A/N: Happy Canada day everyone! As for what I'm doing on this day, it's providing you guys with another update. Let's hop right in.

"You've never seen the Great Fairies before?" asked Link once they were finished climbing up the hill just outside of Kakariko Village.

Link decided to visit the Great Fairy before visiting Impa. He said that she could go on ahead without him, but Zelda decided to tag along, preferring to stay in his company.

"No, they were only legends in our time."

"I'm going to warn you, their methods of upgrading are a little... unorthodox."

"What do you mean?"

He scratched the back of his head, "You'll see..."

They came up to the fountain.

I've seen these before! These were Fairy fountains?

"Ah, so you've returned, boy! What do you want enhanced this time?" asked the Great Fairy.

She's beautiful...

He pointed to his blue tunic before handing over the necessary materials.

He looked back at Zelda.

She suddenly became anxious, "Link...?" her voice shook.

In one swoop of the fairy's hand, he disappeared into the water.

"Link!" she screamed while rushing towards the edge of the platform.

She looked for any sign of him, but nay.

"Say something! Bring him back!"

Panic was now surging through her. She thought about diving in after him, but after what she just witnessed, decided that it would be best to go get help, however, before she could even get back to her feet the two re-emerged.

The fairy had a satisfied smirk after she put the breathless hero back onto the platform.

Zelda was immediately at his side, "Link! What happened?"

"I... don't know, " he shook his head to recollect himself. "Once she pulls me in, everything goes dark, and I wake up feeling... spent."

Zelda gasped.

She glared at the fairy, "What did you do to him?!"

"Whatever do you mean? I simply upgraded his gear," she said with honeyed words.

Don't tell me that-

Her cheeks flushed a deep tinge of crimson.

No, no, no. She couldn't possibly-

"You know I can read your thoughts. And yes, it's exactly what you think."

Her face was now hotter than the raging flames from Death Mountain itself. She hadn't even gotten past the kissing stage with Link; or back to the kissing stage, yet, here was this Great Fairy smitten with her man!

"He's very energetic."

"Link, it's time to go!"

In a similar fashion from when they departed Purah's, Zelda was practically dragging Link away, FAR away. As they began their descent of the hill, all Zelda could hear was the faint echoes of laughter from the Great Fairy.

"Zelda, what was-"

"We are NEVER visiting the fairies again!"

How many times has this happened? Has Link's purity been forcibly taken from him?

"How many times have you gotten your armour... upgraded?" she asked while poking her fingertips.

"A few dozen or so."

Zelda stopped in her tracks.

"Dozens...?"

He nodded.

"Dozens of times she's done that to you?"

"No, only if I wanted to make my gear as powerful as her abilities would allow her. She does other things for smaller upgrades."

She shook her head vehemently with disbelief.

Other... things...

"You don't mean..."

All he could do was scratch the back of his head.

And all she could do was cover her mouth to try and stifle the cries that wanted to escape her.

"How cruel..." her voice wobbled.

Jealousy aside, Zelda couldn't stand the fact that he never got a choice in the matter. He likely didn't have his chastity taken away from him, but he was still being taken advantage of.

It always deeply hurt her seeing that.

She recalled the many times at the castle where she had to stop people trying to swoon her knight. It happened to her a fair amount too, but it was more frequent for him. Add the fact that he just wasn't someone to say no to a person in need, and well...

"I'm so sorry Link. I wish I could've done something to prevent this."

"There's nothing you could've done."

"But I-"

A familiar index finger sealed her lips shut.

"I've seen some unthinkable things, and have done things I'm not proud of, but... I'd rather it be me than someone else."

What kind of horrors has he gone through?

The thought both saddened and terrified her.

"Master Link!" called out a Sheikah from across the road.

"What is it Rola?"

"It's Impa! She's... She's..."

"She's what?" asked Zelda, confused by the panicked look Rola was giving them both.

"Go see for yourself."

The two looked at each other in concern before heading up to Impa's hut...

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Impa!" cried out Zelda after they barged into the hut.

There was a crowd of people around the area where Impa normally sat.

"M-Master Link..." muttered Paya.

"What's happened?"

"Grandmother... she's... dead."

She buried her hands into her face as she began to cry.

What?

That couldn't be right. Impa seemed fine a few days ago when he seen her before leaving for the castle. He remembered how excited she was to see Zelda again. There was no way that she would've passed before getting a chance to see her again, right? There was so much that her and Zelda had to talk about.

Moving past the crowd of people, it was exactly as Link feared. Zelda sobbed into his arm as she couldn't bear the sight.

