A/N: Did you think I'd just end on a cliffhanger like that? Please enjoy part 2!
'Sheikah Slate authenticated.'
The room was just as he left it. Two beams of light angled into a prism, the massive globe that was the Divine Core still on its perch, and everything else lay within. Even the lever for Vah Ruta's snout still stood centerfold. The design was simple: a narrow, metal pole inserted into a small, cubical box. It could automatically be adjusted via the Slate, and when that failed, there were other options.
Link was led by the strange light to this chamber, yet it vanished the moment he approached the door. Despite his curiosity, he didn't wish to waste his time chasing a distraction. He got to work right away.
He gently unpacked the Homunculus from his possession. It was designed simply, yet delicate to the touch. A tap of the button instigated its transformation, and blue swirling light gave way to the vessel he desired. Proud of his accomplishment, he moved the body into the center of the chamber, letting it rest on its back next to the Divine Core.
'How did she do it again? She touched it with her blade, I think.'
Next came the Lightscale Trident from his back. The porcelain-colored spear gave him the chills whenever he wielded it, which was a sensation he felt with all his comrades' armaments, but this one was peculiar. It's design and significance gave it an added weight despite it's feather-like handling. He didn't care that the talented smith Dento could fix it if broken: he wasn't going to risk damaging the real thing, as if it were its original owner herself.
The knight took a big gulp before moving the Trident closer to the headless armor set beneath him. There was no room for error. This had to work. Everything rode on this moment. He tapped the red center circle with the tip of the spear, and…
Nothing happened.
He tapped the circle repeatedly. The result stayed the same.
Why wasn't it working? It worked perfectly for Purah.
'That's right! The materials.'
First came the vial of Sidon's essence. With the finesse of a top Yiga assassin, he placed the container within the suit's chest area, just behind the heart of the construct. As the object in his hand was lain to rest, the result stayed the same. The body was unaffected.
Second, he gently unfurled the Royal Ropes given to him by Muzu. The material was the softest and finest he had ever recalled feeling. It was even difficult to compare it with the Champion's Tunic. He draped them over the Homunculus, careful not to disturb the preexisting order of things. He also set the elegant sash and jewelry in their appropriate positions.
Again, nothing was affected.
There had to be something he had forgotten. He came too close to have failed now.
Link began recanting the song in his head. He had the "items of soul," the "garb," the "blood and flesh…"
Flesh.
He looked around the room once more, before peaking down toward his chest.
There was no guarantee that it would work. It wasn't something he'd ever consider before tonight. If it failed, the consequences would be irreversible. Nevertheless, it would be the craziest idea he came up with.
Link let his right hand firmly grip the silvery centerpiece on his Zora Armor. It was cool and firm, a testament to its weaver's talents. He tugged tightly, yet the object wouldn't budge. He tried again, this time with all his might. After moments of struggle, he started to feel a tear in the fabric. He seized that split and maintained his motions, and eventually it came off.
He had in his hand the keystone of the Zora Armor: Mipha's white scale. The remainder of the Armor, lacking its centerfold, gradually ripped and fell off the Hylian's body, revealing the several scars that dotted his frame. The Armor was no more, from head to toe.
For the third time in a manner of minutes, it was the moment of truth. He gently placed the scale on the chest of the Homunculus, hoping for the best but expecting the worst. The moment the white object touched the ebony figure, both began to shine brightly.
What happened next was one of the most astounding things Link had ever seen.
The materials beneath him began to reconstrue into a new figure entirely. Gone were the ebony plates and metallic limbs. In their places were red and white flesh, a narrow, thin figure, and new appendage above the shoulders. The fingers and toes started to define themselves, with small webbings connecting each to each other. The new appendage morphed into a beautiful face with a long, tail-like feature jutting from it. That face appeared to be resting peacefully, as if in a deep slumber.
It was just as it was from his memories, and from his visions.
The body in front of him resembled an exact likeness to Mipha, down to the mark on the bridge just above her eyes. It worked.
He was overjoyed that his childhood friend was back, and he quickly scurried over to check on her. He snuck his hand behind her back to prop her up and used his free left hand to check her body. It was smooth, silky to the touch, just like Sidon's. The body itself, however, was cold: a haunting fact that sullied his hopes. But then he remembered that he had one last card to play.
He reached to his side and unsheathed his Sheikah Slate. The hour of blood was fast approaching. He was so concerned that he didn't notice the condensation of lights convening just ten feet away from him.
