The ceremony to inaugurate the Champions was the first formal event of its size that had been held in some time. The only other event of this magnitude was the queen's funeral when Princess Zelda was six years of age, and that event had mostly faded from her memory.
Everyone gathered in the Sanctum with a few soldiers from each race to accompany their respective Champion.
The Champions and Link were all dressed in a blue article of clothing Zelda had handcrafted. A skirt for Urbosa; a scarf for Revali; a sash for Mipha and Daruk; and a blue tunic for Link.
King Rhoam gave a rousing speech. Even Zelda felt a renewed sense of duty. Everything felt normal and right.
The ceremony was to be concluded with the princess bestowing a blessing upon the hero and the sword that seals the darkness, and that's when Zelda's enthusiasm was curbed quite a bit.
Link knelt before her with the sacred blade at his back. Zelda could feel the eyes of the Champions, Impa, and her father bearing down on her as she gave a rehearsed, half-hearted speech. She wasn't feeling worthy of giving such a blessing, but she got through it without incident.
Zelda concluded the blessing and gave a soft sigh of relief. She couldn't help but glance at the back of her gloved hand. Her hand, where the power was said to manifest in females born to the goddess's bloodline. If it would only awaken within her.
Later, when everyone was winding down after the ceremony, Zelda sat alone on the low stone wall of a gazebo on the castle grounds, watching the Champions enjoy a moment of rest.
Every single one of them was well respected among their people. Each had a unique gift. Mipha had the power to heal. Daruk could summon a protective barrier around himself. Revali had his gale. And Urbosa could command lightning at the snap of a finger. They had all proven themselves as worthy and valuable assets against the Calamity.
Except I haven't…
How many times had she trained at the Springs of Power and Courage? And soon, she'd do it all over again. Again, most likely without success. The years of failure and disappointment were taking their toll. She felt like she was a million years old, despite her physical age of a mere sixteen.
She was vaguely aware of the conversations between the Champions, but the Zora princess caught her attention. Mipha was not so subtly gushing about Link, wanting to become stronger to fight alongside him. It seemed the poor Zora princess was unaware that she'd been speaking loudly enough to gain Link's attention and Mipha became flustered when he turned to acknowledge her.
Something inside Zelda twinged.
If only it were that simple...
Zelda lowered her gaze and pushed her mind elsewhere, fidgeting with the gold ring that secured her glove.
oOo
Astor looked down at the back of his gloved hand. He tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the table, the gold ring on his finger creating a gentle clinking sound. It appeared the Harbinger was still displeased with him.
Kohga knelt to offer the little black Guardian a banana, only for the Harbinger to slap the Yiga leader's hand with one of its legs.
"You've really done it this time, little lord malice! It's been three days and your harbinger is still pouting like a spoiled child."
Astor felt a headache coming on, not bothering to chastise Kohga for speaking so disrespectfully of the Catalyst of the Calamity. He closed his eyes and rubbed his brow, trying to clear his mind.
… twins...
The thought landed like a full-sized Guardian crashing through Astor's mental wall. His heart rate quickened and he shakily pushed the thought away, not wanting to confront it, simply passing it off as an intrusive thought planted by Kohga's earlier comments.
The prophet redirected his thoughts. It wasn't lost on him that there was a huge celebration underway at Hyrule Castle. All of Hyrule was united against him and his destiny. Not even the Yiga seemed particularly invested, and why would they? They seemed satisfied with their current way of life.
And then there was her… The princess whose power to seal Calamity Ganon away was dormant, yet she had spared him, her mortal enemy. She should hate him, fear him, yet when his life was threatened she looked upon him with a strange sadness in her eyes. Was it Pity? Genuine concern?
She was a fixture in his prophetic dreams as of late, and he wouldn't dare speak a word of them to the Yiga Leaders for a multitude of reasons. They were already losing faith in him as it was. More distressing, he sensed these prophetic dreams were not of Calamity Ganon. No, these visions were a stark contrast from the Great Calamity's.
Doubts continued to pursue him and that unwelcome feeling had only worsened.
Could it be that she's not fated to die? That's why I failed… I...can accept that... She's fated to unlock her power… No, no… Preventing her from unlocking that power is the least I can do… And I must...
"Hey prophesy man, you alright? You look like you're losing your bananas…"
"He never had any to begin with…." Sooga commented.
Astor barely heard them, his thoughts fixed on the new vision he'd been having night after night since he'd crossed her path.
The scene was a familiar one—Fort Hateno. In this vision, not only had she unlocked her power, but she was taking down Blights and Guardians with horrifying ease. She wielded her newfound power with confidence and glowed with radiant, otherworldly light. Her movements were like a graceful dance. It was like watching a beautiful and powerful goddess destroying his entire world and leaving him in the ruins. And he hated the thoughts and feelings this girl conjured up whenever he saw her or so much as thought about her. So this was the future? Did the Calamity even stand a chance? And what did this mean for him and the destiny he thought he had?