He scanned over the body.

"We found her like this, this morning Master Link," said Dorian.

"Did anything seem off with her the last few days?"

"N-No! Grandmother was just her usual joyful self."

At first glance nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

It doesn't look like this was murder, or some kind of accident. Just that it was her time. Even among Sheikah, Impa is considered to be very old.

"What's the verdict?" asked Dorian.

"From what I can tell from a preliminary analysis, it's from natural causes."

Everyone in the room hung their heads.

"So unfortunate. She was so excited to see the princess again, and now she won't get that chance."

"That's not true. Zelda?"

She sniffled.

"It's the princess!"

Everyone was so distracted by the situation at hand, that they didn't notice that it was the lost princess that Link brought with her.

"I'll let you have some time with her. I'll be outside if you need me."

She nodded sheepishly trying to wipe away her tears, "T-That's kind of you."

"Let's give her a moment alone."

The crowd dispersed, as too did Link, leaving the two alone...

It was pouring out. Fitting for the events that transpired Link thought. He was sitting on the front steps of Impa's Hut, his hood protecting him from the harsh weather.

I could've swore-

A loud wail broke his him from his thoughts. He didn't have to guess who it was or why.

Link grimaced. Hearing her cry was one of the hardest things he ever had to listen through.

There was one memory where she ended up crying in my arms, with the weather being similar to how it is now. I remember feeling my own eyes water after it was all said and done. Even though it happened 100 years ago, her emotions still rang strong through me. I was able to feel her pain and sadness.

He wanted to reach out to her. He wanted to tell her that everything would be okay. He wanted to ask her what he could do to make her smile again. But he couldn't... Link knew deep down that there was nothing he could do, but let Zelda grieve. He would be there for her as best he could, but for now, she needed to be alone.

His mind wandered back to what could've caused Impa's sudden death.

Was she trying to deceive us about how she was really feeling? Did she hide something serious from us? Could it have been murder?

He couldn't completely rule out the thought until he was 100% sure...

"Hey..." mumbled a voice from behind him some time later.

Her eyes were red from crying so hard, her nose was a little runny, and her clothes were soaked. In other words, she was a complete mess.

"Hey," was all he said back. He didn't know what he could say that would make her feel any better.

She took a seat beside him.

"She's gone. She's really gone... I-I still can't believe it. There was so much I wanted to talk to her about. I wanted her advice on so many things," she huddled her knees up to her chest. "I've missed her, and I didn't even get a chance to say anything to her."

Zelda didn't deserve this. Not only has she lost a friend, but a mentor. It seems that everyone she's grown attached to eventually meets an unfortunate end. It's cruel how the world works sometimes. A gentle soul such as her should never have to go through this much trauma in any life time, let alone just one.

He let out a sigh, watching his breath dissipate into the air.

What can I do to help her? How can I ease her burden? She needs somebody, anybody right now.

"P-P-Princess," stuttered Paya from the stairs below.

She took a moment before replying, "Sorry, what is it?"

"Mellie and Koko are cooking for everyone. Would you two like to join us?"

Zelda looked over at Link, seeking approval.

"Go. It'll help."

"You're not joining us Master Link?"

"I want to check something on my own first, I'll catch up."

Zelda tugged on his shirt, "Link I-"

He stilled her lips with his index finger, "Shh... Go, get something to eat and warm up. You'll catch a cold if you linger out here."

"Don't take too long, okay?"

He nodded.

Before letting them go, Link pulled Paya aside.

"Take care of her for me. I'm counting on you."

Her cheeks suddenly turned crimson, "O-Of course! I'll do my best."

As the two left down the road, Link headed back inside to see if he couldn't find what the cause of death was.

No sign of intrusion, and it was said that she was carrying on with her usual routine. Meaning that she couldn't have had an accident from venturing out, nor would someone have broken in.

He looked over her body.

No lacerations or blood that I can see, so- what's that on her chest?

He pulled the fabric aside.

What in Hylia...?

There was a massive black spot covering her chest. It looked like Malice, but without the magenta or ooze. It did have that eerie feel to it though.

What is this? I can see my reflection in it. It's like this thing isn't even part of our world.

Link continued to inspect it.

I'll take a sample of whatever this is with me and let Purah take a look at it. Maybe she'll know what this stuff is.

He pulled out a bottle from his pouch, and a rubber glove for precaution. He swiped his finger across the black spot, and when he did, it rippled like water would. He quickly retracted his hand, slowly peering into the reflection once more. This time, he didn't see anything but pure black.