"It has been so long. Who disturbs my slumber?"
A soft, melancholy voice rafted through the chamber. Link turned his head to the side to see the source.
Lights engulfed a swirling mass just in front of the door to the chamber. As they faded away, he could make out a firm, exponentially detailed figure. First came the legs, which were covered in ebony colored plating with manila colored outlines. Next came the arms, which were long, toned branches covered in much the same scheme. The torso came in succession, with a glossy, ebony plating, glowing blue circles, and orange highlights on the midsection. Finally, the head emerged: it took the shape of a strange creature with large floppy ears, twin tusks, and an elongated snout to complete the set. The knight's eyes widened when he realized how similar it appeared to the Divine Beast itself, right down to the four blue "eyes" on either side of the face.
The mysterious figure shifted its neck to either side, in a motion that resembled stretching. It was motionless, yet not intimidating in the slightest. Link got a better look as it came into view, and judging by its bodily structure, it was too slender to be a Hylian. Its physical features and height were more reminiscent of a Zora's, but it's full-covering, reminiscent of the Ancient Armor set, made it impossible to discern. He felt the same sense of foreboding from this figure as he did when he entered the Beast just minutes before, and for some reason it seemed familiar.
"I was prepared to take a much-needed nap now that the scum Ganon ran off. What is it that you require of me?"
The figure apparently took note of the Sheikah Slate in Link's had, for it pointed a finger at it and then shook its head. It let out a sigh before continuing.
"Oh, so you have the red Slate. Ye Kah is still up to his antics I see."
The blonde looked back to his Slate, and then back to the figure in front of him. He gently placed the likeness of Mipha down and stood to confront it.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Who am I?" The figure contorted. "My name has been lost to time. I've been referred to as many things: the fountain of life, the scourge of Lanayru, the contraption. I believe the people of this region have named me 'Ruta.'"
Ruta. As in, the Divine Beast Vah Ruta? The Champions had hinted that the Beasts held a degree of sentience, but the last remaining one never believed that it was literal, or to this degree.
"Is this your true form?"
"True form? I don't have one, or at least, not one that your kind would understand. I've simply taken the form of the last Pilot to command this chamber, you could call it an 'avatar.' He was a young and powerful King of the Zora Domain, the founder of the town beneath us, yet his name has been erased from history. We became one during our long slumber, so it matters little."
"I have come to inquire why you've arrived, but the object in your hand has answered that question. You're the hero of our time, aren't you Link?"
"How did you know?"
"I can sense the Sword of Evil's Bane within your possession. You wielded it to liberate me from the Calamity's grasp. I sincerely thank you for your actions. However: despite the nobility of your actions, I will ask you to leave."
"I'm afraid I can't do that. At least, not without Mipha."
"Then we are at an impasse. I cannot allow you to deprive me of my Pilot." Ruta reached over its shoulder to its back and pulled out what appeared to be a dimly-colored stick. It shook the object slightly, and from the top end came a brilliant blue spearhead, curved in the shape of two teardrops separated by a narrow spacing. Link noted that it looked similar to the Ancient Spears that he encountered before, but this one looked much more rigid, more precise.
"Hero of the Wilds, if you can defeat me within thirty minutes, I will let you leave with my Pilot. Be warned, for I am prepared to fight to the death, and will take no prisoners."
He was surprised, but eventually nodded in agreement. He unsheathed the Hylian Shield from his back and the Master Sword from his belongings, the latter of which began to glow a brilliant blue aura. Normally, it would only take this form in the face of Calamity Ganon and the presence of Malice. He surmised that the lingering stench of the Beast kept this facet activated. In either case, it should still provide him a boon.
"En garde!" Both cried in unison. Link made the first move, closing the distance between the two, and making a powerful swing at Ruta. The avatar of the beast dodged easily, backflipping out of harm's way. It went for a sharp thrust with its spear, barely grazing the side of the Hero's torso.
Link went for another side swipe, which nicked Ruta with the tip of his blade. The avatar didn't seem phased, and the only damage was a small slice in the armor.
"You'll have to do better than that."
Instantly, Ruta made a deep thrust into Link's abdomen, causing an immense tremor of pain within his frame. He had to crouch on one knee and cover his midsection for a moment, rubbing the slash out of impulse. As he covered the pain, he looked down to his own body. He wore no tunic, and only had his Hylian Trousers on. Wait, why did he have the Hylian Trousers? He recalled his Zora Leggings vanishing with the Tunic, but he never recalled changing, even partially. The avatar, however, gave no quarter and continued its assault, forcing the hero to leap back.
