It took Link and Az the better part of another month to finish their preparations to face Calamity Ganon. During that time, Link completed shrines, located and withdrew the Master Sword, and faced countless Yiga, all the while trying desperately hard not to fall in love with his beautiful companion.

At least in that endeavor, he failed.

His heart beat faster when she laughed, and he found himself smiling more. Looking for ways to make her giggle and brighten her mood. Az was a ray of sunshine to everyone who interacted with her, but doubly so when she was trying to keep spirits high. Yet even on her melancholy days, Link never stopped in his pursuit of her happiness. The fairy girl had become his best friend, and he would do anything she asked.

Including returning to Cotera. He hid his feelings about the Great Fairy when Az suggested they upgrade his gear after he regained the final memory outside of Kakariko Village. He shuddered at the kiss from her but otherwise made no motion to fight it.

His eyes were closed so he missed the pointed look from Cotera to Az when the Great Fairy spoke to her. "Your quest is almost complete."

"Yes, I know," Az replied softly, looking at her feet. "I'm ready for whatever lies ahead."

Link blinked his eyes open to look at the two fairies conversing, the great and the smaller alike. "The quest you were given to accompany me?" he asked.

"Yes." Az smiled but unlike usual, the expression didn't quite light up her face.

"That's great, though. It means you've accomplished your goals. You can move on to other things with the satisfaction of knowing you completed what you set out to do, right?" Link tried to sound more hopeful than he felt. Something was off.

"R-right! Well, we should head back to Kakariko. You should get a good night's sleep in the inn before we head to the castle tomorrow." Az gave Link a big hug. "I'm going to talk to Cotera for a few minutes. Don't wait for me."

"Do you want to share a room, or would you prefer different ones?"

"Separate, as usual, unless they are sold out."

Link gave a nod and made his way down to the inn, booking the pair of rooms and getting himself ready for bed. A knot of nervousness had taken root in his stomach, ultimately, and he had to swallow hard repeatedly to get his dinner to go down properly.

Sun had set over the village before she made it down to collect the key from him. She flew into the room through the keyhole before shifting back to full size. "Sorry it took so long."

"No need for an apology. There's a lot of things to think about and prepare for before tomorrow." He didn't tell her about the knot in his stomach.

"Right. I should let you sleep." Her words lacked the usual enthusiasm as she turned to leave, key in hand. "It's going to be a difficult fight."

Link caught her by the wrist before she could leave the room, feeling his heart pounding as he asked: "But you're going to support me, right? You're not going to let me die again?"

"I swear on my life, by the power of the Goddess, that I, a humble soul, might earn peace by assisting you in the fight against Calamity Ganon." Az promised, her face serious and distant.

Link dropped her hand. "Az, what's wrong? You're never that formal with me. It's me. You can talk to me, right?"

Her response was just to pull him in for a tight hug without saying anything else. Link could feel her wings drooping towards his shoulder as the two embraced.

"It'll be alright," he whispered, as much to reassure himself as well as her. "With the help of the Divine Beasts, and the Master Sword, we can't fail. We've come too far."

Az brushed a light kiss on his cheek before she pulled away completely. "Get some rest, Link. I'll see you at dawn."

The blond Champion's hand fell to his side as he watched her let herself out of the room and closed the door behind herself with a soft click. The knot of apprehension and fear only tightened in his stomach. He had to win. For the sake of the Princess. For himself. For Az.

Restless tossing and turning finally gave way to nightmarish dreams a bit after midnight. Link awoke in a cold sweat an hour before dawn, and couldn't get back to sleep. He ran his hand over his face and tried not to think about the day ahead. After a few minutes, he grabbed his pants and blue Champions tunic, dressing in silence before sitting on the bed to meditate and pray until Az came to get him.

It was clear to both of them that Az was faking her chipperness that morning. Her smile still didn't reach her eyes, even as she teased him about being a sleepyhead and having his hair in a mess.

Link didn't reply more than brushing his hair and pulling it back before they left for the castle. Az led them through the grounds with surprising ease, guiding him straight to the Stalnox guarding the Hylian Shield. Only after he defeated the giant bone monster and strapped the shield onto his back did he question her.

"How did you know where to find this?"

Az was in her small size so she flew next to his ear before she replied. "I couldn't sleep, so I scouted it out ahead of time so we wouldn't get lost or wear you out too much before you have to face the Calamity."

"You were here last night?!" Link said incredulously. "You're not injured, are you?"

