A/N: As always, thank you for the comments, and for reading my story. This is where the plot spices up, so hold on to your hats! Here comes the resolution for Part 1.

"Princess Zelda, I've brought you some tea to drink."

"Oh, thank you Paya."

Both females were seated on stumps while Link and Scott engaged in yet another sparring match at the base of the Village. It was the latest engagement of their almost two weeks spent there, and they had practiced multiple times a day. Zelda attempted to join in and receive some pointers from the two men, but she quickly tired herself relative to them. It didn't bother her too much: she still learned a lot by watching others put theory into practice, and it had its good moments.

Paya was still as nervous as ever, but her continued and unperturbed exposure to Link and the Link-alike quelled her butterflies, to the point where she could make short bursts of conversation with them, albeit nothing more. She still preferred the spectator and support role from the sides.

"These Traveler's Swords you found are quite durable, Sir Link. I'm surprised they haven't broken yet."

Scott was an incredibly fast learner, which silently irritated the Princess. He had already committed to memory the basic fundamentals and techniques of swordplay, and his endurance and strength were quickly catching up to the master. Link wasn't sure if he'd be able to take on the strongest beasts of Hyrule by himself just yet, but there was little left to teach him other than to push the limits of his abilities.

"Okay Scott, you've done well for today. I want to try doing that again."

"Are you sure? It didn't work the last time."

"Yes, success is going from failure to failure without giving up."

The Dark Knight took a deep breath and extended his Traveler's Sword straight in front of him. As Link mentally prepared himself, Zelda instantly recognized the motion and took a palm to the face.

"Princess Zelda, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, Paya. He's just trying to do that again."

"What do you mean?"

"One of the greatest feats of Hylian stupidity. A parlor trick of male ridiculousness that only brings about wasted time and risk."

The Sheikah woman was spooked, unsure of what she referenced. All she could do was turn back and watch what was to come.

Link crouched down on his knees, similar to how he would engage with Revali's Gale. This time, however, no green flames surrounded him, and no wind gust would erupt from beneath. He eyed his target in front of him, piercing the darkness with his blue eyes.

'If he can do it, so can I.'

In a moment, Link leaped toward Scott as quickly as he could muster. This maneuver would require all the strength, agility, and dexterity in his arsenal, and he was determined not to fail again. Just before he collided with the man in black, he stuck the landing and redirected his energies upward.

"Hiyah!"

His leap was abnormally high, much higher than he was used to from prior days. He was sure of himself this time. This was the moment where all the hard work would pay off. He crouched into a forward somersault as he hit the apex of his jump, angling himself into position.

All he needed to do was position his feet in the right spot, shift some of his weight over there, and…

"Hi-agh!"

Crash!

"Oh dear!"

The man in blue made it clear that everything made much more sense in his head, which failed to convince an unimpressed Zelda or a worried Paya. He only wanted to jump on Scott's sword, in the similar manner in which he did the same to his in their first duel. The dark knight explained that he didn't know how he made it work, only that it came naturally to him, physics be damned. That didn't stop the Champion from trying for their entire stay in Kakariko. He had nothing to show for it, except for Scott's newly-broken, not broken-in, Traveler's Sword.

Scott helped him up off the ground, while Paya rushed to his side, checking for injuries or shrapnel. Fortunately, he was completely fine, with only a bruised ego.

"I'm fine, I just discovered the limits of my physical capabilities. I appreciate your concern."

He turned to Zelda, who held nothing but disgust for his recent activity and wouldn't look at him. He then turned to Scott and started laughing. It was incredibly rare to see the reserved knight express himself in such a manner, and all three onlookers were instinctively curious, despite their differing desires to observe.

"Are you saying that you've peaked, Sir Link?"

"Not necessarily. You can only get so strong, so athletic, so polished. The bar is different for everyone, but we all have a firm wall placed somewhere. When you've reached that, you have to start improving in other ways." He began dusting himself off. "I guess for me, this way wasn't one of them."

Scott was fascinated. Despite his continual and unimpeded failures, Link would keep getting up, time and again, each time with a smile. His optimism was moving, and it supported the tales that his great uncle Gulley once told him. He was noticeably disappointed to find out through Zelda that his memories were gone, but even without them, he was still just as grand as described.

"Now boys, I'm sure you two had your share of fun, but please do remember the plan for tomorrow."

Both turned to their Princess, this time both with grins. "Yes, your highness," they said in unison.

"I want to begin the culling at dawn. I'm surprised that these monsters haven't gotten more aggressive by now, considering this may be their last night to be resurrected, but that's all the more reason to keep on our guard. We're to start in the south and clear the route between here and Fort Hateno."

The plan was set, and the hour at hand indicated that it was time to retire for the day. Before they could, a thought just occurred to Scott.

"Is Paya coming along?"

The Shiekah woman jolted to a halt, utterly shocked at her name being invoked. "W-ho? M-me?"

"Paya isn't a fighter, Scott," Zelda curtly replied. "Besides, she has duties here in the village, and we can't pull her away from them."

"There's no time like the present, right Zelda?" Link decided to enter the conversation as well. "I'm sure she knows more than she cares to admit, and we can use all the help we can get. She can even have this sword."