The pain, and the… circumstance would have to be ignored for now, despite the massive performance gap it fostered between them. He regained his battle stance and waited for his adversary's next move.
He recalled his fight with Waterblight Ganon, the minion of Ganon that corrupted the Divine Beast and killed Mipha. It was a horrifying large monstrosity, borne of malice and Ancient Technology. It wielded a horrifyingly long spear, with an equally dangerous range. Despite the swift execution of its strikes, unfitting of its size, the windup time was relatively long.
The avatar of Ruta was different. It had a much sleeker frame, and all of its movements were quick. Its defenses proved to be just as honed as its reflexes. However, despite the pain caused by its stab, and his lack of protection on his upper half, the damage itself to Link's constitution was quite minimal.
He'd have to rely on his Champions' abilities. It was the only way he could keep up with Ruta. He took a defensive stance, preparing to utilize Daruk's Protection. The familiar red glow surrounded him, but something was definitely wrong. He hadn't relied on the shield in weeks, yet there were already cracks on the forcefield.
"Irritating as always, Rudania" Ruta said. "You should take this time to cool your jets."
The avatar cocked his spear backwards, and then lunged directly into his opponent. Five strikes in rapid succession broke through the red shield, knocking Link's shield arm back and grazing him along the arm. He was forced to backtrack several steps, stopping just short of Mipha's would-be vessel. It reinforced the stakes involved in their duel.
The blue-eyed Hylian looked down to his hands, and then around him. What was happening?
"It's a darn shame what happened to that lava lizard. Judging by this, he probably doesn't have much time left."
"What do you mean?"
"You didn't already know? Vandals have been attempting to pillage us Beasts for some time now. Some of us have been spared of the attacks, while others weren't so lucky. I can only imagine the pain being inflicted on the Pilots."
'Daruk…'
Link regained his composure once more. This was a fight he couldn't afford to lose, with everything that was on the line. The time for talk was over, the time for action had come.
He closed the distance between him and Ruta, being mindful not to run into its spear. The avatar made several quick jabs, all missing their mark, before cocking his spear back once more.
This time, Link was ready for it. Just as the spear thrusted forward, prepared to deliver several key stabs, the hero sidestepped to the left, leaving Ruta wide open. He unleashed four direct hits with his Sword: one for the exposed arm and leg, and two for the chest. Each strike left a massive slash in the armor, and the last one especially appeared quite deep, connecting with a gap between the plating, causing it to backtrack itself.
Ruta backflipped to gain more distance. It was difficult to read due to the mask, but he felt that the Beast was highly discomforted, but not defeated. His suspicions were proven correct when it rushed back into the fray, spear raised high. The avatar surprised the hero by stopping just shy of striking distance, before transitioning into a mighty leap in the air. Pointing the spear toward the ground, it attacked the floor in a fierce crescendo, leaving shockwaves that Link just barely avoided.
With the aftermath of that last attack dissipating, he charged right back at Ruta, this time establishing three clean hits before the fourth and final swing was blocked by the spear, colliding just between the upper and lower blades. This had the unfortunate side effect of trapping the sword and, with it, its wielder.
Ruta made another routine backflip, pushing against Link to increase the force of the motion, before making yet another thrust with the spear. Link had seen this trick one too many times, and instinctively sidestepped to the right at the perfect moment.
One. Two. Three. Four slashes arrived at the side of the avatar's armor, this time causing a deep gash in the metal. It was forced to leap backwards and cover the wound, much in the same way as its adversary.
"As to be expected of the Hero of Destiny" it said. "I didn't think it would come to this."
The avatar's left hand began to glow a soft, blue hue. Light blue bubbles began surrounding it, and Link knew this motion all too well. He just refused to believe it was happening in front of him. As it moved its hand up and down, the mark of the slash began to gradually close.
"Why are you surprised? I'm the source of your power for Mipha's Grace. It would only make sense that I would use it myself."
Within moments, the entire wound was mended, and the black armor shone a pristine sheen. Link's grip on his sword began to momentarily falter.
"Why?" he rasped. "Why must I fight you?"
