The night before, I had fallen asleep with a full belly and the warmth of campfire. A friend taught me how to cook and had narrated the stories of his people, religious doctrines of a goddess and her Triforce. I curled up against a log and watched the stars. The nocturnal noises of the forest sang a lullaby that coaxed me to sleep.

I was safe, secure. I had never felt more at ease with the world and my place within it.

Tonight, I felt the exact opposite.

The clouds rolled in from the horizons, eventually covering the heavens. There was no light from the moon and stars to illuminate my path. Not even for their light source, but I found myself craving the companionship of the celestial bodies. That was how desperate my loneliness was.

I was cold and alone – left to navigate a frozen snowfield and fend the monsters that lurked in the night. And on top of all that, a secret had been kept from me this entire time.

I retreated behind the shrine wall for just a second, hoping to get out of the wind chill as I recounted the old man's riddles.

Opening the map interface of the Sheikah Slate, I tried to understand his cryptic clues.

An X, right? I thought to myself, tracing the straight lines on the screen. Oman Au and Owa Daim connected in a straight path vertically and Keh Namut and Ja Baij did so horizontally. And the intersection between those points was…

…The Temple of Time.

And if memory served correctly, alongside the River of the Dead was the second entrance to Mount Hylia – leading straight to the back entrance of the temple.

With a plan of action, I finally stepped out from behind the shrine walls. Immediately, the wind chill hit my face – effectively numbing my cheeks. The snow crunched beneath the soles of my boots as I began making my way down the small hill. A Bokoblin camp was positioned directly below the shrine. However, due to how late it was, the pig monsters were already sound asleep, nestled close to the crackling campfire.

Gods, I wish that were me.

I stalked past their camp, careful to make as little noise as possible. From there, it was a slow and steady descend past the snowy hills. Eventually, I came across a cliff that looked far into the River of the Dead and the rest of the plateau. There was a broken bridge guarded by Bokoblin archers suspended on wooden rafts. They were held up by the odd, pink octopi. Since I had Cryonis, I could avoid the bridge overall. I saw no need to be shot by Bokoblins this late at night.

In that case, I'll just go against the river's flow and cross there with Cryonis. There was a waterfall in the distance I wanted to check out and it was in the same direction as the temple.

Getting down was another obstacle. The height from where I was standing to the banks of the river was too high. If I jump, at best, I can get a broken ankle. I glanced over to the side and found an unmarked path on the cliff's face. It looked gradual enough for me to walk down on. I even see pillars marking the path upward.

Carefully, I stepped onto the rocky surface and ensured a steady foothold. I continued walking along the cliff's face as best as I could. With little to no moonlight, I can easily misstep and fall to injury or death.

At one point, there was a patch of ice that caused me to slip forward. I dug my foot into the first cranny I could find and hung onto to dear life by the skin of my nails. Traction was the only thing keeping me and death from meeting. Slowly, I began climbing until I felt the ground flatten underneath my soles.

I turned and estimated the remaining drop.

There was still quite a ways to go.

The good news was that to my right, there was a gradual decline marked by the pillars I saw earlier. The bad news was that it was guarded by a flying bat monster.

It had one, large eyeball that was red with a yellow iris. It was white in body and wings. Snowflakes seemed to trail after it as it flew.

There was the easier route, which is to descend straight down where I am. Although steep, the path downwards was not obscenely vertical. Again, I would be heavily relying on traction.

I approached the edge and crouched down, stabilizing myself on my calves. Stepping just an inch forward, I allowed gravity to do the work and pull me down the slope. I controlled my speed with the leg crouched behind me and maneuvered with the leg poised in front of me. The constant scuffing noise was making me pity my shoes. I could only imagine that state of the leather after trekking through the snow and rocks today.

I arrived at the bottom unscathed.

The gushing waves of the River of the Dead was deafening against my ears. However, it wasn't loud enough to completely conceal the clacking of bones.

Wait a minute…bones?

Before me, the ground was being uprooted from below. Dirt was thrown as white, gnarly bones popped from the earth. A white round head and red beady eyes glared at me. The skeleton then produced a familiar club and began to dash towards me.

I booked it, hopping to outrun this audacity.

So apparently, dead monsters just revive out of the ground during nighttime. How lovely…

The skeleton was persistent in its attempts to catch me. As I ran, I grabbed the slate and switched runes, from Cryonis to the Remote Bombs. I tapped the button and a blue, squared bomb appeared in my hand. I dropped it to the ground and continued to run. Turning my head, I watched as the skeleton ran around the bomb. But before it can run out of the blast range, I detonated it with a simple tap.

