Nightfall at the Zora Domain was a sight to behold, with the soft glow of the architecture on the soft cascades displaying a bewildering sight. Festivities reigned throughout the settlement, as raucous choirs of revelers celebrated the fall of their old foe. Zora of all fins and ages poured into the grand palace of King Dorephan for a celebratory feast, as attendants displayed the most masterful presentation of waterworks in a century.
Zelda and Sidon were having a blast reminiscing about their days before the Calamity. The Princess found it refreshing to finally be in the company of someone from a century ago that actually remembered life back then, somewhat. She was still adjusting to the massive time skip after escaping her prison, and she needed to readjust if she ever had hope of piecing together the Kingdom of Hyrule once more.
She never tired of her friend's enthusiasm. In a world where the sky was falling and civilization was on the precipice of oblivion, the raw optimism of Prince Sidon was mana from heaven. He would definitely make a proud successor to Dorephan, and would live up to his sister's memory. She became quite fond of him, but he was much too polite with her, like Link was. The Princess elected to allow each other to speak on a first-name basis to relax the atmosphere with her fishy friend.
During their adventure within Vah Ruta, the two entered the central nasal chamber, where they at last discovered the source of its endless supply of water. The chamber held two turbines situated behind twin conduits with four thin blue lasers arranged in a pyramid shape. At the tips of these lasers, a glowing blue light emitted which illuminated the room. From this light, jets of water emptied into pipes leading to the other side of the room, which was the side the Beast's nose sourced from. Zelda took multiple pictures of the room as she attempted to read the Sheikah runes on the walls.
Sidon directed her over to the center of the room, which held a massive round object. The two conduits appeared to be linked to this round object, which had green lines jutting into all directions on the floor. Zelda remembered that these lines were "electricity" from her time on Vah Naboris, and warned the Prince not to touch them. Upon inspecting this round object, she noticed it looked very similar to the Ancient Cores which powered the Guardians that Link and Purah showed her. There were two types of cores: the smaller Ancient Cores were small yellow globes with engravings around them, and the Giant Ancient Cores, which were very rare, were even larger, with gears and rings surrounding them and spinning autonomously. The core in front of them was even larger, almost the size of Sidon.
She believed that this must be the master power source to the unit.
She took several pictures of the Core before placing a hand to inspect it. Surprisingly enough, it was significantly lighter than it looked, but not light enough for her to lift on her own. She accidentally nudged the sphere, slightly rolling it to the edge of its stand before it slid back into place. Unfortunately, this had an affect on the Beast as well. The duo felt rumbling as something began moving. After a moment, the rumbling stopped and a loud growl could be heard, along with the sound of water splashing on the outside.
Zelda and Sidon both exclaimed their enthusiasm and rushed back to the Domain to analyze their results. The enthusiastic Zora popped a question on the golden Hylian as they descended from the dam.
"Zelda, may I ask you something, if you don't mind?"
"Oh course, Sidon. What do you wish to know?"
"It's about my sister, Mipha." Her expression started to sadden a bit, but he continued. "I was wondering if you could tell me more about what you remember of her. I remember some of my time with her, but I was a wee lad and my memories are limited. If you could share any knowledge you had of her as a Champion, I would gratefully appreciate it."
"Sidon…" she paused to gather her thoughts about how to answer. She had a sparse palette of memories of the gentle Princess, and among those, she was quite reserved. Reading a tertiary Hyrule Historia was at times an easier read. "I'll gladly share what I know, although unfortunately it's not much. When I first met her, I was filled with joy to finally meet another Princess who I could comingle and learn from. Even without her healing powers that aided the Zora guards, she was adored throughout the Domain for her compassion and grace. Her modesty and shyness only highlighted her impressive skills with the Spear and with Vah Ruta. Every Zora I spoke to had nothing but praise and confidence in her ability to one day lead their people. To be honest… I was jealous of her, and not just because her father was more lenient with her than my own."
Sidon failed miserably to contain his excitement. His fang-filled grin shone brighter than all the Luminous Stone in the streets below. "Incredible! I knew my sister was a natural both as a Princess and a Warrior, but to be so easily loved by all, that's our Mipha for you! Do you recall her interactions outside of the Domain?"
"I can think of some instances, but she became more reserved the further we ventured from the Domain. She was a quick learner, but kept a very modest profile of her accomplishments. It brought consistent praise from Lord Daruk of the Gorons, and constant belittlement from Master Revali of the RIto. She also became much more courageous when she was around Link…"
"Ah yes, my dear friend has that affect on everyone he meets, it seems! Although I do everything in my power to motivate my people forward, he seems to be in a class of his own! It's as if he's the living embodiment of courage!"
"It's funny you say that! There's this one story where- "the Princess was about to deliver an anecdote, but she turned around looking for something. "Have you seen Link lately?"
At this moment Sidon joined her in checking his surroundings. "That's strange. I thought he was with us the entire time! Where could he have gone? He may have gotten ahead of us and returned to the Domain."
Zelda suddenly had an idea, but the thought saddened her for reasons unknown. "I think I have an idea of where he went. He's probably still on Ruta. I'll go check on him."
"And I shall join you!"
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I think this is a matter where he wants some space. I hope you understand."
The Zora Prince also felt more downcast as he processed the information at hand. He reluctantly agreed, knowing that the Guardsman would be on constant watch. "I shall await your return to the Domain! My father is hosting a feast to celebrate our victory, surely that will entice our knight!"
Link remembered this room all too well. It was within here that he slew Waterblight Ganon with the Master Sword, and once more in the realm of memories wielding the Lightscale Trident. The horrific screech the monster echoed as it faced its final demise was haunting, but at last, its rampage was brought to an end.
'Deep breaths, Link.'
The stoic hero, one who bravely displays an emotionless face in times of crisis, was struggling to keep his composure. He knew the significance of this room and wanted to turn away, but at the same time, wanted to remain for eternity.
He approached the glowing central control unit, but as he reached for his side, he remembered that he wore no Sheikah Slate this time. He cursed himself under his breath.
'Great. There goes that idea.'
Still, before he motioned to leave, he placed his hand on the pedestal one last time. As he did, a flush of blue lights started escaping the machine, and scared the hell out of Link. This looked all too familiar for the knight.
