"There are no foreign lands. It is only the traveller who is foreign."

~Robert Louis Stevenson~

Ancient Roots

Chapter 17: Lanayru

As my eyes slowly start to readjust to the bright outside, I recoil at the direct sunlight and burst of heat that invades my awareness. And with a distinct lack of wind out here, I know I'm going to get horribly sunburnt today—no doubt about it. From my side, Fi continues, "The terrain in this area changed dramatically as climate forces rapidly turned it into a desert."

Compared to the mines, this central part of the desert is far more barren than I'd thought during our descent from the sky. The desert spreads out before us and, unlike the other parts of the Surface, we can see so much of the sprawling landscape even from this small outcropping of rock. Despite the walls of rock on either side of us, the land quickly spreads out into an open plain of gold with next to no protection from the sun.

And then there's the sand. I've never seen so much sand in my life and suddenly it's all we'll be walking through. From the sand at our feet to the sand tumbling off the crags in the walls on either side of us, it's absolutely everywhere. If I squint, I think I can even see waterfalls of sand far off in the distance—sandfalls, I suppose. The difference between how the desert used to be in the past compared to what it's become is so stark that it's a little overwhelming.

"Sand covers over 85% of the region, however I have also confirmed numerous areas of sink sand," the spirit of the sword also warns. "Should you step in sink sand, you may be swallowed by the desert. Bodily danger has increased by 30%."

If things couldn't get any worse…

I suddenly notice my bag glowing and I open it to find that my map has been updated with both the mines and the desert—it's such a large area that I dread to think how long it'll take for us to cross it. I spot the pools of sink sand on the map straight away and pray that we can avoid it where possible, then notice the circles of rock that make the area look like a clock. Off to the far left of the map, however, seems to be an area made of white stone that catches my attention.

Shuffling forward, I climb up onto a nearby rock and scan the desert for any sight of that area; I spot it instantly. In the distance, a gigantic structure towers above the rest of the desert. It looks like a stone monument and is very similar to the Skyloftian Crest—a bird in flight—however the tip of each wing on this monument is holding up a triangle that's split into three.

I recognise it.

Why do I recognise it? I've never seen it before in my life.

For a moment, my world goes white and I stand in a place very similar to the Chamber of the Sword. That triangle floats before me, but this time it's made entirely of gold—or is it? Is it gold or something indescribable and ethereal? The chamber is cool, a far cry from the dry heat of the desert, and something feels so incredibly right about this place. My breath is loud in my ears, though I can only assume that's because of the strong echo in this place.

I reach out for the triangles—

"Zelda?" I gasp and I'm suddenly back in the desert. I stumble back into someone and barely catch myself before I unceremoniously fall over. Righting myself, I turn to find Karane holding my shoulders with a look of concern, "Are you alright?"

"I-I think so…" I stammer. Blinking rapidly, I point to that structure in the distance and ask of Fi, "What is that place?"

"That monument marks the area known as the Temple of Time: a place many would travel to on pilgrimages in order to pray to the Goddess for her continued protection," she explains to us. "It was believed that travelling on foot across the desert would prove a person's devotion to her. I hypothesise that it is also the place where the Gate of Time resides."

I swallow thickly, "And… and the crest?"

"That was commonly referred to as the Hylian Crest—a symbol of the humans the Goddess sent to the sky on an outcropping of earth." Before I can ask anything else, she swiftly changes the subject, "I advise that you remain hydrated throughout the day and seek out shelter to protect yourselves from the midday heat and the colder temperatures at night."

Raising the Goddess Sword towards the Temple of Time, it glows brightly to indicate the aura of what Fi believes to be the Gate of Time is in that direction. I sigh and dismiss Fi, then turn to the others, "Well, we should head out."

"Not until you explain what happened," Link insists, immediately catching on to my behaviour. "Did you see the past again?" I laugh breathlessly—he can read me like a book, can't he?

I nod, "I did, but I'm fine now. We need to get going if we want to find somewhere safe for the midday heat."

Link sighs but lets it go and Karane speaks up in his stead, "I agree, we'll need to find somewhere as soon as possible. If it was easy to get sunburnt in Skyloft then I dread to think how easy it'll be to get burnt here."

All in agreement, we make our way down a rocky ramp and out into the open desert plain, the barren world tumbling out before us. A part of me considers using the Timeshift Stone that the robot gave me, but I quickly nip that thought in the bud. It's such a small stone that I doubt it'll have much power and we might need it later.