I could've swor-

Before Link even had time to react, a black hand covered in the water-like substance launched towards him and grabbed his face.

The bottle shattered as Link was slammed into the floor. The shards of glass deeply lacerating his hand.

This thing is... doing something to me!

Link unsheathed the Master Sword and tried to cut off the arm, but the sword simply went through it.

It can't be cut?

The struggle ensued for a few more minutes. Link was desperately trying to pry the hand off of him, but it was a one-sided encounter.

Suddenly, a woman shaped figure came out from the black spot. She was covered in the same sort of substance as the hand.

"Yes, you will do nicely."

Her voice was oddly smoky, and disembodied. He didn't understand what he was dealing with.

Link was then choke slammed into the floor once more. Before his world went dark, the last thing he could recall was the feeling of a strange sensation come across his lips.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

He shuddered awake some time later. When he checked outside it was still raining out, the Sheikah Slate said that it was still morning.

Guess I was out for only a few minutes.

Link recalled the events that had just transpired.

Last thing I remember was...

He quickly did a once over of his body.

There's no black spot, or any signs that I was attacked for that matter.

He made a grunt of displeasure when he leaned on his one hand.

But there is that...

Forgetting about his own injury, he checked over Impa once again.

There's no black spot on her either...

He picked himself up.

Did I imagine it?

The friendly reminder in his hand gave him his answer.

Whatever that... "thing" was, it had a foul aura around it. I don't sense it anymore though...

Link couldn't help but feel uneasy about the whole situation.

I'd better meet up with Zelda and the others.

As he exited the hut, he decided to keep quiet about the event that occurred.

I'm still not sure if what happened, really happened. For all I know, I could be losing it. And I'd rather not worry Zelda.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Master Link! We saved you some breakfast," said Koko.

He ruffled the kid's hair, "Thank you. Did you help make this?"

"I sure did! It's good practice."

He smiled before taking a seat beside Zelda.

"Everything okay?" she asked, concern evident in her tone.

"Yeah. How are you?"

"I'm doing a bit better. Everyone has been-" she gasped. "Link, your hand!"

When he lifted his hand, it had several shards of glass embedded into the skin with blood trickling down from his fingertips.

He silently reprimanded himself.

How could I have forgotten about my hand?

"I slipped with a glass bottle and it broke in my hand," he lied.

"Goddesses... Well here, let me patch you up."

He wasn't in any position to argue. So, he let Zelda do her thing...

"Better?" she asked after typing up the bow to his now bandaged hand.

"Yes, thanks."

If he was being honest, he considered himself lucky that she didn't start asking questions, and press him about what happened further.

"You should eat. Even if you're not feeling it, it's good to get something in you," he mentioned after seeing her plate barely touched.

She poked away at her food.

"What should I do?"

Now that Impa's gone, she's turning to me for help. The thing is, even I don't know what to do. I'm not much into politics, and this is a unique situation we're dealing with. What do I say? What kind of game plan can we come up with?

"Link?"

"Sorry, I was thinking," he mumbled. "Honestly, I'm not sure."

She frowned, "Oh..."

I guess she was really hoping that I'd give her some piece of advice.

"For right now, just take the time you need. When you're in a clearer state of mind, then we can come up with a game plan for what to do next."

"Is that alright?"

"Is what alright?"

"Putting this off for a little."

"It's hard to say. I don't know what's going on around the country, but I do know that you're in no condition to be having serious talks with leaders of the other races."

Her frown deepened.

"It's okay, Zelda. Don't push yourself for the sake of others, take care of yourself first."

"What kind of ruler would I be if I'm not able to push through this? The people need me."

"You've done more than enough for Hyrule, don't think for a second that you haven't. As for what kind of ruler, it's simple. She'd be someone who cares so much about her people, that she'd be willing to put everything on hold so that everyone can mourn and move on together. Anyone can respect that."

"You really think so?"

"What matters, is what you want to do. You'll drive yourself insane if you try to accommodate everybody. I can only imagine how much that increases when you're worrying about an entire kingdom. I can't speak for everybody, but I'd much rather follow a person who does things for themselves even if some don't agree over someone who tries to please everyone. At least then, you remain true to yourself. The people that are meant to follow, will follow, and those that won't, won't. But at least they can respect the fact that you're willing to stick to your own choices, and not let the outside noise influence you."

"Then... we'll put this on hold for a bit... If that's alright," she said sheepishly.

He nodded, "When you're ready, we'll go meet with the others."