"Not this again!"
The lights swirled behind him and consolidated into a ball. As he turned, he noticed that the translucent form was considerably smaller than last time. The ball stabilized and started stretching vertically into a thin oval shape, before taking on more defined features. Indents started appearing across the form, which resembled limbs. The center of the object became more defined, with a thick line running across it diagonally, like a sash. Beside the midsection were two slits jutting off slightly to the side, resembling the tails of a tunic. The arms bore elaborate wristbands, and the legs were too short and stubby to be considered Hylian. The head elongated in the rear into what appeared to be a dolphin tail, and atop shone much more elaborate jewelry, with symbols of the Zora. The blue tunic bore the symbol of an elephant. Its face flashed a familiar golden glow and red flesh he knew all too well.
"You've returned once again." The soft voice gently cooed as the Hylian was fighting back tears.
"Mipha? Is that really you? You're back?"
After giving up on wiping away the droplets sliding down his cheeks, the Hylian rushed toward the Zora in front of him to bring an embrace, but he never made contact. He turned around and found his company hadn't moved an inch, and on closer inspection, a soft green glow surrounded her feet. The spirit turned around to face him, with a saddened look on her face.
"Congratulations on defeating Calamity Ganon. I knew you would succeed." Her face was downcast, exemplifying her balance of joyous praise and deep concern for her choice of words. He was determined as ever to not let this opportunity slide, not again.
"There are so many things I wish to tell you, to ask you. Most of all, I miss you dearly. Everyone in the Domain misses you, Mipha."
"I am glad, glad that I was able to meet so many people who cared so deeply for me. Most of all, I am glad I was able to finally assist you in your mission, Link. I promised you that I would always protect you, and I will do so to the end of my days."
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me about us? You knew I lost my memories. There's so much I want to tell you now!"
Her gaze shifted towards the side, nervous to make eye-contact once more. "I didn't want to burden you with that knowledge… knowledge of your past life. Do you know why that Zora Armor fits you so perfectly?"
"Yes, it was your engagement gift towards me. I was informed of it by your father, who presented it to me."
"O-oh, I see. It was simply a foolish ploy anyway, I see no reason to fret over it now…"
"Also, I regained the memory when I first discovered it. I remember that sunset upon Ruta, and I know you do too." He reached into his satchel and retrieved the Zora Armor, holding it before him. "I want you to know that I fully accept it, and to pledge myself to be your knight until the end of my days."
"Don't be rash. I'm nothing more than an apparition, a relic of a long-forgotten age. I don't want you dwelling on the past… Please focus on the present." Green swirls started rising higher, making parts of her lower form more translucent. "You must stay beside Princess Zelda. She is your Princess now."
"You ARE my Princess, Mipha. For now, and forever. I love you and wish for nothing but to be your knight in shining Zora Armor once more."
"Link I love you now and for the rest of eternity. Please don't throw away your life for my sake, enjoy it now. It would mean the world to me to see you spend the rest of your days happy and fulfilled in the realm you brought peace to."
"I hope you two lovebirds are done with your chirping session. I'd like to begin the real conversation while the night is young."
Both Hylian and spirit froze as they heard a voice thundering into the room, heralded by the sound of heels splashing in the water. Long legs were draped over by a long, blue sash tied at the waist, bearing the mark of a camel. A luxurious breastplate framed rock-solid abdominal muscles. Ornate jewelry graced the wrists, waist, neck, and face. The long, red mane of hair was unforgettable. The spirit of Urbosa returned to join them.
"Congratulations on defeating Bacon-Breath, little guy!" Moments after, the bellied roar filled the chamber. A large, hulking boulder with limbs materialized within, and the large grey spiky mane and wide grin indicated that Daruk was in the building. His belly was as large as ever, and the warm encouragement was unforgettable. His long blue sash draped over his form, showing a salamander, while a metal chain crossed the other diagonal, emblazoned with the seal of the Gorons.
"Took you long enough, though I suppose you land-dwellers do take more time to travel." The familiar, ever critical of Revali was not long behind, wings folded. His white and grey Rito outfit consisted of bronze spaulders, a slim breastplate, and aerodynamic leggings. A blue scarf was tied around his neck, bearing the mark of an eagle. complimented his dark blue feathered form, and his Champion's Scarf looked ideal for soaring into cold heights. At last, all four Champion Spirits were together with their last living member.
"How much of that did you hear?" The Hylian was shocked, but struggled to save face from his embarrassment.
"We're apart of you, little guy. We can see everything you've done since you freed us. Don't worry, none of us are gonna bite!"
Link wanted to curl up in a ball with this embarrassment. All the things he's done in Gerudo Town alone were enough to infinitely fill Revali's quicker of quips to deride him.
Finally, Urbosa spoke up. "Ahem. Now, to get back to the matter at hand."
All the Champions turned to face the Gerudo as she spoke. Link was mystified by the entire ordeal.
"Link, you deserve every amount of praise for fulfilling our mission and defeating that monstrosity Ganon. While he may not ever be truly defeated, he's been severely weakened and shouldn't re-emerge for several lifetimes. That doesn't mean that all is well in Hyrule though. There's something amiss."
Revali took his turn. "When we died, our souls were permanently bound to the Divine Beasts. Though you freed us from Ganon's captivity, the majority of our souls remained tethered to the Beasts, and our minds are becoming one. A portion of our souls were embedded with you, which draw their main power from each Beast as they recharge."
Link took an opportunity to ask a question. "I don't understand. How could I have freed you if you're still shackled to these Beasts? What happens to you all now?"
Mipha took her turn to answer. "The Beasts are designed to react to Ganon's presence, just as the other Guardians were. When Ganon has left the world, the Beasts are to return to their slumber, awaiting its return to be reactivated once more, which is why Ruta has returned here as opposed to its perch in the mountains. Over time, the souls of the pilots will merge into the subconscious of the Beasts, eventually becoming one. This is what happened to the previous pilots of yore."
Revali took this time to interject. "We each embedded our souls with you so that when you finally meet your demise, that part of us can pass on and enter the Spirit Realm."
Urbosa shot the bird a death glare, but Link was still confused. "But we defeated Ganon, so shouldn't that mean that the Beasts will shut down as well?"