We walk for hours across the sandy terrain and it feels like we're barely making any progress. We managed to find some rocks and broken walls to huddle behind so we can take breaks, but it's still draining to even in the shade. By the time the sun's close to its zenith, we reach the largest pool of sink sand yet and keep away from the edge in case any one of us slips or falls in.

"We aren't going to find shelter anytime soon," I murmur. The sand shifts and twists before us in a way that makes my stomach turn. "We might have to climb up these stone walls and see where they take us, but we can't stay here."

Whatever the others say in response is lost to me because I suddenly spot something floating in the distance, right over the surface of the sink sand. The way the heat rises from the earth distorts what I'm seeing, but I'm certain that I can see someone—just like those figures I saw outside the Lumpy Pumpkin. I lean in, as if I can get a closer look, and someone darts forward to grab my arm.

"Zelda?"

But their voice is muffled, like it's underwater.

I look away from the sight when my bag suddenly glows. Pulling myself free from the person's grasp, I rifle through my things until I find the Timeshift Stone pulsating in my bag. Taking it out, I turn my attention back to the figure floating over the sink sand, tilting my head when I realise they've disappeared.

"The flow of time now rests in your hands," a voice—no, a trio of voices—call out. "Activate it, take aim and release the flow of time from your grasp." Glancing back down at the Timeshift Stone in my hand, I start to piece everything together.

My friends jump when I suddenly draw the Goddess Sword and hit the stone with its pommel, feeling its power surging within the small object as the land around us is transported back to the past. Following the words of guidance and praying that it's not just a hallucination brought on by the sun's heat, I take aim at the sink sand and throw the stone into it.

The stone is consumed by the sand and nothing happens.

No…

Somebody takes me by the arm and spins me around, and I find an angry Pipit staring back at me, "What did you do that for?! We could've used that elsewhere!"

I swallow thickly, "I…" But my voice dies at the thought of my idea failing and I lower my head with clenched fists, "I heard voices and they told me throw the Timeshift Stone into the sink sand. I know it sounds like I'm losing my mind, but… it's happened before."

Yet my words do nothing to quell his frustration, "And if these voices they told you to jump into the sky without calling your Loftwing, would you do it?"

My shoulders slump, "Pipit, I…" I raise my head and look at the others, thankful that they don't seem as outwardly angry as Pipit, though they do seem worried about me. "I'm sorry, I…"

As if ordained by the Goddess, I trail off when the ground beneath us starts to rumble violently. We turn back towards the large pool of sink sand to find a pillar of bright light breaking through the sand's surface. With a flash of light, the familiar blue circle of shifting time spreads out from the centre of the sink sand and rushes towards us. We flinch as a gust of wind knocks us back a pace and the sand quickly drains before us. Around us, the cracked earth is rejuvenated and the grass starts to return.

Once the circle finally stops, we're left standing in a small field of grass and the area where the sink sand used to be is nothing more than a gaping hole with a thin column of light in the middle. Then, without any warning, the column of light explodes and the ground starts to shake again.

A fissure opens up within the hole and water starts pouring out from it, and so too does a large building erupt from the ground. The building itself is layered and decorated with designs similar to the markings on the first Timeshift Stone we encountered and large boxes of cargo are stacked up flush against the walls. Once the building has fully surfaced, the water finally catches up and starts to fill the rest of the hole, only for it to do so in waves and one is surging right towards us.

"Watch out!"

We have no time to run before the wave collides with the edge of the hole and its momentum throws it skyward before it crashes down onto us and soaks us. As the water pools around us and the earth starts to soak it up, we cough and splutter as we wipe our eyes and take everything in—a warm breeze already starting to dry our clothes. From the blossoming trees and plant life to the stone walls now white rather than a dusty grey, I'm awed by the power of that small Timeshift Stone.

Thank the Goddess it worked after all…

"I guess that's our shelter then," remarks Karane at my side.

"It's our only option," I agree with a nod. "Let's try and find a way inside."

As Link and Karane head into the water to start swimming over to the building, Pipit makes sure that we're the only two left so he can say his piece before we follow after them, "I'm sorry for snapping at you like I did. I should've kept my cool."

I smile and shake my head, "It's alright. I should've told you what I heard before acting so recklessly. I'm glad things worked out, but I'll do better to speak up in the future. Now come on," I add as the air between us clears. "Let's go before we get left behind."

He nods and we swim after the others, accepting their help out of the water on the other side. As we circle the building, we quickly find a long staircase on the opposite side and start climbing up it. At the top is a long, foreboding staircase leading into the building. It's similar to the one leading into Skyview Temple and I can't help but wonder what horrors will await us in here.