Its bones flew everywhere, some ending up in the river where it washed away. However, that was not enough. The round head was still conscious and was jumping excitedly as its body was reassembled right in front of it.

The head!

I ran back and snatched the head up. The skull began to gnash its teeth, its jaw making clacking noises as it protested being in my hands. Not that I was happy that I was holding it in the first place. Freaking out, I dropped the skull and punted it into the river. As I did, the body began to grow limp – falling into a lifeless pile before evaporating into the same purple mist.

Of course, it would be a creature created from same entity surrounding the castle.

In an attempt to run from the skeleton, I had already travelled quite a distance from where I had been. I was close to a cluster of trees and the splashes of the waterfall were echoed past this stone cliff.

"Ah fuck!" I screamed, evidently startled by the white, glob monster that appeared from the ground.

What is it with night monsters and materializing from the earth?

It moved with a nauseating, gurgling noise. Aside from its eyes, it was completely transparent, and it moved slow. I guess its main attack is to give unsuspecting victims heart attacks.

The glob monster looked at me, took a few steps back, and launched itself into the air. I ran to get out of its way, but upon hitting the ground, it exploded into icy crystals.

Ah…nevermind.

Using its slow speed to my advantage, I decided to not even fight the thing and just press on. I ran behind the cliff and was met by the giant waterfall.

Wooden platforms were suspended along the water. The pink octopi were tied to the three corners and there was a Bokoblin archer on the lowest one.

Curiously, I took out the Sheikah Slate and changed the rune. There wouldn't be a reason for a Bokoblin to be posted on top of a platform, in such an area, if it wasn't hiding something.

I activated Magnesis and surveyed the area through the screen. Sure enough, there was something pink behind the Bokoblin. This I can sacrifice an arrow for.

The floating platforms are a design flaw in and of themselves. Being that Bokoblins can't swim, these archers deliberately have put themselves in the easiest position to die.

I nocked an arrow into the bowstring and let it fly. The octopus dies in a single hit and floats away, which disbalances the entire platform. The Bokoblin flails as it falls. If it couldn't swim in regular waters, it sure couldn't swim in freezing cold ones.

Quickly, I triggered Magnesis and aimed at the falling chest. Before it could hit the water and sink below, the magnetic snare caught it. I twisted the holographic magnet to bring the chest closer. I dropped the chest before me with a resounding thunk and kicked it open. Inside, a large weapon – definitely two-handed – was presented.

Its blade was two-sided, made out of steel, and sharp as a razor. The hilt was a dull blue, pleasing to the eye, and the Triforce was embossed into the steel at the base. Along the blade, a twirling pattern with triangle motifs were engraved. I held it, comparing the size to my own height by stabbing the sharp end into the snow. I was only taller by a few inches.

Claymore, my mind provided for me.

This weapon not only looked strong, but a lot of care went into its design. It was definitely worth the arrow to get this.

I sheathed the blade and surveyed the waterfall.

Beside it, a small alcove was recessed from the rest of the stone wall. I walked through it.

The cave was dark, but it was eventually illuminated by the reflection of the water and whatever heavenly body managed to peek out from behind the clouds. There was nothing more beautiful than seeing a waterfall from behind.

However, the more beautiful sight were the three treasure chests waiting at the end.

I kicked them open one by one. There were quivers of fire and ice arrows, along with the final chest holding a spiked bow. Planted in the ground near the chests was another soldier's bow.

Although this area was a treasure trove of fantastic weapons, I can't help but wonder how these weapons even made it to these obscure places.

Making it out of the short detour I took, I was faced with the narrow part of the river. Since the shore stopped with the waterfall, I had no choice but to cross here. I activated Cryonis on the Sheikah Slate and aimed it towards the water.

Immediately, an ice block with the Sheikah Symbol began to manifest from the river. I easily climbed it and stood above the frozen waves. Aiming the slate, I manifested another ice block a little distance away from the one I was currently on. I didn't want to overshoot my jumping distance and accidently end up in the black water.

I shook my head, doing my best to push the thought out of my mind. Before I knew it, I was already in the middle of the river and only had a couple more jumps to make before I made it to the shore. However, with every ice block I create, there was the distinct sound of ice breaking behind me. I knew that the limit of Cryonis was three ice blocks, but my anxiety grew every time I heard the ice shatter.

There had already been some close calls. An ice block had been just a tad bit farther out than expected. Luckily, I gripped onto the ice, but my ankle had slipped into the river water. Just from that short dip, I felt the strong current before my foot succumbed to a slight numbness.