Daruk shook his head. "There are still vestiges of Ganon's Malice throughout the land. Countless corrupted Guardians as well! You still got plenty of work ahead of you little guy, but we're right behind you!"
Revali contorted at these words. "You shouldn't be so overconfident Daruk, especially after what happened to you."
"Happened? What happened to Daruk?"
"The other day, I could feel someone messing with Vah Rudania. The local Gorons watching it were able to shake them off, but it was too close for comfort. I feel that someone was rolling for the Divine Core."
"Divine Core?" So much was being thrown the Hylian's way, and there wasn't the time to process it all.
Urbosa took her turn to elaborate. "Each Divine Beast is powered by an object called a Divine Core. It's an incredibly unique artifact that serves as the heart and the brain of each Beast, and also the conduit that connects each one to the Sheikah Slate. Simply put, removing it will shut the entire Beast down, and each one is unique to its corresponding Beast. They also house the Lynel's share of our souls, which allows us to assist you on your journey."
"Who would want to take them? What would happen if they broke?" Link was certain now, that there was no way he was ever going to leave Vah Ruta unattended, but he was also bound to stay beside Princess Zelda until further notice.
Mipha put her haunted hand on his shoulder, in an attempt to settle him down. "Fear not, for even if the Divine Cores are destroyed, the spirits inside of you will still flourish alongside your journey. But we need you to get to the bottom of this. There's a rotten fish in Lurein Village."
He saw her crack a smile at the last sentence, but he was still unconvinced. "Then I won't call upon your powers anymore! I won't risk losing any of you, especially you, Mipha."
"Relax little guy, it's not the end of the world. Just remember: there's no such thing as a free Rock Roast. Stay on your guard, and don't be shy about leaning on us for a little. It's why we're here."
"Hmph, as far as I'm concerned, the boy is my insurance policy. I can't possibly lose."
"Considering that he's alive while you're dead, I reckon you've invested poorly, birdbrain." The reassuring humor of Urbosa never failed to disappoint. The proud Rito attempted to squawk in response, but the Gerudo held up a hand to silence him.
"Another question: how come you're talking to me now, but you didn't utter more than a whisper while I traveled? I could've used your advice throughout the journey."
She smirked. "Much akin to when you entered the Divine Beasts, we were able to sense your arrival, but only able to see you clearly and manifest in an area of significant spiritual power. Places like the Divine Core, or where we met our demise, like this very room."
Link regretted asking this question. He didn't want to linger on about how they were standing atop his beloved's tomb.
"I'm sure that if you find another place like that, or some medium to support us, we'd have no problem reappearing as we are now. Don't worry, this won't be our last conversation." The Chief said with a wink.
Before Like could ask another question, a single index finger rose from Urbosa.
"It does appear that we have company. Please, give my regards to my little bird. She can't see or hear us, but she is questioning your sanity after all of this. Just remember, you can do anything if you put your mind to it."
The Hylian's eyes were wide open. He looked around but saw nothing. In the corner of his eye, he saw a gold glimmer that wasn't there before, which must have been Zelda in hiding. He'd have some explaining to do.
One by one each of his spiritual companions started to fade away. Mipha was the last to depart, her eyes locking with Link's once more.
"I will fulfill my promise to you. One day I will hold you in my arms and we will make that journey, together."
"Link, my love, at least know this: that when you finally depart this world, we will enter the Spirit Realm together, and we will explore the uncharted waters of eternity, if you wish. Please tell my father, that I've always followed my heart, and that I wish I could gaze upon him, one last time…"
As she pulled apart from her Hero and her flame began to flicker, she couldn't bear to see him cry in front of her. She could heal many wounds, but not one such as this. Eventually her spirit flickered out. He fell to his knees sobbing once more. No matter how many times he came to tears, his eyelids never ceased their endless cascade.
"Resurrection" was a concept of the highest of fantasies. Legends spoke of many a thing that eschewed the laws of nature: time-travel, wish-granting objects, alternate realties, to name a few. Yet in this world, the only thing absolute was death's door. He encountered in his travels the horse god Malayna who could bring dead horses back to life, but nothing about people. Putting one's faith into powers out of his control seemed like a childish and irresponsible thing to do.
On the other hand, it was frustrating that the ancient Sheikah seemed to accomplish great feats that seemed in themselves divine machinations. He ventured into their Shrines and witnessed the constructs they created. Harnessing the power of thunder to endless and autonomously move platforms, controlling the flow of massive amounts of water, creating powerful gusts of wind to elevate one high into the air: these were just a few of their wonders, and they were merely designed to test him. Imagine a metropolis built by them with all these marvels. But even they were only able to seal Ganon away, not utterly destroy him.
"If anyone is listening, by the Goddesses, I will move any mountain, face any foe, pay any price, if only I could hold her in my arms once more."
He knew there was one person listening, and in the depths of his frustration, he didn't care.
What he didn't know was how she was taking everything in.
A clenched fist and repressed tears silently observed him behind the corner.
The fated duo both needed a moment to collect themselves before the Princess broke the silence and approached him.
"Link! I've been looking all over for you!"
"Zelda? By Farore, what time is it? I'm so sorry, I was sidetracked."
"It's okay. We made an amazing discovery today, and I'm quite satisfied! Come, King Dorephan has hosted a great feast in our honor! After everything that's transpired, you deserve a night to celebrate all the hard work you've done."
The Hero composed himself as the two motioned to depart the Divine Beast. As they were about to reach the exit, Link made a point to tell his detail what his fellow Champions informed him.
"I've also learned a few new things as well."
"Like what? Do tell!"
"It's complicated, but never let this Beast go unguarded."
"A toast to our brave Heroes and Heroines! Zo Zo Ra Ra Ra!"
The boisterous bellow of King Dorephan never failed to fill the banquet hall of the Zora Palace. The hundreds of revelers within met his cries with their own, and the chorus filled the entire Lanayru valley.
Countless dishes and drinks were splattered on long, elegant tables made of Luminous crystal, which were draped over by turquoise mats with opal accents. Due to the aquatic nature of the host, seafood dishes filled the halls to the extent one could see food. Bowls of Clam Chowder and Creamy Seafood Soup accompanied Porgy Meuniere and Salt-Grilled Crab. Fish Skewers were lined up by the dozens next to Seafood Paella and Seafood Rice Balls. Aquatic creatures weren't the only thing on the menu: Gourmet Meat Skewers and Met and Seafood Fry were also available in generous quantities. For most of Hyrule, this was truly the most extravagant of all-you-can-eat buffets.
