"I suppose," Paya started, handing him a small cup of steaming water. "You were familiar with my grandmother? Her name was Impa."
Link graciously took the cup and sipped from it, nodding. It was the first drink of water that he's taken since waking up from the shrine. Despite this, he wasn't feeling very parched or even hungry. Apparently being brought to the brink of death dissuaded any appetite he may have built up.
"My grandmother… When she passed, she gave me specific instructions on what to do if I were to ever meet you." Paya continued, looking down at the blazing fire in front of her. "... As well as instructions on what to do if it seemed like your revival would be past my time. Link, surely you're aware of this, but Calamity Ganon's strength has grown tenfold since his awakening."
He grimaced at this but nodded. The land of Hyrule was almost unrecognizable, rendered to nothing more than a diseased wasteland filled with malice. It looked healthier when it was a literal warzone, with the Guardians rampaging through villages and starting fires. He could only hold on to the hope that the outskirts of Hyrule, such as the Gerudo Desert, had suffered less damage.
"Firstly… Her Highness, Princess Zelda… She left a message for you: 'Free the four Divine Beasts.' " Paya said. "These ancient weapons of the Sheikah… It would be ill-advised to take on Ganon, especially at this point, without reclaiming them."
She paused and sighed. "However, as of now at least, it's not possible to reclaim the beasts for our own. The Divine Beasts have been completely corrupted with Ganon's malice. Over time, this… evil. This malice. Its hunger for power could not resist the temptations provided by the beasts. Vah Rudania, Vah Medoh, Vah Ruta, Vah Naboris… These once mighty beasts have been reduced to nothing more than shells of their former selves, corrupted from the inside out."
Link frowned at the reminder. It had happened too suddenly on that day - The four champions had left to mount the Divine Beasts, and one by one, they had all fallen. Defeated by infiltrations of Ganon. From there, everything started to go wrong. It didn't make sense then, and it didn't make sense now. How? The champions, they were more than just good fighters. More than just the best of the best, handpicked by their own races and trained for this very scenario.
They were friends. Really, some of the only friends that Link had during his time as the chosen one. Everyone else, even his acquaintances who he trained with in the Royal Army, they all treated him differently. As if he were more deserving of respect. As if he were something to be revered, rather than someone to interact with.
Here he was now, two hundred years later. The sole survivor. It may have been strange, but he almost envied them. Daruk, Mipha, Revali, Urbosa. They didn't have to live to see what became of Hyrule. They didn't have to watch on as everyone they've ever known were killed by Evil Incarnate.
They didn't have to carry this burden with a broken back.
"While the Divine Beasts are unable to serve as weapons, it is still important that you clear them of their malice." Paya continued, breaking Link from his thoughts. "You know of the Tower of Ganon, yes? The terrible monument to the Calamity that has overtaken Hyrule Castle, which now serves to only expand its influence, to consume anything in its path. The Divine Beasts… They have been converted to serve the same purpose. As hubs for the Calamity, if you will. While the Tower remains in central Hyrule, far away from the lands of the other races, they still suffer the same abuse as you see here. Link, you must banish the malice from the Divine Beasts. Banish the malice, before the rest of Hyrule withers away. The Sheikah Slate will guide you to them."
Right. Great. So I'll have to deal with this Calamity stuff no matter where I go. Link shuddered as he thought back on the "Tower of Ganon", as it was named. Had the Divine Beasts become as monstrous? As all-encompassing? He prayed to the Goddess Hylia that it wasn't so. It would be akin to spitting on their graves. He's seen the champions, how they've bonded with their beasts. Those beasts, they weren't just weapons to the champions, rather serving as extensions of themselves.
"... Not a very pleasant task, is it?"
"My sword. Where is it?" Link asked; it was a question that had been hanging at the back of his mind for a while, and he felt a desperate need to change subjects.
"I'm sorry. All I know is that before confronting Ganon, Zelda hid it away, somewhere. I wish I could provide more of an answer."
A mixture of disappointment and relief overtook him as he looked down at the campfire. The sword had been an ever-present anchor to his duties, a ball and chain that made him stronger rather than slow him down. Did he not, at least a little, resent the power and duties bestowed upon him by Hylia? The mere thought of discontent with his god-given destiny made something within him shrivel up and die, and yet, he could feel the imprint that the ugly truth had been burning into him. A marred streak of ash on his back, the weight of which was unnoticeable, but hurt all the same.
He would do anything for Hyrule, would be happy to, honored. So what could he do with these alien thoughts of rebel and resentment nestling within him, wriggling parasites that whispered evil thoughts into his ear?
"And lastly… The Sheikah Slate. Its full potential has not yet been unlocked." Paya stated. "There should be another waypoint on your map. It's located in Hateno Village, a small town tucked away in the eastern edge of our kingdom."
Link perked up at that - Hateno Village?
"Hm. You seem to be familiar with this village?" Paya asks.
