Link's POV:
Food, check. Water, check. Shock and hearty tonics, check. Herbs, medicine, arrows, and a change of clothes.
I finish taking in all the inventory, looking at the overly stuffed knapsack, and sigh.
She knows she doesn't have to do this, right? She may have gone a bit overboard.
"Link!" a soft voice calls out. Turning around, seeing a nervous Mipha, fidgeting with her fins. "Are you…sure you cannot stay for one more day?"
Regrettably, I shake my head. The Calamity draws near, and I can't risk being away from the princess any longer than I have been. Zelda sent me out here to do surveillance on Vah Ruta, and assist Mipha in any way handling her Divine Beast. But Mipha got a handle on Ruta, the quickest out of all the other Champions. If there's one thing I know that Mipha is good at, it's excelling faster than her peers.
"I see…then…is there anything else that the Zora can provide for you?"
I shake my head again, she's done plenty enough. Packing up more food for my travels back to the castle, getting spare clothes, preparing medicine for me, and even going out of her way, healing my arm. I don't have much else to give to Mipha as a thank you for everything she's done for me. I place my now full knapsack over my shoulder, walking towards the entrance of Zora's Domain, Mipha following quietly by my side. She seems a bit uneasy from my quiet demeanor that I've adapted since I've taken on the responsibility of Hyrule's "hero".
She knows something is wrong.
I was hoping I could vent to her about my worries about my duty. Not being able to hear the voice inside the Master Sword, being worthy of such a large and daunting task.
Can I do it? Can I protect the princess? My friends? My family? Can I protect everyone in Hyrule?
But…I just couldn't do it. I can't let anyone know that I'm unsure of my duty. If I can't do what the old hero used to do…if I'm not strong enough to bring Ganon down…then will Zelda be able to seal him if she unlocks her power? Do I have the strength…and the courage like other heroes before me?
With how I am now…will it be enough?
"Promise me…that you will come back…" Mipha said carefully, looking up to me awaiting a response. I smile and nod, what kind of promise even is that?
Of course I will.
"G-Good! Because…everyone that we used to play together with…m-misses you…w-well we all do, when you stopped showing up as frequently…we all sort of…grew apart y'know? The happy days of fighting and playing around just…stopped, when you stopped coming around,"
I chuckle a little in response to her nervous act. Doubting my lack of presence alone, could have been enough to make everyone go separate ways.
"Once this is all over, we can all come together again and celebrate our victory!" she says happily. I smile from her positive outlook.
Mipha always knows how to make someone feel better just by her attitude alone. Maybe that's why people love her so much, her poised looks, and kind nature; but really she can be just as nervous as the rest of us. I give her a thumbs up.
The weight of all of this is suffocating.
"I…have something for you," she says quietly, tilting my head in confusion, noticing nothing in her hands but her Lightscale trident.
"It's a present, for when we defeat the Calamity, so please be careful until then! O-Okay?"
We reach the end of the entrance, with not much to give Mipha in return for all she's done for me here, I turn towards her and give her a big hug. After a bit of nervous whimpering, Mipha wrapped her arms around me, returning my warm embrace. Even if I didn't get to tell her my self-doubting thoughts about the Calamity, it was still nice to see my dear friend. It briefly took me back to a time when there wasn't anything for me to worry about.
"Link, I hope you know…that…you can talk to me about anything—"
I can't.
"…And I will always take care of you…"
I truly don't deserve a friend like her, nodding my head in response. I hope she knows I would go out of my way to protect her and everyone in the Domain too. I feel some small arms wrap around my leg, I pull away looking down and see Sidon hugging my leg, looking up to me with watery eyes,
"Are you already leaving Big Bro?"
"Sidon! L-Let him go!" Mipha panics, picking up her tiny baby brother. Looking at me with her face flushed with embarrassment,
"S-Sorry,"
I laugh and shake my head, turning around,starting to head out, looking back at her one last time.
"Thanks for everything Mipha…take care of yourself, okay?"
Her eyes lit up from unexpectedly hearing my voice, beginning to water as she heard me, nodding her head and waving me off.