The granddaughter of Impa turned beet red when the Knight came over to her and gifted her with his Traveler's Sword. She insisted on reasons for why she would be a detriment to them, but ultimately relented and thanked him.

'What do they mean? This is all gibberish, I can't tell what was going through my head.'

Link had the evening to rest, but his mind was doing anything but resting. He was too fixated on the notes he commandeered from Mipha's room. The Knight was relaxing on the roof of one of the houses in the Village, a quaint setting for solitude. He spent every night attempting to read them, and it wasn't as if there were too many of them for him to read.

The issue was that he couldn't read them. They were illegible.

The first one was readable, and he was able to make out what he had written. The subsequent ones had ink running across the pages. He could make out a few words and phrases, but there were too many blurred words for them to have any coherent meaning. Time was a cruel mistress to be sure, but this was a dirty tease.

He figured that he could always consult Mipha through the Projection Rune to decipher their meaning. He was admittedly embarrassed to confront her about entering her room, or how she would react to the ordeal. She may have been angry at him, even though there wasn't anything that she could really do, other than not talk to him. That idea was off the table.

There was one exception to this misfortune. One of the letters had a legible paragraph toward the end. There was mention of a surprise waiting for Zelda at the base of Mount Lanayru, and that he was ready to give Mipha an answer at sunset, just before they would depart.

His gut instinct told him that he would have said yes, and not simply because of information that he knew of now. However, he had no firm proof, so he couldn't be certain, but that didn't matter. He knew what he felt now, and that was more precious to him than anything.

"Master Link! Master Link!"

The aforementioned Hylian rose from his relaxed position, not expecting to be called upon at this hour. When he looked down, he saw one thing he thought he'd never see.

A Zora was wandering the streets of Kakariko Village?

He leaped down and approached the lost soul, who was visibly distressed. If he came all the way out here for him, there was something important.

"Ah, Master Link! Good to see you sir! I'm Fisher and let me just say that I'm a big fin, I mean fan, of you, and eternally grateful for what you've done for us!"

"What brings you out here, Fisher?"

"Ah yes," The tall Zora collected himself and sharply morphed his expression. "I've been sent here by Prince Sidon explicitly for you, Master Link. He requests your presence immediately and with all due haste."

"What does Sidon want from me?"

Before the messenger continued, he crouched down and lowered his voice to a whisper. "It's regarding King Dorephan. He's grown gravely ill, and he might not have much time left. He thought you'd want to see him."

"Say no more, Fisher. I'll inform the Princess and be on my way."

"Thank you, Master Link! The Prince anticipates your return."

Zelda was reclining on the railing in front of Impa's hut. With everything that had transpired, and would happen starting tomorrow, she was appreciative of the silent milieu of the Village, and the lack of expectations upon her, even if it was just for the night. It was moments like these where she was at her most agreeable.

When she was confronted by her trusted companion, she didn't even shrug. She just basked in the moment.

"Zelda, I'm here to inform you that I need to be off to the Zora Domain. I'm not sure when I'll be back."

"Oh?" This wasn't a comment that she was expecting, but for some reason it wasn't all that surprising. "What's the issue?"

"Dorephan is ill, and I have to go see him."

"Oh dear, that sounds serious. Very well, set off and take all the time you need. I can't join you because of our duties, but you can go in our stead."

"Thank you, Princess." He bowed quickly before scurrying off, and she could see him mounting Epona from the corner of her eye, taking the trail north.

'Isn't he forgetting something…? Wait, he could use this!'

It was of more use to him than it was to her, but he could use the Sheikah Slate to transport himself to the Domain much quicker than by horseback. But why didn't he ask her for it? She believed that he forgot it in his haste. Whatever the case, Zelda quickly dashed to mount Sayre and rode after him, intent on delivering to him.

She had a rough start. As she left the Village, Zelda couldn't make out where he rode off too. Eventually she saw a small moving speck in the distance, and she rallied Sayre to dash after it. Her horse moved as quickly as its feet would allow, but it barely closed any part of the gap between it and the sunset rider in front.

It was particularly bad since the day was coming to a close, and night would be upon them soon. Considering that tonight would be hosting a Blood Moon, even if it were the last of its kind, it would be incredibly dangerous for the Princess to be out and about by herself. She was surprised that none of the Kakariko villagers attempted to stop her as she left alone.

She kept along the road going north, and the sunset rider in front of her did the same. She wasn't even entirely sure that she was pursuing Link anymore. Her theories were furthered when she realized she was continuing north, ignoring the Lanayru Wetlands to the east. They were the main route to the Domain via Kakariko, and the most likely way he would have taken.

Fortunately, Sayre was a strong horse and well-built for the chase. They had no problem reaching the Wetland Stable, which was the last place she saw her target go before vanishing.

She took a look around to see if there was anything unusual. If she didn't find him here, then she'd be forced to turn back home before the Village was alerted to her absence. The odds weren't in her favor.

Just as she was about to leave and give up, she saw a familiar brown horse at the edge of the stable. Upon closer inspection, she instantly recognized it as Epona.

'If she's here, then where is…'

Zelda frantically scanned the area, until a bright light caught her eye, on the opposite side of the road from the Stable. It was a distinct and powerful blue hue, but she could make out something in the center. It was the same light she remembered enveloping Link when he was about to teleport on the Slate.

