have a weakness. Shoot the water Link and fry it!"

Link shook his head, "I shot arrows before because we were further away or in the air. If I shoot these arrows at the water, we'll be shocked too."

"You have a point."

They stopped speaking when they saw the water begin to move and a form began to rise from the water. This time, Mipha was considerably smaller, now her original size but still appearing as her corrupted form. She lifted her trident in an apparent challenge to her two foes, which they responded in kind by drawing their weapons. Mipha smirked and lifted her trident once more, causing more copies of herself to rise from the water. These copies lacked the trident, but had their fins extended with blades of water.

Sidon grinned and said, "Great! Now this is the kind of fight I like."

Mipha pointed her trident at Link and Sidon and the clones charged towards them. Link and Sidon jumped back and stood back-to-back, beginning to fight the various Miphas. Link used his shield to back one back before blocking an attack with the Master Sword. Sidon swung his spear in a wide swing, forcing the Miphas back, but failed to stop their advance. One tried to slash at him, but her arm was caught by the larger zora. Sidon gave her a smirk and launched her across the chamber.

Link, on the other hand, slashed one Mipha down, causing it to return to water. He stabbed towards another Mipha, but her attack was batted away by the arriving main Mipha. Link jumped back to get some distance from his foe and looked at her. While her form was twisted, she was definitely the Mipha he knew. He relaxed and lowered his blade, trying to de-escalate and disengage with her. Mipha looked at him and lowered her spear, her eyes again returning to normal, taking on a saddened look. She shook her head and gripped it again as the pain began to return once more. She staggered back, gripping her head with both hands, which began to affect the clones, who also held their head and they all began to scream in an infernal choir. Mipha staggered to the wall and began to slam her head against it as she attempted to break free. She fell to her knees, crying in pain, as her clones began to lose their form and return to the water.

Sidon looked at Mipha, hearing her cries and seeing her fight against something in her head. He was shocked and confused as to what was happening. He looked to his side and saw Link slowly beginning to walk towards Mipha. Link stopped in front of her and looked at her as she lifted her head to meet his gaze.

Link extended his free hand to her and whispered quiet enough for Sidon to not hear, "Mipha...fight it!"

Mipha shakily lifted a hand and reached out for his hand. With each inch that she reached out, the pain got worse and worse. She retracted her hand and gripped her head again, shrieking in agony.

"Mipha, I know you can fight it. Come on." Link whispered.

Mipha shot back, arching her back, and letting out an infernal "NO!"

Mipha let out a roar of pain as her energy erupted, causing the water to surge away from her in waves, launching Link back. Link fell on this back and got up, trying to keep his footing as the waves crashed into him. She soon stopped roaring and stood, gripping her trident. She opened her eyes, revealing them to once more be glowing.

Link stepped forward, but felt the water beginning to shift. He looked down and saw two clones shooting out of the water. Link swung at them, but they quickly dodged his attack and grabbed onto his arms, holding him still.

"Link!" Sidon yelled as he began to run towards him, but was intercepted by many clones erupting from the water and attacking him. Sidon took out as many as he could, but more appeared to replace them.

Link struggled against the hold of the two Mipha's and looked forward to see the true Mipha staggering towards him, dragging her trident in the water. Link kept fighting against the hold, trying to get free, as Mipha lifted her trident, preparing to attack.

Mipha hesitated for a moment, but groaned in pain and continued on her path. She soon stopped and swung her trident, knocking an unseen projectile away. She looked at the direction that the projectile came from, but saw nothing. She then felt something run behind her. She swung her trident as she turned, but found nothing behind her. Another projectile flew past her head and sank into the head of one of the clones that were holding Link, destroying her. Link, now having his sword arm free, slashed the other clone, freeing himself. He looked down at the water and saw a kunai floating in the water, with the Sheikah emblem etched on the handle.

