They were at the castle, she wished to explore the library, hoping she could locate a book which would help her find this monster. She was done with cowering away from her duty, a century of torment had strengthened her, and she was ready to unleash it all. She insisted that she drove to the castle, she knew she had been rather reckless, but she was desperate to find what she was seeking. "What are we looking for?" Link was standing in the middle of the hall, she hadn't yet told him what it was that she was looking for. "A book." She stated simply, she heard an audible sigh from him. "I know that, but which book?" She rolled her eyes. "Just shut up and let me concentrate!" She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm sorry, I'm just on edge.." She continued her search for half an hour, by herself, until she found what she was looking for.
She made her way over to Link and placed the book down on the table. She opened it up, revealing some maps. "There is a detailed map of all the cave systems beneath the ground, but there was always one which seemed odd.." Her finger traced along the page, it was tinted yellow due to its old age. Her finger stopped at the Akkala citadel, a singular skull was painted in red on the pages. "Here. There used to be an open entrance, but no-one ever entered. But then there was an explorer, he entered the cave and never returned. After that they sealed it up. I believe.. that this is the cave which Maz Koshia was referring to." She looked at Link who nodded silently, his eyes lacked emotion, he looked how he acted a century ago, when they were but strangers. "We must hurry, locate this cave, and kill Ganondorf. I cannot stand idly by whilst he turns this entire kingdom into ruins." She closed the book and stood up, making her way towards the entrance. She paused and looked over her shoulder. "You coming?" She asked softly, she couldn't help this restlessness, she couldn't allow herself to think. She'd already lost so much, she had already lost him once. She couldn't allow that to happen again.
"How do you know we'll kill him?" His voice was low. She tilted her head, surely Link knew he was capable. "We've already overcome the calamity-" He stood up and turned to face her. "After 100 years, besides, your powers are currently non-existent. What makes you think they'll return just like that?" She frowned, looking down, she hadn't thought of that. "Maz Koshia knows that we are doomed. Ganondorf.. the Calamity was merely a puppet, a singular step in achieving his goal. He used the Divine Beasts and the Guardians to stall us, he managed to keep us at bay for an entire century, slowly chipping away at the kingdom, reducing it to a point where it is so weak. When he awakens, it won't take much for him to defeat us. We have no army, the technology we have is useless against him, we don't have your powers. Koshia was right.." She watched his head lower. "We don't have a chance." She swallowed a lump in his throat, hearing him so deflated was disheartening, he was always the stronger one, no, he was always the wiser one. She had the knowledge, but he knew what to do in these situations. He was right, she knew that now.
"We owe it to everyone to try.. you still have your sword. If we're destined to die, we may as well die on our own terms.." She suggested softly, watching him nod with agreement. "That is correct, we cannot allow him to destroy everything without at least trying to harm him." She walked over to him slowly, attempting to seek comfort in his arms. She crashed into his chest, feeling his arms wrap around her. She didn't cry, she just stayed silent and still. "May I request something?" She inquired softly, glancing up at him. "I would like to visit my father's grave. I never got a chance to properly say goodbye.." She trailed off, the realisation hitting her that there was so much she hadn't done, so much she never would. "Of course, we can head there now, and then we can find this cave." She nodded at his words, holding onto him a little more before stepping away. "Let's be off.." She stated quietly before taking a hold of his hand, and together they exited the room, along with the castle.
Luckily enough, the travel point remained active, so getting back was no challenge. She held onto his hand as they exited the shrine, and allowed him to lead the way up to Mount Hylia, where her father had been buried. Once at the top, she knelt down in front of it, whispering a soft prayer for her late father, before voicing her own thoughts. "I am sorry father.. for failing you.. for failing the kingdom.. but I will not let it die without restraint.. I know, that I rarely showed it.. but I loved you, I still do.. Mother's death changed me, turned me into the cold person I became, I am sorry for shutting you out.." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I understand that you were doing what was right by the kingdom, I just wish I saw that sooner.. I am proud to call myself your daughter.. rest well father, you deserve it.." She sighed deeply, feeling Link's hand on her shoulder as she got to her feet. "Let's find that cave then.." She stated softly, she felt sick.
They descend the plateau once again, before summoning the Master Cycle. Link took the responsibility of driving this time, Zelda didn't seem to be in any fit state to drive. "Where is it again?" He asked after some time. "The Akkala Citadel." Was her response. He felt her arms tighten around his middle, she seemed distressed, he didn't blame her. He felt how he felt a century ago, burdened and afraid, unaware of what lay ahead. They were about to face a being who had tormented this kingdom time and time again. "We will likely need explosives to reveal the entrance, and hopefully Robbie will have some resources that will aid us in exploring the cave." Her suggestion was reasonable, they didn't know how long they'd be down there, so being prepared was a necessity.