Karane must be thinking something similar because she squeezes my shoulder before drawing her sword and taking the lead with Pipit close by, then Link and I quickly follow suit. The world around me darkens as the sunlight is quickly snuffed out, though I'm glad to feel the temperature drastically cool as we descend. I steel myself when I start to hear the sound of whirring machinery in the distance and flashing lights at the bottom of the steps.

What we find, however, is nothing like I ever would have imagined. We emerge in a cavernous room (one I can't even see the end of from here) filled with activity. Metal walkways only line the edges of the room to make way for all the glowing tracks that float in the air across the chamber as hundreds of minecarts filled with Timeshift Stones and other minerals are transported around the facility. There are just as many robots too, though they're all so compassed with their work that they don't notice our arrival.

The pipes on the walls and ceiling spew out steam every few seconds and keep the air hot and humid, though it's a far cry from the blistering heat outside. Between the pipes are small lights that glow with an eerie blue light, so I can only assume that they're harnessing the power of or actually are Timeshift Stones. The pulsating blue lights are rather calming as I continue to scan the area, feeling my lips part in sheer awe as I wonder just how big this place is.

It's incredible…

I don't even realise that Fi's appeared until her voice enters my awareness, "This is the Lanayru Mining Facility, Dominae. This is the central hub where Timeshift Stones and minerals are processed for further transportation."

I nod and let her dismiss herself as we make our way to the edge of the platform. I lean over the edge of the railing to see hundreds more of those blue tracks winding and twisting around the facility. Pipes line these tracks as well and are seemingly transporting ores and minerals alongside the minecarts to increase efficiency.

The chasm before us drops so far down that we can't even see the bottom, only the minecarts as they disappear in the darkness. Living in Skyloft has made it easy for me to stomach practically any height, but seeing such a harsh drop sends my heart up into my throat. I don't have a fear of heights, but rather a fear of falling—seeing this sheer drop only makes it worse.

I jump when I notice a robot at my feet behind me, "Oh, Your Grace! We weren't expecting to see you here, vrrt. Welcome back to the Lanayru Mining Facility! What can we do for you?" I turn and kneel before the robot.

"We're making a pilgrimage to the Temple of Time and wanted to use this facility as shelter from the sun, if that's possible," I explain.

Its body sparks with delight, "Of course, Your Grace—we'd be happy to help, vrrm! Follow me."

Breathing a mental sigh of relief, we follow the tiny robot off to the right where I spot a staircase leading further down into the facility. Lines of that blue light which powers the robots cover the entrance to the staircase as some sort of deterrent, though the robot is quick to disable it and gestures for us to head downstairs.

As the robot turns back around, however, it shrieks at something behind us.

We spin around to find armoured Bokoblins with strange masks emerging from the entry staircase and rushing towards us. Unlike the other Bokoblins we've fought before, these ones carry strange weapons that glow with that crackling blue light and I'm immediately on edge. I gasp and draw the Goddess Sword (the monsters are coming at us too fast for me to bring out my harp too) as the robot cries out something about "they're back again" before rolling away at a fast pace.

"Target locked: Technoblins," Fi states when I call for her assistance. "These Bokoblins wield sophisticated weaponry created by an ancient and highly evolved civilisation. If you are struck with the discharge from one of their electrical weapons, you may become paralysed. These creatures also wear the latest in Bokoblin fashion."

Noticing that other robots have arrived so see what's going on, Pipit is quick to usher them away as we charge the six monsters head on. Link reaches the first Technoblin, dodges under its swing and kills it with a single strike. I do the same with the first Technoblin I reach and dispose of it before moving onto the next one.

I stop, however, when Karane suddenly cries out.

I spin around to find one of the Technoblins pulling its electrified weapon away from Karane, who slumps to the floor and twitches as her blade falls from her grip. Pipit, having helped the robots to safety, quickly leaps back into the fray and jumps in front of Karane before the monster can strike her again. Thankfully its weapon isn't charged so Pipit kills it in a single strike and goes to help his fellow knight.

Knowing that Karane is well protected, the remaining three creatures come after Link and I. I stab forward before the first Technoblin can strike and the Goddess Sword drips with its blood as it tumbles to the ground and disappears in a plume of purple smoke. These monsters are definitely smarter than their brethren because the last two ensure that Link and I are far enough apart that we can't fight together and make it easier for them to focus on one of us at a time.

Knowing that Link can handle himself, I focus all my attention on my own battle. This Technoblin is far more defensive that the others, always blocking when I strike and purposely ensuring that its weapon isn't electrified. Its eyes, just like the other Bokoblins in Faron, sparkle with a malice that makes me uncomfortable and its constant defence isn't making me any better about the battle.

