Sparks are raining down against the shadowy skies of Akkala Citadel. Stretching high above the ground is an elephant-like contraption, the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, shrouded in blue accented patterns with a glow unlike any other. But as bright and beautiful as it is, it shall not compare to the two who stand atop of it. One of them is a young female Zora who nearly lost her life to a dangerous enemy. Sporting a diadem on her head and a trident in hand, one may think she's a fierce warrior with a fierce outlook on life. Upon closer inspection, she's actually graceful, yet strong when the time calls for it. This is Mipha, the older of the two and the heir to the throne—at least, in this timeline.

The one beside her wields two tridents and is also a Zora. He is much larger, and he happens to be the reason why the tragic moment didn't come to pass. Hailing from a future where things take a much different turn is a man who is usually known for his unwavering optimism and winning smile. This man, of course, is Mipha's younger brother Sidon.

The two Zora look upon the ground towards a handful of allies. They all clench their weapons tightly, ready and waiting for the upcoming battle to arrive. Link, Zelda, and Impa are among them.

Thrusting one of his tridents forward, Sidon calls out,

"We shall cover the perimeter!"

"And we'll join you as soon as we can!" his sister adds.

Those on the ground give a quick affirmation and run ahead, leaving the siblings on their own. Mipha hugs her lone trident to her chest in anticipation when the confident tone in her brother's voice catches her attention.

"Sister…we can do this! Right?"

She nods. "Right! Sidon, it's an honor to fight beside you. I'm so proud of the Zora you've become. Remember that."

"I-I will…" Right away, Sidon's lip quivers. In a great attempt to hide his emotions from the person he loves most, he quickly turns his head.

All is in vain, for Mipha gives him a warm smile. "You know, I've never had the chance to properly thank you."

"Thank me? Whatever for, if I may ask?"

"For rescuing me, of course! Had you not shown yourself in time, I would have been done for!"

Pushing his emotions aside in one swift motion—a little too swift, in fact—Sidon picks himself up. He flexes his arm and dons one of his signature toothy grins. A sudden sparkle flickers in the corner of his mouth. "Anything for you, dear sister!"

Mipha giggles. But then, a sudden thought comes to mind, something that can and will change the course of this conversation drastically. "By the way, when you came, you shouted something to Waterblight Ganon. I believe it was something about me."

"Hmmm? Oh, yes! I said I wouldn't allow him to take you!"

"You did, but…" She taps her chin and faces upward. "I'm pretty sure there was more to it."

Her brother looks on, as if to say, "Whatever do you mean?"

"If I can recall," Mipha continues, "you said you wouldn't allow him to take me…again. And, forgive me for saying this, but you also sounded quite desperate. Angry, even."

With his eyes bulging ever-so-slightly, Sidon knows she's onto him. He immediately tries to push it away. "Ah, do pay it no mind. I was in the moment, is all."

This small, subtle attempt reminds his sister of the Sidon in her timeline and how forcefully positive he can be. A lot of times, that happens when he's hiding something big. And that "something" usually isn't a good thing. If that's the case with this one…

"Sidon…what happened in your future?"

His bone-white cheeks gain a hue as light and blue as the sashes they wear. "Ah, well…"

It takes less than a second for her to catch on as she stares in disbelief. Her free hand slowly rises to her mouth. Her voice trails off when she asks him,

"The Mipha in your timeline…was she…was I murdered?"

Murdered.

That word has brought nothing but heartaches, pain, and nightmares to the younger Zora, so much that he flinches. And there's no way she couldn't have noticed. Seeing no way out, as much as he tries to, he hangs his head and sighs. His normally-upbeat voice drops to a soft, sorrowful tone. "You know, it sounds so much worse when you say it."

"So that means…Waterblight Ganon…and what of the others? Did they turn out all right?" He says nothing. But, in that silence, he says so much. "Oh, dear. That's not good at all."

Sidon digs his fingernails into his palms. "It was a drastic moment for all of us. Calamity Ganon had, somehow, outsmarted everyone and trapped the spirits of the Champions inside their Divine Beasts. The chosen hero barely survived, and the princess…she was nowhere to be found. Ganon claimed a century year-old victory."

