Chapter 6: The Code is Mightier than the Sword
The hike through the Lost Woods was a silent and tense one, as each Champion digested their current situation. While Revali never had much faith in the android to begin with, and Urbosa always had her doubts, Zelda had put her entire confidence in their defense against Ganon on the shoulders of Link, and now her plan was thrown into chaos by his sudden sabotage. Now he didn't even know she was the princess, or who the other Champions were, or who Ganon even was! How were they supposed to defeat him now, she pondered, her teeth gnawing away at her nails.
Mipha looked on with concern. While she felt for the princess's plight, she was slightly relieved that Link had not only managed to recover but remembered her as well. It could be their only link in establishing a connection to him once more, as the only person he took orders were from her now. Now she would have to deal with the very real threat that Ganon posed against their Divine Beasts, for if he could corrupt Link, the same could be said for them.
"Well, who cares if Ganon can corrupt 'em?"
The party was brought to a halt at the sound of the Goron's voice, turning back to see a confident grin adorning his face. Zelda shot him an incredulous look. "What do you mean who cares?! We need the Divine Beasts to defeat him!"
"Who is Ganon?"
Ignoring Link, Daruk continued. "Well, who cares? He tried corrupting the little guy and Mipha stopped him, right?" He gestured towards the Zora Champion, who immediately blushed, gripping her trident closer to herself. With a deep breath to collect herself, she nodded. "See? If we can beat back whatever Ganon's got cooked up, we can do it again!" He accented with a punch, seemingly beating back some invisible force unfortunate enough to stand in his way.
A short glance was shared between the Champions, with another question of who Ganon was coming from their confused, robotic ally. Uncertainty was held in their gazes. Could they truly beat back whatever was waiting for them within their Divine Beasts? Ganon was a truly powerful entity, and whatever trap he may have laid for them would not be an easy force to defeat. A short jingling of jewelry broke the silence, as Urbosa stepped towards Daruk. "He's right. If anyone would be capable of putting a stop to him, it's us. Us and our Princess over there of course." Zelda could only glance downwards, uncertainty still scrawled across her features. Revali scoffed, before walking over to the pair with a huff. He stood next to them, not saying a word. The duo then turned their eyes to the last remaining Champion. Mipha stood silently, her trident in a tight hold as she studied the floor. Urbosa took a short step forward. "Mipha. You're the only one who managed to beat whatever it was that attacked Link. Surely another one would be mere child's play for the Zora Champion?"
Mipha did nothing for a few moments, her gaze holding to the grassy ground. Then, with a speed of pure assurance, her head lifted, a fierce determination in her eyes. "We'll beat whatever he may throw at us. I will not see my home in ruins." The rest of the team, save for Revali, could only grin, the princess herself even cracked a small smile.
Daruk grabbed them all, bringing them in for a giant huddle. Revali's disdain was quite evident, but the Goron easily drowned him out. "We're a team! Together, nuthin' can beat us! Ganon thinks he pulled a fast one over us but we'll beat him no problem now!" The rest of the group, save for the Rito Champion, could only grin with a newfound determination, obviously brought on by their boisterous champion.
"Query"
"What is it, Link?"
"Who is Ganon?"
The rest of the trip to the resting place of the Master Sword was slightly brighter, with the team's spirits being quickly uplifted by Daruk's earlier pep talk. Though they had found themselves lost in the forest from time to time, Link's navigational data was still available, making a much quicker and accurate trip possible. Eventually, the group found themselves passing through a verdant grove, with overgrown plant life filling their view. The plant life seemed to congregate around a singular tree, whose visage resembled that of a wise, old man. The princess eased up at the sight of the arborous figure, a sense of familiarity between them.
"Well well, if it isn't the princess of Hyrule. You truly are the spitting image of Hylia herself." The tree spoke, his voice echoing a being who has lived across millennia.
"Hello Great Deku Tree. It has been quite some time since I have come to visit you, hasn't it?" The princess replied.
