In the short few moments that it happened, Zelda didn't know what to think as Link pulled away, his face the brightest shade of red, he wouldn't look her in the eyes and he rushed over to Outlaw, trying to act like the kiss hadn't just happened. She didn't know how she would reply to the sudden action and she felt bad for not responding, but her mind was so confused as she suddenly realized how right Urbosa had been that day to tell her the truth… how brave Link had just been to kiss her so suddenly.

They didn't speak about it as they walked back to the entrance, wanting to allow their horses to roam around while they waited for the Champions to show up for the latest meeting. Zelda had sent out a letter to each, explaining how the meeting would be at the entrance to Mount Lanayru instead of Hyrule Castle and each sent one back saying they could expect them. But how would the meeting go when all she could think about was the kiss she had just shared with Link?

"We're here, Zelda."

Zelda visibly tensed.

"Are you okay?" Link pressed, trying to sound normal.

Zelda shook her head as she slowly passed him, allowing Storm to venture around the open field. "I'm fine."

"Right," Link nodded. "My mistake. I should've known you were okay. Do you want me to make you something to eat while we wait?"

"No, there's no need," Zelda replied, shaking her head as she watched her Appointed Knight shift in his place.

Link nodded once more, forcing his gaze to remain on the horses as he leaned against the wall. "Okay. Just let me know if you want anything afterwards. I'll get you whatever you want."

Zelda silently sucked in a breath as she nodded her reply. Her heart was pounding as she thought back to the way he kissed her. It was gentle, soft, and overall was a good kiss. She could still feel his lips on her own, wondering what that meant, but no matter what, Link wouldn't cast his glance her way. She knew why he wouldn't— it was obvious to her eyes.

He was worried about what she would say if she got the chance to reply. He was worried about being yelled at. He was worried about being fired from his job because he kissed her. He couldn't deal with what could go wrong if she failed to return his feelings, what it would mean for their friendship because he had just ruined it by kissing her. But deep down, was it really ruined because of one kiss?

"Link, I want you to listen to me," Zelda said as she hoped she could get his attention and if she did, he wouldn't show it. "I don't hate you for kissing me."

Link shifted uncomfortably at being reminded of the kiss. He was also confused at the same time.

How did she not hate him?

"I understand, Zelda. But can we please drop the subject?"

Zelda tried not to show much that comment hurt her, but she had no idea how well of a job she did because he wouldn't glance her way. He was so afraid that he couldn't even look at her properly without twitching at the fact she had kissed her. How long until he could firmly look at her again?

"Are we late?" someone chirped, when she looked up, she met the eyes of each Champion who had just arrived.

"Nope," Link answered for them.

Daruk grinned at the Hylians before them. "It's good to see you two are getting along without fighting."

"Yeah, we've come a long way."

Mipha frowned, obviously sensing something was going on between them, but she didn't question knowing they wouldn't dare answer in front of everyone.

"Anyways, how did it go up there?" Revali asked, not sensing the tension between the two Hylians. His eyes darted nervously between them— hoping it had gone better than he was thinking, hoping they finally had the final thing to give them full victory.

"Unfortunately it was the same as the others. My powers didn't awaken," Zelda said sorrowfully.

"So you didn't feel anything? No power at all?" Revali asked, eyes going wide at the answer.

Zelda sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, no."

Urbosa's lips quirked slightly as she placed her hand on her friend's shoulder, giving it a tight reassuring squeeze. "Then let's move on. You've done all you could. Feeling sorry for yourself won't be of any help. After all, it's not like your last shot was up there on Mt. Lanayru. Anything could finally spark the power to seal Ganon away. We just have to keep looking for that… thing."

"That's kind of you. Thank you," Zelda smiled.

Mipha shifted nervously as she played with her scarf, eyes glancing back and forth between Revali and Zelda. "If I may…"

Zelda cocked her head to the side as everyone glanced back towards the Zora Champion with interest. It wasn't always that Mipha wanted to say something, but when she did, it was usually full of advice. The Zora was wise, obviously a trait given to her by her father, and she knew better than anyone what could help awaken a hidden power— much like her healing abilities.

If it worked for her, then it could work for Zelda as well.

"I thought you… Well, I'm not sure how to put this into words… I'm actually quite embarrassed to say it. But I was thinking about what I do when I'm healing. You know, what usually goes through my mind… It helps when I think— when I think about—" Mipha began before she was cut off by a huge rumble in the ground and they all stumbled.

When the rumbling stopped, Revali took off into the sky to search for the cause. His sharp eyes caught sight of blackness forming around the castle and his stomach dropped when he realized who it was. What it meant for them. What this was meaning.

It was awake.

"It's here," Urbosa stated.

"This is it, then…" Daruk said.

Mipha shifted. "Are you sure?"

Revali nodded at her, taking his place at her side. "Positive."

"It's awake… Ganon!" Zelda said, eyes going wide as she realized they were out of time and Link paled slightly.