He looked back at Mipha and saw her lifting her trident to block an attack from an appearing Paya, who had swung at her with her blade. Paya fought against the strength of Mipha and was pushed back. Mipha swung at her, but Paya backflipped away from the attack and landed next to Link, holding up her eightfold blade.

Link was surprised and asked, "Where did that come from?"

Paya blushed, "Princess Zelda told me to come help when she saw that you two were in danger. I also couldn't leave you to get hurt." She turned and looked at Sidon, who was still fighting her clones. She drew three kunai and threw them at the clones around him, taking out a few of the clones and giving Sidon an opening to get away and reach the group.

Sidon commented, "Good work, miss! I can see that you are a skilled Sheikah."

Mipha hid her face in her hands and stammered, "Um...n..no...I'm not that good...I...umm...just did what my grandmother taught me."

Link tapped her shoulder, "Usually, this would be endearing, but for now we need you to focus and not hide your face in fear."

"Sorry, it's a habit."

"I've noticed."

The group looked forward and saw Mipha being joined by her clones and commanding them to attack once more.

Sidon sighed and said, "This again!?"

Link said to him, "We need to get our way to the main body. If I can get a clear shot at her body, I can electrocute her again, but I'll need you guys to jump when I tell you."

Paya nodded and blocked an attack from one of the clones, kicking it back. She ducked under the attack of another clone, and slashed back as a counterattack, destroying it. The first clone jumped into the air and came down towards Paya, but it was quickly impaled by Sidon's spear. Sidon smiled at Paya and gave her a thumbs up. Paya smiled back and did the same, glad to have someone to watch her back. She pulled out a kunai and threw it at Sidon, where it hit a clone that was right behind him.

Link bashed a clone back and began to slice his way towards Mipha. She readied her trident and swung it at Link, with him blocking it with the Master Sword. The two began to exchange attacks, with Link blocking all that came, while Mipha dipped and dodged. The two clashed together, trying to use their strength to gain an advantage, but appeared equal. As Link struggled against her, he could see a slight blue light at the corner of his eye and looked down to her fin forming a water blade. Link quickly jumped back, avoiding getting slashed by the water blade.

He panted, trying to catch his breath, and seeing Mipha doing the same. She readied her trident again, but stopped and looked forward. Link wondered what she was looking at, but soon saw five of her clones flying through the air and falling to the ground near Mipha. Link looked back and saw Paya panting and Sidon patting his hands clean.

Sidon and Paya walked over to Link, with Sidon saying, "Turns out, my proximal control of water is better than I thought. Nothing like my sister's control, but it can toss these things around effectively enough."

Link asked Sidon, "Can you make a wave?"

"A fairly large one, but I can't hold its shape for too long."

"Do it and send it to them."

"She can control water too, so it's pointless."

"Trust me. Just do it and we'll be golden."

Sidon shrugged and clapped his hands. He let out a loud groan and shot his hands forward, causing a large wave to appear and be sent charging towards Mipha and the clones. Mipha lifted her trident, appearing unimpressed. She swung it down and destroyed the wave, leaving it to harmlessly pass by her and the clones. She looked up and saw Link letting loose a shock arrow at her. Mipha growled and swatted her hand in the air, catching the arrow and giving off a cocky smile.

Link called out, "Paya! Plan B!"

Paya suddenly reappeared over Mipha and sliced her arm, causing it to lose its structure and drop the arrow. Paya hit the water and jumped up, somehow latching onto the nearby wall. Link and Sidon jumped into the air as the arrow hit the water, causing a current of electricity to shoot through it. The Miphas cried in pain, causing their forms to deteriorate and fall back into the water, leaving the black orb floating in the air.

Sidon saw it and charged forward before Mipha could reform her body once more. He aimed his spear and stabbed it at the orb, striking it. Everyone was still after hearing the clank of the impact. They all looked on, but noticed that the spear did nothing to the orb. A large fist of shot out of the water and sent Sidon flying and crashing onto a wall with a loud thud.