"My child, when you are as old as I, time becomes quite trivial. It feels as if you had just come to visit me, and my how you have grown. You'll be a fine ruler someday." The Great Deku Tree did his best to compliment the girl, for he had felt the unease in her heart, both of the future and of herself. "So, what brings Zelda and her mighty Champions to my forest today?"
"Great Deku Tree, we came for the Master Sword, the blade of evil's bane, so that we may defeat Ganon with it when he rises. Only…" She paused, glancing back at the android who was scanning the area, occasionally mentioning his storage of collected data. "We do not have a hero who may wield it. The one who bares the Triforce of Courage, who carries courage in their heart above all doubt, never appeared to us."
The tree stayed silent for a few moments. "Well then, what about him?"
Making clear reference to Link, Zelda gestured for him to step forward. He shook his head. "You are not cleared to…"
"Link, would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to the Great Deku Tree?" Eyes fell on Mipha, who was giving a kind smile to the robot. He nodded, steeping in front of the group.
"Greetings. I am the Hylian Emergency Replacement Operative, or the H.E.R.O. The members I have been traveling with have been referring to me as 'Link' so you may refer to me as such if it easier." Link explained, his glowing blue eyes scanning the visage of the tree. "My databanks have you registered as the Great Deku Tree, guardian of the Forest, the invisible beings called Koroks, as well as the…" He pauses, his blue eyes flickering as white streaks ran across them. "Error, further data not found." Link quickly, bowed. "Apologies. My databanks were recently attacked by a virus and data has been corrupted. Until restoration of such files, I cannot extrapolate anymore data."
The Great Deku Tree remained silent for a moment, before he chuckled deeply, his leaves rustling as the tree vibrated with his laughter. The Champions stood dumbfounded at the sudden jovial outburst of the ancient being, with even the Princess not knowing what to say. With the laughter dying down, the tree finally turned his attention to the construct in front of him. "My my, you still are formal aren't you? Apologies, child, but I am not familiar with the terms you used just now, but I can guess. Your memories, they were damaged, were they not?"
Link nodded. "Affirmative. My 'memories' were damaged in a recent attack. I am currently trying to repair said 'memories' but repairs are taking longer than projected."
Considering you couldn't project an estimate, that isn't surprising. Mipha though to herself.
"Hmm, well that is most concerning indeed. Was anything important lost?" The giant tree continued.
Link closed his eyes, and hummed to himself for a few seconds. "Core memories were destroyed or damaged, resulting in damage equal to 20% of memories needing to be expunged. My companions keep stating that they are the 'Champions', yet I having no memory of them. The logical explanation would be that their status within my databanks has been destroyed by the virus. I still retain a multitude of memories, such as how to prepare a myriad of food dishes or the various flora and fauna that would be considered 'safe to consume,' yet I have no memory of the current Princess, nor why she matters to my primary objective. All I know is that said Princess is important, and that she is one of the few beings that have permissions to access restricted information."
Zelda suddenly perked up, the information playing in her head suddenly coming to a curious question. "What a minute! If Link…H.E.R.O…can only be ordered to divulge confidential information by the Hyrulian Royal Family. Yet here he is, spilling everything I wanted to know out to you! Why is he listening to you?" Zelda huffed slightly. The other Champions shot each other glances. It was a valid question. Link greeted the tree as if they were perfect strangers, yet the tree could ask and receive answers to questions that would be denied to any of them.
The let out a light chuckle once more. "Well, that may be because Link and I aren't strangers to one another!" The groups eyes widened, with Daruk almost falling over in recoil.
Flabbergasted, Zelda struggled to compose herself before responding. "When did you to meet? Link never mentioned you before."
