Link couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned in his sleeping bag but the sweet embrace of sleep wouldn't come. After a while, he just sat up and allowed the coldness of the wind to blow on his back as the smell of smoke was reaching his nose. The fire was almost out and it was clear to his eyes.

Zelda had no problem sleeping, her light snoring was telling Link that was a fact. There wasn't much said between them. By the time they had found a good place to rest for the night, it was dark and both of them were physically and mentally exhausted from the distance they had covered for the day. Yet, even though Link was exhausted, he couldn't get to sleep. His mind was racing too much.

He knew the weight his duty held and how much it would take. Yet now that the days were coming thin, it was starting to make him realize how much this was, and Link couldn't help the feeling of being terrified. He wanted to ask Zelda about her thoughts but he wouldn't do that.

She worried about her own duties too much. Especially the hidden power.

Link sighed and closed his eyes, breathing in and out softly. He was so damn tired but his mind wouldn't let him sleep.

Was this whole thing just… too much?

No. Someone had to finish what the Hero of the Skies started— what every hero ensured for their generations to come and go; Ganon's defeat and to create peace around the Kingdom that had been around for generations for ages and would last for all eternity until someone decided to dissolve the Kingdom and change their ways.

But then again, hadn't Zelda said something about changing their ways? People would be able to pick who their leader was and from now on, they would have more power than they had during the previous years. He had said he would stand beside her choice and agree to go along with whatever she wanted— he was sure she was still confident on that plan and he wouldn't mind if it happened.

There were a few people he thought could make a good leader.

Link moved out of the sleeping bag, making his way towards the pile of firewood they had gathered and threw a few more in before making up some flint and a knife they had brought with them. He hacked at the flint for a moment before it lit up some sparks onto the firewood, leaning over to blow gently as it lit up a bright flame. Instantly, the warmth of the fire pooled around him.

With a huff of frustration, he sat down, one arm on his knee as the other rested on the ground to keep himself steady. Internally curses words flew around at his mind for not allowing him precious sleep he always managed to succeed in gaining. This was probably the first time he was never able to gain sleep.

"Okay," Link sighed in defeat as he ran a hand through his hair. He had tugged it out of its normal ponytail to allow his head some release of having it tied back all the time. Each time the ponytail went down, it was instantly pure relief. Despite what everyone thought, he quite liked having long hair and refused to cut it but he would cut the ends just to make sure his hair was healthy.

He couldn't help but wonder what the other heroes looked like. They must have looked handsome.

Every book he ever had about them had a brief description of what they looked like during their eras, but he could never fully picture them in his mind. In his eyes, he could place the order of their looks— similar to their importance to Hyrule; it was easier to remember them for him.

Did they ever have any trouble with their own journeys when it was their time wielding the ancient sword? If so, then how did they manage to overcome those troubles?

His eyes slowly trailed over to the Master Sword, which was leaning against a rock along with Zelda's own weapon— a small dagger he had taught her how to use. It wasn't anything big but it would do for now— silently mocking him with its destiny and powerful ways. He had read some never recovered with the tragedies it could bring. Some heroes never did get over what they had seen while wielding the blade, never could stop hearing the echoes of cries...

Link winced. Would he have to suffer those same curses too?

He shivered and shuddered at the thought; there was no way he could deal with the thought of hearing the deceased's cries of pleas for something to stop, especially with the way they ran into monsters brought by Ganon's powers. Hylia above— when would they have to deal with those creatures?

… could he deal with those creatures and when would he have to deal with them?

Now that it was nearing Calamity Ganon's return, they would surely have to start appearing and he could possibly name each creature due to reading about them while growing up. Monsters had always struck his fancy along with the novels about each hero and their tales— he was probably a historian at heart.

Feeling his throat go dry, Link stood up slowly and made his way over to the countless supplies they had and dug through until he found the canteen full of water and twirled the cap off to take a sip and winced; warm. The water had turned lukewarm, which meant they would have to get some new water in case.

It was fine, he could always search for some in the morning before Zelda woke up to find the water had gone lukewarm— both never liked it. Always preferring the coldness to smooth their thirst.

Fighting back a yawn, Link made his way back to his sleeping bag and got back underneath the covers, hoping he would be able to fall asleep this time as he slowly closed his eyes. He could hear the movement of the horses as they unknowingly flicking their tails back and forth in their sleep, giving off soft sounds to let them know they were still alive.

It was kinda soothing.

Eventually, his eyes refused to open as the blackness of sleep took over and he fell softly into dreamland. Finally. He could gain the sleep he so needed to ensure he was well awake for tomorrow's journey to the Spring of Courage to see if they could awaken Zelda's power there.