As I start waving back, everything around me starts to go droopy. Everywhere I look, the world begins morphing unnaturally. Starting to panic from the confusion of what is going on, I look back to Mipha, who remains the only thing clear to me. Sidon is no longer in her arms, and her mouth is slowly moving.
"Link…"
The whole world around me is now black, why is my body so hard to move? Everything hurts, my head is pounding, I…I can't breathe. My body falls to its knees. I can't remember what happened.
Where is Zelda? Is she okay?
"Get up Link…"
I remember, I'm drowning aren't I? I'm drowning with Zelda in my arms.
I failed her. I abandoned her, and she's dying because of it.
Grabbing my throat, trying to get a breath in, but I'm suffocating. A bright turquoise looking light appears in front of me. When I look up to see where Mipha was, she is now outlined in a dim ghostly light. Now in spirit form. She looks so sorrowful seeing me in the state I'm in, and slowly walks up to me. She gets down to my level, and places her hand softly on my chest, with a soft light coming from her hand, a warm feeling spreads across my body.
Suddenly, I feel so relieved, my head no longer hurts, and the numbness in my body quickly subsides. I take in a deep breath and let out a long sigh. What remains is a gnawing feeling of guilt that I wish would go away along with the rest of this pain. She looks at me with a worried expression.
"Please get up Link,"
"I…I can't…"
"Yes, you can. You have always been able to get up, this is nothing to you and you know it,"
"Mipha, Zelda is…"
She pauses upon hearing Zelda's name, "I know…that's why you need to go," I shake my head, the guilt is just too much…I'm so tired.
"I couldn't protect her. All I do is break my promises. I couldn't protect her, and I couldn't see you again–" she pressed her finger against my lips,
"You're wrong, you…you did come see me again, you came back to the Domain, saving me and everyone from Vah Ruta's tears. And…in the end I was able to give you your present…with the help of Sidon of course,"
"It still doesn't take away that I lost you, and the rest of the Champions…my family. I lost it all, I couldn't protect any of them. What kind of a hero am I if I can't protect the people I want?"
"That's enough, Link you…you're not a god. Even with your unnatural strength, nobody expects you to protect everyone all at once, you don't have that kind of power. Please…be kinder to yourself…"
"I fought so hard to get her back and…and I'm gonna lose her! I…I don't wanna be—"
"Enough!" she scolds me from going any further, I forgot how scary Mipha can be when she puts her fin down. "I will not allow you to go any further than that! Because…because you aren't going to lose her…"
I look up to her confused.
"N-not if you get up…" she finishes.
She's done healing my chest, and holds out her hand. Hesitantly, I place my hand on top of hers, letting her place her other hand on top of mine. There's a warm feeling bubbling in my hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Please use this…the rest of my power to save her Link…" she says softly, starting to slowly fade away. This wave of sadness consumes me as I see my dearest friend fading away before me.
"I know that…that you love her Link…I always have, even back then…" she says softly, "Even so…I still wanted to ask you to m-marry me when you returned to the Domain…I wanted…I wanted you to always know…that you always have my heart,"
"Mipha…I…" "You don't need to say anything…I just…don't want to live with any regrets…" she says quietly, smiling up at me with tears falling down her face.
"Link, I love you,"
Damn it, why does it hurt so much to hear her say that? I'm trying to hold back tears of my own. I reach out to hold her close, just one last hug.
This…isn't fair…
"I-I'm gonna miss you so much Mipha…" Feeling her body slowly fade away, her hand pats my back softly. Her voice now turned into a small whisper,
"Now…I have one last request…please, go save her…go save the woman who has your heart, Link…" looking back at me with a small grin, now nearly faded away, and leans towards my face. The last thing I feel from her is a small pressure from her lips on the center of my forehead.
My body feels like it's falling down the abyss, until I take in a deep breath and my eyes open.
Taking in a sharp breath and coughing up mouthfuls of water, when my vision starts to come too, I see wisps of ghostly light, disappearing from this world.