Az giggled, the first one that sounded genuine all day. "Of course not. Do you think I'd still be flying if I was?"

"Well, no, but…"

"No buts! Let's keep moving. It's not far to get to the sanctum where Ganon is now!" Az flitted around his head in anticipation.

The knot in the pit of Link's stomach tightened. This was it. The last couple months had led up to this moment. His gut told him that he had one chance at this. Who knew if the Goddess Hylia would allow him more than that.

Everything went smoothly… until Link found himself on horseback facing off against the enormous size of Calamity Ganon's pig-beast form out on Hyrule Field. His heart pounded in his chest, blood rushing through his ears from the feral monster's roar. This was the situation that any sane man would flee from in terror, in need of a change of pants.

But he was Link. Hyrule's Champion, blessed with courage and the strength to fight Ganon by the Goddess Hylia herself.

His horse didn't have such bravery. After two laps around the massive legs of the monster while firing arrows at the weak spots Zelda revealed, Epona threw him and bolted for the far side of the field. Link felt his ribs snap as he landed, pain shooting through his chest and arm when he rolled away from the monster's feet.

"Be careful, Link!" Zelda's voice called out to him.

"Don't worry, Link. You will be fine. You have two more arrows to land on the monster, including the one on its head." Az was beside him at full size in a flash, her hands glowing white as she rapidly healed his broken arm and ribs. "You got this!"

Link would have kissed her, were it not for the tension and fear of their present situation. "Thank you, Az. I–"

"We'll talk after. Go! Save the princess!" She flew backwards as fast as she could as the pig form of Ganon turned to face Link once more, its heavy footfalls shaking the ground.

Link sprinted away from the monster, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to land the last couple shots. There was nothing for it. Without Epona, he was slower. Was he wasting precious seconds? He couldn't be sure.

"LINK! RUN LEFT NOW!" He heard Az scream at the top of her lungs. He reacted immediately, jumping as far left as he could. He stumbled, regained his balance, and kept running.

A huge, fiery wave of the demon's hot, malice-infused breath erupted over where he had been standing moments before. Link silently thanked the Goddess as he pulled his bow back up. This had to end, here and now.

In the seconds that followed, he couldn't be sure if it was Zelda or Az's divine power from Hylia that guided the final arrow to hit its mark. The demon king-turned-beast roared, and Zelda's hand erupted with a bright, warm glow in the shape of the Triforce.

Link could only pant, fighting to catch his breath as he watched her seal away Calamity Ganon, leaning heavily on the Master Sword. Then the darkened skies began to clear, and the Princess turned to him.

Her face was familiar, yet not. Exhaustion marred her features, as he was sure it did for his own. Zelda was covered in dust, sweat, and the residual sickly-heavy scent of malice. But seeing her in the flesh confirmed what he had already guessed: any feelings he might have had for the princess before the calamity had faded.

"Link… do you remember me?"

Thanks to his journey across Hyrule and countless trials he faced, Link could say 'yes' with certainty. But he couldn't have done it without Az.

He watched out of the corner of his eye for her, but didn't see the familiar sight of the fairy flying nearby.

"Link? Is something amiss?" Zelda asked, her face furrowing in concern.

"Apologies, Princess. I wasn't meaning to tune you out. But the fairy that was with me. Did you happen to see where she went?"

The princess paused and looked around, then shook her head. "No. I haven't seen her since she warned you away from Ganon's final breath attack. I thought she was still here, just hiding from the effect of the demon's malice."

"I haven't seen her either. Something was wrong… we have to find her!"

"Link, slow down! We have much to catch up on and–"

"It can wait! I have to find Az," he interrupted, frantically looking for the winged girl. He whistled for Epona, and paused long enough to help Zelda up into the saddle before the two took off across Hyrule field in search of her.

Dusk was falling when Link had to admit that she was no longer in Central Hyrule. Zelda didn't complain, but her body shook from exhaustion and lack of food, forcing Link to change his plans. He used his Sheikah Slate to teleport them to Kakariko Village, delivering the weary princess into the eager arms of Impa and Paya before he set out again.

If he was Az, where would she choose to go? The answer was simple. Back to Cotera. To the Great Fairy that acted as a mother figure and friend to the young woman. Link kicked himself mentally for not thinking to go there sooner.

Sunset fireflies littered the path up to the Great Fairy Fountain above Kakariko Village, but Link paid them no heed as he ran. A Blupee darted across his path and vanished into the woods, but he scarcely even noticed it. The knot in his stomach was back, stronger than ever.