In the center of the Maelstrom, Link stood, head craned downward.

At first, she was relieved. She found him, and he was not only okay, but had found his way to his destination. She didn't remember giving him the Sheikah Slate, but he must have picked it up when she wasn't looking and forgot to tell her. It wasn't a big deal: she understood the circumstance and would have given it to him anyways. She may even consider a trip to the Domain herself to pay her respects, if she could squeeze it in.

Instinctively, she turned to her hip to jot down the note on the Sheikah Slate, a new feature she had discovered a month prior. It was silly, considering she knew Link had it, but old habits die hard.

One could imagine her shock when she felt the familiar cool substance in her right hand.

She pulled it to her face in disbelief, but there it was. The Sheikah Slate, in its full blue glory, was in her hands.

"If the Slate is here, then what did I just see? There's no other warping mechanism in existence other than this Slate… Link, is there some sort of secret you're hiding from me?"

Normally when Link would warp to the Ne'ez Yohma Shrine within the Zora Domain, he'd end up in a spacious, unoccupied room.

That wasn't the case today.

"Master Link! Prince Sidon instructed us to greet you here." Two Zora Guards stood at the feet of the stairs leading up to the Domain. Their presence initially spooked him. "We aren't going to ask, erm, how you just appeared in front of us… but the Prince is waiting for you upstairs. Go with all due haste."

The Knight nodded and hurriedly walked up the sets of stairs. Along both staircases leading up to the throne room, long lines of Zora were huddled together. The lines stretched across the entire Domain, and the shopkeepers seemed to have closed their stores. It was almost as if the entire economy of the Domain shut down, and the presence of Zora Guards doubled on the ground floor. He made his way to the top, where Bazz quickly ushered him past the next coterie of guards. Inside the throne room, there was a huddled mass of Zora, and no imposing king on the throne.

"Ah, Link! You're as timely as ever." Standing tall amongst his countrymen, Sidon hailed his "brother" over to him. Gone was the face and attitude of endless optimism he was known for. The growing sense of concern was conveyed through his brilliant amber eyes.

When Link reached the center of the crowd, he saw the cause of commotion: there lay King Dorephan, his large bulk and all, on a massive mattress in the center of the room, attended to by various medics. His chest was making a slight heave, indicating that he was still alive, but its slow rate revealed a grim situation. He was surrounded by many elderly Zora, likely all of the town's elders and notables, who wished nothing but a speedy recovery for their monarch.

"My father's situation had grown worse. This morning, he entered a massive coughing fit and collapsed. I sent word for you with the fastest available Zora at my disposal. We're fortunate that you were able to connect so quickly."

"How is his condition now?"

"Not good," Jiahto interjected, holding the King's left arm. "Our medics tell us that there must be something inside of his body causing the pain. None of our medicine has been able to ameliorate his condition."

"Mmmmm…. Mipha…"

Every Zora within the room stopped what they were doing and turned to the source of the noise. The King was noticeably bothered, as if subject to a vile illness. Despite his physical state, Dorephan continued to talk in his sleep, as a testament to his hardiness.

"Soon… we will be together… again… my dear Mipha…"

The great blue alpha whale relaxed once more and returned to his slow breathing. The medics were increasingly frantic and doubled the pace of their work, while the rest of the onlookers watched in grief.

The Prince, however, was starting to sniffle. Though emotionally saddened himself, Link noticed immediately, and tried giving him a reassuring pat. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, and the disheveled mess that was Sidon grew more noticeable and distracting.

"Perhaps you need a breath of fresh air, my Prince," Jiahto offered. "Don't worry about us, we will watch over the King just fine. You go along too, Master Link."

The Champion nodded and escorted the Prince out, while the crowd returned to praying for the King.

The two of them found a nice, secluded spot on a waystation above the Domain. It was roofed like a gazebo and isolated from the main commotion of the town, which gave them much-needed privacy.

"It's finally come to this… I knew this day would come, I've prepared my entire life for it, but it still stings. It's a Shock Arrow through my heart."

Link had found a nice bench for the Prince to sit on, which made comforting easier, but not any more successful. As much as it hurt Link to see Sidon in this state, it would completely demoralize the rest of the Domain to see their icon like this.

"Our messengers have set out to the corners of Hyrule, spreading word to all Zoras and the lands they would tread. They've all come to pay their respects to my father. He is the last great leader from before the Calamity, a symbol of a long-forgotten age. It's hard to accept that someone who held such a deep presence for so long could just vanish in an instant…"

"The medics said that no medicine or magic alive may be able to save him… I always try to stay on the optimistic side, it's something I gained from my sister. I've always drawn my strength from family, but now I'm alone… I'm the last one left."

"You're wrong, Sidon. You have me, and the Domain adores you. Blood may be mortal, but family is within the heart."

"Y-you're right, Link. I can always count on you to bring a smile, even when I can't."

Sidon just wanted to bask in the company of his good friend. They could talk for hours, or not at all. He just wanted to spend time with the knight whom won his sister's affection, and with time, he may just win his as well. Link's head shifted quickly as he apparently stared into space.

