Link slowly walked through the wooden architecture of Rito Village. He continued to walk, step after step, ramp after ramp, heading for Swallow's Roost. It was the only place she could be. It wasn't long before he had eventually reached the inn due to it being on the lower levels of the spiraling city, however it felt as though it had taken him an eternity to get there.

He stopped just ahead of the inn, contemplating if he should even bother. Multiple of Zelda's words, along with his own, that were thrown out in the heat of the moment replayed in his head. It had only happened the night before; however, thanks to the lack of sleep, that too also felt like it had happened a millennia ago. Even if it had been a night's worth of time between now and the argument before, Link couldn't help but remain frustrated. Sure, he felt bad for some of the things he said, but he wasn't going to allow Zelda to just run him over.

She truly believed he wouldn't think she made poor decisions after the boulder incident? What about when she had jumped in with the Guardian? Yes, she helped, but he had that under control! She could have gotten hurt. She may be able to assist with fighting a few Bokoblins, but other than that? No. There was no way she was qualified to handle anything more than a Bokoblin and maybe a pack of wolves. Link couldn't help but put a strong emphasis on the maybe.

And who was she to yell at him? For someone who claims to relinquish her title of princess, she sure did like acting like one. Sure, he didn't talk to her before he left, but he was in a rush! It allowed them to get two Divine Beasts done practically at the same time! It would have taken twice as long if not more if they had stayed together. Did she think he didn't know what he was doing after all this time in the wild by himself? And then to bring up Mipha! What nerve-

"Link? Liiiiiink? You alright there buddy?" a voice called out, snapping the warrior out of his continuous spiral of reasons as to why Zelda was wrong. Link shook his head for a moment before focusing in on the large Rito calling his name.

"What? What's up Verla?" Link asked as kind as possible, trying not to allow his frustration to bleed out. The large Rito, standing in his usual corner, built into the village wooden paths in front of the Swallow's Roost. Verla looked around a bit, before inching a bit closer as he leaned in closer to a Hylian's level as Link questioned why he had to do this.

"You looking for that blonde Hylian maiden?" Verla whispered, raising a feathered wing to his mouth as he asked. Link raised an eyebrow. This had only furthered his questions.

"Y-Yeah, actually. How'd you figure?" asked Link. Verla chuckled a bit nervously as he straightened himself, raising a wing to scratch the back of his head as he avoided the question. Link now furrowed both of his eyebrows. "What? What is it?"

"I dunno, Link," Verla said, turning in place to look at the entrance to the Swallow's Roost. "You guys just fought yesterday, and she seemed pretty distraught."

"Oh... so you heard all that?" Link asked guiltily. "Sorry about all the noise..."

"Hey, I don't mind. Whatever passes the time," Verla said, basically admitting that he had listened in the entire time. "I don't think anyone but myself and Cecili there in the inn heard though. The inn is the only building really close to that first balcony near the entrance, and I don't think those other Hylians checked in before the blonde girl."

"Other Hylians? The ones obsessed with baked apples?" Link asked.

"Ah, yes, those two," Verla said. Link sighed. Well, at least it was only Verla and the inn owner that knew what transpired between the two.

"Well, don't go talking about it, okay?" Link asked as he took a few steps towards the inn despite Verla's warning. "I don't want that spreading through the village."

"My beak is sealed," Verla said, making a zipping motion with his feathers. "But are you sure-?"

"It'll be fine, Verla," Link called back, a hand raised in farewell. "I know how to deal with things like this. Sometimes you just need to know when to stay silent..."

...

The rustling of trees could be heard through the wooden beams of the Swallow's Inn. The scratching of quills could be heard from two places inside of the inn. One came from the front check in desk where Cecili, the inn owner, had begun scribbling down the finances for this coming week. The next scratching could be heard near the far opposite side of the inn, near the wall. At the end of a row of beds, mimicking the circular walls they were lined up against, stood a small wooden table where a blonde Hylian girl could be seen scribbling away in her notebook.

While the girl seemingly was scribbling diligently away, her weary, bloodshot green eyes seemed less focused on the words she was writing. The longer the girl wrote, the faster and more messy her usually elegant writing became. The argument from before haunted her throughout the night, allowing her not a moment's rest. Repeatedly replaying the event in her mind all night had soon turned the girl's guilt into resentment.