He skidded to a stop in front of the Great Fairy Fountain and choked back a cry. "Az!" He raced forward onto the platform overlooking the pool where Cotera rested her torso, cradling the pale, barely moving form of the fairy.

Her wings were tattered, nearly to the point of falling apart. Her baby pink pearlescent gown fared no better, riddled with tears and places where it looked like the very fabric itself was fading from existence. The girl herself was breathing shallowly, her hand clutched around the pendants on her neck.

"Link?" she rasped, her voice cracking and hoarse, barely above a whisper.

"What's happening to you?" He brokenly asked, kneeling beside her, then gingerly taking her torso into his lap while he clasped her free hand. "You were fine when you healed me, when we fought Ganon! Why… what's going on?"

"I finished my task from the Goddess," she replied with a faint smile. "My job here is complete. This fairy body… it's a manifestation of the blessing from Hylia. It was never meant to last forever. Now… Now, I can finally join Cami."

Link couldn't hold back the choked sob that rose in his throat. "But Az… what about me? I love you as well, and… and I never got a chance to say it, and now…" Tears rolled down his face and into the fading tips of her white, wavy hair.

Her hand reached up to cup his face. "I know, Link. I've known since you gave me the necklace." Az's breath caught, and she coughed roughly, clutching her chest with a fist.

Link lowered his head so he could kiss her forehead. "I'm sorry, Az. It's… it's selfish of me to want you to stay. You loved him. You belong with Cami. I'm… You can't stay for me. Your soul belongs with him and Hylia, forever."

Her clenched hand came up to reach his face, and Link realized that she held the cherry blossom pendant in her fist. "Take this."

"Az, I can't do that," he protested. "It was meant for you."

"Take it, and remember me. Remember… how hard we fought to regain our memories. To have a chance for the people we love. Remember your fairy." Her hand fell as she lacked the strength to keep it raised toward him any longer.

Link took the necklace and pressed it against his lips before closing it in his fist. "I couldn't forget you. Not ever, Az. I love you. Go then." His voice sounded strange and broken, even to his own ears. "I love you," he repeated.

"Kiss me." Az quietly begged. "Kiss me, Link. I've wanted you to… Please."

"But, Cami–" he started.

"Cami will understand. Please." Her voice was growing softer, and Link swallowed back the cry of fear when he realized her body was vanishing before his very eyes.

He dragged the back of his hand across his eyes and lowered his lips to brush against hers. It was a hesitant, brief caress, then more sure of himself, Link kissed his fairy for the first and the last time.

He felt the shudder and contented sigh from her, and opened his eyes to see pink eyes brimming with tears yet shining up at him as she mouthed, "I love you, Link."

In a shower of sparkles, Azalea was gone.

Link stared down at the necklace clenched in his palm and openly wept, allowing the tears to flow down his face uninhibited.

A heavy sigh from behind him reminded Link that he wasn't alone. He looked up with bloodshot eyes to the large, mournful face of the Great Fairy, Cotera.

"You knew." It wasn't a question.

"I knew," she replied simply. "She was ready. Last night, she cried and warred with herself for hours, over you."

"Over me," Link said with a bark of disbelief. "She loved Cami."

"She did, yet she fell for you as well." Cotera shook her head. "It was a circumstance we never would have predicted, had we not seen and endured it ourselves."

"So this is it then. She's gone, and I'm left to…" Link floundered, unsure of his own purpose. "Guide and protect the Princess, at least for now, I suppose?"

"She was sorry, and so am I, Link," Cotera explained gently. "But this was the will of Hylia."

The blond Champion closed his eyes in pain. "And who are we to go against the will of the Goddess?" he mumbled. "Thanks anyway."

"Promise me that you'll come and visit anyway," Cotera prodded. "She would have wanted that."

He nodded, only half-hearing what the giant fairy was saying. "I think I just want to be alone."

"Take the time you need. And Link? Thank you for fighting Ganon and freeing the Princess. Until next time." Cotera slipped back into the water without her usual fanfare.

Link sat with his legs stretched out in front of him, staring down at the pendant. Had he made the wrong choice? Not that he had a choice in falling in love. It happened against his will. Against his better judgment. But he wouldn't change it. Not any of it.

He brought the cherry blossom necklace up to his lips and gently kissed it. Az had received his first and only kiss… at least, that he could remember. He didn't regret it. Not for one moment.

He slipped the necklace around his own neck and tucked the pendant against his heart. If he couldn't have Az, he would have the constant reminder of her on his chest.