"Is something wrong?"

"Do you hear… music?"

The Zora Prince wasn't expecting such a random question. He focused hard on the noise around him and… he did hear something strange.

Both of them stood up and looked around for the source of the strange noise. Link looked up and called for his red companion. The source was from the roof of the very complex they were resting under. It wasn't a Zora, but a Hylian. He wore the typical Hylian outfit and held a Lyre, which he strummed masterfully in a beautiful melody, unbefitting of the situation at hand.

"Hello there! I didn't expect to see you again."

"Hayek?"

Both Zora and Champion looked at the other, searching for an explanation when neither had one. It gave the elder time to crawl down and join them in the shade. Despite his age, he seemed fairly nimble and flexible. Was this the same person Link saved from drowning a couple weeks ago?

"Who are you, Hylian?" The Prince broke the silence in an inquisitive tone, having scarce patience. He didn't bother wiping his tear-stained cheeks.

"Me? My name is Hayek. I'm just a simple traveler, wandering this free Kingdom. You seem to be having a tough time, young Prince. Mind telling me why?"

"I'll be asking the questions here. How did you get in? I've ordered the Guards to place the Domain on lockdown. Nobody gets in or out without my approval, and only members of the Zora Race and their approved allies are to be admitted."

"No need to be so pushy. I'm just a free spirit going where the wind blows. I saw lots of your folk entering here en masse, something that wouldn't occur if it wasn't important. You've got quite a few blind spots along the walls, by the way."

"It's okay, Sidon. I know this man, and I don't think he means any harm. Plus, I can respect someone who is able to sneak into a heavily fortified compound undetected."

The Prince was confused by his friend's sudden defense of the stranger, but eventually relented. "Fine, you can stay so long as you don't cause any trouble. We're on high alert for any potential foul play against King Dorephan, and we aren't going to take any chances. You won't find much to do while you're here anyways."

"By the way," Link asked. "What was that tune you were playing earlier?"

"Oh, this?" Hayek presented his Lyre, a simple instrument with three strings and a curved, horseshoe base. "I've had this for quite a while. It's started to grow on me a bit."

"You can make beautiful sounds on that thing?"

Hayek grinned as he began to gradually reel in the curiosity of the great prince. "I can do a few, I can even serenade you a tad if you so desire."

After a few moments, the Prince nodded with approval. The old man smiled as he took in a deep breath and prepared his fingers. The notes started flowing elegantly from his fingertips, and he started to sing along.

Gather round you children of the light
Fear not to succumb in this dark plight
Need not weep their untimely demise
Heroes against fright shall once again rise

Construct the marvels of ancient past
Defense against constructs holds steadfast
The headless armor shall witness all
Materials will reverse the fall

Blood and flesh shall replenish the core
Sacred garb must also be in store
The item of soul need be rested
The sanguine will then be tested

The sky runs red, the fire rises
Come forth, ye brave, who seek these prizes
In the end, to reach beyond the range
One must come forth with equal exchange

Sidon's presence shifted: he had momentarily escaped his woes. Link clapped. Hayek took a bow.

"I call that, The Song of Sanguis."

"That's incredible! Is there some meaning behind that song?"

"Meaning? You give me too much credit, your highness. It's just a tune that I picked up along the way. I'm still trying to figure it out myself."

The Prince took the Knight into an aside. "You said you know this man? What is he like?"

Link shrugged, having no decent answer to give the Zora. He looked over to see what Hayek was doing, but the answer surprised him.

He was gone. Without a trace.

"What was he singing about? 'The headless armor shall witness all?' 'Heroes shall once again rise?' Does it make any sense to you, Link?"

"Actually… I think it does."

"Tell me!"

"First, unbeknownst to Zelda, I have acquired a second, fully functional Sheikah Slate, independent of the original you've been acquainted with."

The Knight whipped out the tablet, comfortable knowing the Princess wouldn't find out his secret. Sidon was, of course, mystified in an innocent boyish manner.

"This Slate has additional features not owned by the other. For starters, it has a Projection Rune, which allows me to communicate with the spirits of the dead Champions, including Mipha."

"You can communicate with Mipha's spirit at will!?" Sidon did everything he could to not shout to the high heavens, but he was only partially successful. Luckily, he didn't draw a commotion to them.

"There are some caveats, but I've been able to converse with her. But anyways, the other rune on this Slate is called 'Sanguis,' and up until now I wasn't able to guess its purpose. It claims to turn the ethereal to the corporeal, and I think Hayek's song gave me a clue."

"I'm not guaranteeing anything, but we might be able to bring Mipha back to life."

"Link, I love you to the moon and back, but please don't pull my fin on this one."

"I'm not, trust me… From the sound of the lyrics, it may be part of a ritual and require some materials… and be performed under the Blood Moon."

"Impossible. Mipha's body was completely destroyed without a trace, down to her scarf. She'd have no body to inhibit."

"We could create a new one… I know someone who might be able to help us, but we'll need a few items. 'Blood and flesh shall replenish the core,' may be referring to her blood. Although her body has departed this world, you have the same royal blood running through your veins, Sidon. Perhaps yours would suffice."

"My blood? It seems like an odd request… but you're right!"