Upon making to Akkala, they stopped outside of the Citadel. They searched the perimeter, before finding an area where the rock was a different shade of red, a sign that that was the entrance. Something appeared to catch Zelda's eye, for she bent down before picking up some sort of necklace. "Property of James Ramen.. he was appointed as a guard here, I recall the day which him and others were enrolled." She placed the necklace in her bag before looking at Link. "This is the place. We shall acquire what we need and from there we shall get this entrance opened up." He nodded briefly before taking a hold of her hands. "Just know, that whatever happens in the next few days. I love you, with all of my being." He kept his eyes locked with hers, she didn't smile, but she did blush. "I know.. and I love you too, with all of my heart." A small smile appeared on her lips then, before it faded. "Let's go and meet with Robbie and see what he has." He suggested, she nodded softly and they summoned the Master Cycle before beginning to travel up towards the Sheikah Laboratory.
They made it up to the laboratory in a relatively short amount of time. They stopped just outside and made their way up to the entrance. Link stood back as Zelda gently knocked on the door. There was the sound of shuffling inside before the door was pulled open by the skilled scientist, Robbie. "This is rather unexpected." The short male chuckled lightly, seemingly glad to see them both again. "It is good to see you again Link, and it is wonderful to see you once again Zelda." Link smiled lightly, and noted that Zelda was doing the same. "We have something rather important to discuss." Zelda began, Link allowed her to speak. "Link and I are going to explore a cavern relatively soon, we were wondering if you would have anything we could utilise?" Link watched Robbie glance around his lab before shrugging. "If you wait until tomorrow I can load a Hateno cow up with some weapons and food items, may I ask why you two are going into a cave though." Link glanced at Zelda, who tensed up a little. "We.. there is something down there, something which must be destroyed. Link and I shall attempt to do just that." Robbie nodded suspiciously but didn't press the issue. "Well, if you're going down into a cave that clothing simply won't do. If you leave your clothing with me I'll see if my wife can make any alterations." The scientist pulled out two Sheikah outfits, one for a male and the other for a female. "You may change into these."
Link nodded gratefully as he took the clothing. "Thank you Robbie, this will be of great assistance." The swordsman stated, they would need all the advantages they could possibly get. The two left the building and went around the back to change into their temporary clothing. "I never liked the clothing of the Sheikah all that much." Zelda said after some time. Link looked over at her as he finished putting his clothing on. "I like the style, just not the feel. It's too baggy." She added before looking over at him. "But, it's only for some time.." She forced a smile he could see, and he nodded quietly. "We should probably sleep in the stable for tonight, tomorrow we can see how well equipped we are." He suggested. He heard her sigh, a sign that she wasn't happy with waiting around, but they had no other choice. "Very well then, we shall thank Robbie and head down to the stable." She replied simply before beginning to walk back around to the entrance with her clothing. He grabbed his own before following her.
After discarding their clothes and thanking Robbie for his assistance, the two made for the stable. Neither felt all that hungry currently. Together, hand in hand, they stepped into the small area. "You two are travellin' rather late. Guess it's typical o' those your age." Link blinked slightly before looking at the stable worker who had said that. "We were busy." He replied dismissively. "Ah, so that's what you kids call it these days." Link shook his head before glancing at Zelda who also seemed quite irritated by this unnecessary scolding. "The name's Jacob Bridges, how can I help?" Link walked up to the desk. "We'd like a bed for the night." He replied, pulling out some rupees to pay. "Very well, but you two can't be 'busy' in my stable." Jacob stated, he obviously seemed to have some sort of distaste for teenagers. "We won't be any trouble sir." Link replied before placing the rupees on the counter. "Thank you for your hospitality." Link remarked dryly before turning around and making his way over to Zelda, who seemed to have already claimed a bed.
He laid down next to her, she was turned away from him so he gently placed his arms around her. She leaned back into him and sighed happily. "Hopefully we can prove that prophecy wrong." Link whispered gently. "We can only try our best." Zelda responded quietly. She turned around to face him and he slowly moved his hand up to the side of her face. She leaned into his touch before closing her eyes. "I love you." She whispered gently before seemingly dozing off. He smiled gently before placing a kiss on her forehead and falling asleep.
The next day they returned to the laboratory. There, they collected their reinforced clothing and were given a Hateno cow which was loaded with various items they could use down in the cave. They also collected some explosive barrels for opening the entrance, and together they made their way down to the sealed entrance.
They have no idea what they're in for.