I sat on the ice block, taking a brief break and rubbing some warmth into my foot. It didn't help that the black waves constantly splashed against the pillars either, licking up the sides and sometimes splashing onto my pants. Through the fabric, I'm reminded of how freezing the water was. If it wasn't the cold temperature that killed me, it would be the shock paralyzing my muscles from swimming.

I willed myself to stop focusing on the potential of drowning and focused on the shoreline, slowly growing closer.

With two more Cryonis blocks, I was safely on the other side of the river. The gate marking the entrance to Mount Hylia was exactly where the old man described it was. As I passed through, I felt warmth slowly seep into my body. A brief glance at the Sheikah Slate told me that the temperature was warming back up to 75º.

Down the road, I saw the familiar silhouette of the Temple of Time against the midnight sky. The clouds had faded somewhat, and a few stars could be seen every so often. However, the moon was covered by a large, grey fog. But even without the illuminous light, I could see the unmistakable light from within the temple windows.

It appeared on the right side – where the Goddess statue stood. Through the windows, I could see light brightening the great hall with transparent hues of blue and green. How odd…

I quickly ran down the stone path. From the side of the temple, there was a window devoid of the glass pane. It served as an easy entrance to enter the holy sanctuary.

Pulling myself over the threshold, I was met with a stunning view of the Dueling Peaks from the destroyed wall. I pushed the admiration from my mind and reminded myself why I was here. I expected the old man to be present, but a quick glance around the room proved his absence. I was prepared to throw a tantrum, but a luminous beam caught my peripheral…

The base of the Goddess Statue was glowing. Pure white light glowed from her feet and projected upwards into the heavens. Wisps of mystical energy spiraled around her form and drifted upwards – in tandem with the golden stardust drifting from the sky. The sight was so heavenly and spectral I half-expected the statue to speak to me.

I approached the alter slowly. The two bird statues stood on either side of me as consorts to this stone deity. The hall suddenly felt heavy with presence. I sensed that I was not alone in the empty church and it wasn't the old man who was here. It felt like an audience of several people were gazing upon my back, speaking in hushed whispers. However, the company did not feel unwelcomed.

Upon arriving before the Goddess statue, I was reminded of her beauty. Her gaze was still kind and merciful. It quelled my anxieties for the moment, almost dispelling all feelings of doubt and fear from today.

I kneeled before her – the grass tickling my knees through the fabric of my pants – and clasped my hands together. In a way, I felt humored by the actions. I hardly knew the religion and was given a crash course only the night before. But it wouldn't hurt to pray for divine guidance, right?

"Goddess Hylia, I ask that you grant me the endurance and resilience to face what I am about to learn, as well as the trials that await me," I whispered into my knuckles.

The hall was silent, and it felt like an eternity had passed by. The joints of my knees were slowly growing sore from bracing my weight on the stone floor. I glance upwards at the Goddess, finding her silent and still smiling.

Of course, it's a statue. What was I expecting?

I slowly got up, hearing my knees softly crack with the effort. I almost missed the message that the wind carried.

I shall grant the power you seek. Go, and bring peace to Hyrule…

"Ho!" The greeting, which once would have echoed through the great hall, was shouted from somewhere above.

I turned from the Goddess statue and glanced around the room, ready to give the old man a piece of my mind. Turning my head upwards, I saw his cloaked head peek from behind the ruined roof. His lantern was lit aglow on his staff. However, I was not deterred from the blue light glowing beneath his hood.

"The blessing of the Goddess has made you that much more resilient, I see…" He raised the staff to beckon me. "Here I am! Get up here, quickly!"

He turned and more blue flames followed him.

I descended from the alter steps and stared at the hole in the roof. Following the opening, I found a ledge that led to one of the stone pillars carved against the wall. I ran up to the structure and began to climb it. It was only when I pulled myself over the ledge that I realized there was a ladder on the opposite side.

If anything, it just increased my anger at the old man even more.

I carefully climbed the rest of the dilapidated roof, hoping not to misstep and fall to my death below. Luckily, the rooftiles made for easy foot holdings and I had made it onto the peak without breaking a sweat. I ran along the vertex. The steeple was within my sights.

The old man stood with his hands clasped over his staff. His blue-green aura was more pronounced than it was on Mount Hylia. The orange glow of the lantern added to the wraithlike aura he exuded.

I was so focused on reaching him that I completely ignored my desire to appreciate the view. I made a mad dash towards the steeple, ignoring the height, ignoring the consciousness needed for balance. I needed answers and gods dammit, he needs to answer me.