Link closed his eyes and wordlessly cried out to Hylia in despair, a guttural moan of grief echoing off the mountain walls around them. Why her? Why was he destined to lose so much, including the woman he had fallen in love with? Was he to be doomed for failure with every instance where his heart was involved?

His head and chest ached as he sat and stared up at the stars for a long time before he finally got up and forced himself to walk back down to the village alone.


The few weeks that followed passed in a daze for Link. There was a weight on his chest that never left, an emptiness that lingered in his mind and peripheral vision. He never fully stopped looking for her. Wishing he would see those silvery, iridescent wings, or the sparkling pink eyes just once more.

For her part, Zelda was understanding. Link could sense the relief that there was no immediate expectation for the two of them to take up a romantic relationship. Both were content to simply breathe and slowly regain their bearings in a world that differed vastly from a hundred years prior.

Restoration plans were set in motion and a routine of sorts was established. Link wished he could say that he was kept busy enough to avoid constant thoughts about Az, but in reality, she was never fully out of his thoughts.

But for the most part, he was able to carry out his duties with nothing more than a heavy heart and the occasional sad look that spread across his face before he could stop it.

Zelda insisted they take a tour around Hyrule to check on the state of things before she began restoring the country in full. Link acted as her companion and guard, never far from the Princess, especially with the remaining Yiga still bent on killing them both.

But as the two approached Kakariko on horseback after spending three days in the Faron Jungle, Zelda suddenly turned to Link. "I want you to take a break for a couple days, Link."

"Excuse me?"

"You've been working nonstop to protect me, and haven't given yourself the proper time to grieve over Az. I want you to take a couple of days to rest and grieve in the way that you see fit. I've made my peace with the loss of my father, and the Champions, and you deserve the opportunity to do the same." Zelda's green eyes softened as they met Link's worried gaze. "I will spend time in Kakariko with Impa. Dorian and Cado will protect us if the need arises."

Link was speechless. He guided Epona automatically up the path while he thought about her words. He hadn't had a chance to return to the Great Fairy Fountain since Az's passing.

"Link?" Zelda said softly. "It is my sincere hope that you don't feel that I'm abusing my position by instructing you to take some time to rest."

"No, it's not that, Princess," he replied quickly. "Thank you. I will appreciate the break and the opportunity to speak with Cotera again."

Her face broke out into a smile, and she let out the breath she had been holding. "I'm so glad, Link. Please don't worry about me. Simple return to Impa's house when you're ready."

"I will. Thank you, Princess."

Link didn't immediately depart when they got into Kakariko. He took a few minutes to assist Zelda off her horse and made sure she was safely inside Impa's house before he attended to their steeds. Only when he was fully satisfied that both were adequately brushed out and given what they needed did he begin the walk up the path to the Great Fairy Fountain.

Nothing ever really changed around Kakariko Village. Link was grateful for the tranquility that accompanied the little area tucked into the mountains. But it also reminded him of how much he missed the bubbly chatter of his companion.

His feet slowed as he approached the fountain and stepped up onto the small platform overlooking the pool. The familiar shaking as Cotera ascended to the surface had Link shifting automatically into his defensive stance.

"Ahhhh. I was wondering when you would return," Cotera said by way of greeting. She eyed him from head to toe. "You look miserable."

"Good to see you too," he replied dryly. "I didn't come here to be made fun of."

"No, no. It was just an observation. Your eyes lack life and hope," the Great Fairy explained. "You've been missing her."

"Every day. Every time I think of her." His hand automatically went back to the pendant around his neck. "I can only hope that she's happy, being with Cami and held in the arms of Goddess Hylia."

"Mmmm." Cotera looked deep in thought. "Oh! That reminds me. I have something for you."

"What's that?" Link asked, wary of gifts from the Great Fairy. "It's not another kiss, is it?"

Cotera laughed, the loud sound bouncing off the canyon walls. "It's not. But I will need your necklace, however."

"What? No. You can't have it." His hand clutched tightly around the cherry blossom pendant.

"You have my word that I will return it momentarily. But I'm afraid I do need it to retrieve the gift I have for you." Cotera put her hand out for the necklace expectantly.

Link hesitated, looking down at the pendant. It was all he had left of Az. That, and his memories. But the Great Fairies always kept their word, even if it wasn't in the ways that he expected. He reluctantly removed it from his neck and placed it in the middle of her giant palm.

"Thank you, Link. I will return shortly." Cotera disappeared back under the surface of the water, deep into her home.