Since when did he get so vocal? Of course, the one time where Link wanted to speak and treat her as a true equal is when he wanted to be right. So he could yell at her, but he couldn't be romantic with her. A hundred years ago if he had been caught yelling at her he would have been thrown in the dungeon. That was the exact same reason he wouldn't show affection to her! So he's okay yelling and getting thrown into a dungeon that doesn't exist today, but he won't be romantic with her because of his knight training? Absurd!

"Good morning, Zelda," a monotone voice said behind her. Zelda jumped at the sound of her own name, before she glanced behind her. There stood the knight himself, looking down at her as he stood at her side. Zelda's eyebrows furrowed as she turned back towards the notebook.

"Hello, Link," Zelda said, continuing to write in her pages. "What can I help you with?"

"If I could use the Sheikah Slate, I would greatly appreciate it," Link responded, speaking simply. "As warm as this doublet keeps me, it's rather uncomfortable."

Zelda continued to write for a moment before setting down her quill. She reached down to her side, without so much as a glance at Link, before raising the Sheikah Slate for Link to take. Without a word, Link took the Slate from her hand before he walked out without another word. Zelda gritted her teeth, doing her utmost to avoid glancing in his direction. However, her will was just a tad too weak; she glanced over at the exit before slamming her palm on the desk, irritated with her own lack of self restraint.

"Stubbornness won't get you anywhere with this situation, dear," the Rito woman at the counter said, looking up from her accounting book as she smiled sweetly. "Couples can only grow through talking."

"Well, it's a good thing we aren't a couple then," Zelda scoffed as she returned to her notebook. "Apparently I'm not good enough for him."

Cecili smiled, chuckled to herself, and returned to her accounting book.

Young love, Cecili thought to herself as she continued to write down her inn's budget for the month.

...

Link stepped inside Rito Stable. He hadn't slept much at all the night before seeing as he had remained sitting in front of a tree trunk all night replaying the argument in his head. He couldn't help but notice the heavy bags under Zelda's eyes. It didn't seem like she could get the argument off her mind either.

The knight sighed as he sat at the stable's wooden circular table, leaning back in his chair as laid his head back, his fingers now massaging the bridge of his nose. When did being a knight become this challenging? He couldn't help but feel like being a free, wandering hero was more his fancy now. Had it always felt like this? Sure, he never let go of his duty to protect Zelda, but it never felt like a job. Especially when they had started their new journey together, it felt less like a job than ever before, at least from what he could remember a hundred years ago. But today? It sure as all Hyrule felt like a job, and a horrible job at that.

"Whaaaaoooo! Never seen you look so tired before!" a high pitched voice called out from behind Link. He sighed as he rested his chair back on all fours, bringing the Sheikah Slate out before responding.

"I beg to differ, Beedle," Link said, now searching through the clothing section of the Slate. The Warm Doublet was starting to itch, and Link was already irritated enough as is. There had to be something else to wear.

"Aaaaaah, but this looks like a different kind of tired!" Beedle said. Link frowned as he turned in his chair to look back at the traveling salesman. The man was tall with darkened skin and a rather large nose. While Link was not envious of the massive, red nose on the man's freckled face, the same could be said for the man's rather impressive biceps.

"You still haven't given me your workout routine," Link said, turning back in his chair to continue his search for more comfortable clothing as he tried to change the subject. "I want arms as big as those you've got there. Could really help my swordplay."

"Carry this big beetle backpack around and you're sure to have arms as big as mine!" Beedle said with a laugh. "Speaking of this big bag, need to buy anything? Or you have any beetles to sell?"

"Not today Beedle," Link said coolly. "Sorry about that."

"Aaaaah, that's too bad. Well, it's only morning so I hope to see you around soon, Link!" Beedle said as he stood with the large backpack. It was amazing to Link that Beedle could carry that around with him so often.

Link watched for a moment as Beedle made his way out before turning back towards the Sheikah Slate. However, the moment before he could continue to tap away, something Beedle said outside the stable caught Link's attention.

"Good morning Kass! Out playing songs again?"

Kass? Kass was here at the stable? Link glanced out the entrance of the shop, waiting to hear any kind of accordion sounds. Sure enough, the usual stable-like song Kass played began to fill the air. Link frowned. He had to ask Kass about something in a moment. Link quickly glanced through the Sheikah Slate, looking for any other outfit he could wear beside the doublet before his blue eyes landed on a particular green tunic. Link's eyes filled with uncertainty.