Daruk shook his head as he moved in front of them. An expression full of courage plastered on his face. "Let's stop wasting time! We're gonna need everything we got to take that thing down! Now Champions! To your Divine Beasts! Show that swirling swine who's boss! Link will need to meet Ganon head on when we attack! This needs to be a unified assault!"

Link watched as his friend turned to him.

"Little guy! You get to Hyrule Castle. You can count on us for support. But it's up to you to pound Ganon into oblivion!"

The hero swallowed thickly as he realized this was his big moment. Their big moment. This was the moment when their stories would be written down because this was the final fight in the very end. His stomach felt sick as it twisted and turned. He couldn't speak. What had happened to everyone at the castle when it woke up?

What about his parents?

King Rhoam?

What if… in the very end, despite everything they had ever done, they still failed?

Urbosa placed her hand on Zelda's shoulder again. "Come. We should go. We need to get you someplace safe."

"No! I am not a child anymore! I may not be much use on the battlefield… but there must… there must be something I can do to help!" Zelda stressed, knocking the hand off her shoulder as her eyes hardened.

Link squared his shoulders. "I say she helps."

Revali chuckled as he nodded in his agreement. "Alright, she helps. But you keep her safe as the pair of you travels across to Hyrule Castle."

"You can count on me."

Mipha sucked in her breath as she turned to Revali, taking his wing in her hand, her eyes brightened slightly. "After this," she began, "— I'd like to tell you something important, okay?"

"Okay," Revali smirked. "But only if I can tell you something first."

"Deal," the Zora smiled.

"Stop flirting!" Daruk said as he rushed past. "Just get to your Divine Beasts!"

The pair flushed before breaking apart, moving in their respective directions to head to the Divine Beasts, leaving Link and Zelda alone. They shared a glance as their horses rushed towards them, sensing the tension and knew instantly they had to help their masters get to safety.

Link took a deep breath as they locked eyes. "Let's go," he held out his hand, "— together."

Zelda grasped it. "Together."

…

Link's heart was pounding faster than before.

His mind was filled with what could have happened to his parents, everyone they knew, and he was hating the very thoughts of it going bad. They couldn't lose here, they would never hear the end of it if they did.

As soon as the Champions reached their Divine Beasts, they let off a huge roar that alerted everyone to get safety— the Champions were at work and they needed everyone somewhere they wouldn't get hurt. Impa, Purah, and Robbie all readied themselves to help fight but Link wouldn't let them get near. They couldn't allow the trio to get harmed because what if they died out of wounds?

He would never forgive himself for that.

But what if Mipha had been able to finish her sentence? What would that have done? What would she had said? Link longed to know the answer but at the moment it wouldn't be possible because they were making their way to the castle. It was increasingly difficult because the Guardians had turned against them; something was controlling the Guardians, ordering them to kill him and Zelda— anyone who was against Ganon's return. What was once supposed to be an ally turned into an enemy.

Just how many were in Hyrule Castle Town patrolling? How many lives had those things taken?

His heart clenched at the thought and he fought to keep his eyes from wandering over to the destroyed buildings that stood. It was clear the Guardians were working their damage, doing exactly what that monster wanted of them, and he sucked in a sharp breath, fighting to keep tears away as he realized the likeness of his parents surviving them was slim, almost non-existent at this point.

He would be losing them.

There was no way Larkin and Dovina could have survived the Guardians if they attacked them, got to them. Larkin would've fought to the death to protect King Rhoam and his friends, his family, everyone he ever loved. Dovina would've died trying to escape under her husband's orders, unable to see her son alive in the last moment she lived— left wondering if he was okay or not, if he had survived the attacks themselves.

Link's heart shattered at the thought and he forced himself to think of something else as they neared the town. He couldn't be thinking like that in the middle of the final battle between them and Ganon.

When the smell of smoke reached them, his heart plummeted like a stone into water as he realized where it was coming from. Zelda's gasp confirmed his fears as they reached a small hill overlooking the town; his stomach felt heavy. Smoke was raising, fire was alive, and everyone's screaming could be heard along with the sound of a laser.

Guardians were attacking.

"No…" Link whispered out, eyes watering. "Mother… father…"

"Father…" Zelda whimpered as she forced herself to look away from the chaos.

Their feet moved on their own as they forced themselves into the chaos, Link pulled her to the side when a Guardian passed by with its pointer on some poor family or building before shooting it off without a care in the world. His heart was pounding and he could hear Zelda's own heart pounding just as fast, perhaps even faster than his own. Either way, this was something neither would forget happening.

This would be burned into their minds, reminding them in their dreams that this had happened to Hyrule— to everyone who died during the attack, and they wouldn't be able to live this down. No, this would be forever with them until the day they died to see everyone again and begged for forgiveness that this had happened, that this had taken away so many lives.

Lives that had just begun, that had just barely begun to live.