For the first time in a century, Link was in a situation where he doubted he could finish all the food he could see, almost. But tonight, his appetite was dampened.
Zora weren't the only spectators to the revelry. Small pockets of Hylians, Rito, and Gerudo were also in merriment, the latter supplying the party with their famous Noble Pursuit. They mostly kept to themselves, but a few mingled with the fish-men. The few Goron that were bold enough to roll into the Domain were enjoying themselves, munching on some moist Rock Roasts they prepared from Ploymous Mountain. They tried offering some to their hosts, but no amount of spirits could convince any to try them, some insisting they were too gourmet for their palettes.
"You think you're a tough guy? Hah, you're nothing!"
"Big words coming from a Hyrule Bass!"
With heavy consumption of Noble Pursuit, comes behavior much more uncensored. Jiahto and Seggin both consumed several beverages, both competing to see which one could dedicate more to Lady Mipha. After seven beverages for each, they began a heated argument that led to more aggressive posturing. Naturally their conversation started a crowd, with Zora cheering for both elders to give it their all.
"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"
The Demon Sergeant reached for his weapon of choice, while the Zora elder shifted to anticipate the move.
Clang!
The sound of a Fish Skewer connecting with an empty dish reverberated, as the fruitcake slipped onto the floor. Both combatants staggered backwards, barely keeping upright.
"You think you're tough ash a Hinox, huh?" Seggin was starting to slur his words, the mix of food and drink was getting to him. "I'll have you know I fought a hundred Lizalfosh with one fin behind my back!"
"Hah! Back in my day, I won the Zora River Race fifty years conshecutively!" Jiahto wasn't faring much better, and was leaning on a chair for support. "You can't even touch me!"
Just as both of the Domain's notables were about to have another go, they both collapsed into their chairs. The spectators erupted into even louder chants while others laughed on.
At the table of honor, Link decided to keep things modest. His meal consisted of only three Meat Skewers, six Rice Balls, and one bowl of Clam Chowder. Zelda was content with her dish of Salt-Grilled Crab, but was spending more time watching her old friend devour his meal. Did he have an enchanted sack within his stomach to hold all of this? It baffled her to no end how he could scale an ice mountain AND eat thirty pieces of raw meat AND come out unscathed. No scientific explanation of their age ever answered that phenomenon.
"I see the Hylian playboy has graced us once again."
The creaky old voice was indicative that Muzu had arrived to their table, critical as ever. Zelda took a moment to register his comment, before taking in everything that had occurred within the last few days, and her conversation with Sidon. She took defense of the man who put his life on the line for hers.
"I mean no disrespect, Muzu, but please don't try to ruin the festivities. We are trying to escape the troubles of a post-apocalyptic world."
Upon further examination, it was clear that the old Zora had quite a few drinks himself. "Oh, I beg your pardon, Princess Zelda. I was just observing your knight here and how proficient he is with befriending princesses left and right." He took a stiff shot of his bottle, finishing it and placing it behind him.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Link was only paying partial attention. His mind was focused on finishing his last skewer, in an attempt to blot out the other thoughts on his mind.
"Not too long ago, he barged into our Domain with no memories of his past, and manipulated the love of our beloved Lady Mipha to his advantage. True, he calmed Vah Ruta in the end, but he simply pockets the Zora Armor as if it's some collectible! Look at him, he's not even wearing it now!"
"That's none of your business, Muzu. Besides, he probably has a very good reason for not wearing it. He most likely feels obligated to wear his Champion's Tunic as a uniform while escorting me."
The old man was as stubborn as ever, and continued his diatribe. "Then there's you, Princess. Don't you find it interesting that once he discovered that you were not only alive, but in your prime, he never left your side? If I didn't know better, I'd say he was leap-frogging to see which realm he could become sovereign over."
This time, Muzu was silenced by a loud thud and the clanging of silverware. A fed-up Hero finally broke his silence to end this once and for all.
"Enough! You know full-well how hard I fought, how hard we all did, to make this day come. Your remarks are unwarranted and unwelcome. I suggest you take them elsewhere."
The entire hall overheard the commotion and turned their heads toward them. Dorephan simply shook his head in disapproval, while Sidon quickly sidestepped toward the elder.
"Please Muzu, the other veterans are at that table discussing their times during the Second Battle of the Silver Lizalfos and want you to tell your story." The old Zora muttered incomprehensible things under his breath as he stammered off into a distant hallway. The young Prince turned to the Hylians and saw relief on Zelda's face and contemplation on his would-be brother-in-law. He was glad to have defused that situation, but he felt his task was not yet done.
"Thank you, Sidon."
"Please excuse his rudeness, Zelda. He has hated Hylians since before the Calamity, and not a living soul knows why. On another note, have you told Link about what we discovered?"
Link's ears perked up slightly. He was still sour after Muzu's conversation, but yearned for something to lighten the mood. Zelda opened the Sheikah Slate to display the images she took, and showed them to him.
"While we were investigating Vah Ruta, we entered this hatch and found the source of Ruta's unlimited water. We weren't entirely sure what this object was, but we decided to call it- "
"The Divine Core," as if he read her mind. The Prince and Princess were both stunned, but he continued.
"It's the piece that powers the Divine Beast. It serves as the brain and the main artery, as well as the link between the Beast and the Sheikah Slate. Simply put: remove the Core and the Beast dies."
"How do you know all of this?"
"When I freed each of the four Divine Beasts and freed the spirits of the Champions, each one imparted a portion of their spirit within me in the form of their unique abilities. Most of their spirits are still linked to their Beasts, where they recharge."
"Spirits? Does that mean… my sister…"
"Yes. I told Dorephan that Mipha's soul and mine are one now, but that's only partially true. Most of her soul is bound to Ruta with that core. Over time, that portion of her will fade into its subconscious, becoming one with it."
"I see…" The abundant optimism that filled the Zora's eyes started to dissipate.