"Link! Please hang in there!" Sidon says worryingly, looking over my face assessing its condition, he holds my chin, moving my face side to side, checking for any other injuries. When my face moves over to my side, I see Zelda. Lying down, pale and motionless, it takes everything in me to roll over to her side.
I want to be with her.
Crawling with my bare hands, pushing my wet, and heavy body to her.
"Zelda…"
Sitting up slowly, and placing her cold, lifeless body in my lap. Looking over her body seeing the large three stab wounds on her chest. Still bleeding out profusely, I take two fingers, placing them on her neck, feeling a faint pulse, suddenly hope washes over.
I…I still have a chance.
Mipha's final request, and the remaining power she left me with.
Can I do it?
Can I save her with Mipha's grace? How do I know that wasn't just a dream?
Placing my hand over Zelda's chest, and closing my eyes to concentrate. I feel a warm feeling emitting from my hand, looking down and seeing a familiar looking light coming out of my hand, slowly making the bleeding stop, and putting together Zelda's wounds. Looking for any sign of life to come back to her face. Her chest starts to slowly move more with each minute that passes, indicating her breathing becoming more normal. More color is restored to her cheeks, and her eyes start twitching ever so slightly.
When the wounds finally close up, her chest moves up, taking in a deep breath and exhales slowly. Her eyes start fluttering open, she appears to be disoriented at first, trying to move her head around from side to side, not fully computing her newfound consciousness. She grunts in a slight discomfort, nuzzling her head in my chest, and looking up at me with her eyes more open. Those beautiful emerald eyes…I didn't think…I'd see them again…
I…don't believe it…she's alive. She's really alive.
"W-What…happened…?" she asks weakly.
"Zelda…you…" beginning to choke up, and carefully cupping her cheek.
She doesn't even flinch, sinking into my hand, beginning to close her eyes again. I bring her up slowly and wrap my arms around her tightly, burying my head into her shoulders. She's still soaking wet from the lake, but she feels so warm now. I'm so elated, I don't wanna stop holding her like this.
I feel her soft hand on my back, lightly tapping me.
"Link, I…I can't b-breathe…" she says weakly, I immediately loosen my grip on her, looking back at her making sure she's okay. She gives me a weak smile and a small chuckle.
"What're you trying to do…? Kill me? Or are you just that happy to see me…?"
"Har har," not phased by the attempt of dark humor. She chuckles again at my reaction, "Are you…okay…?"
She nods her head, "Yes…just a little dizzy that's all…"
"Better than before…"
"Indeed…" she says weakly, I look over to Sidon, who looks lost in thought, staring up to the heavens.
"Sister…thank you…" he says quietly.
He looks over to us with a beaming smile. "I say, a celebration is indeed, in order!" he boasts excitedly. I nod my head lightly, when my stomach rumbles loudly, I could really just go for a warm hot meal right now…Zelda is giggling beneath me.
"Hungry?" she asks sarcastically, I smile down to her,
"Guess it tends to happen when you have a near death experience," exhaling disappointedly, still feeling guilty about Zelda's current condition. "Can either one of you stand?" Sidon asks in a concerned tone. I look down to Zelda, waiting on her response. She struggles to get up, holding on to me for leverage, grasping her tightly, slightly disappointed that she's no longer in my arms. I got up with her, surprised by the lack of pain I was experiencing earlier.
I feel Zelda losing her footing quickly, and hold her close to me.
"Need a lift?" I ask cooly.
She looks at me with guilt for needing my assistance, nodding her head lightly, I have my hands on my back, ready for her to climb on. She nervously wraps her arms around my neck, laying her head on my shoulder once she gets comfortable. Her whole body is pressed softly against me, I hold up her legs, trying not to go too far up her thighs, just the thought of it, makes my face hot.
"Let's go," I say quietly, Sidon nods in agreement, and we make our way back to the Domain from the bridge Sidon laid us on. Sidon remained ahead of us, leading the way back.
"Princess…"
"Y-Yes?" Zelda responds weakly.
