Hyrule. A kingdom rich in culture, commerce, and a history as old as the land itself. The epicenter of the battle between good and evil through the centuries. Its people are resilient despite the scars that marred them and the land they call home.
Castle Town, the beating heart of the kingdom, danced with life as all manner of creatures joined together in celebration. The tough Gorons, the elegant Zora, the proud Gerudo, the secretive Sheikah, and steadfast Hylians all gathered to dance, sing, feast, and toast the victory of the epic hero and his legendary blade.
Zelda trailed her fingers along the terrace railing. Gazing upon the festivities below, a simple smile resting on her features. Warmth spread from her chest as she watched her people be joyful for the first time in moons. Sure, there was still work and healing to be done, but this was a much-needed reprieve.
Zelda was alerted to an intruder's presence by the soft sound of boots against the stone. She turned around, her grin widening; Zelda allowed herself a chuckle.
"You look so thrilled." Zelda covered her mouth to hide her snickers. Link's pout turned into a scowl.
"I can barely move in this. Do I have to wear it?"
Link grumbled, tugging on the collar of his blouse. He needed to look nice for this afternoon's ceremony, so Zelda scrounged up an old formal soldier's uniform. Link even slicked back his hair, and one could say he looked rather dashing...if his brow would stop twisting into knots accompanied by a scowl unnatural for the kind, sometimes sassy, brave hero.
"Yes, you have to. Besides, it's just for this afternoon."
Link huffed. An afternoon of showy pomp and circumstance that was all for what? To honor tradition? To put a formal close on conflict and officially declare peace? Link thought it was a mixture of both, but he was no expert on such things. He often hated the spotlight, but it would make everyone, especially Zelda, happy, and he could endure an afternoon in tight, itchy evening wear. However, an ache still pained his chest and weighed on his brow.
Zelda seemed to notice as her smile melted away, and she stepped closer to him. Her expression became almost stern but still loving, almost like a mother or concerned wife. A tactful nudge to get to the root of the problem without dragging it up, kicking, and screaming. Zelda took his hand.
"What's wrong? There's more on your mind than just the garment."
Link was silent for a moment before he sighed and cast his eyes to the floor.
"What am I suppose to do now?"
Ah yes. The question overwhelms every soldier's mind as their duties conclude and the fight is over. What are they to do now? Fighting is all they know. Will the world cast them aside to be forgotten?
"Oh, Link, just because Ganon is slain does not mean Hyrule no longer needs its titular hero. People will still need help clearing the remaining monsters, rebuilding their lands, and more."
Zelda gave the solemn hero a reassuring smile as sharp blue eyes met her. Link returned the favor and gave her hand a tight squeeze before letting go. The princess nodded, and two sat quietly for a moment before an almost ethereal voice spoke from Link's back.
"Master, the ceremony will begin in approximately 15 minutes. I suggest we do not delay a further."
The spirit, Fi, spoke from the purple hilt of his weapon. Link glanced over his shoulder before his eyes shifted back to Zelda, who had already smoothed the wrinkles on her elegant blue dress and put on her most regal, kind expression before she started back into the castle. Link trailed behind her, though with less poise, of course.
The afternoon was nigh, and the people gathered in the Castle Town plaza. All eyes cast upward at the main terrace jutting out from Hyrule Castle. They were blinking, waiting, eager to hear what the head of their country had to say. All would know in due time.
Link stayed back beside another staunch protector of the royal family. Impa. Link giving a bow as the King, alongside Zelda, strode by and made their way out onto the balcony. Link standing just out of view as the King of Hyrule recited his speech to the people with his darling daughter. The hero did his best to keep up a sense of decorum, but it wasn't his strong suit. He cast his eyes to the woman on his left as the king began.
"Hail people of Hyrule! It is my pleasure to inform you..."
Impa had a rare smile on her usually serious features. She, too, was in a formal dress though she seemed more comfortable in hers. Her eyes flicked momentarily to him before settling back forward.
"Relax, youth." She whispered between them. Link had to hold back a snort. "Easy for you to say." Link replied just as softly.
"My recommendation. Channel that strong, silent side of yourself."
Impa cooed before silence settled once more between them. Link relaxed his shoulders and held his head high. He could do this after all; he has faced worse foes and challenges before, but something tickled the back of his mind. It manifested into a sleek shiver that snaked up his spine. He glanced over his shoulder on instinct and opened his mouth to speak. Had Fi picked up on that?
"...Vanquished by the hero of legend, Link, who wielded the sword of evil's bane in battle."