"We still don't know everything, but the one thing that we can do is make sure that the Divine Beasts stay on constant watch. Someone has been messing with Rudania and they may come here next."
Zelda's eyes widened exponentially. "Rudania in Eldin? How in Hyrule- "She stopped herself before asking the question she already knew the answer to. She didn't know what Link was doing in Ruta's control room, but she had a hunch that Link's sudden knowledge on this subject had to come from somewhere. She played along and supported him.
"Guard Ruta as if she were Mipha. Eventually they will be one in the same."
"I swear on Nayru, Link." The grand Zora took a moment to flash his iconic pose. After the events of this evening, the swordsman needed any positivity he could get a hand on. He was glad Sidon grew into such an incredible person. "Also, my father has beckoned you over to him. He wishes to speak privately."
A look of perplexity graced the knight's face. He left Sidon with Zelda once more, this time with full knowledge of where they were, as he shuffled through the crowd. He felt warmth in his heart to see the jubilance and serenity of the feast, a feeling of relief not felt since before the Calamity. Dozens of couples started dancing in the ballroom. Young Zora children were buzzing about, playing with empty skewers as makeshift spears. Even the Gorons began singing in a corner and received drunken praise. It was a wonderful sight, to be able to wake up the next day without the great evil looming over their heads, but he wished he could share it with his favorite red Zora.
"There you are, Link! Have a seat my child."
One thing that didn't change was the welcoming current of King Dorephan. Though he lost his memories of the alpha whale, he felt unparalleled comfort and reassurance from the monarch. He took a seat beside him in what he presumed was Prince Sidon's own chair. The cushion was luxurious and he guessed it could only be rivaled by the finery of Hyrule Castle in its heyday.
"Once more, I want to remind you just how proud I am. Thanks to you, Hyrule will rebuild and a new age will dawn for all its denizens!"
Link did his best to smile at these words, but the sting at the void in his heart was unbearable.
"Please don't mind Muzu. As you are aware, he held prejudice against Hylians since before the Calamity, and he has his reasons. I don't necessarily agree with them, but they are not without validation."
"She loved you, you know. Even in the very end, her being was with you." The king changed the subject quickly, hoping to move toward something the Hylian would be more emotionally invested in.
"She always followed her heart." The Hylian finally broke his silence to respond. The King leaned in and cracked a smile. "She wanted you to know that, and she wished she could face you once more."
A large fin slapped his back, pursued by a bellow of joyous laughter. "My boy! You've truly met her once again? That's one line her mother said to her before her passing. She wanted Mipha to always follow her heart, no matter what waterfall it flowed into. I couldn't have been a prouder father."
After seeing the glow that graced the old monarch's face, Link couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. Never in his travels did he ever see anyone else as happy as the one beside him.
"You would have made an excellent son-in-law, Link. I would have endorsed your engagement back then, and that offer wouldn't have rescinded today. You are like a son to me, my boy. Zora's Domain shall always be your home, to the end of your days."
Link had to hold back tears as he heard this. "Thank you, Dorephan. You have no idea how much that means to me. I promise we will make this world fitting for her memory. We are one now."
"If Mipha was anything like her mother, she would've loved you enough to want to see you be happy, even if her own desires were unfulfilled."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You still have your entire life ahead of you, my boy! It may not be as long a lifespan as a Zora, but you still have the best years ahead of you. Don't let her fate keep you from enjoying life." He nudged his fin on Link's shoulder, directing him toward Zelda and Sidon. "Perhaps not her, but there's no reason you can't give love a second chance."
The grin on the Hylian's face began to dissipate. He appreciated the gesture, but it wasn't what he needed at the moment. "Thank you, but I don't think I'm ready for that kind of thing right now. I never had a chance to grieve up until a week ago. I still need time."
The King nodded in understanding. "Take all the time you require. Tonight, just promise me to enjoy yourself to your heart's content!"
"I promise I will." Link rose from his chair and began the trek back to his table.
"Give it to meeeeee!"
Off in the corner, a small figure was standing on the seat of a barstool, with arms raised as to reach something. The Gerudo bartender was making no attempts to assist the vertically challenged patron.
"Rules are rules. No kids are allowed to drink!"
"I'm not a kid! I'm older than youuuuu!"
Link turned his head into their direction and moved closer to get a better look. The small figure sported grey hair tied into a bun with a matching grey coat. A dark blue skirt rested on the waist with matching thigh-high stockings. The figure couldn't be more than two feet tall.
He knew instantly who this figure was.
She turned around as if to pout, but instantly flashed a smile upon seeing him with her bespectacled eyes.
"Linky! How've you been?"
Purah was still as childish as ever.
"Can you give a girl a hand here? Please tell this Gerudo lady that I'm old enough for one of these!"
"It will be a wet day in the Wasteland before I give you one of these!"
"Ohoho!" Purah spun one of her arms to her face. "That can be arranged sooner than you think."
"Purah, what are you doing here anyway?"
The small scientist turned back to Link, having given up her noble pursuit for some spirits. She hopped off her stool and waddled off to an open space by a pillar.
"Is that how you greet all your old friends, Linky? Can't a girl have some fun after spending a century with ugly eggheads? Besides, you were going to see me anyway, so I figured why not save you a trip?"
He wasn't going to lie: this encounter did save them a half-week of travel. But after a century of hibernation and countless nights spent on his quest to free Hyrule, time had little meaning to the knight anymore.
"I'm going to perform a physical on the Princess first thing in the morning. I brought everything I need, and the rest can easily be found in the Domain. It should take a full day, but I can't wait to get started!" She took a quick glance over at Zelda, adjusting her glasses at her timeless physique. "It can really complete my anti-aging research! It'll be a snaaaaaaap!"
"Also, Linky, it's funny that I bumped into you first, because there's a favor I need to ask of you."
The hero groaned. If it was lighting her furnace again, he would suggest she build some sort of ramp for quick access. If it was lighting Robbie's furnace, he'd tell her to take a hike.
"I promise I'll reward you handsomely! You just have to keep it a secret from the Princess… and just about everyone else!"
"What kind of reward?"
"How does your own Sheikah Slate sound?"
Now he was interested.
"You mean like the one you have?"