"I'm glad you're alright, I really thought I lost both of you back there,"
"I–I'm sorry I made you worry," she says quietly, tightening her grip around me ever so slightly. "Please don't apologize! If it weren't for you, we would have been banged up pretty bad,"
"I'm guessing you pulled us out of the lake Sidon?" I asked, he turned around and nodded. "Yes, and just barely in time…" we both remain quiet, Zelda rests her head on my neck, still feeling '
weak.
Zelda…
"That sorcerer…is gonna pay…" mumbling to myself.
"Indeed, we must find out who that was, if I didn't know any better, I would say he was the one who was controlling the malice possessed lynel, seeing how he could create…a clone of my sister…I wonder what he wants…?"
It is curious, we've never seen anyone like that before. But he has the ability to control malice…already making him a large threat.
"I wonder if…he is one of Ganon's followers…" Zelda says, weakly picking up her head.
"You mean like one of the Yiga?" I ask, she shakes her head,
"Over 100 years ago, though they were few and far between…there were rumors of a certain cult that prepared for Calamity Ganon's return…they had somehow made a pact with Calamity Ganon and were able to manipulate his malice. But…no one has ever seen them…"
"How do you know that they existed then?" how could I not have known about this?
"There were reports of a group's death. These…disciples…who all dressed in dark colored robes, and wore 'the eye of Malice' upon their foreheads, were inexplicably killed. We believed it to be mass s-suicide…their bodies were blackened beyond recognition,"
"How come…I never knew…?"
"My father wanted to keep the entire incident under wraps, because…even then…we weren't sure what happened to them…it was just a theory…"
"I see…"
"Well then! Only one last thing to do!" Sidon bursts. "It's time to formally introduce myself to Vah Ruta as its pilot!"
Zelda and I both look at Sidon, Zelda starts to speak up with guilt in her voice. "Sidon…you really don't have to if you don't—"
"Nonsense! After our combined valiant efforts from today, and now knowing of a new enemy threat…I know exactly what my role is! Princess Zelda, becoming Vah Ruta's pilot in my dear sister's place would be the highest honor I could ever have," Sidon turns away from, looking up to the sky. "My sister…believes in my strength, I know it…so…I cannot let her down!"
A cool breeze blows our way as we take a detour to Vah Ruta. My thoughts are clouded by the image of that sorcerer and the hollow of Mipha. Trying to rack my brain on who he is…if he's a disciple of Ganon; then it's no coincidence that he showed up. It was a trap the whole time, whoever he is…he was waiting for us…
We made it to Vah Ruta, Zelda slid off my back, aweing at its enormity. Her innocent-like reaction is enough to make me chuckle, briefly putting aside my fear of the hidden dangers that lie ahead. She's speaking with Sidon, handing him the Sheikah slate, showing him what to do and what to press. Tapping away as they share a few grins and laughs.
But I can't hear anything…
"You have made a very critical mistake, Chosen Hero…you left your little Goddess, unattended…"
"Link!"
The moments of Zelda getting impaled, repeat in my head relentlessly, hearing her cry for help…the pain she must have felt, her blood that was spilled afterwards. I've had close calls with Zelda in danger, but this time was different.
I let my guard down.
Tch…even with the Calamity gone…there's still so many things that are a danger to us…to her… and I couldn't protect her when she needed me most…If it hadn't been for Mipha's spirit…then she wouldn't be alive now…
I won't let Mipha's sacrifice be for nothing.
I have to become much stronger…
Zelda's POV:
"And so you tap this…"
"This…Sheikah slate is quite marvelous! This would be an amazing asset to the Zora!"
"Indeed! We're still learning so many new things that this thing can do!"
"Remote bombs, Cryonis, Stasis, Magnisis, Cam-u-rah? ...Zero Cycle…? How interesting! These must be especially useful to utilize in combat…" Sidon analyzes.
"I'm sure Link will teach me!" I giggle, looking back to see Link, he looks as though he's looking past us. Not paying any attention to our conversation. He worries me when he looks so…distant.
"So, we will use this slate to solidify my position as Vah Rutas pilot, correct?"