Link snapped back to attention and quickly stepped forward into view of the crowd. His stomach twisted and lurched, but he was able to maintain a stoic expression as the crowd erupted in cheer and applause
As quickly as the sense of dread and anxiety hit him, it left...but not completely. It almost seemed to move out into the crowd. All eyes were on him, and there was no way to tell where exactly the feeling was coming from. The king had thankfully continued, and everyone seemed ignorant to the sweat beading on Link's brow.
Zelda then began to speak.
"With great pride, we shall now return the Master Sword to its resting place in the Temple of Time, finally putting to rest the bitter conflict and restoring peace to the land."
She announced before giving Link a subtle gesture with her hand. He turned and bowed before stepping back. Zelda waved to her people before following her father inside. Link cast his eyes to the crowd once more, watching as they began to disperse. His shoulders shook as another shiver passed over him.
"Link, come on."
Impa commanded, turning back to face him. Link jumped, giving her an apologetic smile. He hurried after the sheikahan warrior as she started back down the hall.
They arrived at the Temple of Time. It was a grand cathedral with massive stained glass windows, depicting a moment in Hyrule's history. The trio stood alone beside the occasional shuffling of the temple priests and priestesses. Link stepped up the stairs onto the raised dais, a sigh escaping him as he carefully removed the Master Sword from its sheath. Solem blue orbs staring back at him through the silvery glint. Was he ready to do this? Tradition demanded it...yet he found his heart aching. It did not matter how long he had thought about it; he was never good at goodbyes. The hero lifted the sheath strap over his shoulder and held it off to the side. Zelda gingerly took it from him with a nod, even gesturing for him to 'go on.'
Link looked down at the pedestal and stood ready, raising the blade to strike the pedestal and finally return the Master sword to its rightful place where it would wait to be picked up again...at least he was about to when the hilt of the blade suddenly flashed with light and the purple and blue spirit within appeared.
"Wait, Master Link. I have some troubling news."
Zelda and Impa exchanged looks and stepped up onto the altar.
"Fi, what are you talking about?"
Zelda asked, her brow furrowing. Link stood mouth agape; the Master Sword hung in his grip loosely.
"I would have brought this to your attention sooner; however, the levity and excitement for today's ceremony could not be overshadowed."
Impa growled, advancing towards the sword spirit.
"Levity be damned! If this news affects the safety of Hyrule and the royal family, I swear by the goddess, I'll--"
"IMPA!"
Zelda interrupted, stepping in front of the warrior. Her hands were clutching the sheath.
"Fi, can you explain better, please?"
"I could not have told you sooner, for I did not know something was amiss before the ceremony. During the speech, I picked up a dark but faint aura in the crowd," Link's eyes went wide as he recalled the sense of dread that crawled along his skin. "Master Link picked up on the same energy as well. I have not deduced what or who causes this aura to appear; however, the chances of it being a fluke are, rounded up, 5%."
Fi explained. Zelda placed a hand over her mouth as she turned away from the others. Link quickly stepped off the dais to put a hand on Zelda's shoulder.
"You don't think, Ganon, survived somehow?"
"Negative, but I do not possess the data necessary to say for certain what this presence was."
Zelda whimpered softly, and Link pulled her into a hug. Impa's eyes narrowed, but her anger melted away as she moved to comfort the princess.
"What are we supposed to do? The hyrulian people are exhausted, and we can't just go back now."
"Maybe there is some lackie that is still holding on. After all, some people believed the Demon King's rule would be better for the country."
Impa replied. Link nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, when we're done here, I'll get my things together and go looking. Clearing out the remaining large groups of monsters is something we have to do anyway. Right?"
Link added, hoping that Zelda could find some solace in that. The princess breathed out and rubbed her eyes. With a short sniff, she regained her composure and smiled.
"You're right. We don't want to make a mountain out of a molehill."
"May I make a suggestion?"
Impa chimed in. Zelda and Link nodded in unison.
"We should place the Master Sword here to avoid causing an upset, but we will still need Fi's help tracking down the aura. Fi, can you still accompany us?"
Fi gave a short bow before her monotone voice replied.
"It is my duty to serve."
Impa cleared her throat before casting her eyes back towards the temple entrance. They seemed to cloud as she grew silent for a moment.
"Fi, you said you picked up on this presence during the ceremony?"
"Affirmative."
"Logic dictates this presence is still here...we need to find it. The guards are still on alert despite the festivities. I'll make sure we make short work of this, Princess."
Impa declared. Link nodded before giving Zelda's shoulder a tender squeeze as he moved away. The princess shifted on her feet before sighing.
"Alright...at least we have a plan."
Zelda spoke softly, watching as Link placed the sword into the pedestal. Fi nodded in approval, a small smile gracing her features. Link straightened his shoulders.
No time to waste.