"Next, 'The item of soul,' may be referring to a certain object closely affiliated with her. I still have it within my dwelling in Hateno Village, which shouldn't be a problem to retrieve."

"The last one, 'Sacred garb…' did she own any spare attire, by chance?"

"'Spare attire? I would know little, considering I was a guppy at the time… I don't think the Champion's cloth was replicable, even by her, and she was a master seamstress…"

"Prince Sidon! What in Nayru's name are you doing out here?"

Both conspirators were confronted by a menacing Muzu, clearly cross at the Prince in this dark hour.

"Muzu, I needed some time to breathe. It's an intense day for all of us."

"'Intense' sanitizes the situation entirely. The King could collapse any minute now, and you will be the last remaining member of the Royal Family. The Zoras will look to you for guidance and stability through such a deep loss, and they won't be inspired if you're a convoluted mess."

"Muzu, please don't be so hard on Sidon. It was my idea to-"

"Be quiet, Hylian. You have my thanks for saving our Domain, but that doesn't make you a deity around here. You'll be held to account just as any of us are. We need leadership at this hour."

"Muzu, why are you so bitter?"

"Because, Prince Sidon, I've seen many things in my lifetime and witnessed many regrets. If I can accomplish anything in my time left, it's to prepare the young to not repeat my mistakes."

"Muzu wait," Link placed a hand on Muzu's shoulder, concern on his face. "This may not be appropriate to ask now, but why did you hold prejudice against Hylians?"

The older Zora backpedaled at the question. "Why? That was a long time ago, back when we thought you wooed Lady Mipha and then left her to die. You proved us all wrong, and we've already apologized for it. We don't hate you, Master Link."

"That's not what I meant. You spoke out multiple times against Princess Zelda despite her role in ending the Calamity. What had she done to the Zoras?"

The Zora elder took a deep sign and rubbed his right eye. "You are certainly persistent. In recent months I questioned why Lady Mipha took interest in you, but if this is one of the reasons why, then I cannot fault her."

"Sit down, both of you. This may take a while."

Both Link and Sidon looked at each other and sat down on the bench. Muzu started pacing back and forth, clearly troubled by what he was going to say.

"Long ago, before either of you were born, I had a son. His name was Zoraster, and he was a prodigy among the Zora. He swam much faster than the rest of his school and started developing skills with the spear at an early age, spooking even Seggin. His future was bright and I wanted to secure nothing but the best for him. I promised his mother on her deathbed that I would never allow any ill to befall him."

"Once he began his growth spurt, he informed me of his life dream: to join the legendary Knights of Hyrule. I naturally protested at this choice, given he would've been guaranteed a high position among the Zora Guards if he desired, and a lower rank with the Hylians, but he insisted that it was his dream. As any loving father would, I relented and allowed him to travel to Hyrule Castle as a page."

"He frequently sent letters back to the Domain to inform me of his progress. The instructors were tough on him, tougher than any Zora captain was on him, and much tougher compared to his squad. Yet he still maintained his enthusiasm and found frequent optimism that things would eventually improve. He kept his head high despite being sent on difficult missions and given duties unfitting of his talents."

"Eventually Zoraster was sent on a mission in the Land of Thunder. The King of Hyrule wanted to secure the area near a mountain to be named after his young son, and my son volunteered wholeheartedly despite the dangers. It turned out to be more than they prepared for, and Zoraster was to cover their retreat. Needless to say, he did not come out alive. I only found out through a missive from the parcel delivery service…"

"When I appealed for the order to give him a proper burial, they stubbornly refused. The Knights claimed that Zoraster had 'violated direct orders' and was to be denied full honors as punishment. They buried him in an unmarked grave, outside the city, like a common beggar. To this very day, I've never held a grudge against Hylians as a whole, but the pompous Royal Family isn't as golden as they're propped up to be! They have no honor or pride for their fallen: they're just tools…"

"Muzu, I never knew you felt this way." Sidon was completely shocked. He never knew Muzu had family at any point: he just took his solitude for granted, for which he internally berated himself.

"What's done is done. I didn't come out here to make this situation about me." Muzu turned then toward Link. "Master Link, I truly implore you: do you mean what you say, when you claim to love Lady Mipha and to accept her Zora Armor and its dual meaning?"

"I… yes, I do with all my heart, Muzu."

"After I learned of Zoraster's fate, my life was shattered. I didn't know if I could keep going through King Dorephan's court, and I was ready to give up. But then Lady Mipha came along, in her infancy. Through her I learned to appreciate life once more, and I was bound to protect the jewel of the Zora Domain. I cared for her as if she were my own… just as I did for my only son." He shifted toward Sidon. "I view you in a similar light, young Prince. I may be harsh on you, but only because I care for your well-being and for what's best for you."

"Master Link, I will confess, I overheard your entire conversation, including the part with that fleeting fop with the Lyre. I don't believe that whatever shenanigans you plan will bear fruit, but I'm willing to put my fin in to assist you, for Lady Mipha's sake, as well as her father's."

"What do you mean?"

"You two, meet me at the base of Ruta within half an hour. The rest will be explained there."

The elder Zora grunted and turned around, back to the Royal Palace. His meeting wasn't at all expected, but not at all unwelcome.