After a few moments, Link couldn't help but tap on the icon. In a bright light of blue, the green and brown tunic formed in his free hand. Carefully, Link rested the tunic on the table as he sprawled it out. According to the Slate, this tunic was named the Tunic of the Wild. The ancient monks had given him this after he completed all of the one hundred and twenty trials they had prepared for him. Though it was offered to him as a gift, Link had never once put the tunic on.

It felt otherworldly. He had always liked the color green. In fact, he had chosen to dye his own Hylian Tunic green when he first bought one from Hateno. However, this one was different. it was said to strictly be worn by the hero, and while the monks had claimed he was the hero, he himself sure didn't feel like one. From what he knew, he was just a simple knight who happened to be chosen by the Master Sword, nothing more.

However, due to his Champion Tunic being practically destroyed, and his Hylian Tunic all but worn out to the threads after months of traveling, this was the only option he really had. Link pulled off his doublet, thankful to be free from the itching sensation, as he pulled the brown and green tunic over his head. He chose to leave the hat and trousers of the same tunic set inside the slate, preferring his Hylian trousers. Not only did the Hylian Trousers retain more warmth than the shorts, but it still didn't feel right to wear the entire set of heroic garments. For now the tunic itself would suffice.

Link sighed as he continued to look through the Sheikah Slate. It had been days since he had been without it, and he really needed to update himself. He put the warm doublet, given to him by another stable on his way to Rito Village, back in the Slate alongside the Moonlit Scimitar. As fantastic as the sword's craftsmanship was, he preferred double-edged longswords more. Link glanced back at the Master Sword on his back. With a small sound, the Master Sword signaled to him; it was usable once again.

Link nodded as he continued to search through the Slate, seeing what foods and other materials he had left for Zelda's journey alone with it. After everything seemed in order, he reached for the off button of the screen, however his finger froze just above it. Link sighed as he brought his hand up to the remains of the blue Champion's Tunic still wrapped around his neck. It was his favorite tunic… He had planned to ask Zelda to repair it for him, however that seemed unlikely as of now. With a sad sigh, Link pulled the Champion's Tunic from his neck, allowing it to disappear inside the Slate with the other belongings. With a nod, he turned off the Slate and stood. It was time to ask Kass a few questions.

"Kass!" Link called out, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the blinding morning sun. The sounds of the accordion stopped as the large Rito looked his way, a smile growing on his large beak.

"Good morning, Link!" Kass said happily. "How are you this fine morning? I'd have to say, I slept very well last night! Feels good to get a good night's rest."

"Good to hear," Link said, taking a few steps towards the large bird. The Rito nodded in thanks.

"So my dear hero, how was it to finally see your friend again?" Kass asked as he slowly began to play his stable tune once more.

"Actually, it went awful," Link said with a frown. An incorrect note could be heard when Kass heard this, throwing the song off before he stopped playing the accordion all together, focusing on Link entirely now.

"Oh dear. I assume you two allowed your frustrations to take over?" Kass asked with a raised eyebrow. Link frowned even more.

"How did you know I was frustrated as well?" asked Link. The Rito chuckled.

"Well, you certainly aren't the 'Silent Knight' my teacher once told me about. Maybe it became harder to be silent after you woke up from your slumber. Or maybe..." Kass leaned in a bit as he inspected the short knight, "emotions might be getting the best of you?"

"If they are, then it would only be proving my point to her," Link said, blowing steam from nostrils. "Kass, why did you tell her I knew about the love song?"

"I didn't tell her anything, my friend," Kass said, beginning to play his song again. "Turns out she found out from an older woman in Tarrey Town who had heard the song before. My teacher didn't play his songs just for me; he was my teacher, not my private musician. He told stories of the Calamity all throughout the remains of Hyrule to keep people with hope before eventually retiring."

"I see," Link said as he sat in the grass, looking out towards the pillared village.

"I believe you should talk to her, Link," Kass said as he continued to play his notes. "I don't believe it should stay like this."

"And have her yell at me again?" Link asked, looking up at his Rito friend. "Trust me, no thanks. I've seen her angry before. She's stubborn. Very stubborn. She once told me a hundred years ago to beat it and go back to the castle because she hated me."

"Apparently, if you spend enough time around someone, certain traits rub off wouldn't you say?" Kass said, raising his eyebrow as he looked down at the sitting knight.