"The hands of fate are cruel. We choose not where the chips lay, but only hope our part is the final to play." Ruta twirled its spear in an impressive show, and then slammed it into the ground. The ground beneath it turned to ice, raising high above the floor, towering over the room.
It was not alone. Across the room, pillars of ice were being erected on the flat terrain. At first glance, it would seem to give Ruta a massive disadvantage in their duel, limiting its access to open terrain and giving Link many options for cover.
This assessment would prove to be quite wrong.
The hero just barely avoided a thrust that grazed just above his shoulder, reaching just over his heart. Above him lay the spear wielder, merciless as ever. The mask gave it an eerie look, depriving it of all emotion. It was fitting for a construct of the Sheikah, but he never thought that the ancient civilization would be so merciless. One would wonder how they would have confronted the Calamity in its heyday.
The worst part of this situation was that he was unable to effectively fight back. His sword didn't have the reach, he didn't have the time to efficiently climb the ice, and he could only run so far. The limitations of his line of sight also made archery inaccurate and worthless, not to mention the time to draw the string would leave him vulnerable for too long. He could utilize Revali's Gale to reach up high, but the chamber was only so large. Using that updraft may be overkill and make him an easy target.
He attempted to unlock his Sheikah Slate and use the Cryonis Rune to break the ice blocks. He activated the rune and took aim at the blocks, but they wouldn't break. Something was gravely wrong, but he didn't have the time to mull over it. Another jab hit him in the left shoulder, and it jolted him backward.
He had one option left: Urbosa's Fury. The shock would resonate throughout the small hall, and it would more than likely fry Ruta instantaneously. However, the risk that it might accidentally hit Mipha's vessel would be too high. If even a small spark connected with it, especially with the metallic jewelry conducting the magic… he didn't want to think about it.
He wasn't going to forsake his principles to secure victory. But without it, his prospects grew slim.
Link thought to himself as Ruta's thrusts grew more and more accurate, grazing ever closer to his skin. Was there something that he could use to harm his impervious adversary? There had to be. If only he could rely on Daruk's Protection while he pondered, just one more time…
That was it!
He activated his Sheikah Slate once more. The avatar peered over as the blonde flipped through it, shaking its head.
"You already tried that. Cryonis won't break these pillars of ice."
Little did he know that his comment would blow up in his face. Literally.
"Agh!"
Just to be sure he didn't mistake it for something else, Link threw a square bomb upwards toward the armored being, this time knocking it off its perch.
It was humiliating. Just as the avatar stood up and regained composure, the hero would lob another bomb, square and round, one after the other. The bombs themselves did little damage, nothing it couldn't shrug off individually, but they came in such succession that he couldn't do anything but react to them. It was irritating.
The ploy managed to solve his problems. The bombs were imprecise and blunt, but they hit a wide radius. He only needed to stay away from the blast. Even a minor amount of damage would make the throwing of an explosive worth the trouble, which improved the odds. The fact that Link could alternate between each type of bomb while the other recharged, and that he had an unlimited supply of them, only further supported its utilization.
As each explosive went off, the blasts began to warm the icy towers. Each bomb individually made hardly an effect, but over time the pillars continued to melt, reaching the point where Link could see over them. Ruta couldn't do anything as its perfect defense washed away with the tides. The water appeared to drain into previously unseen vents on the floor, which came in handy for the Hylian.
Eventually, the two duelists were just as they started: in the middle of a flat, unblocked chamber, weapons drawn. Link was giddy, happily holding an explosive above his head, ignoring the slashes on his torso. Ruta's expression remained motionless, but it slumped into a limp and exuded panting noises. The fight wasn't particularly kind to it as they dragged on.
"Curse… you… Rudania…" With those final words, Ruta collapsed to its knees, dropping its spear in defeat. Link slowly approached the fallen fighter, cautious as ever. Surprisingly, there was no funny business, as the helm bearing the Divine Beast's likeness still faced the floor, unmoving.
"So, you've done it. You've defeated me." Ruta slumped back, sitting firmly on the ground as it faced to the side. "I can't say I'm not surprised. You've done well with yourself. You passed the first stage of your Trial."
"Trial?" Link asked.
"Yes? Trial, indeed. That's the principle reason you bear that Slate on your person. Picking it up means you've undertaken the Trial of the Heart."
He wanted to ask more, but a sudden coughing fit from his company interrupted him.