Climbing the last few feet into the steeple alcove, I heaved myself over the ledge. Supporting myself on my knees, I prepared to speak. But as always, the old man beat me to it.

"Ohoho! Well done there, young one!" He laughed as if this was one, big joke.

I shook my head, dismissing his attempts to cushion whatever blow he was going to land on me. "Old man…please. No more games. No more running away. I need to know…what is going on?"

He nodded, abiding to my conditions and questions. "The time has come to show you who I truly am."

The old man stood taller and squared his shoulders. He inclined his chin so that it looked as if he was gazing down upon me. Suddenly, I felt like I was not fit to be in his presence, that I was beneath him in status. The posture emanated so much confidence and power – commanded all the respect in the world – that the hermit clothes he wore seemed out of place.

"I was King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule."

My jaw dropped and I imagined that my eyes were comically widened. I stepped forward and prepared to ask him a question, but the old man - King - continued his introduction.

"I was…the last leader of Hyrule – a kingdom which no longer exists." At the end of his sentence, the blue glow had increased in luminosity. It brightened to a full glare which stung my eyes the more I looked at it.

Eventually, I brought a hand up to shield myself from the light. But as quickly as it brightened, it dimmed. When I looked back, the old man was no longer in his corporeal, hermit form. He was a spirit.

King Rhoam stood before me, looking as regal and as proper as his name and manner of speaking. He wore a dark blue coat, emblazoned with gold trimmings spiraling along the cuffs and hems, and a white waistcoat underneath. His belt had the Triforce encased in golden wings – a fitting crest for the royal family. From the jewelry to his cufflinks to his boots, there was the imagery of the three golden triangles. Upon his head was a crown befitting royalty – gold and styled like a bird's wings with a ruby bejeweled in the center. He no longer stood on the solid platform of the alcove but floated above it – suspended in the air.

I really had been alone this entire time…

"The Great Calamity was merciless…" I heard him speaking, but to me, he sounded miles away. Looking into his eyes, his gaze seemed drawn out – as if he, himself, was not totally present either.

"It devasted everything in its path, lo, a century ago. It was then that my life was taken away from me. This place…This temple...was the location of my death. Till my last breath, I fought to protect the origin of our kingdom. As you can see…" the king paused, motioning to the Bokoblins, beasts, and monsters that infested the temple and surrounding areas. "…I was unsuccessful. And since that time, here I have remained in spirit form."

"…You lied to me," I seethed.

He was taken aback by my sudden accusation, but I couldn't care less.

"You lied by omission. You made me trust you, made me confide in you, made me develop a bond with you!" My voice grew louder with rage at every recount of the past two days. "And you didn't think to just tell me right from the start? You had to make me guess from cryptic riddles and passive comments?"

King Rhoam sighed and turned, clasping his hands behind his back. The action made it seem like he was placating a toddler in the midst of a tantrum. He walked over to the broken window facing east. The fact that he didn't even have to move his feet only served to enrage me even more.

"I did not think it wise to overwhelm you while your memory was still fragile. So rather than that, I thought it best to assume a temporary form." He sounded so composed and imperial. This speech sounded like he was explaining plans to his fellow councilmen. How patronizing…

"Nice intentions. You still lied," I quipped.

King Rhoam still faced the window. His shoulders dropped slightly, and he turned his head so that I could see his side profile. He bowed his head downward and closed his eyes. It was a look of penance, ableit a prideful version of one.

"Forgive me," he said evenly.

I scoffed and crossed my arms; the half-hearted apology was left suspended in the air – neither accepted nor denied.

If he was going to apologize, he could at least look me in the eye, I thought sadly.

He took my silence as an indication to move forward. "I think you are now ready…ready to hear what happened 100 years ago…"

To know Calamity Ganon's true form, one must know the story from an age long past. The Demon King was born into the kingdom, but his transformation into Malice created the horror that curses the domains of Hyrule.

The poets oft write: What is a king to a god? What is god to a nonbeliever? But one might offer: What is all of this to the passage of time? Time has a power unmatched by any other deity. It can dull the aches of heartache, bury the victory of a nation, soothe the wounds of destruction, turn great wars into mere myths.

Ganon, himself, was not spared from this. His infamy was passed from generation to generation in the form of legends and fairytales. What once was a terrifying figure that ushered ruin and destruction became bedtime stories to tell children: The City in the Sky, The Boy who Leapt Through Time, The Pirates of the Great Sea, Hime-sama and the Wolf, The Vanishing Isle.