The tree thought for a moment. "Well it must have been just before the last Calamity, if I remember correctly…"
The Koroks were happily playing in the clearing, their eyes drawn every once in a while to the now empty pedestal that housed the sacred blade. Occasionally, one would hop over and mimic the hero removing the sword from the base. The tree stood peacefully, silently watching over his children, the sunlight filtering in through the treetops, letting only a few rays through to the pedestal itself. It was truly a peaceful day, masking the growing terror that was slowly gripping the land. Ganon was prophesized to appear once again. The current princess and hero had been found long before his reveal, and were currently training with the Sheikah and Royal Guard to prepare them for what was to come. The Sheikah were even using those massive constructs in the hope that they might weaken the embodiment of power enough for the princess and hero to take him down. It was an ambitious plan, but if it paid off, they might even be able to use them again in the future, if the need arose. But all that mattered little to the tree. He had seen it all before. It was a cycle, of course. Power would rise, Courage and Wisdom would stand against it, and in the end, Power would fall. Sometimes it would win, for a bit, but light always shown against the dark that Power bred. Over and over, again and again. Now would be no different. In his little corner of the land, deep within the forest, he and his children would be safe. For he had existed before, and just like the cycles, he would continue to exist. His children would continue, changing forms if need be as they always did.
A worried cry came from the entrance, pulling the tree's attention to the area stretching out before him. His gaze scanned the tree line, before falling on a soft blue glow emanating from the darkness of the trees. As the unknown being stumbled into view, the trees eyes could finally get a good look at the thing before him. The Hylian (or at least, the thing that looked like a Hylian) was missing some part of his skin. A dull blue glow revealed the telltale sign of Sheikah technology below. White hair fell down over its face, blending with its pale skin. The thing's eyes flickered on and off, its gaze scanning the surrounding area. Its eyes stopped on each korok, or at least, each area where one would be. The being would stare, looking around the same area for a few seconds, before passing on to the next. The creature's gaze finally landed on the giant tree before it. Its eyes froze, staring deeply into the core of the tree. The Great Deku Tree could only stare back, wondering at the unknown origins of the creature. With the deafening silence only adding more tension, the tree decided to speak.
"Hello, child. What brings you to our forest?"
The construct's eyes widened, before narrowing once more, dancing around ever so slightly over the form of the massive tree. "Being registered. My databanks have your characteristics labeled as the Great Deku Tree. Is this correct?"
"Yes, child. That is what they call me."
The construct nodded. "Query answered. Thank you for your assistance. Registering new data on GREAT DEKU TREE away in my archives. Link established."
The tree continued to observe the strange being as it looked around the environment, making small comments to itself about "adding new data", whatever it meant by that the tree did not know. He was, however, fascinated by the being before him. It reminded him of the Sheikah technology that the Hylians were using to defeat Power, and yet it had flesh. It spoke, and at least looked mostly like a Hylian.
"Query. How long have you existed here? Visual data would infer you are alone, but observation of the surrounding environment, such as displacement in spaces where creatures do not exist, as well as you referring to the forest as 'ours' would imply that you are in fact not alone. Does that aid you in your continued existence? Do you have a means of transferring the data you have observed over the years to me, so that I may assimilate it into by own archives? What part do you play in the current conflict my Princess is involved in? How many…"
The Great Deku Tree chuckled warmly. "My my, you ask many questions, don't you? You're as curious as a young child. And yet, you don't seem like one. Tell me, young one, what is your name? Your purpose?"
The construct stiffened "Unit designation Hyrulian Emergency Replacement Operative, codename H.E.R.O. I am to take the place of the hero in case of a missing Chosen Hero, and continue his duties until he appears or until Ganon is slain."
The massive tree hummed in thought. "So, the Sheikah even have a plan for you, don't they Link…tell me, H.E.R.O., can you remove the Master Sword from its resting place? Wield its power? Slay Power with it?"
The machine glanced down to the ground. "Information unknown. I have no knowledge of my abilities to wield said blade, nor even my abilities to wrest it from its pedestal. What are the requirements to do so?"
"Only Hylia's chosen hero may remove the blade from its pedestal, a person who is truly courageous in the face of adversity. The sword, they say, chooses the wielder." He explained.