"Listen, I don't have much time left, so let me say my piece. I represent the aspect of water. Water is the lifeblood of all life in Hyrule and beyond. It flows through our veins, but it can also be deadly. There must always be a balance of water in nature."
"I fought you as hard as I did not just to test you, but to preserve my own existence as well. Whether you know it or not, the ritual you are to perform would shut me down permanently. I sense no ill-will from you, nor do I harbor any on you, but the right to defend one's life is endowed to all sentient beings, organic and artificial. Please do not mourn my reckoning, for it was bound to happen one day. I take joy that it came at your hands."
"Lastly, as the Trial implies, it is a test of your heart. Each leg of your Trial will examine the different aspects within: this section bellied your trust. You only came this far by trusting those around you, your own judgment, as well as your instincts. There may come a time where you need place your trust in a location of lowest expectations: do not balk at such a junction."
Suddenly, red swirls started wafting through the atmosphere. Link looked upwards, through the narrow glass slits that topped the room. He could barely see it, but judging by the red glow, the Blood Moon was almost directly overhead. There wasn't any time left.
"My time has come. Don't worry, you'll have no problem finding the next step on your Trial. The only question left now is, are you ready?"
Wiping back a single tear on his left cheek, Link slowly nodded. He bowed one last time in respect of the Beast and its assistance in saving Hyrule, but now sentenced to eternal slumber at his hands.
"Activate the Blood Rune when the Moon is directly overhead. The rest will explain itself."
He reached for his Slate, flipped to the Sanguis Rune, and walked over to what would be Mipha's vessel. As he moved forward, he could see the spiritual apparitions of the Champions flank him on either side. Daruk was on his right, Revali and Urbosa to his left, and Mipha was at the end, next to her likeness. He looked to each of them, solemn looks on their faces, and they all silently nodded in approval. It was now or never.
In the midst of a heightened condensation of red swirls in the air, he activated Sanguis. The Slate forced his arm upright, directly overhead, and began glowing a brilliant red. Moments later it and its wielder were surrounded by a massive pillar of red light.
The Blood Moon above shone a deep red light, brighter than anything anyone had seen before. From it burst a beam of red light, a massive pillar, aimed directly at Vah Ruta. The light collided with the construct, focusing directly around the head.
In Kakariko Village, anxious Sheikah stared at the night sky. The sense of foreboding chilled the spines of even the biggest and burliest of the lot.
"For one hundred years, this moon has brought only anguish and dread. A symbol of a great evil that did nothing but defile our land and enable injustice upon the world," Impa spoke to the huddled crowd. "My memory is long, and I lost many great friends that day."
Every member of the village was fixated upon their elder. The small, frail woman was rarely seen outside of her abode, and even less frequently seen speaking in public. There were serious concerns about an attempt on her life: she survived plenty during her tenure. This time, she had the courage to stand, for she knew her enemies wouldn't dare make the risk.
In the night sky, all could see a vibrant red beam emanate from the Blood Moon as it passed directly overhead. The beam appeared to be aiming directly toward the ground, somewhere. Coincidentally, it appeared to be pointing to the Northeast of the Village. Zelda worried to herself that Link may be in danger, but she assured herself that he could confront any of the sort.
"Tonight is different, for this shall be the last night where the red monolith rises above us. Tonight, we mark the beginning of an age of freedom for all those who live. We fight for the Sheikah. We fight for the Hylians. We fight for all the races who shared our burden during this ceaseless Calamity. And we fight for Princess Zelda."
Man, woman, and child alike raised their hands in unison. "For Hyrule! For Princess Zelda!"
The aforementioned Princess was unsure of how to take such praise and enthusiasm. She elected to simply bow her head in humility, appreciative of the loyalty that these people afforded to her. Paya couldn't help but grin from ear to ear in admiration for her sovereign.
Scott was awestruck by the display of affirmation. He never thought that his "people" could be so unified, so devoted. He had no words, but he joined the raucous cheers and raised his blade to the heavens. "For Princess Zelda!"
Atop the Akkala Fortress, two familiar figures stopped for a rest, exuding sweaty odor wherever they went.
"This is becoming pointless," Keel said. "We've searched high and low for that thing, and for Din's Sake we can't find it!"
"Calm down," Jeel replied. "The Slate is an object of utmost importance. We must keep searching, lest Lord Shiba have our heads."
"So, what if he does, at this point? This endless chase for our white Zora has pushed us to our limits, and with not even a clue."