"Oh no, much better than that old thing!" She motioned her fingers to form a rectangle shape. "You really supplied us with a lot of good Ancient Materials, so I was able to work them together and fashion a whole new Sheikah Slate! It has all the runes you backed up, AND unlike mine it's durable enough to match your lifestyle." The scientist put her hands on her hips and shot a smug look at the giant. "I'm putting the finishing touches on it, but you could have your own without bothering the Queen-to-be over there."
"What point would another Slate have? We've already defeated Ganon, and I've unlocked all the Shrines in Hyrule. All that's left of the Sheikah Civilization are the numerous Guardians running about."
At this point, Link suddenly remembered his conversation with Zelda upon Ruta earlier. The room to the Divine Core could only be unlocked with a Sheikah Slate, so keeping tabs on all available Slates was necessary, at the moment.
"Awww, you're such a party pooper Linky!" The little one starting pouting and making baby-doll eyes in an effect to garner sympathy. She put on a good act despite being over 120 years old. "Okay, but I reeeeeeally need your help on this super-secret project! There's nobody else I can turn to for this!"
"Okay, what is it that you need?"
Purah beckoned him closer, bringing her voice to a whisper. "I'm researching the Blood Moons right now. I want to know how Ganon was able to bring back all those monsters that were slain every month. I also want to see if it can be used for… other things."
"Other things?"
"Imagine that, even for a moment, the same power that brings back those Bokoblins could also restore trees, animals, buildings… people. Anything that was lost in the last century could be restored, as if it never happened."
This sent the Hero of the Wild into an internal frenzy.
"What do you need?"
The small Sheikah flashed a smirk to her old friend. "Funny that you ask, I mostly need a massive number of Ancient Materials which, knowing you, probably already have on hand. The last thing will be a challenge…"
Link adjusted the Sheikah Slate onto his hip. It was more challenging than expected to convince the Princess to loan it back to him, in the midst of the celebration. It was even more troublesome for the hero of the hour to escape unnoticed, when everyone in the Domain recognized him. Virtually any outfit he wore would make him stand out in the crowd or the immediate area around. His good friends from the Bazz Brigade were on duty this night, so he knew that they'd catch him and drag him back into the throng.
Purah needed several different materials from him. She needed six hundred Ancient Screws, four hundred Ancient Springs, two Hundred Ancient Shafts, four hundred Ancient Gears, one hundred Ancient Cores, and twenty Giant Ancient Cores. One would think she was trying to build an army of Stalkers to conquer Hyrule for herself. She insisted that she was learning by trial and error, and by learning, it was more like shooting arrows blindfolded. In any case, she needed massive supplies of parts in order to properly experiment unfettered. Fortunately for the blonde bombshell himself, his endless sack of materials held well more than enough of these for Purah, just barely scrapping by on the Cores.
There was one additional material she needed, and one that was impossible for Link to have carried on hand. She needed the beating heart of a Lynel. Any Lynel would do, but the heart must be fresh and intact. In normal circumstances, they expire a mere hour after being retrieved and become useless Lynel Guts afterwards. Purah claimed to have preservatives in her lab that could sustain it for weeks, and all he'd have to do was deliver it and she would do the rest. The Sheikah Slate would enable instant travel to the Lab, which would make this possible.
Link arrived near the summit of Ploymous Mountain, having deftly evaded the wandering eyes below. He took a moment to take in the sight of the lights from the Domain. It was a heartwarming view, one he wished he could share with a certain someone. But he remembered that they were one, and she could see through his eyes. This put him at ease. He placed a hand near his heart and gripped the deep blue Zora Armor made by her. It enabled him to blend in with the surroundings, climb the waterfall leading up to the peak, and also put his heart at ease.
The Zora Armor was an amazing piece of art and craftsmanship, but he was hesitant to wear it. He wore the Armor through the entire episode on Vah Ruta, but afterwards he stored it in his bag. It wasn't that he was unreceptive to Mipha's feelings or ungrateful: the truth was the opposite. He deeply valued Mipha and her memory, so much that he wouldn't dare risk losing the last pieces of her left in this world. For that reason, he would always keep the Armor in his bag as a good luck charm, but never as a shield which could potentially be ripped apart. It was why the Lightscale Trident was on center display in his home in Hateno Village, after using it in the final battle against Ganon.
This time, he wanted the protection of his beloved. He didn't know what the full extent, or the potential, of Purah's research would be, but if there was any way it could bridge a gap between Hyrule and the Spirit Realm, then he would take that chance. The Ancient Sheikah were capable of amazing feats with their technology, there's no reason that building upon it could open doors previously bolted shut. No matter what happened, he and Mipha were one, and not even death could do them part.
As he snuck up the peak of the mountain, his suspicions were confirmed. A large beast with the body of a horse trampled along the flat, blue mountain top. On the area where a horse's head would be, a massive, buff torso resembling a Hylian's rested with muscles rippling in the core. On its back rested a massive black sword, a spiked, triangular, wooden shield, and a massive metallic bow. The most striking part was its face: a massive mane of long, red hair and a demonic visage as a face completed its appearance. The beast's green eyes conveyed familiarity: a look all too familiar to the Hylian.
The Lynel of Ploymous Mountain was back, in no small part thanks to the Blood Moon.
The last time Link was here, he was collecting Shock Arrows in preparation to board Ruta. He was warned to avoid contact with the Lynel, for it was a brutal beast that was only felled once, a century ago. The Hero hadn't regained his pre-Calamity strength back, so he took the advice and lurked around the summit for arrows, while avoiding the Lynel at all costs. Just as he took his last arrow, the Lynel suddenly turned around and caught the Hylian, engaging him in combat. After a long and bloody battle, Link ended up victorious, and looted even more Shock Arrows, and returned to the Domain.
The man-beast wanted revenge, and he was getting it. It let out a large roar as it unsheathed its sword and shield.
'I can't rely too much on Daruk's Protection here. I need to be more creative.'
The Lynel began by turning its sword downwards and slowly raising it into the air. He knew exactly what it was doing, and ran toward a nearby boulder for cover.
Boom!
A massive inferno swelled up around the Lynel, incinerating all plant life in the immediate vicinity. Link jumped from behind the boulder and rushed toward the Lynel.