Link looked at him and turned back to the orb, but was caught in the grasp of a large hand as Mipha reformed her body, infuriated. Mipha lifted Link up to her eye level, growing angrily. A series of kunai struck the side of her face, sinking into the water, getting Mipha's attention. Paya jumped off the wall and landed in the water. She reached behind her, but was dismayed at finding that she could not feel anymore kunais.

Paya let out a quiet "Uh oh" and tried jumping back. Mipha shook her head and sent a pillar of water to shoot out of the ground and hit her, slamming her onto the ceiling and then bat her to the back of the chamber.

Link struggled against the hold and managed to get an arm free. Mipha began to put pressure on him, forcing a groan out of Link. Link looked back and saw Sidon already on his feet and checking on an unconscious Paya. Link let out a pain chuckle, happy that his friend was almost comically resilient. He turned back to Mipha and saw her readying a fist to crash down on him.

Link groaned and called out, "Sidon, jump!"

Sidon quickly did so as Link snapped his fingers, causing a powerful electrical strike to appear from nowhere and strike Mipha and himself. Mipha convulsed and let Link go, causing him to fall into the water. She spasmed out for a moment, before losing her form again and leaving the orb in her place. Link heard splashing and saw Sidon running to attack again.

He fought past the electricity coursing through his body and called out, "Catch!"

He quickly threw the Master Sword at Sidon, who caught it. Sidon jumped into the air, seeing Mipha begin to reform, but still being able to see the orb. He stabbed at it, causing another large clank to ring out, but this time the blade pierced the orb, snapping it in half. Sidon jumped off Mipha's body and next to Link, who he helped stand.

The two heard a loud roar of pain and turned back to see Mipha convulsing, dropping her trident in the water. The orb had begun to glow a bright purple and pulse repeatedly as Mipha flailed around. Mipha reached towards her chest, but the orb suddenly exploded before she could get to it. She fell to her knees and groaned in pain. She then arched backwards and let out one more scream before her body crystallized into black crystals and then exploded, sending shards flying.

Sidon and Link shielded their faces from the shards and looked at the water, seeing it return to its original state and having shards floating on its surface. Link staggered forward and looked around. He stopped when he saw a blue light in the water. A large blue orb rose from the water and floated into the air. It then shot itself to the core of the Divine Beast and ignited it, causing Vah Ruta to erupt with activity once more.

Sidon walked over to him and handed Link the Master Sword, "Is it dead?"

Link nodded, "I believe so. Whatever it was, it was powered by the energy of the Divine Beast. By beating it, we returned the energy it stole."

They two heard splashing behind them and turned to see Paya walking over, holding her side. Link walked over and helped her walk.

Paya lifted her hand to show one of the shards that she had picked up, "Is this what's left of it?"

Link shrugged, "I think so. I'll send this to Purah to see if she can analyse it."

"LINK!" Zelda's voice rang out with a series of splashes as she ran over to them. She reached the group and asked, "Are you all alright?"

Sidon flexed and gave her a warm smile, "Perfectly fine. I can take a lot more punishment than this."

Paya replied, "I'm a bit banged up, but I'll be fine after a bit of rest, princess."

Link then followed, "I'm okay. Just recovering from the electricity. No need to worry."

Zelda pulled out the Sheikah Slate and released three fairies. The fairies floated over to the trio and encircled them, healing their wounds.

Link groaned, "I forgot that I put those there."

"Yeah, I was wondering why you had those there, but I'm glad you did."

Link and Paya stretched, loosening their muscles, while Sidon looked over at the core of the Divine Beast.

Sidon sighed, "What caused this?"

Link shrugged, "I'm not entirely sure."

Zelda walked forward and inspected the core, trying to understand as well, "Whatever caused this seems to be able to manipulate energy to some degree; that or corrupt it. I'm curious as to what Lady Purah can find if we let her analyze some of these crystals."

