They took a seat on the dusty ground, and Link pulled out the map.
"How does your arm feel?" Tya asked, watching the injured one as he held the map.
"S-Sore, but it's not so ba-bad now. H-how do you feel?"
She paused, thinking for a second on that. The obstacles had provided a nice distraction from the majority of her invasive thoughts, but her body still felt weak and she still felt tired.
"Tired, but it's not so bad now."
He smiled at that, shaking his head in response only because he found it silly that she copied him.
Tya readjusted a bit, pulling the pack over to her and pulling out some food and water. She handed some over to Link, and kept some for herself. As she did, she quietly asked "So you're not still upset with me at all?"
He lowered the map when he was being handed stuff, and looked at her when she spoke. He seemed a bit confused by the question, almost like he'd forgotten ever being upset with her in the first place. When he remembered, he just smiled softly and shook his head.
"Nah, I-I'm not." He crossed his legs and set the map between them so he could unscrew the top to a canteen. He took a sip of it then set it down and looked at her again. "Wh-What's wrong anyway? You kee-keep saying you don't f-feel good, but…?" He trailed off to imply that he wanted more than just that.
"Well as I told you, I want to rest, and I'm having trouble focusing. I know I can't rest though." Zelda had told her time and time again, a simple thing that often annoyed her to no end. But it was something that helped, surprisingly enough.
She only said 'Do it anyway'.
For most, such a thing wouldn't work. It would only make them feel worse, and it did that to Tya for the longest time. But she realized after a while that she had little choice.
She couldn't avoid work because she felt bad or bitter. She couldn't stay in bed all day, refusing to eat or shower or anything of the sort. She couldn't lay there in silence because the intrusive thoughts would only grow louder.
Such things, she'd thought, were just bound to happen. But distractions certainly kept it from doing that. Busying her thoughts with what needed to go where, who she needed to do things for, how long it would take, and where she needed to go next often kept out the thoughts. Of course there were some days where it didn't help because the slightest problem would open a floodgate in her mind, or she couldn't even manage to get herself started to begin with, but there were days when she could just do it anyway.
"Why're you having tr-trouble focusing?"
"Thinking too much, I guess. But sometimes if I get moving, I am able to focus better."
Zelda had also told her not to be a perfectionist. The people she worked for in the bazaar were surprisingly lenient. They were all pleasant people, and average work with a few small mistakes wouldn't be something she was scolded for. So she didn't feel like properly organizing each little ingredient for Luv and Bertie's potions. It didn't need to be perfect, they just needed their things.
So she didn't feel like making herself a big elaborate meal. It didn't need to be overdone, she just needed to eat.
Many things wouldn't call for perfection, and to call herself useless or worthless every time something wasn't flawless, would only make everything worse for her.
It was difficult not to; it something she still failed at all the time, because there was always more she should do, and she always felt bad for not doing it. But she knew Zelda was right.
"Th-Thinking too mu-much?"
"Yes…" It was the first time in a while she actually wanted to share what she was thinking, and yet she hesitated to do so. She didn't want to say anything when he didn't ask about—he might not care.
Link didn't notice her hesitation in responding, he just turned his attention to his food, peeling back the paper that held it before asking "'bout what?"
The question made her smile a bit. It was funny how saying something so small and simple could kill doubt so quickly.
"It's… Well I'm not sure how to say it really. Do you remember what I told you when we were in the forest?"
He stopped to think for a second before looking at her. "About y-you being worth a li-life?"
She nodded in response, and he tilted his head. "It's thoughts like that. Thinking about why."
"Wh-what do you mean? Why wh-what?"
"Why I'm not."
His brow furrowed and he lowered the sandwich he'd gotten out. "That-That's not true."
"I know. But my head insists on telling me otherwise and it gets hard to ignore."
He nodded as if he understood, though she wasn't sure whether or not he did. It didn't really matter either way, at least he seemed to care. That was one less thing her mind could abuse.
"W-Well if I can help, te-tell me." He said simply, as if it was something she should have already known was true.
Tya accepted this silently, and then she leaned over against his shoulder, closing her eyes as she tried to rest.
She really couldn't tell if she actually managed to fall asleep or not, but even if she had, she hadn't been there long. When he was finished eating, he lightly nudged her, getting her to sit up straight. He packed away everything that had been pulled out and lifted the map again.
There appeared to be a marked path on the sands, though they couldn't really see it.
Just as they had last time, Tya volunteered to step forward to see if it was there, as she was the one that was easier to pull around.
She stepped onto the spot that was marked on the map, finding that just beneath the sand, it was solid.
They had to cross carefully, or else they'd slip into the bottomless quicksand on either side, but with the map's help they got through just fine.
They were led to two rooms, both of which had to be uncovered first and then crawled to.
The first contained a very simple little treasure: A Blue Feather, which Link passed off to Tya.
The second room was much more significant. In it, was a truly ridiculous amount of sand which unfortunately appeared to cover more of those metal strips they'd seen in the room they got the bellows. This time though, Tya figured out what was underneath.
Spikes.