The monster suddenly switches to an offensive strategy and starts swinging wildly, causing me to parry and backpedal with each strike. However, I don't realise what the monster's doing until it's far too late. As I parry another strike, the Technoblin recovers quicker than usual and swings its now electrified weapon at me, striking me in my stomach.

I scream as blinding agony courses through me like wildfire and the Goddess Sword slides from my grip. My vision immediately goes blurry and I feel my entire body shut down, but what I failed to realise was that the Technoblin was herding me towards the railing I was leaning over when we first arrived, the same railing that overlooks the unending chasm below.

And with my body paralysed, there's nothing I can do as I feel my body fall over the railing and into the darkness below.

In that moment, it feels as if time slows down. As the sensation of falling overwhelms me, I realise through the fog of pain and fear that this is how Link must've felt when the black tornado dragged him down the Surface. Muffled cries from monsters enters my awareness for the briefest of moments before something wraps around my wrists and jerks me into a halt. I tear back into reality with a gasp and I realise that I'm not moving anymore. I look up to find my saviour.

"Don't let go," Link whispers fiercely to me, his eyes shining with so much panic and fear that I doubt he even heard what he said. Thinking back to that awful day, I push through the last of the paralysis to grip his arm tightly.

"Never."

He pulls me back up and over the railing with a grunt and we collapse to the floor, holding each other so tightly that I can barely breathe, but I don't care. After all, now we know how each other felt when the black tornado appeared and the reality of it all hits me hard. I don't want to think about what would've happened if Link hadn't caught me when he did, but my mind's eye tells me anyway.

We sit there long after the last remnants of electricity fade from my body, the two of us shaking messes as old memories and the terror of almost losing each other courses through us. I peek over Link's shoulder to find Karane and Pipit looking down at us with a storm of emotions in their eyes, so I burrow back into Link's shoulder as guilt overcomes me.

"I'm sorry," I whisper over and over. "I'm so sorry…" He just silently cradles my head and I say nothing more.

"You chose your champion well, Your Grace, zrrpt!" a robot squeaks, forcing us to part and stand so we can address them properly. A small group of robots stand before us with visible relief on their faces despite them being made of metal. "Thank you all for getting rid of those pesky monsters!"

"They've been appearing more and more, vrrm," another robot murmurs. "They're scary…"

"You must be tired after all that fighting!" one remarks. They only need to see the weariness on our faces to know our answer. I'm sure we all look as exhausted—physically and mentally—as we feel. None of us were seriously injured in the fight, but both Karane and I were struck with electrical discharge and I don't know when we'll next find a good place to sleep.

I pick up the Goddess Sword from the ground and sheathe it, then say, "We came to take shelter through the midday heat and I think we all need some rest after our battle. Do you have somewhere we could rest until the hottest part of the day has passed?"

One of the robots sparks with joy, "Of course, Your Grace! We have quarters for our human volunteers, though they're empty after they all went to fight in the war. You can use them, zoop!"

"Thank you," I say, trying to sound as genuine as I can through my fatigue. "We're incredibly grateful."

Link goes to comfort me as we follow the robot, only to stop himself when he considers who the robots think we are and thinks better of it. I pass him a small smile as we go, wishing that we didn't have to act differently but knowing that there's little we can do. The robot guides us down the stairway and, despite the blue lamps lining the walls, it's not overly bright so I'm careful to watch where I tread.

At the bottom of the staircase is a chamber far smaller than the central part of the facility, probably about the size of the Knight Academy's lowest floor, that's lined with numerous beds (though they're more metal slabs with covers on). The lamps down here are quite dim, but that'll be good enough for us to get some sleep without them being distracting. And thankfully the walls down here are quite thick so we can barely hear the whirring of machinery nearby.

"Please make yourself comfortable, zrrt," says the robot. "We'll wake you up once the midday heat has passed. We hope that you rest well, vrrm!"

On this, the robot turns around and rolls back up the staircase and pushes a button to create a wall of electricity to protect us from any more attacks. We silently pick out our beds (far away from the entrance just to be sure) and start removing our effects. My hands still twitch a little as I unbuckle the Goddess Sword from my waist, though I try to hide it as best I can so I don't worry anyone.

As I sit on the bed, I find that it's not as bad as I thought it would be—it's not the comfiest, but it'll do. Opposite me, Karane flops onto the bed and says, "I don't think we should take shifts here. We'll definitely be staying in the desert overnight so we need to get all the rest we can."