He nodded. He used to have a house there, a small home, cozy but modest. It was located a fair distance from the other houses, so it served as a great place to rest without worry for disturbance. Admittedly, it was somewhat anti-social of him to take joy in being so secluded from the town's populace… But so what? He enjoyed the privacy. It was a breath of fresh air from living in soldier barracks, where he slept in the same room with a dozen other men and had to share everything. Whenever he could afford a break, he would often shut himself in his house and… just take a break. From his responsibilities. From his training. From everything.
"Ah. Well, in this village, there's a research lab belonging to my great aunt, Purah. I suppose you remember her as well? We hadn't talked in a while, but last I checked, she had been faring,,, decently well." Paya said. "She should be able to upgrade your slate. If you do visit her, then… please inform me of how she's doing."
Paya's face softened as she said this, old, weary eyes shifting down to stare into the dwindling fire. "Purah, she… She's the only family I have left. I hope you would permit me to make this selfish request."
Link nodded once more. It was a simple gesture, but the affirmation seemed to relieve her greatly. She sighed and closed her eyes, bowing her head in silent gratitude. When she looked up, Link wasn't entirely surprised to see tears. "Link. You are Princess Zelda's only hope. You are Hyrule's only hope. Truly, you have a heavy burden on your shoulders. Take care."
Link looked at her, hesitant. "I was on my way to Kakariko Village."
A wistful, almost reminiscent look struck her as she sighed. "Ah. Kakariko Village... I haven't heard that name for a very long time. Unfortunately, it has long since been destroyed. The ground razed, the houses burnt, nothing awaits you there but ransacked ruins."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. The wound has long since scabbed over," Paya dismissed with a wave of her hand.
They stood and Link handed her his empty cup. In return, she handed him a small parcel along with a single boot. While somewhat ragged, it was infinitely better than walking around with a single bare foot.
"Food and water. Such things are in exceptionally small supply, so it would do you well to ration it out as best as you can. And don't worry about me," she said as he shot her a look of concern, "I'll manage. I only wish that I could give you more."
He wanted to say something. An expression of gratitude, maybe? Or maybe a question about anything he should watch out for. But for some reason, he couldn't quite think up anything to say, or perhaps, couldn't bring himself to speak. So rather, he gave her a firm nod of what he hoped exuded confidence before leaving. As it turns out, they were inside of some sort of cave, located a fair distance above the remains of what looked to be a river. A spark of memory informed him that it was the Little Twin River.
With that thought, Link began to climb down the rocky wall that led to the ground. He should probably try to get his glider back.
Thankfully, the route back to the tower was uneventful; other than running into another shrine, which was a literal breath of fresh air, it had just been a leisurely walk. Calm even, or at least as calm as a walk through desecrated grounds could be, with toxic air that stung his nostrils. He would have just warped back there with the slate, but he didn't feel all too confident about climbing black down. If there were monsters of some sort hanging around, then he'd just find himself trapped up there. No, better to play it safe and take the slow route.
Once he reached the tower, it didn't take too long to find the paraglider. With its bright white crest and colorful cloth, it stood out from the dead, gray grass like a sore thumb. Something else that caught his attention were the copious amount of weapons surrounding the tower. Spears, clubs, daggers, and even bows, all carried by the Stal-monsters had been left behind when they disintegrated from the day.
Though they all felt brittle and were only made of bone, they were deadly enough for Link to use in lieu of real weapons. In any case, they were much lighter than weapons made of metal or wood, so he found that he could carry them without being encumbered.
Well, that's one good thing, at least. Link thought as he activated the Sheikah slate, warping back to the shrine he spotted on his way back. The Ha Dahamar shrine, according to the slate. He had to make use of the Cryonis rune to get through it, and just like all the others he'd found so far, he was given a purple marble at the end of it. A Spirit Orb, though he still wasn't sure what purpose they served.
He stepped off the shrine's platform, though as soon as his foot made contact with the ground, he paused. Where was he going? Where was he supposed to go?
Ganon, the Divine Beasts. And... Hateno Village. I should get to Hateno first. That person Paya mentioned, Purah... She'll be able to upgrade my slate, huh? Link continued walking, taking care to step over a few veins of malice. He strode past what looked to be the ruins of a stable and through a swamp, where several strange statues were poking out of the dirt. Upon further inspection, he found that the statues were actually deactivated Guardians. The malice had eaten away at them too, of course, those terrible crimson veins wrapping themselves around the Sheikah machinery, as if trying to squeeze water from stone.
This was where Princess Zelda's powers awoke. Link recalled with a bitter taste in his mouth. Where she had to go out of her way to save me. The so-called Hero of Hyrule.
A moment of striking self-consciousness struck him as he took a moment to stop and look at his surroundings. Dead. Everything, everything was dead. Twisted, black stumps of once proud and tall trees. Sparse patches of grayed grass, thin and dry enough to snap like twigs. A complete and total lack of wildlife.
The Hero of Hyrule? No, it was far too late for him to protect this place. To fight back against the evil that was Calamity Ganon, it was simply too late. As far as he knew, Hyrule had died long ago.
Still. It's not too late for me to avenge it.