"Wretched girl…."
oOo
As the other Champions departed Urbosa came to sit next to a forlorn Zelda. The princess looked up, acknowledging Urbosa with a small smile.
"It's been quite a whirlwind these past few days." Urbosa smiled back.
"Yes, it has..." Zelda agreed.
Urbosa's features tensed with pity, becoming serious. "Zelda… You're doing everything right. Feeling sorry for yourself certainly isn't going to unlock any sort of divine power… But you know what? You never know what might spark the power to at last manifest. You just have to find that thing… It may be something you could never have envisioned. And it's not too late."
Zelda breathed in deeply. "Yes, that is my hope…"
Impa approached them along with Purah by her side.
Zelda nearly jumped when she saw Purah, waiting with bated breath for what the Sheikah researcher had to say.
"Princess, I think you'll be pleased to hear that we did manage to uncover a new piece of data on your mystery man."
Zelda lit up with a beautiful smile she couldn't seem to hide, which didn't go unnoticed by those around her, especially Purah. Even Link took notice and came over to join them.
Purah handed Zelda the Slate. "Take a look!" She said a little too enthusiastically, either proud of her accomplishment or eager to see Zelda's reaction. Impa shot her sister a withering look.
Sure enough, there was a new true-to-life image. This one showed Astor accompanied by two Yiga footsoldiers.
Zelda's smile faded a degree.
Astor… He truly is the center of all things Calamity Ganon…
"T-thank you, Purah." Zelda said, and meant it sincerely, although she feared the Sheikah Researcher might continue to prattle on."
Thankfully, Purah did not.
"And with that, I should get back to the lab," Purah said cheerfully. "Princess, just a little more time is needed on that project you requested. I think you're going to be very pleased with the result. It will be like piloting your very own Divine Beast, just as you said."
Zelda gave Purah a nod and she departed, oblivious to what was about to unfold due to her bad timing.
"Well, well, well. Why am I not surprised?" Urbosa remarked.
Zelda's chest tightened, waiting for what Urbosa would say next.
"I must admit, I feel responsible given that Gerudo Desert has been home to the Yiga for a long time now. I've been far too lenient with them."
Zelda relaxed a little. Urbosa was still none the wiser. Urbosa was right, however; it made perfect sense for Astor to align himself with the Yiga Clan. And so Zelda bit back her disappointment.
"No more…I think Vah Naboris will be indispensable in taking them by surprise at their hideout. It will be a long time coming. Link… Impa… Will you join me in this mission?" Urbosa asked.
They both gave their assent.
Zelda was left speechless, feeling left out of the discussion on what should be done. "Then... I will go as well," Zelda interjected, prompted by the knowledge that Astor might be at that hideout.
"But, you'd be in danger as you're their primary target. They've tried to kill you, little bird, so now I will crush them beneath Vah Naboris' hoof."
What could she say to convince her? Zelda put on a brave face. "Look Urbosa, as princess of Hyrule this is my fight."
Urbosa gave Zelda a warm smile. "I can see you possess unmatched courage and determination. You remind me of a certain Hylian vai I once knew."
"My mother?"
Urbosa nodded. "This still does not sit right with me. I wouldn't feel right putting you in harm's way. This will be an extremely dangerous mission. Not to mention, you'd be a liability for everyone, especially Link who is charged with guarding you."
"But, I…" Zelda began, realizing this was not an argument she could win. Urbosa's words stung, but it was true, she'd already wandered off from the group once before and nearly paid with her life. So there really was nothing more she could say without raising Urbosa's suspicions. Already she was feeling guilty for suggesting she go.
Urbosa's expression softened. "Sorry… I know it's a sore subject for you, but my stance on this is firm. Don't worry, little bird, with the might of Vah Naboris, I will raze the Yiga Hideout and anyone left will meet a swift end at my hand."
Zelda held back the growing dread in the pit of her stomach. She gripped the slate a little too tightly, her knuckles going white.
Goddesses, why couldn't Purah be more discrete… I know this is the right course of action for Hyrule, but…
Zelda shuddered in defeat. Link and Impa caught the princess's glance. Link held the same imperceptible expression. Impa was watching Zelda, her brow furrowed. The Sheikah advisor gave an audible exhale and dropped her gaze.
Faylian: Thanks. It's always a pleasure to share my ideas with you and to hear yours.(The line about Kohga trying to calm the Harbinger with the banana. What was he thinking? XD) I think with Purah, Impa will gradually catch on. We'll see…. lol