"I'll meet you there, Sidon. I have some business to take care of."

"Very well, Link. Time is of the essence."

A brilliant blue swirl of lights converged on the front steps of the Hateno Tech Lab. Link looked to the sky and noticed that nightfall had just begun, and the hour was upon them. Wasting no time, the fated Hero entered the building, looking for its inhabitants.

"It's rude to barge in without knocking."

There was Purah, still as sassy as ever. She was doting over her main work bench, scribbling some gibberish.

Walking over, he took a deep breath. What he was about to say was no simple task, but he couldn't afford the time to prepare himself for the proper tact. "I need a favor of you."

The small woman put down her pen and turned to face her visitor. Her eyes conveyed her mild frustration. "I have a question for you first, mister. Where did you get that Sheikah Slate from? I assumed you warped into here without a hitch?"

"I told you, I took it from here."

"That's strange. I had only crafted five experimental prototype Sheikah Slates in my spare time. Five. Every single one of them is right here." The scientist pushed a box toward the hero and opened it. Within were five tablets, perfectly resembling the Sheikah Slate. "All of them were duds. Each one. They might as well be trash."

"That's not true. You may have forgotten the one you left in your second basement."

"'Second basement?' I don't have a second basement, only one!"

"There was a secret passageway behind the door directly opposite of the staircase in your basement."

"That's not true. That door is just a closet!"

Link was shocked. For the entirety of the last two weeks, the thought never occurred to him that the Slate he held was not in fact Purah's. If that were the case, then whose was it? "I don't know what to tell you. I picked up this Slate when I last came to the Lab."

"Who the Slate originally belonged to, or where you got it, are irrelevant now. Just be careful Linky. Anyways, you came at a bad time. I'm way behind in my research and I probably won't finish in time…"

The Knight gave her a few moments of reprieve before he returned to his original objective.

"I'm sorry, Purah, but I need a favor of you."

"And that is…?"

"I need your Homunculus."

Plop!

Purah's pen barely grazed Link's right shoulder. She was mad. He might need a blessing of courage to survive.

"What!? Why would you need it, and for what purpose? It's my last measure of independence, so it better be good."

"Hear me out on this. I think I can use it to fulfill your research. We may even be ready to test it out tonight."

"…I'm listening."

As Link explained the situation, and his conversation with Sidon, Purah's angry eyes gave way to new, fascinated ones. She was practically giddy upon hearing the details of the new Slate's runes, but he quickly caught herself and resumed a strained face.

"That sounds all great and dandy, but what if it doesn't work?"

"If it doesn't work, we can at least say that we tried. In that case, I would simply bring back the Homunculus the next morning. If it does, then I will bring you undeniable proof."

"Hmm, you drive a hard bargain, mister." She reached into her hair and pulled out another pen. Link bemused that those things in her hair weren't chopsticks after all. He wondered then what Paya placed in her bun…

"Okay, we can give it a try. But remember, you're going to update me on its success or failure."

"Of course."

With the small blue cube in hand, the hero departed the building, content with the success of his recent mission. He looked to the East and saw the beginning of a giant red blob emerging over the horizon.

He didn't have much time. He had to make it to his next stop with all due haste.

"Where is Master Link? We have about an hour before midnight."

"Believe in Link, Muzu. He has yet to let us down before."

Sidon and Muzu were mulling over their situation at the footsteps of Divine Beast Vah Ruta in the East Reservoir Lake. What were actually a few minutes in real time felt like an eternity, and with the fate of their King in the hands of the Goddesses now, they didn't feel comfortable separated from him. The Prince was rubbing his left arm, which was hastily bandaged.

But their endeavor could make up for everything. It was a long shot, but if anyone were capable of helping the King in his hour of need, it would be Mipha and her healing magic. They knew that Link was capable of tapping into her powers himself, but it couldn't extend beyond his own person. They needed the expert now, more than ever.

"Look over there! I see him."

A small figure quickly swam out to their position. Link pulled himself out of the water and greeted the two Zora, who were impatiently and uneasily waiting for him.

"Hmph, it took you long enough, Master Link."

"I'm sorry Muzu, my foray into Hateno Village took longer than I thought, but I acquired what we needed."

The Zoras noticed that their Hylian counterpart looked different. Gone was his traditional Hylian trousers and Champion's Tunic. In their place, a set of Zora Armor covered his frame. The same Zora Armor crafted by Mipha a century earlier. On his back, he unsheathed a long, ornate weapon and presented it to them. The long porcelain-colored handle, the red and turquoise accents, and the diamond gleam at the tips: it was instantly recognized by the elder.

"I see you've taken good care of the Lightscale Trident. You've also dressed the part, which is right and proper for such a dignified Lady."

The Prince turned to his companion, holding a red vial, but still bearing the look of worry and doubt. "I've reserved a container of my blood as you asked. Have you done it, Link? Have you found the key to by sister's return?"

"I have, it's within the palm of my hand." The hero reached into his satchel and pulled out a small blue cube. It garnered an excited guffaw from Sidon and a skeptical sneer from Muzu. He tapped it with his thumb and watched his companions stagger back as it transformed.

"By Nayru! What sorcery is this?"