"What are you implying?" Link asked as he furrowed his eyebrows. Kass laughed heartily, his feathers ruffling with each laugh.

"My friend, I have watched you sit for hours on end trying to decipher my songs before figuring out what they were trying to say. Remember the song about flying a single arrow through two rocks? It took you forever to figure it out, yet you kept going simply because you wouldn't allow some rocks to outsmart you."

"And they didn't outsmart me," Link said, reaching for the Sheikah Slate as he pulled out a plate of rice balls. "I'm a knight, I have to figure those sorts of things out."

"You're stress eating," Kass teased.

"It's breakfast." Link shot back, food filling his cheeks.

"Stubbornness is what I'd call it," Kass said with a smile as Link ignored him. "Speaking of stubbornness, it seems another stubborn individual has come to join us."

Link's gaze shot up, looking around for the familiar sight of green eyes and waist long gold hair. However what he ended up spotting was a skinnier Rito flying towards them. The Rito's bright white feathers glistened in the sun, his longer white hair on the top of his head giving him quite the magnificent headpiece as his sharply shaped eyes vaguely reminded Link of the Rito Champion. Though the white Rito's eyes did remind him of his old colleague, Link actually enjoyed the presence of this Rito just as much as Kass's.

"Good morning, Teba!" he called out with a smile as the Rito flapped his wings, landing his talons on the grassy ground in front of Kass and Link. While Link's smile was genuine, it was debatable as to whether he was smiling because he was happy to see his friend or if he was just glad it wasn't Zelda. "What brings you down here to the stables?"

"Good morning, Link. Good to see you still in one piece. Brought Tulin here to get some real bow shooting experience. We need more leather to create our armor, so I figured it was best to let Tulin get some real archery practice," Teba said. Link raised a confused eyebrow as he peered a bit to the side. Sure enough, there on the Rito's back was a smaller version of Teba, though with a less exotic feather head and grey accents. "We just need to wait for Harth to get here now."

"Hello there, Tulin," Link said as he remained sitting on the grass, watching as the young Rito jumped off his father's back.

"Link! Link!" Tulin called as he waddled his way over to Link, holding a falcon bow in his wings.

"Now what's this I hear about stubbornness?" Teba asked, turning his attention to Kass.

"Oh nothing," Kass said cheekily with a smile. "Only that you're the most stubborn bird in this entire village."

"I most certainly am not," Teba replied heartily, pumping out his feathery chest. "I believe that title goes to you, old friend. It's amazing you're able to convince Amali to stay gone for as long as you are hunting down those ancient songs."

"Oh? I don't believe I tried to valiantly end myself by trying to single handedly attack Divine Beast Vah Medoh," Kass said. "It was quite amusing to hear the story for myself."

"You have been gossiping about me with my wife again, haven't you?" Teba asked surly. Kass reeled his head back in laughter.

"Not I good sir, but it seems both of our wives have made enough time to talk about both of us behind our backs," Kass said as he continued to chuckle. Teba however huffed.

"Well I'll have you know, I did not attempt to attack him myself," Teba said, setting down a skinsack on the ground that was getting hard to carry. "Link ended up helping me, which I am still grateful for. Reminded me how to be a prideful warrior again, he did."

"You still would've gone if Elder Kaneli hadn't sent Link to stop your madness!" Kass said, roaring with laughter once again. Teba stared stone-faced at his friend, soon unable to keep a smile off his own beak.

"Maybe that old egg should be considered the most stubborn. Wouldn't just let me go no matter what I told him," Teba said with a chuckle. "Which brings me to the question, why are we talking about stubbornness?"

Teba verbally heard a huff from below. The Rito looked down to where the knight was currently sitting, apparently listening to Tulin who was talking Link's pointed ears off about his training with his father. However, Teba could tell Link was very much listening to what he and Kass were saying.

"Oh? And what's this lad being stubborn about?" Teba asked Kass curiously.

"Well he and his partner had a bit of a fight recently," Kass said, continuing to play his music. "And our mutual friend here is in a bit of a rut."

"Mutual friend?" Teba asked, raising an eyebrow as he folded his wing-like arms. "I thought Link traveled alone."

"Not anymore," Link said, now showing Tulin how to properly hold a bow as he continued to sit in the grass. "I've got Zelda to deal with now."

"Zelda?" Teba asked. The Rito blinked a few times before looking at Kass, who nodded. Something in Teba's mind clicked.