Link nodded, but turned his gaze as his eyes caught the sight of a spectral body hiding behind the core.

Link quickly told Sidon, "I'm sure your father would want to know what occurred here."

Sidon nodded, "Right! Whatever was here is gone now. I should report it to my father. I'll do it now posthaste. Meet me back at the throne room when you're finished."

"Will do!"

Sidon quickly ran off, with the team hearing his footsteps vanish and a splash being heard, signaling him swimming off.

Link called out, "Sidon is gone now, Mipha! You can come out."

Mipha stepped out from behind the core and said, "I should thank you all dearly for freeing me."

Paya let out a scream of fear and she scurried back, "A ghost!?"

Mipha looked at her and reassured her, "I am the Zora champion, Mipha. Your fear is unnecessary. I am your ally." She looked at Paya closer and asked, "Lady Impa?"

Zelda quickly explained, "No, this is Lady Impa's granddaughter, Paya."

"Well! The resemblance is striking. However, that's a conversation for another time, I fear."

Link asked, "Mipha, what happened to you?"

"Vah Ruta was invaded by a man I can only describe as a warlock. I fought against him, but was overpowered by his magic and combat prowess. He then fuzed Vah Ruta's ancient energy and his own dark magic within me, twisting my body. Somehow, it gave me a physical form...I don't know why. It was most strange." She said clutching her chest. "For that time, I could feel things again. I felt...alive...but wrong. The only sensation was pain...horrible pain when I would resist. That dark magic twisted my body and my mind." She held her head for a moment and then said, "He did mention one thing. He said that I was to be a "test" of sorts. A test to see if you were...worthy."

Link was confused and angered by what he was hearing, "So he did that to you to test my might?"

"I'm not sure. My head is still fuzzy."

Zelda walked over to her and asked, "Princess Mipha, is this really you?"

Mipha nodded, "Yes, Princess Zelda. My spirit was bound to this Divine Beast, but I was freed by Link. However, myself and the other champions decided to not pass on just yet. We sensed that something was amiss. This might be what was wrong. There is someone of great dark power roaming Hyrule. We have to aid you all in your efforts to defeat him."

"But who are we facing? Who do we look out for?"

"I can't remember. All I remember was losing to him and being corrupted. Whomever he is...he is powerful. He also appears unphased by damage. I ran him through with my trident and it did nothing to him physically. To make it worse, he could control my trident. He made it move and strike me and I have no idea how."

Zelda was worried by this revelation and thought for a moment, "I can't be Ganon. I dealt with him already."

"I can confirm that it is not Ganon. This power is far different from the Calamity's."

Link stated, "Whoever he is, I will take him down."

Mipha replied, "Do not take him lightly. You are powerful. You are the one who survived to free Hyrule by defeating Calamity Ganon, but do not let that achievement cloud your judgement, Link. What I felt and what I went through makes me believe that we have never faced something of comparable danger. Even you might need help. Though…" She looked at the group for a moment and continued, "...you have some help this time. You'll need more, because I do not believe that he's alone." She took a deep breath and said, "I cannot maintain myself like this for much longer. I have to rest. That's all the information I know. Please, keep this from Sidon. I don't want him knowing he fought against his sister."

Link nodded, "Will do. Rest and regain your power. We might need it again."

"With my power returned, I'll be able to heal you again...should you need it. Take care...all of you." Mipha then faded from sight, leaving the three alone.

Link sighed and said, "I can't even relax after going through the biggest battle of my life. Well, no use complaining about it. Let's go report back to Sidon and head home for me. I have a feeling we'll need to visit Riju and visit the Divine Beast there, just to be safe."

Zelda nodded in affirmation, while Paya stood there, looking at the two of them.

[Hyrule Castle]

Aris sat on the throne of Hyrule Castle, watching over the empty chamber. His comrades were still gone and he remained alone in the castle. He had to admit that he was bored of the wait, but had to be patient.

