Link was brushing Zelda's hair as she sat down, she was stealing glances at him through the mirror and smiling softly. "What's going through that head of yours?" He inquired, his tone soft and quiet. "Nothing, I just- I like you doing this for a change." She looked at him through the mirror again, he returned her smile, glad that he was seemingly doing a good job. He stepped back as he finished brushing and admired his work. "Flawless." He smiled brightly before setting the brush down and watching Zelda admire her hair for a few moments before turning around. "It is, thanks to you." He shrugged lightly before sitting down and beginning to put his boots on. "I suppose so." She grabbed her own shoes and put them on before he heard her sigh. "I doubt my father is around, I wish I could let him know that we're heading off now but I believe that he is attending a conference currently." Link frowned slightly, she seemed desperate to see him, though she couldn't today. "There's always tomorrow." She looked at him, tears falling sparsely down her cheeks. "Link, what if there isn't a tomorrow?" He straightened up, trying to think of a way to answer, she seemed pretty set on the idea that something bad would happen today, though he couldn't see why. "We can only hope that there is a tomorrow." She nodded before wiping her cheeks with her sleeves. "Goddess I'm a mess.." She sniffled before standing up. "Zelda, you aren't a mess." She glanced at him, her expression fearful and sorrowful. "Let's just go, we'll stop off at Kakariko, Impa has some elixirs prepared for us, I have invited the Champions to meet us this evening, and whatever happens, happens." He stood up slowly before nodding, she seemed truly worried that something was on the brink of happening, and it pained him that he couldn't deny it. He took her hand and squeezed it softly before allowing her to lead the way. They made their way to the stables before taking their horses out and beginning to ride towards the Sheikah settlement. Zelda looked exhausted now, and hopeless. He was unsure of what he could say or do to make her feel any better, because there wasn't anything that would take her mind off the fact that today, the worst could happen. "What is it that leads you to believe that today it will return?" She glanced at him before thinking for a moment. "It's just a gut instinct, everything is piecing together and we can't ignore that." He nodded thoughtfully, she wasn't wrong, a lot was happening that couldn't be explained, and as far as they knew, Ganon was destined to return soon.
They made it to the village of the Sheikah just as the sun was rising, they had left extremely early due to the fact that they had an entire mountain to climb. They made their way up the steps to the house of the chief, Impa. He didn't know much about Impa, having never met her before, but he had come to realise that her and Zelda were quite good friends. They stepped inside the small building, Impa was putting some books onto a shelf. She turned to face them, a smile instantly appeared on her lips as she saw the two of them. "Look at you, almost an adult. Happy birthday, my dear." Link watched the two of them hug for a brief moment. "I have the elixirs you two need by the way." She opened a small cabinet, pulling out several bottles of elixirs. She handed them to Link and he placed them into a bag. "Impa, I'm worried about today, I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen." Impa frowned slightly as she looked at Zelda, Link decided it was best to let them talk, so he remained silent. "I don't know if I'm right or not, but please, if something happens, make sure that you and your people are okay." Impa nodded reassuringly, seemingly unfazed by the possibility of an ancient evil popping up. "Of course, don't worry about us, you just look after yourselves." Zelda nodded silently before turning to face the door. "Then let's be off." She declared before stepping out, Link followed after her. They returned to their horses and began travelling towards the mountain, once they reached the gate they dismounted their horses and made their way towards the mountain. "Zelda, whatever happens, don't get angry at yourself if your powers do not awaken." She gave him a brief smile, and that's all that was said during their journey up.
--
Nothing, nothing at all. No stupid power, no cursed feeling, no supposed voices. Their trip had been a complete waste of time. They were walking towards the gate now, the Champions were waiting there for them, she was grateful for their presence, both her and Link were dragged down with the news she had relayed to him on that foul creature plaguing their lands again soon. She made her way towards them before halting, Daruk had taken a few steps along with her until she had stopped. "Well? Don't keep us in suspense. How'd everything go up there on the mountain?" She couldn't even bring herself to speak yet with how disappointed she felt. Revali stepped towards her. "So you didn't feel anything? No power at all?" There wasn't even a hint of his ego in his voice, he sounded genuinely concerned. She put her hands together and looked down at the ground, unable to look at any of them. "I'm sorry, no." There was silence for a moment, they all seemed worried, or maybe she was just being paranoid. "Then let's move on." Zelda glanced at Urbosa before looking back down. "You've done all you could. Feeling sorry for yourself won't be of any help." Zelda wished she could just stop feeling sorry, but she couldn't help it for now. "After all, it's not like your last shot was up there on Mount Lanayru. Anything could finally spark the power to seal Ganon away, we just have to keep looking for that.. thing." Zelda nodded subtly, she doubted they would even notice it. "That's kind of you, thank you." Mipha stepped towards her hesitantly. "If I may.." Zelda looked at the Zora, she seemed nervous. "I thought you.. well, I'm not sure how to put this into words.. I'm actually quite embarrassed to say it." Zelda could see that Mipha was struggling with her words. "But I was thinking about what I do when I'm healing.. you know, what usually goes through my mind." Zelda hoped that Mipha's words would help her in some way. "It helps when I think- when I think about-" The ground began to shake suddenly, by the time Zelda had her footing a gust of wind hit her as Revali shot up into the air. As she looked up she saw a could of magenta swirling around the sky, growing quickly. Malice. Revali landed and Zelda lost track of who spoke. "It's here." "This is it, then.." "Are you sure?" "Postive." Zelda couldn't believe it, she was right. She knew something was wrong the minute she peered up at that moon. She was silently panicking inside, wondering what to do. She had to do something. "It's awake.. Ganon!" Daruk turned to face them, taking charge of their plan. "Let's stop wasting time! We're gonna need everything we got to take that thing down! Now Champions! To your Divine Beasts!" Zelda could see now why Daruk was the chief of the Gorons, he was very good at thinking quickly. "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! Little guy! You get to Hyrule Castle, you can count on us for support." Zelda couldn't bear the thought of Link going to the castle, facing that demon alone. "But it's up to you to pound Ganon into oblivion!" She felt Urbosa's hands on her shoulders. "Come. We should go. We need to get you someplace safe." She shook her head, she couldn't just stand around and wait. "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!" They all glanced at each other, wondering what to say. "She can come with me." She turned to Link, nodding softly, she would rather be with him than anyone else. "That will be too dangerous." She sighed stubbornly at Urbosa's words. "There's nothing else I can do, I may as well try. Perhaps facing him will be enough to awaken my powers!" Daruk nodded before they all exchanged hugs. "Whatever happens, it's been a pleasure serving with you all. Now go Champions!" Revali shot into the air, Daruk began to roll and Urbosa and Mipha broke into a sprint. Zelda felt her legs give out, and she felt Link's arms around her. "I've got you.." His voice brought some amount of comfort, but not enough. "Link, I'm sorry.. I'm so useless.." She cried without restraint, her whole body shaking with each sob. She clutched his clothing as she cried for a few minutes. She sniffled as she forced herself to focus. "We can't waste any more time, let's go." She raced over to her horse and Link got onto his own, and together they began to ride towards the Castle, preparing themselves for a fight like no other.