The group had little difficulty making their way to Akkala. They didn't face any travellers during their journey. The area around Eldin was currently infested with monsters, keeping any sane travellers at bay. They only faced issues when arriving at the operational Citadel. Zelda had pulled her hood up over her head, although her hair had grown a little bit in the last month, it was nowhere near long enough for her to convince people that she wasn't the 'impostor' which was why she concealed it.
They attempted to quietly sneak around towards the cavern, which in this time was blocked by a soldier and an iron gate. The soldier was surprised to see the six of them, which wasn't surprising to them. "Hello, I'm James Ramen, what can I do for you all?" He seemed rather experienced with the Citadel, Zelda just hoped that despite his experience they could find their way inside. "We would like to be permitted entry into this cavern." Revali expressed confidence as he spoke. "I'm afraid I can't do that, we've been advised to keep anyone out for their own safety." Zelda frowned, surely there was no way that they were aware of Ganondorf's existence. "Do you know why it's unsafe?" Link inquired, judging by his face he was as confused as she way. "We all have our theories, but no-one that ever ventures inside comes back out, this gate has been blocked for as long as any of us can remember." Zelda stepped forward to face James. "Sir, this is a serious matter. We must enter this cavern. The fate of Hyrule is at stake." He tilted his head with concern. "How do you mean." Zelda knew she could not raise any alarms, so she took a brief moment to think. "I believe that inside this cavern is the secret to unlocking the powers I need to defeat Calamity Ganon." She hoped her lie would be enough, they couldn't turn away now. With much reluctance, James tugged on a lever which started pulling the gate open. "All of you stay safe, we need you all." Zelda gave him a nod before beginning to make her way into the cavern.
Not long after entering, they could hear a creaking as the gate began to shut. This was it. She raised her arm out in front of her, before allowing light to pour out of her, illuminating their surroundings. "There is a possibility that we will have to face a Guardian down here, after that there isn't anything between us and him." She warned. Silence settled in, only the occasional shifting of a weapon, or the rattling of Daruk's chains could be heard. Everyone was armed and ready for their battle. They soon came to the bridge where they had encountered the Guardian in their last journey down here. Although they could not see it, it's movement could certainly be sensed, and it didn't take any of them long to realise that the autonomous creature was below them, it was clear that it was infected with malice, however they were safely out of its sight, allowing them to pass.
Each step she took felt heavier than the last, so much was about to happen. She was going to be released from all the pain and suffering she had endured, but.. today was the day she could lose Link. They hadn't found any way to save him, despite their efforts. She longed for another way out of this mess. "This place really gives me the creeps." Daruk's voice was low. "Tell me about it.." Revali replied. "I've a feeling it's about to get a whole lot scarier." Urbosa added. "You think?" Mipha reprimanded before silence followed once more. Zelda felt Link take her hand as they pressed forward, as comforting as it should have been, it only pained her, for she wondered if it would be the last time. She sighed heavily before casting her thoughts aside and continuing on.
They arrived outside of the room, they could see the glowing embers of the Zonai hand dancing along the wall. "This is it then." Daruk stated, he sounded rather calm despite everything. "We'll do it right this time." Urbosa chanted. "We'd better do it right this time." Revali responded. "We'll teach this monster a lesson." Mipha stated. Zelda was glad to have the four of them by her side. "Let's do this then." Link ordered, before they all advanced into the chamber.
Ganondorf was petrified in the state they'd seem him when they first arrived here, however there was a higher presence of malice, it filled the chasm below and the ground wasn't visible because of it. Zelda summoned the bow of light before beginning to rain shots down on Ganondorf's corpse, Link began to fire lightning from his blade as the Champions stood by, ready to assist if anything went awry. They heard a tortured scream erupt from the body as he came to his senses. Zelda watched as the Zonai Hand in this timeline shattered during their assault. Zelda was confident that this would be over quickly. However, the malice appeared to become agitated along with it's conductor, and soon it formed an impenetrable wall of the substance, blocking them off from Ganondorf. "How do we get to him?" The Rito asked. Link stepped forward, readying his blade. "He'll get to us first." Almost as soon as the words left his mouth the barrier cascaded and Ganondorf rushed towards them. Link met him head on with his sword, however Ganondorf countered this with his malice, using it to prevent Link from even touching him. Ganondorf seemed too weak to fight, he looked like he was bent on escaping. He pushed past Link and the Champions formed a wall between Ganondorf and Zelda, attempting to attack him, however once again his malice did well to prevent any attacks. Zelda knew that he couldn't escape and cause damage. She raised her bow and fired an arrow, watching it fly before.. it hovered in front of the Gerudo King's face. She watched as tendrils of his malice coiled around it, before shattering it. Light exploded from the destruction of the arrow, blinding them all momentarily. And as Zelda's vision returned, Ganondorf was already bolting out of the cavern.
As soon as his vision returned, Link began running after the Demon King, hearing the rest of the group follow after him. However, it seemed as though their speed was not enough to rival that of Ganondorf's. The magnitude of malice at his disposal was certainly making him more powerful. "Zelda, once we catch up to him you'll need to use your powers to weaken his malice, otherwise we won't be able to attack him." He called out. They all kept running. They heard a large bang before a scream was heard, Ganondorf was already free now. It took them another few minutes to make it outside. Ganondorf could be seen running, at this rate they had no chance of catching up to him. "How are we supposed to stop him? He's moving faster than we can in water." Mipha stated, concern present in her voice. "He's not faster than a Rito." Link turned around to stop Revali. "You are not facing him alone, he'll have you killed in seconds." The Rito slowly lowered his wings before sighing. It felt like history was repeating itself now.
Then something odd happened. Link heard a noise coming from his waist. He pulled out the Sheikah Slate, watching it's screen come to life. He was surprised to see it still operating, and was more surprised to see the icon at the Shrine of Resurrection sparking to life. Then, a dark red symbol appeared, which was moving, it was clear that it was Ganondorf, and even better, the Slate allowed them to fast travel to him. "Everyone huddle close, I have our answer." The group came together, Link didn't even bother trying to explain what was about to occur before touching the icon and watching as they all turned blue before vanishing.