He stood and walked off the throne, walking down to the edge of the chasm. He looked down and said to himself, "Was I right to do that to Princess Mipha? Well, no point now. It's done. I just hope she was beaten and is resting now."

He suddenly hunched over in pain as the power within him pulsed and energy flowed into him. He groaned loudly as it reset itself in his body.

"Well...that answers that."

He stood up straight, taking a deep breath to recover. He hung his head, glad to know that Mipha had been defeated. Turning to return to the throne, he stopped when he noticed the feminite shape once more seated upon it.

He laughed and said, "Well, at least the hero is as strong as advertised. Wouldn't you agree?"

The shape let out an angered growl, looking towards him.

"I know, I know. You're losing your patience. But I pray for you to wait just a little longer. We can't rush these things, you know."

The figure shot towards him, leaving behind wispy lines of black smoke in her wake. She floated in front of him, her ghostly hair raised high into the air. She let out a series of breaths and hisses at him, clearly unhappy.

Aris replied bluntly, "I know! You constantly hound me about it! However, if I want to avoid an army at the gates within the next few days, I have to play strategically." He turned and walked back to the throne, "I made a vow to you and I have full intentions of keeping it. Just be patient. You've waited this long already. Just wait a bit more."

He sat on the throne, looking at his spectral companion. The figure floated over to him, keeping at eye level with him. She reached out and cupped his cheek to which he chuckled.

He remarked, "You can't stay mad at me."

Footsteps were heard, which caught the pair's attention. They turned and saw a cloaked stocky man.

Aris stood from the throne and looked at the man, "And who might you be, if I may ask?"

The man removed his hood to revealed himself to be Zelda's father, the king of Hyrule, "You're on my throne and you trespass upon a land you no longer belong to, Aris."

Aris laughed as the specter around him glared at the king. Aris caught his breath and said, "Looking pretty good, your majesty. You haven't aged a day. Though, I don't think you took a physical form to come and threaten me."

"I am enough sense in me to know when I am outmatched. I came to do no such thing. I came here to offer a warning, Aris."

"A warning?"

"If you push the hero far enough, he will destroy you."

The specter shot towards the king, who vanished and reappeared at another side of the room, avoiding the attack.

Aris called out, "Leave him be! He's right. If I push your hero far enough, he'll stop at nothing to take me down. Of this I am aware. In truth, I need your daughter more than I need the hero."

The king replied, "But there is the rub. He will protect my daughter to the bitter end, as he did a century prior."

"I have no intention of harming Princess Zelda. I just need the power she possesses."

"A power you have no right to."

"And a power you forced her to unlock. Cleaving your relationship with her. She resents you. Do you know that?"

The king let out a long sighed, "I have done wrong by my daughter. I denied her happiness and individuality for the sake of my kingdom. I regret what I felt I had to do to stop the Calamity. I know that she probably despised me for my overzealous and cold behavior towards her. A sacrifice I was forced to make. For all that I have done to her, I deserve to be hated."

Aris walked off the throne's platform and down to where the king stood, "I'm sorry for saying that. It was out of line. Regardless, your majesty, I will do what I need to. Now, return to your undead domain."

The king turned and said, "You have been warned. I suggest you desist and leave. It is your choice."

The king vanished from sight, leaving Aris standing alone. Aris sighed and walked to the entrance to the throne room, "Well, that was interesting."

The specter followed him, whispering its breathy hisses.

"I'm going to go out for a while. This place is so depressing. Join me if you wish, but stay out of sight."

He left the throne room, with the specter sticking close to him.

[Korok Forest]

Link, Zelda, and Paya appeared at the Korok Forest shrine, having decided to visit before heading back home.

Zelda looked around commenting, "This place has not changed one bit."

Paya was in awe of what she was seeing, "This looks like nothing back home. What's to be found here?"

Zelda explained, "The Koroks and the Great Deku Tree live here. I've been meaning to visit since Link saved me, but we couldn't fit it in our schedule. I just want to get it out of the way and finally see the Great Deku Tree."

