Chapter Four

Link is standing in front of ten Gold Bokoblin and a massive Gold Lynel. With his Master Sword in his hand and Daruk's Protection ready, he lunges at the Bokoblin closest to him. The glowing blade comes in contact with the monster, yet somehow, it looks almost unharmed by the attack. The Bokoblin quickly grabs a bat and swings at Link. Surprised by the sudden recovery and attack, Link forgets to put up the protection, and is hit and flung away.

THUD

Link's eyes shoot open, and he instinctively reaches for his sword. His arm, however, is pinned down by his own body on… a wooden floor?

As he comes to his senses, Link recalls the events of the last two days, and gets up. A small smile stretches across his face, as Zelda has seemingly forgiven him for his sudden departure two days prior. He slips into his standard clothing, magically fixed after a quick visit to the Great Fairy the night before. Donning the Master Sword, he pays Ollie the standard 40 rupees for the soft bed, and steps out of the Shuteye Inn. The sun has just risen, and the fog around him scatters the sun's rays, surrounding the village with beams of soft light, giving an ethereal vibe to the area. Based on the sun, Link decides that it is around 7 o'clock. With a start, Link runs to Impa's house. He should have been ready with Zelda to make it to the Zora's Domain on time.

He bursts through the doors of the house, and sees Impa sitting on her normal seat, while Zelda and Paya are sitting across from each other on the floor, finishing a meal of Hearty Fried Wild Greens. They both turn their heads towards the doors as Link crashes through them, and Zelda is the first to respond.

"Good Morning, Link!" She begins, setting her silverware on the mat next to her food. She stands up and walks towards the staircase, and picks up a bag. "I was beginning to wonder if you would ever wake up." She adds, a smirk settling on her face.

"Good morning Zelda, and Paya, and Impa. We have no time to be joking around, though! If we are to make it to Zora's Domain by tomorrow morning, we should have left already. Get your things ready soon, so we can leave." Link finishes, his face red from running.

"We don't need to rush Link! We can be there in a few minutes!" Zelda responds with a laugh.

"... Wait, what?"

"Link! We gave the Sheikah Slate!" Zelda shouts, realizing Link has forgotten.

Link's ears turn bright red as he realizes his mistake. With a sheepish smile, he leans back and rubs the back of his head with his hand.

Throughout this transaction, however, Paya was closely watching the banter between the Princess and her knight. Her face falls, but she quickly smiles and stands up as well.

"Oh, my, Link!" She laughs. "How could you forget something so important?"

"I don't know! I just was in a hurry, I guess." Link retorts, his embarrassment diminishing. "Well, Princess. Shall we make our leave?"

Zelda nods her head, and turns to Impa and Paya. "Thank you, both of you, for welcoming us back after so long. It really means a lot to me."

Impa speaks up for the first time since Link's arrival. "Skip the formalities, Zelda. Just hurry along and make sure that Hyrule is still safe. You will be a mighty fine ruler, no doubt!"

"Thank you, Impa." Zelda turns back to Link. "Shall we go?"

With a slight nod, Link walks up to Zelda, and places his hand on her shoulder. She pulls the Sheikah Slate from her belt, and pulls up the map, selecting the Ne'ez Yohma Shrine. They're surrounded by blue light as they separate into blue lines…

…And materialize right in the heart of Zora's Domain. Sweet music fills their ears, and Zelda puts the Sheikah Slate back on her belt. Quickly, she runs up the stairs in front of her and stops.

Link climbs the steps soon after and finds Zelda staring upwards. He follows her gaze, and sees the magnificent statue of the late Zora champion and princess, Mipha. Zelda looks back at Link with tears in her eyes, and smiles sadly.

"I still can't believe that she's gone, Link." She begins, her voice breaking. "If only I had awakened my powers sooner…"

Link rushes to her side, and places his hand on her shoulder once more. "Princess," he says softly. "There was nothing either of us could do. They knew the risk, and they helped us. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be alive today, Zelda. You proved your worth more than anyone else could, holding that monster at bay for 100 years. You did your best, and you helped save Hyrule. That's all the Champion's would have wanted us to do."

Zelda turns to Link and hugs him fiercely. As she does so, Link hears a yell from below. I know that voice, he thinks to himself.

Suddenly, the sound of water rushing gets louder, and from seemingly nowhere, a large, scarlet form leaps from a waterfall to the right, and lands right next Link and Zelda. He turns towards them, and smiles wide, he white, pointed teeth gleaming in the morning sun.

"I knew I heard the shrine activate! Hello Link!" Cries Prince Sidon. Zelda releases her grip on Link and turns to Sidon, unsure of who he is.

"Hey, Sidon!" Link replies. "It's been a while."

"Indeed, it has! And I see you've brought another Hylian, and a female too!" Sidon turns towards Zelda and bows deeply. Once upright, he speaks once more, his tone full of playful pomposity. "Pray tell, oh fair maiden. What is your name?"

"My name is Zelda, Sidon." She responds, eyes full of humor.

"Zelda…" Sidon begins, his hand on his head, trying to think. "Where have I heard that name…"

Suddenly, Sidon's eyes widen, and he stumbles back so fast that he trips and falls down. "Zelda… As in Princess Zelda?" He asks.

"I believe so." She calmly states, her eyes full of mirth.

Sidon picks himself off the ground, and brushes himself off, regaining his composure. "Well, it is truly an honor. I believe the last time we met, I was just a little zora, barely out of his egg, no?"

"I remember it well, Sidon. Your smile hasn't changed at all!"

"I'm flattered that you remember it at all, Princess. This must mean that Link destroyed Ganon, no?"

"It does, Sidon. And I want to apologize about Mipha…"

"What is there to apologize for, Princess? My sister gave her life in order to protect you and Link, and all of Hyrule. She rests well now, and, like the other champions, resides inside Link over there."

"Wait, what?" Zelda exclaims, as she whips around and faces Link. "When were you intending on telling me this, Link?"

Link, who was inspecting the surroundings suddenly face to face with the angry princess.

"Umm… I must have forgotten to tell you…" He stammers.

"About the fact that our friends, who died for us, now live inside of you?"

"That's not what it is! When I freed their spirits from their Divine Beasts, each champion gave me a great power. Mipha gave me Mipha's Grace, which will revive me should I fall in battle. They don't live inside me as Sidon stated." Link quickly responds.

"They were able to do that?" Zelda exclaims. "Incredible! I have to research this, and then I mu—" Her words were cut short by Sidon, whose face had hardened.

"In time, Princess. But first, you should talk to my father, and then head over to Vah Ruta. Somehow, the Divine Beast has awakened, and is roaming the waters."

"We know, Sidon." Link pipes in. "That's why we came. Someone has reawakened the Triforce, and for all we know, he could be anywhere. If we want to beat him, we have to prepare, starting now."