'The most powerful of all: science.'

He let the two Zoras examine the Homunculus. Link noticed something strange while the others were patting it down, checking its every nook and cranny. There seemed to be a thin blue line that stretched down the center of the back. Following the line, it diverged into every main limb of the suit. He remembered from his time in the shrines that it would be called a "constellation" but to him, it resembled more of a "stick figure," a rough outline approximation of a person. He shrugged it off and tapped the construct once more to return it to portable size.

"It seems you weren't all talk after all, Master Link. Very well, I will provide you with this. I'm sure it will be of use to you."

Muzu dug his fins into his own pouch. What he pulled out of it amazed everyone. One by one, he pulled out elegant objects. First came a series of golden ropes. Next, a deep royal blue sash. Finally, multiple sets of fine jewelry, bearing the royal seal of the Zora Domain, escaped the pouch. It shocked Link how similar they were to Sidon's own attire.

"When Lady Mipha accepted the call to become of one Rhoam's Champions, she had forgone her traditional attire as Zora crown princess in favor of new regalia. The King understood her motivations and permitted her to do so. After her untimely demise, he had her old trappings moved to a secure chamber, and only he and I were privy to this decision. She had not worn these since her induction in Hyrule Castle, but I no doubt believe she still holds some attachment to them."

"We Zora are different from you Hylians. For you, clothing denotes social status, profession, and rank, for the most part. Among our people, our attire, no matter how limited, holds a special and spiritual symbolism in our daily lives. We would never dare recycle someone else's trappings, no matter how fashionable and valuable, out of respect for them."

Sidon turned to his elder, holding nothing but respect and admiration for him. "Thank you, Muzu, for everything. Let's make haste, the hour of blood is upon us!"

The trio nodded in unison and began their trek up into the Beast. Link led the way and crossed over, but something was preventing the two others from joining him.

"What is this? I can't move forward!"

"Calm down Muzu, I'm sure Link can figure it out. Is there some sort of invisible force field?"

The Knight checked his surroundings, looking for any sort of foul play, but he could not. He looked back upon his companions as they hopelessly tried to enter. He crossed back into the open without a hitch, which bothered the elder.

"We don't have much time. Master Link, please take these and do what you must. It can't be helped. We will await your return by the shore."

Sadly, the hero of Hyrule nodded in agreement, and took the items from the two Zoras. With everything in hand, he crossed the threshold once more into Vah Ruta, and whatever lay in wait for him.

One by one, Sheikah scouts and foot soldiers lined up in procession as they entered Kakariko Village. Their important night was upon them, their mission was accomplished, and now they were to return home for much needed rest. It was a monumental task, but they managed to warn denizens from all four corners of Hyrule of the impending danger, and to take shelter accordingly. It would be the last night they would need to do so, for the next day would bring justice to the land.

In a rare showing, Impa herself had left her abode and walked down to the village center, taking inventory of all her returning scouts. Despite her old age, she still took pride in her attention to detail, and dutifully inspected the form of each man and woman. One younger scout received a serious blow to the thigh for slumping instead of standing up straight, a warning to the rest not to slack off.

Naturally, the large conglomeration of warriors would draw out the villagers, right down to the children whose bedtime was long past due. Many of the older villagers were old enough that their parents passed down stories of a time before the Calamity, when Hyrule was much more peaceful. Based on promises from their village elder, who had lived through such a period, those days would soon return.

The dozens of Sheikah were caught off-guard when a quickly trampling horse galloped through the village unabated. It's brilliant white gleam stood out in the pitch darkness of the night. It's rider quickly dismounted it, her personality was a beacon for different reasons.

"Princess Zelda? We weren't aware that you left the village at this hour. It's dangerous, especially at this time of night."

"Thank you for your concern, Cado, but I'm more than equipped to fend for myself if need be."

The sound of their conversation drew another familiar face toward them.

"Princess Zelda, have you seen Sir Link anywhere? I haven't seen him for hours, and I'm growing concerned."

"Don't worry, Scott. Link is going to be absent for some time: he has urgent business in the Zora Domain, and has gone to represent us. He will be rejoining us once the ordeal is over, but we should be able to fend for ourselves until then."

The Sheikah knight was adamant about shifting the conversation to something more positive. His discussion with Impa gave him a better understanding of the Sheikah, his "people," and what they stood for. Despite her reassurances to the contrary, he felt like an alien within his own village. The fighters would treat him with consternation, the women and elders would shy away for reasons unknown. What stung him the most, however, was the reaction of the children.

Many of the little ones, boundless curiosity within, would stop and point at the strange man walking through their village who looked just like them, but acted weirdly. One of them could be heard inquiring to her mother. 'Mommy, who is that strange man over there?' That's who he was to them: a strange man in a strange land. 'Shhh, let's move along now, it will be bedtime soon.' What was he, the bogeyman?

Only Impa, Paya, and Zelda were willing to move anywhere near him, and all three were busy with one detail or another. He tried frequenting the local shops with the few rupees he had, yet none would serve him: all coincidentally "closed shop" just as he showed up. It's not like he was losing anything major: he never truly considered himself beyond his Hylian identity until recently, but that didn't prevent the rejection from stinging. He felt alone.