After the two finished eating, Dorian explained that they were going to hold the funeral later in the day. By Hylian standards it was fast, but Link knew that the Sheikah believed that it was best to free the soul as soon as possible, so it couldn't suffer trapped inside the body. They did this by burning the bodies, letting all barriers melt away so that the soul would be free to leave on to the next world with nothing holding them back. He didn't believe in such things, but he thought it was interesting nonetheless. And, if he was being honest, he actually preferred it this way. With what he uncovered, who knows what might still be festering about. It's best to stay safe than sorry.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The funeral was held on top of the hill near the shrine. Once Paya lit the bed of sticks, each member of the tribe said a piece about Impa.

It seems that she played a heavy role on everyone's lives here. More so than I had originally thought.

Zelda decided to not say anything in the end, nor did Link. Though, their reasons differed. Still, he let her cry on his shoulder as everyone was saying something about how Impa touched their lives.

After everyone said their part, they all stood together to watch the flames carry Impa's soul into the nether realm.

The whole thing lasted a few hours. Everyone went back to their homes after for the night, but Cado and Paya stayed behind to clean up the rest of the mess.

"You need any help?" asked Zelda.

"We're quite alright, Princess. Thank you, for both offering and coming," said Cado.

"Of course. She was someone very dear to me."

"She was to us all."

"I'm curious, who takes over as leader of your tribe now?" asked Link.

"Ideally, it would be Purah. She's the elder sister of Impa, technically, it should be her. Unfortunately, given her current state and just how she is in general, that's unlikely. Robbie would be the next choice, but it's the same issue. He's so caught up in his own thing that he wouldn't be much of a leader. Which leads us to our third option..."

He looked over to Paya.

"M-Me?! I couldn't p-possibly!"

"You're her granddaughter, and Impa has already taught you everything you need to know about becoming the leader of our tribe. Now, it's just to put that practice into action."

"But-"

"You were next in line regardless, it was only a matter of when."

"I can't lead! You guys won't want to follow someone like me."

"You can and you will. Besides, if things do become overbearing, we'll be here to pick you up. Everyone has each other's backs we won't let you carry the burden alone."

Link was grateful for Cado's words. This was something that Zelda needed to hear and take note of.

"I'll... I'll do my best. Grandmother would've wanted me to carry on her legacy in my own way."

"That's the spirit!"

"B-But, I'll have to deal with all sort of p-people. W-What if they don't like me?!"

Cado shrugged, shaking his head before looking over towards Link, "It'll be a process, but we'll figure it out. Don't worry about us."

He nodded tersely.

He held out his arm for Zelda, "Come, let them work in peace."

Interlocking her arm with his, and leaning against him. The two made their way down to the inn...

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

It's still raining...

Zelda was sleeping in a bed upstairs at the inn, while Link was outside atop the waterfall. He was able to see most of Hyrule from this spot, or in theory. Thanks to the the rain he could only see remnants of blue light coming from the Sheikah Shrines and Towers scattered throughout.

Hard to think that not even a week ago this place looked very different.

He thought back to yesterday's events.

The world is always changing, always finding a way to move forward, despite how we feel towards that change. However, we must always live in the now, because now will never come again.

He frowned.

Zelda... She's gone through so much, but it's still not enough it would seem. The world still asks more from her. Thing is, she's given so much that she no longer has anything left to take care of herself. I'm hoping she takes this time for herself. In time, she can be the ruler that everyone needs her to be. However, until she's ready, I'll make sure to shield her from that burden. If she jumps into the fray too soon... I fear the worst.

She was the light of this land. However, like all light, dark and broken souls that roam about eventually became attracted to said light like a moth. Piece by piece they have been stripping her of her light these past 100 years, greedily feasting upon it to purge their own darkness. Like anything in this world, when something as wonderful as her comes a long, it doesn't take long before people try and destroy her.

It was Link's duty to protect and nurture that light, but he knew that he failed in that regard. It was to the point where he didn't know if the light she lost would ever come back, and that was on him, and him alone. He would accept responsibility of her, regardless of what she decided to do with her life. It was the only way to atone for his failure. If Zelda wanted to live a peaceful life, he wouldn't stop her. Nor would he stop her if she decided to become the one to lead Hyrule into a new age of peace. However, her light was on the brink of being snuffed out, and once it's gone... that's it. He already lost her once, he wasn't going to lose her again because he grew careless, or let her push herself unnecessarily.

Zelda, I promise I will do everything I can for you so that your light may shine brightly upon our land once again. Even if you come to despise me...

A/N: As always, make sure to leave a like, comment, and share my work. The more people that see this, the more beneficiary it is for everyone. It's much appreciated!

Anyways, see you guys in the next chapter.