"Based on existing data, then, I would not be able to remove the blade, as I lack emotions. I do not fear adversity nor death, and am always willing to press into danger. This action is not taken out of courage, but of programming. I have not been tested, nor do I believe I would pass through 'will' alone." Bringing his hand to his chin, the construct guessed further. "Knowing this, it would seem impossible for me to be a true replacement for the Chosen Hero and would be better suited protecting the Princess and her Champions from harm so that they may combat Ganon."
Glancing around the clearing, the being took one last look at everything around him. "Issuing gratitude. Great Deku Tree, thank you for expanding my archives on the inhabitants of your forest, as well as yourself and matters pertaining to my primary mission. This venture has been most fortuitous. Considering your role as guardian over the Master Sword and your status within this world, your status has been raised. Updating priority levels within system for Great Deku Tree."
The tree could almost crack a smile. "Of course, H.E.R.O. I do hope our paths cross again, as I would much enjoy speaking to you further. Considering our natures, I feel we both could share much with each other." As the tree was about to ask where the being had come from, voices began to ring out from the forest, distant, but close enough to make out. "I would imagine those would be your friends looking for you?"
H.E.R.O . shook his head, turning his attention towards the voices. "Negative. Those individuals would be my creators. I left earlier as one had a question about you and, lacking the answer, I ventured out to find it. They may be 'cross' with me about leaving unannounced, however." Turning back to the tree, he glanced up at the great beings face one last time. "I must go. I also would 'appreciate' more time to fill my archives as well, so I do 'hope' we meet again."
As H.E.R.O. walked back into the woods, the Deku Tree could only let out a slight hum of joy. He had met a very interesting individual today, something that he could enjoy the memory of for a good while…
"…and that was the last I ever saw of him. After all these years, I had assumed that I would never actually see him again, given his circumstances. And yet, here he is. I'm sorry about playing coy at first, I wanted to see if he truly remembered me. And it appears he may not."
All eyes fell on Link as he registered the encounter. "Scanning. My databanks have key points of this memory missing. My archives have an encounter listed for that time, as well as the priority level for the Great Deku Tree, but all files pertaining to the actual encounter have been expunged. Will attempt to restore files due to encounter with primary source."
The Great Deku Tree called the robot forward, promising to share with him all that he could spare.
As soon as Link left their vicinity, Zelda turned her attention to her Champions. "He even lost memories of the Great Deku Tree. What other memories could he have lost?" She began to pace in front of them. "He already said he doesn't remember who Ganon is. He has no memories of the Master Sword or its purpose. He even forgot me and the other Champions…" She froze, having come to a realization. Turning slowly to Mipha, she stared for a moment before throwing up an accusatory finger. "You!"
Mipha stepped back. "Me? What about me?"
Urbosa laid her hand on Zelda's shoulder. "Zelda, you wouldn't think to imply that Mipha sabotaged Link and tried to erase us, correct?"
Zelda looked between Urbosa and Mipha questioningly before rapidly shaking her head, her hands following the same motion. "What!? No, no! I'm not trying to imply that. Mipha is the only Champion Link remembers, correct?" The group nodded. "The virus that attacked his memory was targeting specific data. Don't you find it weird that only information about his mission, the Champions, myself, have been erased, but his knowledge of proper cooking temperatures for beef are still there? The virus was trying to render him useless, make him forget everything that could aid us. Possibly even convert him as another tool to destroy us! But he didn't get all of it. He was stopped before he could corrupt it all."
Revali spoke up. "So you're implying that because Mipha helped him, he still remembers her?"
Zelda shook her head. "No, it's because that she helped that he remembers anything. Her file must have been the last of us to be targeted. He knew Daruk was a Goron Champion, but didn't remember his name. Their files must have taken longer to delete than ours. He would obviously target mine first, and then moved on to the Champions. He got through Revali and Urbosa, but took longer with Daruk's, and left Mipha's untouched."
Daruk scratched his head. "Well why did mine take longer then?"
Urbosa stepped forward, next to Zelda. "I might have an idea on that front. Who have been the two closest to Link since he joined us?"
Mipha and Daruk shot each other a glance. "Well, that would have ta be us, right?"