"Sidon…are you sure about this?" asking with guilt, I know this is the best option to ensure Hyrules safety but it still feels…wrong.
"Of course! You can cast your worries away princess! Nothing on this earth would make me happier than following in my sister's footsteps, to protect the great people of Hyrule! I will make sure her wish is fulfilled!"
Mipha…Father…e-everyone…I swear I will make Hyrule a safer place for the new generation. I nod in agreement to Sidon's resolve. Holding out the Sheikah slate, and opening up Vah Rutas control panel. I take a moment to figure out all of the modules and find the entrance. Tapping on the bubbled tab, Vah Ruta immediately starts to react, making the ground rumble beneath us. I am about to lose my footing when I feel Link's arms keeping my body stable, Sidon uses his tridents to keep himself stabilized, when I look up to the Divine Beast, I see a large platform gracefully lowering down. It reaches to the bottom, waiting for us to get on. I turn over to Sidon, holding out my arm, insisting he, the new pilot, should be allowed to step on first. He shakes his head.
"Ah-ah! I am a gentleman princess, I'm sure Link can understand, ladies first,"
"If you insist," stepping on the platform, turning around facing Link and Sidon both stepping on the platform. Once all of us are completely in the center, the platform slowly starts to rise. We get higher each moment that passes. The view of Zora's Domain from here is so beautiful, I can even see the castle clearly from here. A strong wind blows against us, leading us into Vah Ruta. Link takes the lead, showing us to the control room.
The massively structured walls within the beast have me and Sidon turning our heads in different directions. Both of us marvel at its architecture. We make it to the control room with a guidance stone in the center, attached to a larger Sheikah stone slab. With engravings carved into it, it glows blinking into a bright orange color. I hand over the Sheikah slate to Sidon, who's demeanor has now completely changed, and takes the slate with no hesitation. Walking up to the guidance stone. He places the tablet on the slot and the guidance stone immediately registers it.
Registering Sheikah slate.
Divine Beast Vah Ruta number of pilots: 0
Please register pilot to control Vah Ruta
Place new pilots' hand on the Sheikah slate to begin synchronization.
Sidon giddily places his hand on the Sheikah slate, letting the tablet scan it. He looks up to the control hub excitedly. As though he's been waiting for this moment.
It's as though I'm sharing this moment of anticipation with him, watching this as a scholar…an immense, partly conscious mecha-robot choosing its pilot and connecting to its spirit and mind is fascinating. I have to remember to document this whole event later.
Scan complete.
Pilot accepted. Beginning to synchronize. Please do not remove hand from the Sheikah slate.
"Excellent!" Sidon beams, letting out a long sigh and closes his eyes. As though his mind had gone to a whole other world. He stands still. Not that I had any doubts of his candidacy…but I am slightly relieved. Sidon keeps his composure, his eyes twitching every now and then. It got…so quiet.
The silence is eerie, being all alone in such a massive beast. Must be so frightening at times. I look over to Link, who hasn't looked me in the eye since we got here. He looks around Vah Ruta with familiarity, then facing back to the guidance stone. Looking on in curiosity towards Sidon, waiting on a reaction.
Just like Mipha and the rest of the Champions, he had to face the wrath of Ganon's influence and malice, alone. All to gain control of the Beast's power. We must be ready…so that no one ever has to face Ganon alone, ever again.
Vah Ruta starts to move around slightly, letting out its eleplant-like cry. A reaction to the pilot synching up their consciousness to the Beast, giving the pilot full autonomy of the mecha robot without the use of a Sheikah slate. If there is even a slight disconnect between the pilot and the Beast, it could lead to the whole thing to shut down.
The guidance stone and whole control panel begins to react, blinking from orange to blue lights, and the whole Beast moving haphazardly. I get down on all fours, not wanting to lose my ground. Link quickly gets to my side, holding up his shield above me to prevent any debris from falling from the crevices.
"Sis..ter…" Sidon whispers, when the guidance stone and control panel engravings switch to a bright blue color, beaming across the Divine Beast. The mecha moves around more agile, less bumpy. Letting out a cry of victory. The moment brings me such joy, I can't help but laugh, smiling eagerly.