They were tall tales reciting the virtues of the Triforce: the power of a mad king, the wisdom of a princess, and the courage of a young boy. These stories had a formula – a red thread that bound the souls of the three characters. And so, along with the stories of the past, a prophecy was cultivated and passed down from generation to generation. The predictable cycle was used to forewarn the future.

A meeting was called for the King and his councilmen to gather in the Sanctum. Someone had asked for an audience with the King. In the center of the room, in the middle of the beloved Triforce, the prophet spoke the future into existence.

"The signs of a resurrection of Calamity Ganon are clear. And the power to oppose it lies dormant beneath the ground."

The King and his councilmen heeded the warning and issued orders to begin excavating large areas of land. The prophet had been right. In the four corners of Hyrule, several ancient relics made by the hands of Hyrule's distant ancestors slept beneath the magma, bedrock, deserts, and snowfields.

The Crawling Flame: Rudania.

Grace of the Water: Ruta.

Lightning King of the Desert: Naboris.

Ally of the Wind: Medoh.

The Divine Beasts – giant machines piloted by warriors.

They also found the Guardians, an army of mechanical soldiers who fought autonomously. These coincided with the ancient legends of 100,000 years, oft repeated throughout the land.

Legend also spoke of a princess with a sacred power, and her appointed knight – chosen by the Sword that Seals the Darkness. It was they who sealed Ganon away using the power of these ancient relics. This event was known as the First Calamity, a battle that had taken place 100,000 years before.

One hundred years ago, there was a prince set to inherit a sacred power and a skilled knight at his side. It was clear that the cycle of ruin was beginning once again.

The royal family had selected four skilled individuals from across Hyrule and tasked them with the duty of piloting the Divine Beasts. They were representatives of the four main races outside of Hylians: Gorons, Zora, Gerudo, and Rito. With the prince as their commander and his appointed knight as a vital asset, they dubbed these pilots Champions – a name that would solidify their unique bond.

The prince, his appointed knight, and the rest of the Champions were on the brink of sealing away Ganon…

But nay…

The day of reckoning came as it always does: unassuming. Normal in every sense of the word. Children played in the courtyards, vendors bargained, couples enjoyed a stroll through the forest park, and the soldiers stood on watch – anticipating but having much faith in their numbers and fortifications.

It had been the young prince's birthday. The town was prepared to celebrate his birth with song and dance. Several people across the kingdom ventured to Hyrule Castle to wish the prince a prosperous life.

Plagued with prophetic dreams of the apocalypse from the night before, the prince departed for the frozen tundra of Mount Lanayru – as mandated by ritualistic creeds – at daybreak and under the protection of his appointed knight. The other Champions would rendezvous with the two by sunset and return to Hyrule Castle. What the pilgrimage revealed to the young prince would forever be a secret shared between the pair.

In the absence of the prince, the Chosen Knight, and the Champions, the castle was defenseless – full of innocent civilians. Ganon – cunning as he is – responded with a plan beyond anyone's imagining.

People were gathered in the central square, minding their business and enjoying the crisp afternoon. Some had begun decorating the streets for the prince and the Champions' return. A band started playing by the fountain and anyone who could dance quickly joined in with the merry tune. Food stands had begun setting up along the roads. Children joined up in groups with tree branches and mimicked sword fights in front of their mothers. The soldiers on guard watched them fondly, reminded of their own childhood fascination with knighthood.

The kingdom was content.

It was at that moment a suspicious trail of ominous energy began to swirl around the central spire of the castle. A few noticed. Then, everyone was unable to look away. It drifted around the entire citadel, blanketing the white and blue stones with sinister black and magenta mist. Those inside were not aware of the smoke. The garrison guards posted on the outside perimeter walls had relayed the news to the Royal Guard and their commanders. They were to stand at attention and wait for orders.

It was then that the clamoring of the crowd reached a climax. Shrieks at the sky covered orders to stay calm.

The drifting smoke, for split second…had become the face of a giant boar.

Those who were smart began to flee, taking their wagons and starting the route southbound. A stampede had formed at the main gates of Castle Town. The garrison had no choice but to open the gateways in order to facilitate a forced evacuation.

The smoke swirled along the sides of the castle before climbing up the central spire as if surveying its new domain. Then, it opened its mouth, baring its fangs to the world. An almighty roar was heard throughout the land.

The world trembled at its cry. Five pillars arose from the grounds surrounding the castle, their lights glowed the color of Malice. Dark clouds spawned above the castle and purple lightning rained down on the settlements below it. Civilians and soldiers alike scrambled for cover as the beast continued to summon its afflictions over the world.