He swung his sword at the beast three times, careful to avoid the center of its chest. The Lynel brought its sword toward the Hero with a strong thrust. He instinctively backflipped as it came down, creating an opening in his opponent for a flurry of stabs. He aimed below the abdomen, which did less damage, but left the vital organs safe.
On any other day, he'd have no problem fighting a red-maned Lynel. After tangling with Golden Lynels and fighting a Hinox in the dark, these old foes were second-Mighty Banana to his ordinary diet of monsters. That didn't mean the beast couldn't kill him, but his reflexes had developed past the point where they stood on the eve of the Calamity. As he landed on his feet, he slightly relaxed his stance. He let his mind wander as the scene seemed familiar.
"I'm not leaving!"
"You have to, it's too dangerous, and I don't want to see you hurt."
"I need to make sure you come back in one piece. You mean too much to me to let you do this!"
Link and Mipha were arguing at the penultimate peak of Ploymous Mountain. The Hylian had heard tales of a vicious beast terrorizing the passerby and Zora Spearmen with Thunder Arrows, which were deadly to the aquatic race. The swordsman instinctively made his way toward the mountain to pacify the problem, but the Zora Princess had followed him to keep him from harm. Throughout the trek, he insisted that she turn back toward the Domain while he handled the problem, but she never budged.
As they reached the peak, they took cover behind an upper cliff while gazing at the sight ahead. It was a large, flat area with a small point, several thin trees, and a handful of large boulders. Each of the trees had a Shock Arrow lodged into their trunks, an obvious sign of target practice. In the center, a massive red Lynel patrolled the pond, staking out its territory.
Having recently drawn the Master Sword himself, Link felt a great sense of responsibility, and a grave burden on him, to defend all the denizens of Hyrule from misdeeds. Even more so, he felt an obligation to defend the Zora Domain especially, since it was essentially a second home to him. There were a number of people in this world that he held dear: Bazz, Rivan, Gaddison, and especially his old friend Mipha. If he couldn't unshoulder his own burden, the least he could do was share the load of his family.
"If you get hit by one of those arrows, it's very likely you will die."
Despite those words, the Zora princess refused to leave. She gripped her Lightscale Trident tightly, readying herself for battle. When she had initially heard of the Lynel's terror, she was mortified on behalf of her people, and had begun to lose hope for a solution. But one day, Link had finally returned to the Domain after several years, and wielding the legendary sword no less. She had so much she wished to say, so much she wished to do, and she was fascinated by his newly attained height, which made her feel much safer, for some reason.
As fate would have it, as soon as he arrived to the Domain, he heard the stories of the Lynel, and immediately ran off to confront it. She tried to stop him and warn her old friend about the dangers of the beast, but he gave no response. She followed suit to protect him if he became rash, despite his protests. She knew he only wanted to keep her safe, but she wanted to do the same for him.
The Zora wanted to comment with a response, but before she could, they heard the sound of a deep huff above them. Slowly they turned their heads upward to see a sudden shadow cast over them. Their eyes met with two green slits of pure hatred and a bellowing roar.
The two ran as the Lynel took its sword and rose it into the air. Link had remembered his knight's training, and grabbed Mipha's hand. They rushed behind a nearby boulder just as the explosion went off.
"That's quite terrifying! If we didn't move that quickly, we'd be smoked bass for sure." There was a sense of trepidation in her voice, but her body hardly shivered. The knight looked around the corner to see the Lynel trampling around trying to find them.
While its back was turned, Link charged forward in a full sprint, leaving his companion behind. He unsheathed his sword and began to lay into the beast. Its mobility was among its greatest assets, and it would shoot several arrows at once if given enough distance.
Hyah!
He placed three slashes on the beast's ripped abdomen. He spun as he made the fourth blow, which left a visible mark. It cried out in pain, but neither flinched nor backpedaled unlike other monsters.
The Lynel roared and started trampling through the plateau. It readied its sword as it came closer to Link in order to make a side slash. The knight jumped to the side at the last second, but was just too slow, as the tip of the blade nicked his left arm. He had to stagger a bit and cover the wound.
Smelling blood in the water, the Lynel closed in on its prey. It raised both its sword and shield in an arc, preparing to swoop down on the swordsman and finish him off. Just as both limbs reached the zenith of height, a large stabbing sound echoed from behind it. The flame-mane rotated to see the source, and saw a red being holding an impressive spear, as she dislodged it from its hind leg.
Link wanted to shout to his friend, he wanted to draw the Lynel's attention, but he wasn't at his full strength at the moment. The wound wouldn't have hurt as much if he didn't wear out his shield arm the night before fighting an entire camp of Lizalfos. He had no one to blame but himself as he helplessly watched the beast attack his friend, who only came to his rescue.
The beast viewed the Zora as easier prey, too easy to warrant any Shock Arrows, so it raised its arms in the same manner as before. Mipha stood there unflinchingly. As its arms barreled down, the nimble Zora backflipped at the last moment, unharmed, and unleashed a flurry of stabs in its face. The last blow left a cut above its right eye, limiting its vision. The beast became angrier and more reckless.
"Link, we must work together in order to defeat this beast! I will lend you my power, please share yours."
The knight nodded as they watched the Lynel jump backwards. It set loose three enormous balls of fire toward them, and they sidestepped each one. At this moment, they both came to an idea, and through locking eyes, they could tell the other was thinking the exact same thing.
The Lynel was furious, and in a rage, it sheathed its weapons and got down on all six limbs. Link knew what was coming.
The beast trampled toward the blonde at insane speeds. Just as it was about to make contact, Link sidestepped and landed a blow on its left hind-leg. It howled in agony.
With an opening secured, Mipha lunged her trident into its right hind-leg. Both rear limbs went limp, and it could only stand on its frontal limbs. From the front, it bore an eerie resemblance to a demonic figure.
Both Hylian and Zora hopped over the Lynel's rear and made for another strike. The Master Sword connected with the right front-leg. The Lightscale Trident was dislodged from the left front-leg. The monster no longer had a leg to stand on, and just limped down with its torso in full motion.
Seeing the desperation of the situation, the Lynel removed the bow from its back and pointed it at the sky. Mipha was confused at the situation, but Link was mortified. He knew that all Lynels instinctively had deadly aim, and that he'd have to end this in one blow if both of them were to return alive.