Synchronization, complete.
Sidon regains consciousness, and removes his hand off the tablet, taking it off the guidance stone and tossing it towards me. His smile is so infectious, proud of his fortitude. For once everything feels right! I rush towards my tall Zoran friend and give him a huge hug. He twirls me around in excitement. Cheering for his newfound title.
"Congratulations Sidon!"
"Rest assured princess Zelda, I promise to keep everyone safe!"
"I know you will!"
"With that out of the way, it's time for us to celebrate with a huge Zoran feast! To the Domain!"
Night fell across the Domain, it was such a beautiful sight, seeing the city aglow from the luminous stone architecture. Enjoying a large banquet of filets of different types of fish and Zoran cuisine in celebration for Sidon earning the title Champion Pilot of Vah Ruta. During the festivities, Link got pulled away from me by his old childhood friends. Pleading to him to have a moment to catch up and get a "training" lesson in, after 100 years. It might have been good for him, he hasn't been…present. The day had passed before I knew it, and I was back at the inn, hiding away, lying down on my waterbed, resting from today's fight and festivities, analyzing the Sheikah slate.
Too much has happened in the span of two days…it has been quite exciting, but perhaps after today's events, we should take some time to lay low. I can hardly remember anything after that wizard appeared at the mountain.
Just…a lot of pain…Sidon mentioned that he was afraid he almost lost both of us. What happened to Link…? That disciple conjured that malice hollow of Mipha and nearly killed us both from what I was able to piece together. Swiping away in the camera album until I notice a new picture in the album.
"Hmm? What's this…?"
The door slides open, I look over and see Link quietly closing the door behind him. He scans the room until his eyes fall on mine. When he sees me, his shoulders ease up from the built up tension. He looks relieved, but...he hasn't said a word to me since we arrived at the Divine Beast.
"Hey!" calling to him, he waves his hand and gives me a cool smile. I give him a pouty look, sitting up slightly.
"Silence is unbecoming of you…" I say to him seriously, squinting at him. He shrugs his shoulders, looking over to me with a cheeky face, sticking his tongue out. Trying to mask your emotions huh?
"Come, lie down," I demand. Lying back down, looking back to the Sheikah slate. He's slow at first to come close to my bedside, I assure him by patting my side hoping he'll loosen up. He starts unequipping his sword and shield, undoing his boots and nervously lies down on the buoyant waterbed. I roll over to his side from the way the bed sways dramatically back and forth. Our faces are so close apart, his cheeks flushed ever so slightly while trying to act unfazed by our closeness looking away from me.
He tries to get up but I won't let him, and wrap my arm with Sheikah slate around him, waiting for the bed to level out once again. He doesn't try too hard struggling around.
"...I said, lie down,"
He gives up and lets out a sigh as soon as I lay my head on his chest. I just hope he can't feel how hot my cheeks are…but he needs to rest.
"Okay…you win…" he says quietly, resting his shoulders, tapping on my arm. I pick my arm up off his chest with my head remaining, him just accepting me in his personal space. We both look back up to the Sheikah slate.
"What're you lookin' at?"
I zoom in the picture I just opened up. "Your new find,"
It's a picture of the malice lynel. Showing Link, I can feel his fist ball up, looking seriously up at the unnerving photograph.
"Have you ever seen anything like this before while on your travels…?"
"No, not like this,"
I exit out of the picture, looking at the rest or the album photos.
"Say…Link?" he turns his head to me,
"Yeah…?" I suddenly feel upset asking him, he doesn't seem like himself…he's clearly bothered by something.
"Why…why did you leave me this morning…? Was it because you thought I would just get in the way?"
His attitude changes after hearing my question, gently resting his hand on my shoulder, inadvertently bringing me closer to him…not that I mind.
"What makes you think that?"
"W-Well, when I woke up…not seeing you here, I began to panic. A part of me thought you left because I wasn't any use to you…I was worried what may happen to you…"
"Zelda, you've got it wrong, I left without you because I didn't want to see you hurt…and look how well that got me…"
"You're not my knight anymore, you don't have to always protect me!"