Fortunately for the pair, none of the hidden traps hit them, because the moment they were discovered, they decided only to step on ground they'd uncovered.
It was almost maze like, and it was there Tya realized the gust bellows were much more useful than she'd thought. Before that moment she'd assumed they just made the dirt, dust, and sand scatter, but it appeared to actually make it disappear. Regardless, they made it through, finding quite a few rupees and a way into the next room.
They once again entered the main hub, though this time on the completely opposite side. A broken down cart with an odd mound of rocks awaited them. Just in the middle of the rocks, they could see the deep purple that meant there was a timeshfit stone that had yet to be carved out.
They found a way to strike the stone, and when they did the cart picked up and began to move along rails over an abyss. The stone was weak, creating only a small circle of past in the present, but as it moved along the rails, platforms formed on either side of it.
Tya and Link followed it.
They were met with one of those floating orb like things, which once again, Tya easily dispatched. Link opened a gate with the bellows, and they continued across. As time shifted in the small radius the uncut stone provided, more of those oscillating statues appeared as well, though they didn't have to deal with many of them, only hide themselves behind the cart so they wouldn't be seen. One did call for their attention, but it wasn't difficult to remove as they now knew how.
When they got to the other side, the stone allowed them to open up a gate that had blocked them off to begin with, meaning they could now access that area from all sides.
They continued to the left, where they found themselves in a similar situation.
They followed a mine cart with an uncut stone along, waiting for the times to change so they could continue.
This one, they had to dispatch one of the statues, because they could see gated door and a broken propeller ahead. When the times shifted, they used the propeller to open the gate, and then waited on the cart to finish its route so they could return to the door. A tedious cycle since they couldn't just turn around without falling into the abyss below, but Tya didn't mind. It was easier than dealing with enemies…
Tya wasn't the least bit pleased with the room they'd entered, because it contained more belts and more vines. As if that wasn't already obnoxious enough, this time the room provided an extra obstacle. It seemed some pipes had busted, allowing hot steam to blow out with a roughness that could make them stumble if either was to get close enough.
So they had to make their way up those vines once more, using their awkward turtle-like technique whilst avoiding the busted pipes that would no doubt knock them down.
They found their way across to a time shift stone, lighting the room up as they'd done before, and then they began across the room.
It was simple enough. They pulled a lever to bring a platform to them, used the bellows to control the platform, killed one of the floating orbs, wandered aimlessly for a moment as they were at a loss until they noticed scorched wall, uncovered clues to a puzzle, got onto a different platform, triggered stones that corresponded with the uncovered clues, then finally stepped foot on the other side where a gate now lay open and in wait.
Past the gate, the floors were marked and two of those unsettling smiling machines awaited them. Much easier to handle now that they knew they just needed to destroy the gems in the mouth.
With the machines disabled, another gate opened and they were allowed to get the piece that would open the large golden door that marked their destination.
Tya was much too glad to know they were close to the end of this damned place.
They crossed back to a door that led them to the main hub, on the only corner they hadn't yet been to. Another time shift stone needed to be escorted across with the help of a separate platform and the bellows. The stone thankfully removed a barbed fence that sat in front of the oversized golden door.
Just as they'd done before, Link helped Tya up, careful of his arm, and she twisted the key until it fit right. It took a few tries, as this one was ridiculously elaborate, but they managed and opened the door.
This time, behind the door, was a large rounded room, full of sand. For a moment it was quiet and still, but then the sands started to move beneath them.
They both scrambled to back away from the moving sand, but it did little good because what was beneath it soon showed itself.
They were pleased to find it was only an oversized scorpion. It wasn't difficult to see its weaknesses, its entire body was covered in a thick, armor-like exoskeleton, but inside its claws were two blue eye-like marks, and then right in the center was its actual eye.
A mix of Tya's fire and Link's blade got it down quickly, and then the room seemed to drain itself of the sand, leaving only the creature's corpse and a familiar door that glowed when Link got near it.
It opened, just as the past two had, allowing them to go through.
There was no spring on the other side, much to Tya's dismay—she really enjoyed such beautiful places, but instead there was just a platform with a mine cart and a rail that continued over a deep chasm.
The only obstacle was that it all seemed to be in the present, but they'd learned what needed to be done then. Link used the beetle to locate a timeshift stone.
Though it wasn't the spring they usually got to see, the place lit up and it shown that it could still be beautiful.
A gorgeous blue light radiated from the ceiling, lighting up the small statues of the friendly robots they'd met outside the facility. The minecart carried them through slowly, allowing the two to have a brief break.
They climbed out, looking toward the exit. Both seemed relieved, though Tya couldn't help but feel as if something was off.
She just hoped there wasn't another temple they'd need to go through. The way they spoke of it earlier, this facility would lead them to the so called Temple of Time. She worried that that wasn't the end of the puzzles, traps, and other dangers, only a way to get to the more elaborate ones…
She did not voice this though. If that wasn't the case, she didn't want to worry Link, and she honestly wanted to just forget such a thing could be a possibility. The thought alone made her want to cry.