"We can't afford to fail. Our survival, and the future of the Yiga, depend on the Slate, and you know it as well as I."
Keel let his legs have their way, and he quickly slid down to the floor. No matter what option they took, he would have to rest.
Looking up to the night sky, both Yiga Blademasters noticed a peculiar sight: The Blood Moon.
"Enjoy it while it lasts," the defeated Yiga said. "It's going to be our last one."
"Look, you fool!"
Keel looked closely, and saw something else: The Blood Moon was leaking, er, it was sending out some strange red light? The light formed a beam, which landed directly to the southeast, within the Lanayru region.
"Let's move. I have a strong feeling that we'll find a clue there." Like lightning, Jeel took off, rapidly moving toward the beam of light. Keel took several seconds to reorient himself, before following suit.
Purah had prepared for weeks for this moment. The night that she would observe the final Blood Moon, discern its effects, and further her research.
She was even more hyped to watch it, thanks for Link's recent visit. She even reoriented her massive telescope to get a better view of the Moon to increase her accuracy.
It was only a few minutes before her journey upstairs from her main lab that she chose to write up some last-minute notes. In the midst of her work, she grew tired, and decided that she could take a nap on one of her journals, just for a few winks. Her body was still young, so she needed the rest. Besides, she'd be extra rested for when the main event happened, so it would work out in the end.
She ended up missing the entire episode.
However: the people of the Zora Domain were highly restless.
The crowd within the Zora Throne Chamber grew more panicked, more unstable. The King's condition wasn't getting any better, despite nonstop work from the medics on board. The remaining Zora Elders looked on with worried, sometimes defeated, faces.
Some of the younglings tugged on their mothers and their fathers, yearning for an explanation. The parents could only offer empty reassurances, unkeepable promises that things would somehow turn out okay. Silently, they knew in their hearts that the Zoras needed their Prince now, more than ever.
After what seemed like forever, the community finally found a sign of life from their beloved King. Dorephan entered yet another coughing fit, this one uncontrollable, and dangerous for the medics nearby. He may be in a dire situation, but even his coughs could fling the average Zora many meters away. All witnesses stepped back to give their monarch more space.
The King huffed, and he puffed, and his sickly face was ruffed. He coughed for several seconds, bordering on almost a minute, before he suddenly stopped. His powerful left arm held his chest, but then fell heavily to the ground, limp.
The medical staff rushed to the great Zora, checking to see his situation. They were mortified to find no signs of life left on his person. There was no pulse, no breathing, nothing that could bring any hope.
The crowd were so fixated on Dorephan, that they didn't notice the brilliant red rays flashing just beyond the Throne Chamber.
Link wasn't sure of what he was doing, but as Daruk had just moments before told him, he had to just "roll with it."
The Slate began shining intensely, illuminating the room in a deep red tint. It was reminiscent of the room where he first acquired the Slate, wherever it may be being irrelevant now. The rays coming down from above felt heavy. The atmosphere reminded him of his fight with Calamity Ganon, but he had thought the feeling came from what was at stake in their final battle. This time, he felt something different.
Still holding the Slate in his right hand, he brought his arm down until it extended straight in front of him. In this motion, the light coming from above and into the Slate refracted and redirected towards its target: the likeness of Mipha laid peacefully on the floor. Not holding anything back, the Hero allowed the full extent of the rays to envelop its form.
Behind him, a shining yellow light came from the husk of Ruta's avatar. It too had extended its arm in the same direction, with a beam of its own. At once, the ball of light ejected from its grasp and shot straight toward the center of the red light surrounding the body. As this occurred, the avatar slowly faded away, consumed by a shroud of green flames, identified with the spirits. Within a matter of moments, it was completely gone.
Link didn't dwell on this development for too long, as the swirl of red and yellow lights converged on their mutual destination. At this point, he started to feel a massive pain crawl up his Slate-wielding arm. It was unlike anything he ever felt before: it was as if a combination of Guardian Laser Beams, Shock Arrows, sword slashes, and the pain of a great fall all blended together in one package. It was a labor to even hold the Sheikah Slate within his hands, but he came too far to give up now.
The beam kept on shining, even more brilliantly than the lasers utilized by the Divine Beasts back then. This time, however, Link could feel the life draining out of him. There was no other way to describe it. After a period of time, the intense display petered out, and he collapsed to the floor, exhausted beyond belief.