"You are quite generous with your faith in us, Princess." Impa also managed to worm her way to the commotion, the Hylian woman now taking the spotlight away from her warriors. "At the very least, your return to the Village was most timely."

All eyes turned toward the night sky. It was difficult to see much beyond the mountainous barriers, but the stars were majestic. Scott could overhear families point upward toward certain star formations and called them "constellations." Apparently, in the ancient past, the Sheikah drafted a map of the night sky and utilized certain star formations to help find their way during the night. It was a fascinating concept, but he wished there were books for him to read rather than to rely on oral tradition.

He also spent the greater part of the early evening mulling over what Impa had told him about their people. The Ancient Sheikah constructed ancient marvels to aid the legendary Hero against the Calamity, and the Sheikah supported him in their battle. The Luddite Hylians, fearing this technology and its potential, had the Sheikah bury these marvels underground and return to humble ways of life. It seemed awfully ungrateful of those Hylians to reject something that could have greatly assisted their own ways of life. He was also informed of the circumstances of the Calamity that followed, and the Sheikah's role in their undoing, but that didn't deter him. He wanted to take pride in their accomplishments, but their present successors made it hard to do so.

Nevertheless, the village collectively gasped as they spied the spectacle of the evening. From the crest of the mountains, a large, red blob began to ascend over the heavens. It was massive, larger than anything Scott had ever seen. It's mere presence in the sky had drawn specks of red particles swirling in the air. Its presence was foreboding, bringing chills down his spine.

"Is that what you were referring to?"

"It is indeed. What you are witnessing is called the Blood Moon." Zelda gripped her arm as she spoke, feeling a faint pain all of the sudden. "Every servant of Calamity Ganon, including those whom you may have slain, shall be brought back to life, no matter where or how serious the injury."

"Then all the work we did was pointless?"

"Not entirely. Those that had fallen in the time since the last Blood Moon shall be resurrected. However, it draws its power from the Calamity, which is no longer within this plane of existence. We believe this to be the last one in our time."

"You sound confident, Princess. Do you have a plan in mind?"

The Princess smirked. "Indeed, I do, and it will work with or without Link's presence." She looked down upon her right hand. A soft glowing light emitted from the back of her hand, in the shape of three triangles. It resembled the seal of the Royal Family of Hyrule, a symbol passed down as old as the Kingdom itself. "The same power that halted the Calamity's tyranny shall come for his servants."

He smiled and nodded, then turned his face to the night sky once more. She mentioned to him the Sealing Magic that she controlled. It was powerful enough seal away the Calamity itself, a feat that not even Link was able to accomplish with assistance. There was no bearing on how effective it would be in a pitched battle, but it would be something he'd have to see for himself. He could trust the Princess at least.

"There's also one more thing, Scott."

"Yes, Princess?"

"I want to make a change of plans for tomorrow. Our foray into the south should take a full day at most, and afterwards I'd like to make a trip back north to the Zora Domain once more. King Dorephan is gravely ill and I would like to pay my respects, as well as reconnect with Link."

"Say no more, Princess. I will remain by your side."

The scene was all too familiar. A dark, lonely dungeon in the middle of an abandoned lake. Strange machinations that were wired to move in a set contortion. The odious smell of the Malice that never went away regardless of how thoroughly it was scrubbed. It was like the first time he boarded the Divine Beast Vah Ruta.

Link didn't have time to waste. He had an hour before the Blood Moon rose directly overhead. It was probable that King Dorephan had even less time than that. He wanted to be in and out, even if it were a failure, before his adoptive father braved his last waterfall. It's what Mipha would have wanted, her soul doubtlessly in unfathomable anguish witnessing her beloved father in such a state.

His mind mulled over the revelations of the day. He had on his person the ornaments given to him, but no reassurance that his plan would work. It was a spur of the moment thought, one he grew accustomed to in several trials he had undertaken. Many times, he would be given a riddle or puzzle related to a Shrine, something cryptic but decipherable, which would lead to the prize within. This seemed very familiar, as if it were a trial of its own… but he wasn't in some sort of massive Shrine, was he?

From the moment he stepped foot within the Divine Beast, he never more longed for a companion to steady him. There was an eerie milieu sounding within the belly of the Beast, and he couldn't for the life of him shrug it off. It was a different feeling from the last time he was here as well.

He had the strangest feeling that he was being watched.

He had no time to linger on that. The control room was within sight, and he began the descent down. This was where the action occurred last time, after all.

'History repeats itself,' he said to himself.

"It does not repeat, but rhymes."

An unexpected voice rung through the halls. Link froze in his tracks as the dried rasps entered his ears. It was reminiscent of the Sheikah Monks who had devised the series of trials. This didn't make sense to him, but then again, not a lot of things on his journey did either.

When he reached the bottom and entered the control room, Link was shocked to find the flower-shaped device completely black.

'No, this can't be right…'

The Knight was confused and looked around for some kind of explanation. He found it above, in the chamber he just came from. The source of the light seemingly came from the front end of the Beast, possibly the same direction as the Divine Core chamber.

It was a long shot, but he had nothing left to lose.

A/N: What's going to happen next? What will Link find in there? Stay tuned...