Meteors of dark energy exploded from the beast, leaving jet-trails as they travelled over the kingdom – searching. The Sheikah who were at the base of the citadel, in the middle of their task of programming and repairing the Guardians, watched in horror as the dark clouds dissolved into the inactive machinery. Their structures glowed purple, their eyes blue and awakened. Immediately, their eyes started pulsing, charging and focusing the powers beyond anyone's comprehension. Caught in the hotspot of Malice, the scientists and Sheikah guards present had consigned themselves to their fate.

At the same time, the four races telegraphed emergency messages from their domains. By then, the main communication unit in Hyrule Castle had been shut down. Their messages were lost amidst the turmoil. Signals for help fell on deaf ears.

volcano…rogue…destroy

takeover…frozen…help

desert…sabotage…blight

west…altitude…shot

Ganon had appeared from deep below Hyrule Castle, seizing control of the Guardians and the Divine Beasts, and turned them against the kingdom.

The world was brought to its knees by fire. The mechanical soldiers sprung to life and were relentless in their barrage of attacks. They targeted civilians and soldiers alike. If someone tried to run away, their lasers could shoot far into the distance or could chase them down with their claws. Mechanical clicks and whirs were the herald of nightmares. Those who stood their ground, in a vain attempt to slow their advances, fought a losing battle. Canons, swords, and arrows were no match for their technology.

Hyrule Castle and Castle Town had been ground zero for the Second Calamity. Guardians soon made their way to the east and west of Hyrule Field and with them, brought opportunities for monsters to flourish. Whoever managed to survive the attack on Castle Town did not live to make it past the main gates, for legions of monsters marched from the field with intents to turn Hyrule Castle into their own stronghold.

The survivors were led by Hyrule's remaining military to the east. Two main groups branched off in order to increase chances of survival. The one led by the remaining members of the Royal Guard took the route going through Crenel Peak – planning to find safeguard at Hyrule's last military stronghold. The other group followed the garrison troops past the Dueling Peaks where the mountains served as a natural defense.

The Champions lost their lives, those residing in the castle as well. The appointed knight, gravely wounded, collapsed while defending the prince…And thus, the kingdom of Hyrule was devastated absolutely by Calamity Ganon.

However, the prince survived…to face Ganon alone.

The world watched as a bright light, golden as the sun and promising as the day, shined from within the Sanctum. The Boar had bellowed and vanished from the sky; the swirling Malice around the central spire was all that remained. And as the light dimmed to a steady and strong pulse, faith opened and fluttered its wings in the hearts of all in Hyrule.

There would be a tomorrow.

"Zelda, you are our final hope.

The fate of Hyrule rests with you!"

"That prince was my own son…my dearest Link," the king lamented. His eyes were drawn out to the castle, where the purple Malice was a stark contrast against the black of night. The golden light was not there.

"And the courageous knight who protected him right up to the very end…" Suddenly, he turned and placed his steely, green gaze upon me. "That knight was none other than you, Zelda."

The pieces of the world I had worked so hard to force together shattered and then fell in place again. The gravity of his words struck a chord from within me. My swordsmanship, the sharp reflexes honed from years of training and practice, the efficiency in all weapon types. I wasn't just a killing machine, but an honorable knight. A protector of Hyrule. But I hadn't even been just a regular knight. I had borne the age-long prophecy; the heroine of Hyrule. I would have been a legend.

I glanced at my right hand – the hand that once held the so-called Sword that Seals the Darkness – and observed its emptiness.

The Legend that failed.

"You fought valiantly when your fate took an unfortunate turn." He was not privy to my thoughts, but the king had once again responded to my self-depreciating judgements with sympathy.

The news of my near death shook me to my core. It was dissociating to imagine oneself approaching their own mortality and then live to tell the tale. To add insult to injury, I don't even remember how I almost died. It must have been a really bad accident if it took 100 years to fix myself up. Even then, I'm not completely fixed if the gaps in my memory are any evidence of that.

"And then, you were taken to the Shrine of Resurrection. Here you now stand, 100 years later. The words you have been hearing since your awakening are from Prince Link himself. Even now, as he works to restrain Ganon from within Hyrule Castle, he calls out for your help. However, my son's power will soon be exhausted. Once that happens, Ganon will freely regenerate himself and nothing will stop him from consuming our land."

"W-Wait!" I call out. A blunt pain began manifesting in my temples. I reached up to pinch the bridge of my nose in order to quell it.

This was too much to handle at once. Too much responsibility to bear and with such a short amount of time to shoulder it all. Shouldering all the burden by myself.