Urbosa nodded, gesturing to the two of them. "And since you both spent the most time with him, talking to him, getting acquainted, wouldn't that mean he knew more about each of you?"
Mipha suddenly lit up. "Since he knew more about us, the files were larger! That's why it took longer with Daruk. Or at least, long enough to preserve my files…"
Zelda's face fell, her eyes drifting towards the floor. "Knowing that he's missing all that, it makes our mission seem even more hopeless. How can he help us now? He won't recognize any of us except for you and the Great Deku Tree. His primary mission is gone. He doesn't even know who we're fighting. What are we gonna do now?"
The Champion's hopes fell with hers. While they could beat back whatever trap Ganon may lay against them, having no chosen hero to fight back Ganon and a princess who couldn't access her powers made the fight seem all but impossible. Every once in a while, a Champion would try to straighten up and tell them they'd be fine, but seeing everyone's face, they'd quickly fall back into their hopeless silence. Suddenly, someone broke the silence.
"Complete. Great Deku Tree, files restored. Master Sword, partially restored. Ganon, partially restored. PRIMARY DIRECTIVE: partially restored. Files restored. Compiling of information from primary source has completed."
The Champions snapped to the construct, his face impartial. Mipha stepped forward. "Link, do you remember what you have forgotten?"
The being's eyes flashed blue for but a second. "Partially. File restoration was a partial success. Information from primary sources is trusted enough to add to databases, as long as the source is credible in those sources. Great Deku Tree is knowledgeable is himself, as well as the Master Sword and Ganon, though his accounts are not complete enough to form a full file for Ganon, and he has not been in contact with the Master Sword his entire life, so key parts of history are missing, thus resulting in an incomplete file."
Zelda took a cautious swallow, stepping forward next to Mipha. "And your objective, what it is you were created to do?" Link looked to Mipha, who only nodded. "Partial reconstruction achieved. Knowing the purpose of the Master Sword and the nature of Ganon, inference would dictate that I play some part in the defeat of the being called Ganon. According to the memory of the Great Deku Tree, a question he and I worked on together was whether or not I would be able to wield the Master Sword. That same memory also stated I was to replace the Chosen Hero should he fail to appear. Making logical inferences from these previous statements would imply my purpose, but more sources are required to confirm this."
Zelda let out a sigh. Collecting herself, she gained a more annoyed face, if not a forced one. "Well, thanks for worrying me! I thought we were without hope! Now you say we just need primary sources to fix your memories?"
The construct nodded. "Correct, though I would not refer to them as memories. To restore lost files, I simply need to be in contact with a primary source, such as one who was alive, documents recording the events from the time they occurred, and family lineages written down in official Hyrulian Royal script. If you wished to confirm your identity as Princess, I would need to see such a document."
Mipha brightened up slightly. "See Princess? Hope is not lost. We can still complete our mission!"
Zelda let out a small smile. "Yes, I suppose you're right." She turned to the construct. "Well, um…Link…shall we go to those sources?"
Link nodded. "The restoration of files has been placed high on my priorities list, so for the sake of this unit, I shall comply with your request. Plotting a course to Hyrule Castle now."
Zelda smiled. Hope. They had hope. They could get H.E.R.O. back to normal, wrest back control of the divine beasts, and defeat Ganon. They could do it. Ganon had sprung his biggest trump card on them, and he failed. They could fix it. They could finish this. They could win! A wide grin began to creep along her face. At this moment, she felt like nothing could beat them. Even the looming threat of her lack of powers could not bring her down. She walked back to the Champions, a noticeable spring in her step. Revali raised an eyebrow as she reached them. "What's with the skipping?"
Zelda blinked in surprise. "W...what?"
Daruk pointed at her feet, a coy grin plastered on his face. "You were walking funny when ya came up ta us. Ya feeling alright?"
Zelda quickly grew flustered. "N..no! No, I'm fine! I'm walking like I normally do! Nothing's new, I'm completely normal."