With the Master Sword in hand, Link glanced around the corner of the ruined wall before ducking back again when a Guardian passed by, Zelda tightly by his side as she tried keeping herself calm. He could feel her shaking with fear and he didn't blame her— he was having a hard time keeping his bravery up himself.

"What do we do now? Those things will spot us instantly," Zelda whispered out, burying her head into Link's shoulder, feeling him wrap his arm around her protectively.

"I…" Link swallowed. "Well, I…"

He had no idea what to do. This had never happened before. He was utterly lost.

"Forgive me, Zelda… I have no idea what to do," he revealed after a long pause.

Zelda whimpered softly before moving to peek around the corner herself, wincing when she saw the damage before ducking once again. "We have to get everyone out."

"They will be killed either way!" Link advised, motioning to the Guardians outside of the town. "The Guardians are everywhere and we're lucky to have gotten this far as we have."

He was right and she knew it. That didn't mean her heart didn't shatter anymore than it could have— because it did.

"Damnit," Zelda choked, tearing up. "Why didn't it work?! Why did the Goddess have to abandon us now?"

Link's heart hurt for her. "I know… Hylia abandoned us."

"When we needed her the most, when we needed the power, she didn't answer! She's left her Kingdom to die out at the hands of her enemy! Our enemy is going to win because we don't have the final piece to win."

Link sucked in a breath as he heard another cry. "We still have the Divine Beasts."

Zelda froze at the mention. "For how long? If Ganon has control of the Guardians, how long until he gains control of the Divine Beasts?"

Link looked thunderstruck. "Oh shit…"

She was right. Ganon had control of the Guardians, which meant he could easily take the Divine Beasts if the Champions failed to protect them. What would he send to take control of them? What would become of their friends when they were faced with whatever Ganon sent to them?

This was not going their way.

"We cannot lose them!" Zelda cried out, eyes darting towards the direction of each Divine Beasts one by one. "The Divine Beasts are our final hope. The Champions cannot die or else we lose. We're not going to be enough alone."

Link wiped at his eyes to rid himself of the tears. "I can do something."

Zelda locked eyes and shook her head. "You can't! What if you die? I can't lose you!"

"And I can't lose you!" Link replied, voice growing slightly in volume. "I already lost you once, and I'm not doing it again. I can never lose you again. Those years apart were fucking torture! I can do something because I have the Master Sword, it'll protect me."

"And if it fails to protect you?" Zelda snapped. "If Hylia abandoned us, and what makes you think the sword won't as well?"

Link froze. He hadn't thought of it like that, but he couldn't just stand here. The screams were becoming too much. But the Guardians were making it impossible to head to the Castle and fight Ganon— they were stuck here until they saw a clear opening and even then, they could very well die.

The sound of a Divine Beast roaring caught their attention. Their blood ran cold as another rung out until each of them had roared loudly. The roars were different sounding… more darkish… more evil… more… more deadly-like.

"No…" they both said in union. "The Champions…"

The Divine Beasts had fallen into Ganon's control. The Champions were defeated in battle. They were utterly alone now.

They were the last Champions standing.

Link immediately grabbed Zelda's hand and began to tug her away from the chaos of the town, tears staining his cheeks as he realized he wasn't going to rush in and search for his parents. To help anyone out because he needed to obey the Champions' final wish into having her somewhere safe from harm. It's what they would have wanted. What King Rhoam would've wanted. It would be useless to try and salvage anything by rushing in.

They would be met with disappointment.

"Link!" Zelda yelped as soon as they were far enough away from the chaos, finally allowed to have a moment to breath. "What in Din's Power are you doing!?"

Link sighed, wiping at his eyes. "Saving you. Keeping you safe like… like they would have wanted me to do."

Zelda's anger vanished. "Oh," she said.

"I'm sorry," Link whispered out, dropping to the ground. "I'm so sorry this happened. I should've acted quicker… I should have run in instead of waiting for an open like a real hero would have done."

"Link…"

Link laughed blandly as he gazed at the sword. It was silently mocking him and he knew it deep down. "Most of all… I'm sorry for kissing you so suddenly. I'm sure you don't even like me that way."

Zelda's heart sped up a bit at the mention of the kiss, flushing slightly before she realized he was regretting the way it happened— he was regretting it ever happened at all because he felt like she didn't like him that way. Her heart twisted as she realized this was one her fault. She couldn't have him thinking like that because it wasn't his fault.

… she had to admit it in the end; she liked the kiss.

Because she liked him too.

"I don't hate it," she blurted out. He froze. "I didn't hate the kiss, I don't care if you just stood there waiting for an opening, I don't hate you for doing what they would have wanted if things went wrong."

"You don't?" Link questioned, standing up. "Truly?"

Zelda nodded. "Truly. Do you know why?"

He shook his head, almost fearing the answer. "No."

"Because of this," she said before leaning in, standing on her toes a bit.

Her lips met his.

When she pulled away, his eyes were wide but there was a small smile as he realized what it meant. He was thanking the lucky stars still out there at this moment.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too."

Their lips met again.