Link took a seat on the pedestal with his legs outstretched in front of him and gazed at the surface of the water as the ripples receded. What was Az up to in the afterlife? He would be the first to admit that he never put much thought into it before losing her. But now, it was on his mind almost as often as she was.

The platform shook, signaling Correa's return before she came up out of the water. She held something in her hand, coyly hidden so he couldn't see. "Close your eyes, Link."

He chuckled almost to himself. "That's a change. The Princess told me to open my eyes when I awoke in the Shrine of Resurrection."

"Open eyes will ruin the surprise." Cotera clicked her tongue until she watched him comply.

Link felt a weight laid across his legs, but didn't open his eyes. It moved slightly, as if it were alive.

"Open them."

The blond champion slowly blinked, then inhaled sharply. "Wh-what?!"

Laying across his lap on her back was the sleeping form of Azalea, in her human form. The gentle rise and fall of her chest and the warmth of her skin where she was pressed against his legs informed him that she was, in fact, as real as he was.

"Allow me to explain," Cotera said when Link's wide eyes turned to her.

"Please do… I can't… I can't lose her again."

"You won't have to. When Az died a hundred years ago, Cami entrusted her body to me for safekeeping. Said that it would be what she wanted. Hylia knows I don't have the ability to properly handle such things, so the Goddess instructed me to seal her away in a stasis chamber deep within my home, for her soul still had work to complete."

Link stared down at the sleeping girl while he listened, idly pinching the back of his left hand, then wincing at the pain. Not a dream. This was real.

"When her soul was awakened after Cami's death, the Goddess bestowed her with the fairy form that you saw, intent on only giving her a body long enough for her to fulfill her role for your sake. Nobody could have counted on the two of you falling in love. So, when the task was complete, and her soul again sent back to rest, I gathered my sisters, and we all petitioned the Goddess on your behalf. Az's soul was at war with herself. Part of her deeply loved Cami, and had no intention of being parted from him in the afterlife. Yet the other part of her loved you, and was distressed over being unable to give you the time and love she wanted."

"She belongs with Cami," Link forced himself to say, though it sent pain through his chest. "That's her true love."

"For her old self, yes. But Hylia is tasked with overseeing the handling of souls. The reincarnation cycle for the Hero and Princess exists by her doing, so that the evil of Demise, or Ganon rather, is always met with opposition. She had a solution." Cotera smiled encouragingly at him. "Have you figured it out?"

Link shook his head. "How can she be with Cami and me both? It… it doesn't work."

"Unless she fragmented the part of Azalea's soul that loved you and rebuilt it as a whole, separate entity for the sake of your lifetimes."

Link silently gaped at her, then stared down at the girl sleeping in his lap. "She… what?"

"When you wake her, Azalea will remember nothing directly of Cami, or the depth of her struggles with wanting to be with him despite his death. Hylia assured us that she will remember you, and your love for each other. She has also gifted Azalea with the ability to heal, though not to the same degree as before. But magic is natural to the girl, as natural as breathing." Cotera grinned at him. "Her original body has been fully restored and strengthened, just for you."

A wave of peace washed over Link and he felt the hand of Hylia on his soul, assuring him that what he heard was the truth. He'd only felt her presence so keenly once before, in the Temple of Time, but this time, it was comforting, more than anything he'd ever experienced.

"What are you waiting for? Wake her up. She's missed you." Cotera encouraged. "Kiss her. Or I'll do it for you!"

Link shot her a dark look before gently smoothing the wavy, platinum hair away from Az's face. "Wake up, Azzy." The sweeter nickname tumbled from his lips before he could stop it. This was his girl. Az belonged to Cami. But Azzy was all HIS.

She stirred but didn't wake.

Link chuckled and leaned down, gently claiming her lips in a soft kiss. She was warm, tasted of sunshine and hope. He pulled away after just a single kiss, waiting for her to awaken and respond.

Sleepy, pink eyes the shade of cherry blossoms blinked up at him. He could almost see the ancient gears turning in her head before her whole face lit up. "Link! You came back for me!"

"Had I known, I would have never left," he murmured, pulling her up to hug her tightly against his chest. "I love you, Azzy! More than words can ever say."

She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him as hard as she could. "I've been waiting ages to hear you say that! I love you too, Link!"

It was Azzy who initiated the next kiss… or dozen. But who was counting? Link had never known such peace. Such happiness. She might not be a fairy anymore, but he didn't care. She would always be his fairy girl. His Azzy.