"Kass, can I speak to you for a moment?" Teba asked, beginning to walk away from the Knight and his son. "In private, please?"

Kass nodded as he put the accordion on his back as he followed Teba just a few paces away, until they were out of earshot.

"Zelda," Teba said, clapping his wing-like, feathered hands together. "As in Princess Zelda?"

"That's the one, yes," Kass said simply.

"The one Champion Revali was appointed to along with other Champions?"

"Same one," Kass once again responded.

"The one from a hundred years ago?"

"Indeed."

"That Princess Zelda?"

"The one and only."

Teba blinked for a moment, staring Kass directly in the eyes to ensure what he was saying was true. He then turned to stare at Link, raising and holding a pointed finger in the air. He then lowered his finger, aiming it at Link as he turned back to Kass once again.

"If you're telling me the person he is with is the actual Princess Zelda, then is that-?"

"By Hylia herself," Kass said with awe in his voice. "You didn't know."

"No I didn't know!" Teba said in an exasperated but hushed voice. "You're telling me that is the legendary Hylian Champion from a hundred years ago!? The one that was appointed alongside Champion Revali? The one that was chosen by the sword that seals the darkness!"

"Wow, he is the absolute worst at telling people things," Kass said as he shook his head.

"I mean, he kind of told me. He said he was trying to save a Zelda, but look at him!" Teba said, gesturing towards the young Knight on the ground a few yards away. "He doesn't even look older than twenty for a Hylian, and that's being generous!"

"It's very complicated, you have to just go with it," Kass said, waving a wing. "Sheikah technology is just in a league of its own."

"Right, your teacher was a Sheikah," Teba said as he looked back at Link and his son. "I guess that would explain why he's so gifted with a weapon. And crazy enough to board a Divine Beast. We all saw Medoh fire a super bright beam a few months back. Was that because-?"

"Yes, it was! I did defeat the Calamity! I can hear you, ya know!" Link suddenly called out. "Hylians have quite the hearing!"

"Damn pointed Hylian ears," Teba muttered as Kass laughed. The two Rito walked back to their original positions next to Link, who was now allowing Tulin to sit next to him. "I guess I'd better start asking you to tell me stories about Champion Revali."

"Trust me, if you want to keep him on a pedestal, you don't," Link said with a bit of a frown. "He was one of a kind... in a good and a bad way."

"You'll have to explain that to me later," Teba said with a bemused look. "Anyway, what's this about you and the princess, then? You saved her, didn't you?"

"I did," Link said, his frown becoming more sour. "However, she doesn't go by princess anymore. She wants to be a normal girl."

"Probably for the best," Teba said looking back at Rito Village. "A sudden political change in Hyrule with how little people there are would cause a potential uproar if done incorrectly. Though a kingdom would be nice to build up again later on. It would give my son a chance to grow up as a royally recognized warrior. These times have softened us."

"Well, while she doesn't seem to want to be recognized as a princess, she sure does act like one," Link huffed. Teba raised an eyebrow as he turned toward Kass for clarification.

"He and Zelda got into an argument," Kass said, happily playing away once again on his accordion.

"Oh wow," Teba said in genuine surprise. He took one look down at Link before laughing out loud. "I see what's going on here. You truly are a special one, Link. Not only did you survive the wrath of Calamity Ganon and defeat him, but you argued with the princess of Hyrule and still managed to come out alive! I can barely get away from my wife when we argue."

"She didn't have an argument that made sense," Link said sourly. "Maybe if she actually thought about what I was saying, then she'd understand I made the most logical choice possible."

"If that's what you believe, I'm not going to fight with you Champion descendant. Well... I guess I should just say Champion now," Teba said. "However, you are choosing quite the uphill battle, my friend."

"What's this about a battle?" another voice called out. The three, four if including Tulin, looked up to see a black Rito flying and landing in front of them, his long black hair flowing gracefully in the wind. "Good to see you, Link. Kass."

"Harth," the two said in greeting. "We ready to go, Teba?"

"As ready as we'll ever be," Teba responded, picking up the rucksack he had set on the ground earlier. "Come, Tulin. Time to show Harth and I what you've learned."

"Yes!" Tulin called out, standing from his sitting position as he walked towards his father.

"Well Link, I wish you the best of luck," said Teba as he, Harth, and his son began to walk away. "You're going to need it, old warrior."