Mipha's hand trembles. She's now at a loss for words. Daruk, Revali, Urbosa, Link, Princess Zelda, and herself…lost?

In the midst of his feelings, Sidon musters the strength to tell her, "On the contrary, hope was not lost. During that century, Link's life was preserved, thanks to the Sheikah. And, with the help of Teba, Yunobo, Riju, and myself, he regained control and defeated the blights, which led to the calamity's defeat."

At the sound of a victorious ending, Mipha looks on. Her eyes gleam. "Really? Well, I'm glad that all is well in the future!"

"Yes. That much is true. I just…" Sidon sniffles. "I just wish you were there to see it all."

A few tears stream down his face as the walls he put up begin to crumble piece by piece. Just looking at him like this makes his sister feel as if time has re-winded. And she's able to see the shell of a small, small child standing before her.

He goes on, choking up here and there. "As a boy, I couldn't understand the meaning of death, but I knew what it was like to not have someone you love by your side for so long. I've never been the same since! There's not a day that goes by without my thinking of you!" He takes one uneasy step after another towards her. The falling chips that once built the walls of unwavering positivity have grown into chunks. "I've learned everything there was to learn from you. Losing my best friend, role model, and dearest sister has done terrible things to me! And to nearly lose you a second time…" The tridents slip from his hands as he collapses onto his knees and into Mipha's arms, almost knocking over her petite frame. "I'm afraid my heart cannot take much more!"

Wrapping his arms around her, he buries his face against her and sobs. That's when he truly breaks. His sobs gradually become loud, guttural wailing, racking his body. Over a hundred years' worth of anger, pain, and grief that he held onto finally overflows. A release that has been long overdue, and one that he has craved for, has come to pass. He has no ability, need, nor desire to uphold himself in this moment. There's no one who will judge him for showing weakness…at the very least, not in this timeline.

Mipha embraces him in turn, shedding a few tears herself as she patiently waits. While she is shocked by what he told her, she can't imagine how hard her brother took the news when it first reached him, let alone her people back at home. And with him having to take her place as the new Champion and the new heir to the throne…the expectations of those around him must have weighed him down greatly. If only she, herself, could travel to his time and help him.

It feels like a long time, but only a few minutes have passed before Sidon is able to compose himself even a little. His cries are muffled when his sister responds,

"Oh, Sidon…I'm so sorry. I wish I could see it as well. But you are right about one thing."

He lifts his head to face her. The expression on his soft, tear-stained face urges her.

"You're not the same. You've never been the same since that day. You're stronger, bolder, and smarter. And, even if you're hurting deep down inside, you still smile! I've seen it firsthand when you came to rescue me! Besides, I'm here with you right now. Whether we're worlds apart, in spirit, or in the flesh, I'll still be there. Death cannot take away what's bound together for eternity."

Suddenly, a familiar feeling encompasses Sidon. He sees himself as a child again, heeding his sister's wise words and anxiously waiting for the day he can follow them. Knowing how he used to be, he probably wouldn't wait. It's a feeling of reminiscence, but it's enough to pick him up, enough for him to go on as he is right now. That feeling causes him to give his most genuine smile as his tears dry.

"You're right! I may not have you in my time, but as long as you're safe in another, I am satisfied." He stands, much better and much lighter than before. "Thank you, dear sister! That's just what I needed to hear!"

Mipha returns the smile. "I've always said I believe in you, Sidon. I still do!"

For the final time, he pulls out his signature pose and makes her laugh. She steps toward the battlefield ahead of them while he retrieves his weapons.

"Now, then…" Mipha points her trident to the open area with her eyes on him. "It's time to focus on the fight ahead. You're ready for this, right?"

Sidon takes a deep breath, letting that age-long burden lift from his shoulders. "Of course, sister!"

He joins her and lays one of his tridents on top of hers as a new form of embrace, signifying that the two will always be together no matter what happens.