It would also give them time to explore the Kingdom while they could. They had barely explored the entire Kingdom. This would give them the chance to see the whole Kingdom like the Sheikah Slate viewed; they could really see how big the land went and perhaps they would learn a few things about their destiny had in store for them.

In all honesty, Link couldn't wait.

…

Link frowned, whining slightly as he heard footsteps around him, and he forced his eyes open to see who was around him.

"Good morning," Zelda greeted him as she brushed her hair. She was all dressed and ready with the Sheikah Slate attached to her hip. Storm and Outlaw eating away at the apples she had given them.

"Morning. Did you figure out how to work the Sheikah Slate?" Link asked as he sat up, rubbing his eyes before reaching for his hair tie to pull his hair back into its usual ponytail. Zelda eyed him with a smile on her lips.

"You look nice," she blurted out, not thinking about what she said.

"I look nice?" Link repeated, arching an eyebrow. "You mean… with my hair down?" he watched as Zelda shyly nodded her head in reply and he couldn't help but smile.

"You should wear it down more often," she stated softly. Her voice almost matching Mipha's soft tone.

"I see. Maybe I will one day."

"But wouldn't it just get in your way? It's not exactly short," Zelda pointed out as she finished up brushing her hair before putting the brush away, not even bothering to offer it to the Knight, knowing he wouldn't say yes.

Link shrugged. He had gone worse with his hair down and long before. He could handle it again if he could once. "I can handle long hair. I have before."

"If you say so. We'll leave as soon as you're dressed and ready to go," she commented as she moved to brush Storm's mane. He watched for a split moment before reaching to grab his belongings, stealing a glance at the Master Sword before shaking his head, choosing to ignore the blade for now.

After a moment, Link reached for the blade before stopping. He had to ask. "What do you think the heroes of the past thought of the blade?" he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Zelda frowned. "Why ask?"

"I was… doing some thinking last night. I couldn't sleep so it gave me time to think, and I couldn't help but wonder what they thought of the blade," he admitted.

A chortle left Zelda's mouth. "I rather like to think they would have different thoughts depending on their situations. What do you think?"

Link sighed heavily, rubbing his neck. "To me— I think they would have cursed it in a way. It took away a lot of their freedom and placed a burden on them. Some of them could've died while wielding the blade and Calamity could've killed them when they faced off. I dunno how they managed to… accept it."

The Commander stilled for a moment, unsure how to reply as she glanced over her shoulder to see Link looking down at the blade with slight fear dancing in his eyes. She swallowed heavily as a thought raced in her mind; did he hate the fact he was holding the blade? Did he regret being able to pull the blade in the first place? She sucked in a sharp breath— how could she make him feel better?

Sucking in another sharp breath, Zelda turned on her heels and placed her hand on Link's shoulder, squeezing it softly to gain his attention.

"Link, are you… feeling like you can't fulfill your destiny?" she slowly questioned, eyeing him with slight worry.

He gulped. "I guess," he mumbled, shrugging weakly. "My mind tends to wonder if I'm ever going to measure up to the past heroes. If we're going to finally finish what they started back then."

"We don't have to be them," she stressed to him. "You don't have to measure up to them! We'll finish what they started— you can count on that. Look, you're your own person and their legacies aren't hanging over your head. You can make your own, just like they did. Don't ever think you have to be them, understand?"

"I understand," Link nodded. He shook off the feelings and strapped the sword on his back before moving towards Outlaw, who greeted him with happiness as he nudged his head at his master making Link smile in return. "Hey, boy."

Zelda smiled softly as Storm made her way over. "Are you ready to go?"

He nodded as he placed the remaining belongings into Outlaw's pouch. "Yup," he nodded, gripping the triangle on the saddle as he slipped his foot into the footing, swinging his leg around. "Let's go."

With a laugh, Zelda repeated his actions on Storm as she kicked her mare's side lightly, getting her into a light trot. Link followed suit as they began their journey and his mind wandered back to what she said about making their own legacies during their course over their adventure and he couldn't help but wonder what the heroes might say.

It made him realize that he wasn't the Hero of the Skies. That legacy wasn't hanging over his head because everyone knew he wasn't ever going to be the Hero of the Skies, and it actually made him happy to realize he could disgarde the whole burden of being exactly like him.

He could be his own person while being the current hero.

Link was extremely happy.

"Link?" Zelda called out, gazing over at him. "You zoned out."

"I'm sorry," he chuckled breathlessly. "I was just thinking about something."

Zelda smiled softly. "Oh? What about?"

"What you said— about not having those legacies over my head," he pointed out with a grin of his own. It was charming like always. "It makes me happy to know I don't have to worry about being exactly like them. I can be my own person while being the current hero."

"I'm glad," she said and she couldn't help the huge grin that broke out over her face at his words.

Link winked. "And you know— I already thought of my own title."