Pipit nods, "I agree. We're more than protected enough in here and we're well equipped in case anything happens."

All in agreement, we settle down and get some rest. Or at least I try to. Despite how well protected we are here, I find myself unable to shut my eyes for long before they're open again and I'm checking on the wall of electricity at the entrance to make sure that it's still working. And, to make things worse, the sight of the electricity reminds me of the horrible pain it caused and I realise my mind isn't going to shut off any time soon.

After however long of tossing and turning, I flip onto my side with a huff and find a familiar face also struggling to sleep in the bed next to me. I smile when he notices me and shuffle back as Link crosses the short gap between us so he can sit on my bed. Just like old times, he starts stroking my cheek with his thumb, knowing fully well that the simple gesture makes me sleepy.

But not this time.

I frown at the haunted look in his eyes and, making sure that I don't wake the others up, softly murmur, "I'm alright."

"I know," he admits just as quietly. "It just keeps playing in my head. I can't stop thinking what would've happened if I didn't react as fast as I did."

"But you did, and you caught me," I remind him, and myself too. "I guess I'm just a magnet for danger, huh?"

That makes him smile, "Too much so. When we get home, I'll be keeping an eye on you."

I smirk and try to keep his spirits up, "So I can cause all the trouble I want until then?" But when he doesn't smile back, seemingly lost in thought, a frown tugs at my lips, "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he says quickly, far too quickly. "I should let you get some sleep."

"Link," I say sternly, reaching out and grabbing his wrist when he tries to move away. He's worrying me now and I refuse to let him go. Lightly tugging him back, I repeat, "What's wrong?"

He starts messing with his hands and avoids my pressing expression, "I-It's nothing, just a feeling I've got." I tilt my head and sit up so I can take one of his hands into both of mine.

"Link, what you're feeling isn't nothing," I insist. "What's your feeling telling you?"

He bobs his head as he searches for the right words, then starts slowly, "I've had this feeling ever since we escaped from the Earth Temple. Whenever I think about the Gate of Time, I feel nothing but dread. I don't know why, but I have this horrible certainty that something awful is about to happen."

Hearing him talk like this fills me with dread too, a dread founded on the fact that I believe him. I swallow thickly, "And this isn't just you worrying about Ghirahim and Impa knowing where we're going?"

"I'm worried about that too, but this is different." His eyes lose a little bit of focus as he explains, "I just have this horrible feeling in my heart that, once we reach the Gate of Time and go to that distant world Fi talked about, I won't be seeing any of you for a long time."

His words are scary enough as it is, not only because my heart believes that he's telling the truth, but also because what he's saying reminds me of what Father told me before we left this morning, "Is that why you asked my father to look after me in case we were separated again?" He meets my gaze and I see the answer on his face. "Oh Link… I thought you were just trying not to be optimistic…"

His eyes soften, "I'm sorry. I know I should've said something sooner… but I didn't know if I should trust this feeling or if it was just me overthinking things."

I let go of his hand to draw him into a tight embrace and murmur into his neck, "Whatever happens, we're going to get through this. I don't know what the Goddess has in store for us or where we'll both end up, but Fi told me something from the ancient texts that I'll never forget." I pull away to say the next part to his face, "She said that I would be united with the Spirited One to abolish the apocalypse that's threatening this land."

Yet he refuses to believe it, "That's just something from an old text. We can't take it—"

"Everything else Fi told me that night was true, and I refuse to believe that she'd lie just to give me false hope," I insist. "What I'm saying, Link, is that whatever happens at the Gate of Time, there will come a day where we'll be together and fighting side by side just as the Goddess wished. Then we'll be free and we can spend the rest of our lives however we like. Whatever happens, I will find you and we'll make this land whole again."

I don't think he's entirely convinced, but I manage to get through to him because he murmurs, "I love you."

I smile and our lips meet for a moment, "I love you too. Now get some sleep—we still have a long day ahead of us."

He nods and plants one last kiss on the crown of my head before we both settle back down. I briefly check on Pipit and Karane from my bed, though it seems that they're both soundly asleep. I glance over at Link one last time before curling up on my side and trying my best to clear my mind after everything I've just heard.

"I don't know why, but I have this horrible certainty that something awful is about to happen."

I trust him, by the Goddess I trust him, but I pray with all my heart and soul that he's wrong. And as I wait for sleep to take me, I pray over and over for the same thing: the Goddess's protection. If the Goddess gave him reason to feel this way then I pray that she intervenes to ensure that he's worrying for nothing.

And if Link really is right, then I beg that we won't be apart for too long.