"I've heard stories, but not much about this Great Deku Tree individual."

"He's great! He's an ancient and sentient tree that has been a great ally for centuries to the Hyrulian royal family."

Paya was confused and asked, "Wait...he's an actual, literal tree?"

"Yes."

The three stopped when they reached the pedestal of the Master Sword.

Zelda knelt down and inspected the pedestal, "It has not degraded after all these years. That's good."

Link explained, "The sword was waiting for me here when I arrived. Which means that outsiders were not able to get through the Lost Woods."

"Good! Then this is still a safe haven."

A low and familiar voice let out a slow chuckle and said, "After so many years, it is wonderful to hear your voice and see your face again, my dear Princess Zelda."

Zelda smiled and ran forward to stand before the Great Deku Tree, "I am so glad to finally see you."

"Not as glad as I am. I am grateful that Link was able to save you. When I felt the Calamity's power fade, I knew that you were free. I waited patiently for that day and the day you would return to see me."

"I am here now."

Link walked over and said, "I kept my vow to save her, but my work continues."

The Great Deku Tree chuckled again and said, "The many trees and the earth itself have told me as such. I also hear that you two have been living together."

Zelda blushed and said, "Umm...yes. I made a deal with Impa to live like a normal person for a year. Now that's my living situation."

"I am not judging." He looked over at Paya and said, "She looks like Impa, but is young. I guess she is young Paya?"

Paya replied, "Ye...yes, sir!"

A hearty laughter escaped the mouth of the Great Deku Tree, "No need to be afraid. I am your friend and have known your grandmother in her youth."

Zelda asked the Great Deku Tree, "How have you been?"

"I have lived for thousands of years, but I am still in good health. I have not received very many visitors as of late. You are all a pleasant surprise. However, I must speak to you about a serious matter. You recently had a battle with a corrupted champion, did you not?"

Link nodded, "Yes. We found Princess Mipha's spirit given a physical form and twisted. She said something about a warlock or something doing that to her as a "test" for me."

"I know very little about this matter. I will attempt to learn as much as I can, if my koroks bring me more information. From what they tell me, there are a group of black riders that are scouring Hyrule. I assume for you, princess."

"So all the roads lead back to these individuals. I want to find them and send them packing back to where they came from, but I can't compromise Zelda's safety. For now, we're staying hidden."

"That is wise. It is not a good idea to go looking for a fight. I would recommend that you stay at your home and keep a low profile until they abandon their search. Luckily, I have a feeling I know one thing that they are after."

Zelda was curious and asked, "What is it?"

"Their leader has sent his followers to specific areas where temples once stood. I suspect that they are after the three spiritual stones of Hyrule."

"Why?"

"Obtaining all three and taking them to the Temple of Time opens the way to the Sacred Realm. This is how the one who would become Ganon obtained the power he possessed." He turned his gaze to Link, "This was achieved by one of your predecessors, who collected all the spiritual stones and took them to the temple, where the Master Sword was originally held. I was a sapling at this time, so my memory of this is limited at best. However, this is most likely why one of their members has been trying to enter this sanctuary for days. They are still within the Lost Woods, attempting to solve the puzzle. As much as I wish to speak further with you, I must insist that you return home immediately. I will send for you when it is safe to return. But...if I may make a request?"

Zelda nodded, "Yes, what is it?"

"Take the spiritual stone from here and hide it with you. I cannot allow it to fall into the hands of evil once more."

The branches of the Great Deku Tree began to sway and the group saw a green light descending from its heights. It floated down in front of them until a large emerald encased in molded gold came into view.

The Great Deku Tree explained, "This is the Kokiri's Emerald. Our sacred treasure. Take it!"

Zelda looked at the treasure in front of her, awestruck at its brilliance. She reached for the emerald and took it into her hands, "This has so much power housed within it."