"It's not a matter of what I am Zelda, it's what I want to do. A-And…I almost lost you…" he looks away from me, scratching his head with his other arm.
"You and Sidon keep saying that, whatever it was, it couldn't have been that bad!"
"You…really don't remember?"
Oh the irony…
"Well…yes…I recall seeing that maniacal looking wizard, and Mipha's hollow, but…after that, nothing. Although, I feel a slight bruising in my chest area," lightly feeling around my chest, pinpointing the pain in 3 vertical points. Link looks where I'm pointing seriously,
"That's all huh…?" still staring at my hand. "It could be shock, you'll probably start remembering soon," he says, looking away to the side.
I nuzzle his chest, which makes him let out a quiet gasp, catching him off guard. Hearing his reaction from my teasing makes my lips curl, I take my finger and point at his chest,
"I'd rather you tell me," hoping it will get him to open up to me. But he remains quiet, unsure of what he was going to say, if anything at all. He looks to me with his ocean eyes, all I see is a sea of guilt, washed all over him. His sadness has made me unknowingly start tugging at his tunic, giving him a pleading look to bear his heart to me.
It's as though he can't hold himself back, or perhaps he doesn't want me staring at him anymore, and he pulls me into a warm embrace, burying my head in his chest.
"You…almost got killed…" squeezing me tightly, like it hurt for him to say that.
What?
I almost died?
Link's face is the last thing I remember seeing on the mountain.
"That's impossible….h-how–?"
"You got—stabbed from the hollows trident, you were bleeding out…would explain the pain in your chest,"
How is it not anymore than just bruising though?
"After you got stabbed, I made it to you too late, and I was almost done for too, until you saved me,"
What?
"You…used your power,"
"W-What? M-My power?"
"It seemed weakened, but it looked like you were channeling it into the arrow you used to disable the hollow,"
I used my power…and what's more I channeled it into an object? But…that's impossible…I can't even hear the Master Sword anymore. Let alone feel any of the goddesses' power through me at all. I feel…normal.
"You lost your footing and fell off the mountain, and I took myself with you,"
"You—WHAT!?"
"When we crashed in the lake, I couldn't even bring us back up, we almost drowned," he holds me tightly, as he is trapped in his mind, replaying the events in his head. I can feel his heart beat faster just as he recounts everything that happened. I wrap my arms around him, embracing him back, holding him tightly.
"If it hadn't been for Sidon, we'd both be goners, and it would've been my fault,"
"Link…stop blaming yourself…"
"I told you to get to high ground, I wasn't there for you,"
"I'm not someone you need to protect all the time Link!" he doesn't say anything, but just continues to hold me, placing his chin on my head.
"It was Mipha…who saved us," he says quietly. My heart drops hearing her name. "H-How so?"
"She…healed us with the last of her power," he says distantly.
"How…do you know?"
"I—saw her, she entrusted me to heal you with the last of her power,"
I remained silent, it must've been hard for him…it's like he's mourning her loss twice. I just rub his back softly back and forth.
"I'm so sorry…" I say quietly. "You shouldn't be the one apologizing," he says sternly, taking a pause and sighs, loosening his grip ever so slightly, in quiet protest, I slightly tug on his tunic keeping him close to me.
"I've got to become stronger, I can't let that happen to you again," he says more to himself than to me. Looking out the window, fighting to keep his eyes open.
"No–I won't stop supporting you in battle no matter what, I–I'm your partner, I'm not going to let you fight alone anymore Link…so, I don't care what happens to me,"
"What's the point…if you get hurt too?" continuing to hold me close to him, his breathing starts becoming more heavy. Is he…falling asleep?
"Zel…I'm gonna…get…"
Blushing at his newly given nickname still, I continue rubbing his back, soothing him to sleep,
"Just rest for now Link," starting to feel drowsy myself, still clinging to Link like he's the only thing in the world left to hold on to. My eyes started to close from all the pint up exhaustion.
"You're…already enough…"