"Old?" Harth questioned as he looked back at Link. Teba chuckled.

"Let me tell you something. You won't believe who he actually is..."

Link and Kass watched as the two walked off, Link noticeably catching Harth glancing back at him one final time as he and Teba continued to talk.

"Can't fight an uphill battle you aren't fighting," Link said quietly as he stood. Kass however frowned.

"If you mean you're just not going to say anything, I believe that is just you avoiding the issue, wouldn't you say?" Kass asked. Link frowned as he glanced over at Kass.

"No," Link responded. "She said she was done with the conversation. She also said she had no space for me in her heart anymore, so why even bother?"

"Ah, so that's what's guiding your emotions," Kass said with a grin. "You truly love her, don't you?"

"Doesn't change anything whether I do or not," Link said, dusting himself off. "I've gotta go Kass. I'm sure keeping this Slate while she does her studying will only make her more frustrated."

"I'll fly you back there friend," Kass said, putting his accordion on his back. "Can't keep my wife waiting either."

"Thanks," Link said with a nod. "We can take off here. I'll create an updraft for you."

Kass kneeled, allowing the Hylian on his back. In a burst of winds, the two were in the sky and flying towards Rito Village.

...

It had been some time since Link had taken the Sheikah Slate away, and Zelda couldn't help but get more and more fidgety. He hadn't left her again had he? No, he wouldn't just take the Slate and leave, they had a mission to do. He wouldn't just leave her alone, right?

The moment the thought crossed Zelda's mind, she heard a sound of a tapping noise on the table. She looked over to see the Sheikah Slate being gently set down next to her. With a glance back, she noticed the green tunic of the one standing next to her.

"T-That's an interesting garb you have there," Zelda said, returning to her writing.

"I got it from the last of the monks," Link said, walking around to sit on the opposite side of the table. Zelda couldn't help but notice this.

"The last of the monks? Well, it looks pretty comfortable- wait a moment, the last of the monks?" Zelda suddenly said. "What do you mean the last?"

"Every shrine that I went to had a monk inside," Link said, resting his chin in his hand as he looked at the flowing trees outside the wooden beams of the inn. "After clearing each one, the monks would disappear, as if they had passed on. I can't even tell if they were actually alive."

"But Link, if that's the case, then who is signaling us!?" Zelda said, suddenly flipping through pages in her notebook. Link raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Zelda.

"What do you mean by signaling us?" Link asked curiously, confused as to what Zelda meant.

"Link, you visited Divine beast Vah Naboris, yes?" Zelda asked curiously. Link nodded, completely confused as to where she was taking this.

"Was the main terminal beeping at all? Some sort of pattern?" Zelda questioned, tapping the table with her fingers to mimic the beeping of Rudania and Medoh.

"Now that I think about it, yeah, it was," Link said, thinking back to his escapade into the Divine Beast with Riju. "I just thought it was reacting to Riju though. She was able to somewhat control it."

Zelda's ears suddenly perked up at that. Riju? A girl? Who was that?

"A girl?" Zelda asked curiously. Link nodded, unbeknown where Zelda's mind was at.

"The new chief of the Gerudo. She's a descendant to Lady Urbosa. I feel bad for her though, her mother died young and she's had to take the throne. It's a lot of pressure for a now thirteen year old girl," Link said.

Zelda couldn't help but feel a bit of relief. So she was a kid.

"But wait, Vah Naboris let Riju board it, much less listened to her commands?" Zelda asked. Link nodded.

"Yeah. The beasts were programmed to their respectful Champions, right? It only figures that Riju, a descendant, could control it," said Link, once again staring outside.

"I guess that would make sense… but Rudania didn't allow Kass to board," Zelda said thoughtfully. "The beast moved when he tried to fly us onto it. I had to dive into the volcano-"

"You dived into a volcano!?" Link suddenly said, his full attention on Zelda who was not prepared for his sudden outburst.

"Why yes, in fact I did," Zelda said, thoroughly confused as to why Link suddenly got loud. "It was the only way to board Rudania. What's the issue?"

"What's the issue- Zelda, you jumped into a volcano!" Link said, furrowing his eyebrows. "You could have died!"

"I recall hearing you did the same thing, Link!" Zelda said, her tone rising just a bit. "You weren't there! What else was I supposed to do!?"

"Not jump into a volcano!" Link said. "There had to be some other way!"