They stepped into daylight for the first time in what really seemed like a long time. She had no idea how long they'd been in that temple, but it felt like decades. They could see the debris they'd been on the other side of earlier, and Tya was relieved by that. They'd successfully made to the right side, and further inspection shown that there wasn't another building, meaning no separate temple.
Even more fortunate than that, Tya could see the woman in black, and her beautiful blonde friend standing on the other side, in front of a very large birdlike crest and a shining blue… thing. It resembled a cog with many little markings she couldn't really make out from a distance.
Steps slowed as the two approached. It was partially relief that made Tya feel as if it was alright to slow down, but it was mostly the sound of Zelda's voice and harp. Such a sound really made her feel as if she was foolish for thinking anything bad could happen. It was soothing.
That song she played—she'd learned it for the ceremony. She'd sung it for Tya a couple times, trying to get her opinion on whether or not she was doing it justice. She always did.
Maybe this was it. Maybe this was where they'd be reunited with Zelda, and they'd be able to go home.
She watched her friend on the other side of the bridge, slowing to a stop as to not disturb her as she played. She couldn't help but smile as she watched, and after a second, she looked to Link. He'd done the same as her, watching with a look that bordered adoration.
Why did he look at her that way?
…Why was she questioning it?
She hadn't noticed that her smile faded until a moment or two afterwards. She looked away, readjusting a bit as she realized a sudden twinge of… Something. What was it? Why did her chest hurt? Or was it her stomach? Why?—
What the hell was that sound?
What the hell just hit her?
How did she manage to get ripped out of reality so quickly? Rocks flung forward, and if it weren't for Link roughly dragging her back, she would have been hit by much more than a shower of dust and pebbles.
He moved an arm up to shield both of them from the rocks, but when it seemed they stopped flying he quickly moved it back to draw his blade.
How dare she think things would be fine.
How stupid of her.
Ghirahim leapt through, his gaze flickering from them to Zelda and her Guardian. He paid them little mind, only raising a hand in their direction to create a strange diamonded barrier that blocked their path.
He immediately began toward the more important pair, but thankfully he was blocked by the Guardian.
"Your Grace! Quickly, to the gate!" The Guardian's voice pulled Tya's attention away from the barrier that blocked their path and over to Zelda.
Zelda looked at them, then back to the gate as if she was going to do as she was told, but she hesitated. She stepped back, seeming to realize she didn't have time to doubt her movements. She moved to the very edge.
"Link—" She called, raising the harp up and letting it be engulfed in light. "Link, here! You'll need this where you're going." The light it had been taken up with shot over to their side, landing hard in Link's hands and radiating enough of her light to seemingly kill Ghirahim's barrier.
"Go! Now!" The Guardian shouted. Tya could tell her voice was much more strained now than before, and looking over there made her realize the shield she'd created was beginning to break under the pressures Ghirahim was putting on it.
Tya quickly took the harp out of Link's hands, pointing toward Ghirahim as the Demon Lord drew back his blade. It was evident he was preparing for a thrust to end it.
A thrust which worked.
He sent his black blade through the shield, with enough force to knock the Guardian back.
But before he could take any steps forward, Link lunged at him.
Ghirahim whipped around just before Link plunged his sword into him, vanishing and dodging, but setting himself back. Link had successfully put himself between Ghirahim and Zelda.
She could hear Link tell the Guardian to go, and she hesitated for a brief second before rushing to her feet and heading to the cog like structure Zelda had started into.
"Link! You must go now. Return to the old woman at the Sealed Grounds. Tell her what happened here. She will know where you must go! And know that we will—"
"I will see you both again!" Zelda pushed her way out, only to be held back by the Guardian. "This isn't good-bye, Link!" Her eyes shifted helplessly from Link to Tya on the other side. "I promise, it isn't!" With that, the Guardian forced her back through, leaving only a small orb behind.
There was a flash of blue that soon faded into smoke, and the structure the two escaped into was laying in ruins.
Ghirahim froze, then letting a sharp growl leave him.
"Now you've done it, Link. I blame myself. I should have reprimanded you the last time we met, but instead I was…Soft. I'd take pleasure in punishing you, but I have no time for recreation." As usual, his anger meant dramatic movements that would be amusing to someone who wasn't at the end of his threats. "But next time, I'll do more than just beat you senseless. I'll make the affair so excruciating you'll deafen yourself with the shrill sound of your own screams." With that, the Demon Lord faded out into yet another cluster of diamonds, and Tya ran to Link, not trusting for a second that he was really gone.
The harp was cradled in one arm, but the other immediately wrapped around the waist of her companion, who held his shield over both of them.
They both searched frantically for any sign of Ghirahim, but the area itself was the signal that he was gone.
In the hastiness of the situation, Tya hadn't noticed the sky go grey and the surroundings become dark. But with Ghirahim gone, it all lit up again, letting daylight once again fall over them.
Link let out a breath, lowering his blade and they looked back toward the fresh debris behind them.
"…We should go." Tya said quietly, looking from the debris to Link and then back.
He only nodded slowly, and directed his attention down to her, waiting for her to take the lead…