As the lain figure in front of him became opaquer and the last of the light infused within it, the Hero noticed something strange. "Mipha" was still there, lifeless, but along the course of the body, a soft Sheikah Blue-colored light ran through the main appendages. It danced along the legs, up the torso, through the arms, and up to the head, but only for a moment, before dissipating itself, much like the design he had witnessed on the Homunculus just before boarding. Despite all this theater, "she" did not move. He moved in closer to get a better examination, to see if his old friend was in there somehow.
Just as he took hold of the body, he could feel a rumble inside the chamber, and the floor began to tilt. The Divine Core, sapped of all its energy, dislodged from its holster and rolled down the hall. He could hear a loud trumpet: The Divine Beast was making its signature cry, perhaps for the final time. Water rushed into the chamber, and he had a sinking feeling that they needed to escape immediately.
"Gaaaawoooooooooooo!"
The piercing cry of the Divine Beast, identifiable to all within the Zora Domain, echoed through the valley. It was a signal of what was to come.
The massive Beast, constructed in the likeness of a sort of mythical animal whose name was long lost to time, had begun sinking. Its rear end had seemingly bent down, its fore legs adjusted to give the impression that it was standing on its hind legs within the lake. As the last sounds of its trumpet reverberated, the blue lights that illuminated it grew dark. The great protector of the Zora Domain had given its last growl, and now was the time for its eternal slumber.
The Beast slowly but surely sank into the Reservoir, and despite its massive size, the displacement it brought to the pool by no means threatened to overflow the nearby dam. As part of its last act, the Divine Beast extended its elongated nose upward, stretched out to the apex of its design above its head.
After a couple minutes, the Beast had completely submerged itself within the water, invisible to all onlookers, with one notable exception. The very tip of Ruta's nose, the flat end where its endless supply of water was berthed, ended up just barely breaking the surface water of the pool. The platform hovered just half a meter above the tides.
Within moments of its stabilization, the platform gave way to a new development. A gush of water violently exerted from the snout, as a sort of last gasp of the dying deity. Just as the snout berthed the sudden tsunami of water, the selfsame surge of water parted ways to reveal Link, coughing out the liquid from his lungs, alive and well in that very spot. He kneeled on the new buoy, not sure how he got there, but grateful that he did, as he looked down at his prize: the slumbering vessel in his arms, as well as the Lightscale Trident lain next to them.
The vessel, which up until now had been lifeless as an empty suit of armor, at once began to twitch. It instinctively flexed its fingers before bringing them to the eyelids, gently rubbing before opening them. Finally, they slowly opened and amber eyes met sapphire.
"…Link?... Link!"
There was no doubt in their minds. This wasn't a dream. This wasn't a fantasy. This was real.
"Welcome back, Lady Mipha."
The Zora's face began to shrivel, as if she were trying to cry but couldn't. She instead elected to give the Hylian a massive hug. He was surprised at how similar her hugs were to her brother's, albeit with much less force behind them. He giddily hugged her back, pulling her into a tight embrace. The sensation of her warm body connecting with his made his heart beat at an alarming pace, but he didn't care.
They were together now, and he wouldn't let anyone separate them again.
"Link! Are you alright?"
Right on schedule, Sidon and Muzu jetted through the Lake at unfathomable speeds.
"We grew worried when we witnessed the Blood Moon seemingly reign down on the Divine Beast, not to mention when Ruta began moving. Are you hurt… huh?"
The Prince was eager to assess that his friend was alright, but the red figure in his harms drew his curiosity. As the figure drew her arms back to confront him, he couldn't believe his amber eyes.
"Mipha? Is… that really you?"
"Hello Sidon," she smiled modestly. "I've missed you terribly, brother."
"Dear sister!" Both brother and sister instantly rushed into each other's arms, giving the other an equally impressive bear hug. The onlookers couldn't help but hold a tight smile.
"Ahem," Muzu said. "I hate to be the one to interrupt this reunion, and I'm equally elated to witness your presence again Lady Mipha, but we have a pressing matter at hand."
The siblings slowly loosened their grips, both acknowledging the seriousness of their situation. The Princess gave her solemn reply. "And I as well, Muzu. Let's return to the Domain at once."
"Are you able to swim, my sister? I'm not sure what Link did in there, but if you need assistance…"
"Don't worry, Sidon. I'll be fine, and I'm better off proving that to you now. Let's be off!"