"Well there wasn't, Link!" Zelda said angrily. "And as you can see, I'm perfectly fine! By the Goddess, am I really nothing but a problem to you?"

"I never said that!" said Link defensively. "Maybe I'm just worried about-"

"Hello over there!" a voice suddenly called out. Link and Zelda both turned towards the front desk, where Cecili was currently staring them down with powerful eyes. "Inside voices while inside the inn, please! And sit down!"

Link and Zelda both looked down to see they had both begun standing. Slowly they sat back down. Cecili nodded as she returned to her deskwork. The two sat in silence for a moment before Zelda spoke once again.

"Worried about what?" Zelda asked quietly. Link, once again choosing to look out into the trees, didn't immediately answer.

"I'm not worried about anything," Link suddenly grumbled out. Zelda felt a bit of a stinging in her eyes as she stared at Link. With a breath, Zelda looked back down at her notebook. Maybe Link really didn't care about her in a special way anymore.

"Look, if there aren't anymore monks then maybe it's the Champions calling for assistance seeing as Champion descendants have access to the beasts-"

"No, I doubt it," Link said monotony. "Riju's control was very limited. And the spirit of Urbosa had very little control as well. Something is hindering them."

"But there isn't any Malice on any of them," Zelda said with a frustrated sigh. "It can't be Ganon. It has to be an ancient Sheikah, they're the only ones that have power that can take control of a Divine Beast."

"Where else would one be, Zelda?" Link asked. "I've been around these lands countless times, there aren't any other shrines."

"I don't know Link," said a frustrated Zelda, slamming her notebook closed as she put her face in her hands. "The shrines were the only places these Sheikah remains are! And that's only going by what you've told me about the shrines in the past... I can't think of any other place the Sheikah could have possibly built. There's Hyrule Castle, but we've never seen anything remotely close to Sheikah tech there other than the shrine in the docks. Other than the towers, there's nowhere else-"

Zelda's face suddenly shot up from her hands, her eyes wide. Link, noticing her sudden gesture, eyed her questioningly.

"What?" he prodded. "What is it?"

"Link, don't you think it's a bit… odd?" Zelda asked slowly. Link looked around for a moment before looking Zelda in her green eyes.

"Is what odd? I don't understand what you're getting at," Link asked.

"The Shrine of Resurrection," Zelda said. "Doesn't that stand out just a bit? It has such a specific purpose. It fit your body type perfectly, it responded to your touch, it was already working when you were brought to it a hundred years ago as if it were ready for you."

"Yeah, now that you mention it, every other Sheikah shrine gave me some sort of test," Link said, thinking back to the shrines he had visited. "Each one a specific trial."

"Maybe there's still another trial," Zelda said excitedly. "Another trial in the Shrine of Resurrection! It's still a shrine! Maybe there's something there we never looked at!"

"Wouldn't it have tested me when I woke up?" Link asked. Zelda however, shook her head.

"The monks blocked you from undergoing any trials a hundred years ago, didn't they?" she asked. "Maybe you just weren't ready."

"But I've already defeated the Calamity and you sealed it away," Link said with a frown. "Isn't it a bit late? I know there's more we have to do, but does it really have to do with the Calamity?"

"Think about it, Link, the Yiga had Malice," Zelda said thoughtfully. "If Malice is still in Hyrule, then the Calamity's influence is still around. Sealed doesn't mean gone forever. Maybe the monks are guiding us."

"Makes sense," Link responded. "I thought it was odd that a Malice eye appeared in the Yiga Hideout. I took care of it, but nothing has ever appeared there before."

"That settles it, then," Zelda said. "We should go to the Shrine of Resurrection."

"Sounds like a plan," Link said, getting up. Zelda blinked as Link walked around the table.

"W-Wait, Link where are you going?" Zelda called out. Link turned back, giving her a confused look.

"What do you mean? I'm going back to the stable." he said. "You didn't wanna leave immediately, did you? I'd assume you'd want to prepare."

"I mean, yes, but why go back there?" Zelda asked. Link frowned.

"I don't understand what you're getting at, Zelda," he said simply. Zelda took a step back, raising a hand to her chest.

"Link… What am I to you?" Zelda asked. Link stood looking at her with a blank face.

"The girl I need to protect while we take care of this issue," Link said. With that, he exited the inn. Zelda stared at the door before slowly sitting down at the table yet again. Tears began to form in her eyes as they trailed down her cheeks.

...