Just as the Lynel began to draw the string back on its bow, Link swung his sword behind him, getting into position. He had to time this just right.
In a flash, the Hylian made a spinning motion with the blade, slicing the monster straight across the head. Its hands went limp, and the bow and arrow dropped to the floor. The Lynel of Ploymous Mountain was no more.
"That was incredible Link!"
Mipha rushed to her friend, overcome with joy at their victory. In that moment, he nearly collapsed to the floor.
"You're hurt! Come, I'll take care of you."
The Princess draped his right arm over her shoulder as she brought him away from the battlefield. She put him down at the tip of Shatterback Point as her hands flashed a familiar blue glow. The knight relaxed a bit as he took in his surroundings. The peak of Mount Lanayru was breathtaking.
"What was that last move you did? The one that killed the Lynel?"
"That? I call that a Spin Attack."
Thwack!
The blonde suddenly found himself face-down in the mud. He picked himself up and saw his red adversary trampling around with blade held high. Such was the consequence of daydreaming in the midst of a battle, or underestimating one's enemy.
It was still dusk out, so he wasn't out for long, and he was still alive, so that was always a plus. The recent memory also gave him an idea.
As the red beast got down on its arms and prepared to charge, Link unpacked his Sheikah Slate. He selected the Stasis Rune and used it on the Lynel. The beast was surrounded by a yellow glow, and apparently stopped in time. He rushed toward the beast and waited for the effects to end.
When the yellow glow dissipated from the Lynel, he rose his hand behind his head and unleashed a spin attack, slashing both front and rear right legs. The beast screamed in pain and struggled to support itself. It no longer held the mobility it once had.
Pressing his advantage, Link quickly ran to the other side, slashing on the beast's remaining two legs. The savage was now grounded.
In a final move, Link hopped on its back and readied his sword. In a single strike, Link made a blow directly at its head. The Lynel fell to the side, dead and defeated.
'We fought as one, once again.'
Wasting no time, Link disemboweled the monster and extracted its heart. In a miraculous turn of events, it was still beating its last pulses. The Hylian had no time nor care to analyze the anatomy of the Lynel, so he made quick work to dislodge it and place it within his sack.
He sheathed his sword and opened his Sheikah Slate. He pressed a few buttons, and a blue glow overcame him. In the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Link came face-to-face with the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. This was the lucky part of Hyrule, which was spared the brunt of the Calamity a century ago, largely due to the actions of Link and Princess Zelda. The blue flame of the furnace was flaring as lively as ever.
The Hylian opened the door and found the place surprisingly empty. It made sense since Purah was at the Domain, and Symin was likely asleep upstairs. It made the trip much more direct, but also more complicated as Purah failed to inform him of where her secret lab was located. He would have to use his wits to find the entrance himself.
He couldn't explain it, but something was drawing him toward the opposite side of the lab.
As he walked over to the bookshelves, he saw a scroll on Purah's main desk. It was never there before in all of his past visits to the lab, so it must have been new. He took a quick glance at the scroll, but it was completely covered in Sheikah Runes, the long-forgotten language. He couldn't decipher anything on the scroll, so he left it be.
He turned his eyes to the rear bookshelf, positing that maybe a clue was hidden within one of the tomes. As he browsed the assorted titles, he saw one that was quite peculiar, and on the bottom shelf.
The Scientist and the Stable hand by ?
He never took Purah as one to read those types of books, but yet again, he lost all his memories of her. He took the book out to get a better look, but as he pulled it back, the bookcase began to move.
After a moment, the section had moved to the side, and a downward staircase was made accessible.
Link descended down the spiraling staircase, and entered a small room. It contained various drawers, tables, beakers containing mysterious substances, and a large, flat white table in the center. There was a large, blue chandelier above, and matching blue paper lanterns across the upper walls. It was a quaint room, but he didn't want to learn what it was exactly stored within that warranted the mad scientist to hide it from the Queen-to-be.
As he looked around the room, he saw a small box with the Sheikah emblem engraved on the side. Peering inside, it had a mysterious liquid within, something he wasn't in the mood to figure out. To erase all doubt, there was a small note underneath, which said "PLACE LYNEL HEART HERE."
Not wasting any time, the Hero dug the Lynel Heart out of his sack and dropped it in the box. It started to glow. He placed the cover on top of the box, which gave a familiar locking sound, a theme all too familiar from his trials in the Shrines. The Sheikah eye glowed a soft blue, indicative that his task was complete.
With his task complete, he turned to exit the lab and return to the festivities with his friends. Before he did, he noticed something that he didn't notice when he entered.
Another door. Opposite the stairs.
This began to creep him out, but he took a deep breath, remembering he fought much more terrifying foes in his adventure. He moved toward the door and opened it, revealing another spiraling staircase. After spending a few moments questioning if he should do it, the knight finally gave in and descended down these stairs.
At the base, he found another door, and upon opening, he entered a similar-sized room. The room was tinted red, with a red chandelier hanging from the center ceiling. Red paper lanterns strung across the upper walls around the room. Small workbenches filled the sides of the room with mysterious scrap parts littered on top. Twin bookcases flanked the rear-corners of the room.
The main attraction was the pedestal in the center. It was a large, circular, orange pedestal that resembled the ones he encountered atop the Sheikah Towers. Within it was a strange, rectangular object. Upon closer inspection, he instantly recognized it, never forgetting that eye in the center.
It was a Sheikah Slate. An exact replica of the one on his waist.
He unhooked his own to compare the two, and they were identical.
Assuming that this was the prize Purah promised him, he motioned for the Slate. The pedestal spun a few times on contact, but after a moment unhooked the Slate, prepared to be received. He took the Slate and attempted to turn it on. Unfortunately, the device was completely fuzzy.
'Rats. Of course, it's incomplete. Maybe it just needs a little more tinkering…'
He did notice one significant difference in this new Slate. When it turned on, it glowed red instead of the Sheikah blue. It may have been the lighting of the room, but it would have to wait. He hooked the device on his belt and returned to the staircase, shutting the door behind him.
As Link ascended the stairs, unbeknownst to him, the fuzziness on the Slate began to dissipate. A message formed on the screen.
'To you who has taken this Slate, in the name of the Goddess Hylia, I offer you this trial.'