"Yes. Which is why it cannot remain here when there's a possible threat. Keep it hidden and out of sight."

"I promise it will be protected."

"Good!" Another chuckle escaped from the great being as he said, "On a lighter note, I do need to ask something. Have you told young Link the message you wanted for me to relay a century earlier when you return the Master Sword?"

Zelda was confused by this for a moment and then suddenly turned bright red, "Umm...no...I didn't recall that."

"As I said, better for you to relay it than I. Now, return home. Quickly. No need to worry about me. I will be fine."

Zelda nodded and gave a slight bow to the Great Deku Tree, as Link quickly transported them away.

"Please...be safe."

[Hateno Village]

The group returned to the Hateno shrine and rushed towards the house, wanting to quickly hide the Kokiri's Emerald. They entered the home and Zelda looked around for a good place to hide the treasure.

Link said to her, "Bring it here!"

Zelda turned and saw Link opening a compartment in the floor. She was surprised by this and asked, "How long has that been there?"

"I randomly found it one day. I haven't really explored it, but I'm sure it's safer down there than it is up here. Besides, you couldn't even make out that it was here."

Zelda snapped her finger and struggled to create a small ball of light, which she descended into the pit. She could see a ladder that led down into the chamber and handed the emerald to Link, "I am not climbing that."

Link laughed to himself and began to descend the ladder until he reached the bottom, many feet down. He saw the light that Zelda created and reached for it, surprising himself as he lifted it. It was warm to the touch, but light as a feather. He used it to light his way through the cold damn chamber, where he noticed a room full of old belongings. It interested him, since he knew it that items were probably that of his family's, but he could not recall ever knowing of this secret room. He looked around and noticed a chest by a far off wall.

"I wonder what's in there." Link thought to himself, somehow drawn to the chest.

He made his way over and observed the chest, finding it somewhat rotted by time and covered in a thick layer of dust and spider webs. He unlatched it and opened it, causing dust to roll off the top. He looked inside and saw that it had many items covered in cloth within it.

"Link? Is everything okay?" Zelda called out.

"Yes!" Link replied, "I'm just exploring. I'll be up in a moment."

He turned back to the chest and pulled out a long item covered in red cloth. It had some weight to it and he placed it on the ground, unwrapping it. He looked on in surprise as he uncovered an ornate broadsword with a slightly curved blade. Its handle and hilt were made of silver, with yellow crystals embedded in the hilt. With the blade covered in a similarly ornate sheath.

Link lifted the blade and unsheathed it. He was surprised that it did not appear rusted or worn after so many years down in this chamber. Placing it back on the cloth, he reached back into the chest and took out another, larger cloth, this one much heavier than the last. Placing it on the ground, he unwrapped it to reveal a matching heater shield.

Link wanted to look more into the chest, but figure that it would be best to do so later. He found more cloth within the chest and wrapped the emerald in it before placing it into the chest. He closed the chest and turned back to the sword and shield, lifting them once more. He put the shield on his left arm and swung the sword around to test it. It was almost weightless in his hand, as compared to when it was wrapped in the cloth. This surprised him, but he was suddenly shocked when the sword took on a golden shine at the blade. He dropped the sword in surprise, which caused the light to vanish.

"What was that!?"

He reached down and lifted the blade again, watching it again be engulfed in golden light. He swung it around, seeing the blade leave a trail of vanishing light. This impressed him, but he knew that he couldn't just stay in the chamber forever. Taking out the Sheikah Slate, he deposited the sword and shield into its storage.

Link looked back at the chest and figured that the emerald would be safe there, or so he hoped. With that thought, returned to the ladder and exited the room.

That took so long to complete. I've been writing this chapter for months, but had to turn my attention to attempting to make headway on The Blade and the Embrace. Sadly, writer's block is too common for me to go through lately, so that gave me time to spare for this one. Again, I'll see you all in the near future with more chapters. Let me know what you think of the chapter and leave a review. Thank you, guys!