I now realize that the initial scorn I submitted the king to was unfounded. Even with the runes and the blessing of the Goddess and the knowledge of the history of the world, I was still unfit to process the information he was unloading.

He sighed and looked at me softly, almost pleading. "Considering that I could not save my own kingdom…I have no right to ask this of you, Zelda." He stepped forward, coming just an arms-length away from me. He placed his ghostly hands over my shoulders. Despite being an apparition, he felt heavy. The severity of his request was reflected in the strong grip he held me in.

Then, to my surprise, he kneeled. He cast his face downwards and, on his knees, the king spoke his wish, "You must save him…my son."

Had I not been looking closely I would have missed the way his eyes turned glassy – unshed tears blinking in the starlight.

He was not asking this as a king, but as a father.

And to my surprise, before he had even finished, my answer had already been repeating like a mantra in my head: I will. I will. I will. I will.

Rhoam stood and hurriedly turned around. There was an abrupt clearing of his throat before he continued, "Somehow, Ganon has maintained control over all four Divine Beasts, as well as those Guardians swarming around Hyrule Castle."

He motioned for me to stand by his side. "I believe it would be quite reckless of you to head directly to the castle at this point. I suggest you make your way east, out to one of the villages in the wilderness." He pointed out of the broken window, to the mountains in the east. "Follow the road out to Kakariko Village. There you will find the elder, Impa. She will tell you more about the path that lies ahead."

I took out the Sheikah Slate and activated the map interface. Past the borders of the plateau was a sea of blue, unknown and uncharted. Luckily, I saw a Sheikah Tower standing tall and proud right beside the mountains. I set the scope and put a pin on it.

The king smiled at my efficiency. "Consult the map on your Sheikah Slate for the precise location of Kakariko Village. Make your way past the twin summits of the Dueling Peaks. From there, follow the road as it proceeds north."

Descend the Great Plateau, head east, activate Sheikah Tower, head between the Dueling Peaks, follow the road. That's only like five things.

He turned and smiled that same crinkled smile he always had. I now knew he was the King of Hyrule – with his regality and seven-syllable name but to me, he will always be that hermit roasting apples by the open fire. Always the old man who had taught me so much and was patient through every trial.

My eyes blurred. I tilted my head upwards and breathed a heavy inhale.

"Go on…" he said. "Here is the Paraglider, just as I promised."

He placed the contraption into my arms. It was made out of wood and cloth – minimizing its weight. It was roughly the length of my arm span, maybe a bit smaller. The two handles from which I would hang onto were shoulder-width apart. Although it was wood, the design was structured in a way that allowed the Paraglider to be folded – the creases in the cloth were evident of that. The cloth was brown with teal and gold detailing along the edges. A stylized insignia of a bird was printed in the middle. It reminded me of the bird statues in the Temple of Time and at the entrance of the plateau.

Upon finally having the object I sought for ever since I saw him defying gravity with it, I laughed. I spent all my time pestering the old man for this. Now, the last thing I wanted to do was use it. Because using it meant leaving.

Although having spent only two days on the Great Plateau, I had begun to associate it as home. It is technically my second birthplace, since I cannot remember my first one. 100 years after the ruin of the kingdom, I was born anew – arising from my amnesia-inducing slumber.

"And…I think that's it," the king said with an air of finality. "I've told you everything I can."

"Wait," I said, clutching vainly at his ghostly doublet in an attempt to keep him with me. My hand phased through as expected, but he stopped and inclined his head.

"I…"

…wanted to ask so much more. For guidance, advice, help. I still don't have my memories. I don't know what to do after reaching Kakariko Village. I just wanted someone with me. To tell me what to do and where to go. To help quell the loneliness and pressures I will soon face. To ease the burden of the prophecy. And to just be there.

But I am the hero…I need to do this alone. As I did 100 years ago.

"Thank you," I end up inevitably saying. Hopefully, something similar to determination was resolute in my eyes. "I will do my best."

He regarded me for a second. His green eyes were swimming with an unknown emotion. Then, he sighed as if weary. The old man placed his hand on the top of my head, ruffling my hair. The familiar gesture brought a sense of comfort.

"Wisdom is not to know all, but to acknowledge when one is lacking. Courage is the bravery to ask for help. Power in numbers is far greater than power by oneself," he said, a final smile gracing his lips.

And with a sad twinkle in his eye, King Rhoam Bosphoramus began to vanish into the ether – the wisp of blue-green energy ushering his disappearance. To the wind, his blessing was carried. "May the Light guide you, hero."