Zelda laughed, rolling her eyes. "What would that be, Link?"

"I'm so glad you asked!" he beamed, his eyes sparkling like a child who had just been given candy before their bedtime. "The Hero of the Wild."

…

"Hey, Zelda," Link called out as his eyes caught sight of something along their path. She glanced over to see him looking at something. "Look over there," he pointed out a little way off the path where her eyes followed the path before catching sight.

Just off the path was a small building-like structure, glowing a faint yellow with a pedestal by the entrance. It wasn't an actual building but it was made of what seemed to be stone. Her breath hitched as she realized they had discovered something that could possibly help them with the ongoing war with Calamity Ganon.

Making a split decision, the pair moved off the path to climb off of their horses to make their way over to the structure. While Link eyed it, Zelda moved up to the pedestal to see if there was any way to open it; ancient text on its wall. She couldn't read it well, but it was saying something important— after all, it wouldn't be here if it wasn't important to their destiny, now would it?

Unfortunately they knew nothing about how to open the damn thing. Zelda gritted her teeth in slight irritation. She really wanted to know what was hidden inside of this.

"I really want to know what this is," Link mumbled, stepping back to view it. "Did Impa and Purah ever tell you what we could encounter?"

Zelda sighed as she thought back. "They said there could be a chance we could run into monsters as the days passed, but I don't think they ever told me about this."

"Damn," he clicked his tongue before eyeing the slate on her hip. "You think the slate could help us out?"

Zelda glanced down at her hip. She shrugged. "I don't see how it would help, but it's worth a shot if you're sure." she took it off her hip and placed it up to the pedestal.

Nothing had happened.

"Well…" Link mumbled, eyeing the building. "That was… stupid."

"Maybe the slate was just meant for direction?" Zelda guessed, arching an eyebrow as she glanced down at the Sheikah Slate.

Link scratched the back of his neck. "We should've asked more questions when we had the chance."

"Yes, we should have."

"Can I have a go?"

Zelda gave him a look before shrugging, handing the slate over, watching as he held up the slate to the pedestal, and just like the last time; nothing had happened. The pair sighed heavily as they slumped their shoulders before sharing a glance between them; the Spring of Courage wasn't that far away but they were also really curious about the thing in front of them.

"Should we take a picture?" Link suggested, and added, "— to show Purah to see if she can figure out what this thing is and how to open it. She's been able to make the Sheikah Slates, so I have no doubt she'll know what this is."

"Yes," Zelda agreed. "That should work."

The Hylian Champion watched as Zelda took a few steps back, clicking on the photo icon to open up the camera and aimed it perfectly at the building-like structure, and right as she was about to snap the picture, Link photobombed it with him holding up two fingers with a cheeky grin.

It made the princess laugh.

"What are you doing?" she questioned, lowering the slate.

Link shrugged. "Photobombing."

"But why?" Zelda rolled her eyes as she repositioned the slate again to fit the entire image into one picture.

"I always wanted to photobomb," Link replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "This is the perfect chance to. Now, take the picture."

Zelda gave him a look. "Purah is going to see this."

He laughed. "Like she would care! Have you seen the way Purah acts? If anything, she'll have a good laugh about this— it's Impa who'll roll her eyes and scold me like a parent would their child."

Link did have a point in that matter. Purah was the one anyone could chill with and laugh about anything while Impa was more mature and strict in ways her older sister wasn't. Deciding it wouldn't do much harm, Zelda shrugged and snapped a picture of her friend and the building behind him.

She laughed when she saw the outcome.

"You look like a child," she snickered. "Almost like Purah, even."

Link laughed when she showed him. "Maybe I'm related to Purah somehow. She'll get a good kick out of this."

Zelda glanced behind them at the building. "Shame we couldn't get it to open," she sighed. "I was looking forward to seeing what was inside of it."

"Yeah but there's always next time," Link pointed out. "Who knows, maybe we'll run into another one of these things soon. We could look into them some more when we go to see Purah and Robbie to see if they know anything."

Zelda nodded as she took in his words. "We'll head to them after we visit the Spring of Courage then."

Link grinned. "We should take more pictures."

"More pictures?" Zelda asked, barely holding back her growing smile.

"I like taking photos," Link shrugged innocently. "Plus, it'll be fun photobombing them! We could wear different outfits too. We could even take pictures to remember moments with the group. But we should definitely show the others the slate."

That wasn't even a question. Zelda knew the others should be aware about their newly required possession of the Sheikah Slate. It would make their lives easier with having it around and she couldn't deny it would be fun to take a few pictures to remember a few moments by. Link was onto something by suggesting it.

With a nod, she gave her opinion.

"We should," she said.

Link beamed. "Great! For now, let's keep going and come back to this."

And with that being said, they headed on their way.