Urbosa and Mipha only stifled giggles as Zelda tried to defend her obviously joyous walking pattern. Zelda quickly shot death glares at the two of them, only prompting them to laugh harder. They even heard the Great Deku Tree let out a gasp, followed by curious laughter, implying to them that he had been listening to her futile attempts. Their moment was interrupted as Link finally rejoined their group.
"I have procured a route to Hyrule Castle, the same route we took to get here, modified slightly for the presence of threats in the area. I have also brought this so that we could hopefully inquire about its nature, as well as the key parts of its history missing from other sources."
Zelda gave the robot a curious look before glancing down at his hands. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she raised a shaking finger to point at the object in Link's hands. "H…H…Li…Link. Is th.. that the…?"
Link nodded. "Correct, Zelda. I have procured the Master Sword for research purposes, so that we may finish the restoration of its files in my databases. Was I wrong in doing so?"
Zelda began to stammer. "No no, it's perfectly f..fine that you did take it. It's just.." Zelda managed to get out, still trying to recollect her thoughts.
The rest of the champions were left in stunned silence, save for Revali, who was only getting more heated by the princess stammering and the oblivious robot. Revali's face contorted into one of both curiosity and annoyance once the charade had gone on for long enough. "We know why you got it, you told us already. How did you get it?!"
Link gestured to the pedestal behind him. "The blade was resting in the pedestal over there. I simply grabbed the handle, and pulled. While the blade did give way a small bit, the overall result was less than acceptable. I then applied force with both hands and finally removed the blade. The Great Deku Tree must have seen my actions as 'comical' as he laughed after watching me perform the action."
The Champions turned towards the tree, Zelda's eyes pleading for answers. "Before you ask, child, no, I have no idea how he was able to draw the sword of evil's bane. It is as he said. He simply approached the blade and drew it. Like many who came before him." The tree explained.
"By building off of existing data from the sources provided, it is to be inferred that one is not to be able to remove the blade so easily, as it can only be pulled by a special person. That extrapolation would also point towards a conclusion that a being such as myself could not pull it either. The unexpected outcome of said action is quite puzzling, as it contradicts all previously stated facts."
Before anyone could question the two further, the construct straightened suddenly, its eyes flashing from the normal, bright glowing blue to a gentler, almost living blue. His face grew into a look of worry. "Who are you? What are you doing in here? You don't belong in here, get out. You don't know what this place i…wait. It's…it's you…" Link began to slowly look upwards, faint purple and blue lines streaking across his eyes. Every once and a while he would mutter something incomprehensible, but was for the most part unresponsive to attempts at snapping him out of it. His attention was suddenly pulled to Mipha's. Mipha, startled by the sudden snap of attention, jumped back an inch. The streaks began to rain down the constructs eyes, his blank, wide eyed stare unnerving everyone present. And then, he spoke.
"Yes, she's the one. She was in here before. She was the one who…no…no you've got it all wro…no I don't! I don…Cease your actions! Halt at once! Don't tell me wha…You're not my creator! QUIET!"
The being then returned to his still stare, the words ceasing to flow from it.
Zelda shot the other Champions a concerned glance. The four readied their weapons, preparing for whatever foreign entity had invaded their sixth member. They remained that way for a minute, the tension palpable as the uncertainty of the situation gripped them. A wave of relief washed over them as the bright glow returned to Link's eyes, his face returning to an indifferent façade. His eyes snapped to the Champions. "Link establish…Why do you have your weapons drawn? Are there enemies in the vicinity?" His gaze snapped to the forest. "Scanning. No threats detected. You may lower your weapons."
The Champions looked amongst themselves, before Zelda gave a careful nod, allowing them to lower them. Zelda took a careful step forward. "Link? What happened just now?"
Link looked to the princess. "I was receiving sources from a reliable primary source. She provided all the key details missing from its file. Master Sword file, restored."
And it only took me forever. The good news is that I have a lot of free time in the morning and at work to type now so...yay! Hopefully the next chapter won't be forever away! Huzzah! As always, lemme know what you think! Thanks!