In his place, a stone chest appeared. I kicked it open and was presented with a soldier's bow – parting gift to remind me of the knight I once was.

Then, it was quiet.

It was here that the crushing loneliness finally settled over me like a thick smog. My lungs felt heavy in my own chest, as if they too were struggling with everything that was revealed moments ago. I counted to four and breathed steadily, the pattern easing the spasms of my throat and the anxieties in my mind.

I felt far from a hero. My time on the plateau was spent running away more than confronting enemies head on. All my actions screamed cowardice. In terms of fight or flight, I always flew. How can I be a hero if I don't stay and fight?

I looked out the broken window. The sun was slowly climbing over the horizon and the clouds had rolled away. Radiant beams began to paint the lower half of the horizon a glowing yellow. It was approaching twilight once again.

Had I really been in this steeple the entire night? Was the evening spent recounting and reflecting what had happened in the past?

I had wanted to leave the isolated grounds since the day before. Now, gliding past the stone borders seemed like an impossible task. The expanse of the plateau fields – that had once seemed so confining and small – suddenly looked overwhelming. The world beyond the plateau was infinity. It served to terrify me.

Cowardice was already stirring in my mind. The inevitability of change rooted me here, clutching to the safety blanket of a familiar place. Anxieties were taking shape before anything had even happened.

How can I call myself a hero if I am rendered paralyzed by my own uncertainties?

As if to further add credence to my mounting list of diffidence, my eyes were drawn to the field below.

Before the Temple of Time was the area that was guarded by the beast. It continued to prowl around, walking in circles and pausing to listen before starting the cycle again. It looked like it hadn't rested all night, either.

The King's words from this afternoon rang in my head.

"This was not a testament in courage, but an exercise in wisdom."

I descended from the steeple and stood upon the red-tiled rooftop of the temple. An emotion similar to the one I felt when I had crossed the chasm stirred in the pit of my stomach. Impulsivity. To make a powerful decision that resulted in a high chance of killing myself, but an even higher chance to prove something.

Would it be worth dying before I even take the first step of my adventure?

Am I doing this to prove something?

…to prove something to myself?

I cannot be a hero if I am cowardly. I must be brave. I must be the knight I was before my unfortunate death 100 years ago.

From my pockets, I unfolded the Paraglider and faced the direction I wanted to fly to. The sight I ignored on my way up to the steeple was beautiful. Other than the fields of the plateau, in the far distance was the stone bridge and the lake. The moon was reflected in the water's surface.

I remembered all the times I saw the old man fly. I should be able to figure this out if I could just mimic his movements.

With a leap of faith, I jumped off the rooftop. I felt my body give weight as the platform beneath my feet disappeared. Quickly retrieving the Paraglider, I opened its wings and squared my shoulders, adjusting my grip on the wooden handles. My heart thrummed against my throat with the sudden downward force of gravity. I half expected to hear the sickening crack of my bones and see the white calcification protruding from my skin. But the wind caught and filled the cloth above me. It made a satisfying whoosh sound as my fall became a float.

An absolutely magical device.

ROOOOOOOARR!

I quickly focused. Below me, the beast was turned around. I had a clear view of the terrifying, two-handed weapon strapped around its back and its quiver of bomb arrows. It further proved that what I was about to do had no room for mistakes. Determination filled my veins in an effort to overrun and dilute the emotions of fear and doubt I held. Still, small voices of reason found their way to the forefront of my mind. They clamored over each other. They told me to reconsider and retreat. They didn't sound like my own voice at all.

Give yourself some slack. It's only been two days.

Courage doesn't mean recklessness.

You don't have to do this.

I shook my head, a physical defiance to these intrusive thoughts.

This was not just a test of courage, but a test in the prophecy as well. If I don't survive this, I don't deserve to live past this point. My journey stops here.

You think too much in the absolute.

I glided above the field, right above where the white-maned beast was standing.

Well, I replied to these voices in my own mind, if the Goddess is smiling down upon me, I shall walk away victorious.

A/N: Lynel Fight? Lynel Fight! Next chapter is a Lynel fight!

Anyways, I hope the POV change wasn't too jarring. I am gonna play around with the first person and third person storytelling when it comes to reliving memories / past events. I hate it when a bunch of exposition is given in dialogue form and then in between, the character is just reacting to what is being said. I hope the third person POV also has the effect I'm intending it to have.

So one last chapter for the Great Plateau Arc and fittingly, its the climax battle with a Lynel! Please review and let me know what you think. I had a fun time writing this chapter and I hope you enjoyed reading it!