The Prince grinned, and flashed his trademark pose once more. His sister couldn't help but giggle at the massive Zora he became: she couldn't have been prouder. She watched as he leaped into the water, while Link landed on his back. It was a precious sight: a century earlier, it would have been the reverse.
"For Hylia's sake, Master Link! At least put on a shirt if you're to return to our King's presence!"
Now that he thought about it, Link still had failed to change his attire: a simple pair of Hylian Trousers would hardly be considered "formal wear," even to the lightly-dressed Zora.
As Muzu began to join his prince in the water, he was ambushed by something else: a hug from Mipha.
"M-my Lady Mipha!? What are you doing?"
"Thank you, Muzu."
The four of them blitzed off at such a pace, that they never took inventory of the two shadowy figures on the other side of the Lake. Up until now they had been silently observing.
"What happened here?" said Jeel. "What happened to that Divine Beast?"
"Whatever that red light was, that's what happened." Replied Keel. "Did you see that object in his hands?"
"Yeah, that's the Slate! How did he get it?"
"Don't know, doesn't matter. We need to report back to the chief with the news, but there's no way we could swipe it off his hands. He'd mop the floor with us, again. We can't return empty-handed."
Within moments, bubbles came forth from the water, and a massive sphere thrust to the surface. It floated, drifting ever so slowly toward them.
Keel looked as if he were ready to break out into a happy dance. "Lord Shiba will be forced to spare us when he sees this. Let's go."
Back at the Throne Room, the cluster of Zora citizens continued their muddled conversation. The commoners on the steps and lower tiers were still in the dark, unaware of the events that transpired above, and anxiety was at an all-time high. The Zora Guards found it difficult to keep the citizenry at ease: there were only so many of them, and they wouldn't dare turn their spears against those they were sworn to defend.
It was an even more stressful job for Bazz, who was unsure of himself. When he saw a group of four individuals race up the steps, he was overjoyed: The Prince and Link had returned!
"Prince Sidon, Link, you've returned to us at last! I'm glad you're here."
"Enough chatting, Bazz." Muzu snuck his way to the front, hands behind his back as usual. "What of the King's condition?"
The head of the Zora Guards checked his periphery before turning back to the elder, lowering his voice. "I… am afraid that he may no longer be with us. The medics haven't found any signs of life, but the public do not know yet. The elders are trying to find a way to address it to the public."
"Then let's not waste any more time!"
All four males turned around to the source of the voice, which came from the elegantly dressed female Zora among them. She gave an aura of seriousness and impatience and was determined to move forward as quickly as possible.
"I didn't see you brought a guest… L-lady Mipha?! Is that really you?"
"We will explain everything later, Bazz," as Sidon spoke, the Princess rushed up the stairs unaccompanied, which prompted the rest of them to follow suit. "But yes, our Princess has returned to us!"
Said Princess wasted no more seconds and muscled her way through the crowd. Numbers of disgruntled and uprooted nobles and notables voiced protest at the rampant upstart, not recognizing who it was. She reached the eye of the storm: the fallen form of her father, flanked by four fruitless Zora medics. She didn't have time to weep, or to contemplate the situation: her tunnel vision was squarely on saving the alpha whale.
The crowd gave mixed reactions to the disturbance.
"Mommy," one of the younglings asked. "Who's that pretty lady?"
The parent in question, a young mother born after the Calamity, gave an unsure reply. "I don't know. She looks very familiar, for some reason."
Across the crowd, another young daughter tugged on her father's fins for attention.
"Daddy, she looks like the Statue!"
"You're right," he said. "She looks exactly like Lady Mipha!"
"Preposterous!" said one of the older ones among them. "Lady Mipha died during the Calamity! Who is this girl in front of us, and why is she here?"
Mipha, for her part, ignored the conversations around her, and focused on her father's neck. She closed her eyes and focused directly on her hands. Within moments, a soft, bubbly, blue glow emitted from her fingers: its radiance filled the entire room. Link and co. came just in time to see her working her magic on Dorephan's neck, tracing up and down.
"Prince Sidon! Goodness that you've returned. I don't know what to say at this junction."
"Jiahto, how is my father doing?"
"Sire, our medics believe that they lost him, I'm sorry." The historian of the Domain demurred, looking back toward his fallen King's body. He noticed the small, red Zora tending to his wounds. "My liege, is that…"
"Yes, she is indeed. If anyone can save him, it's her."
All eyes turned toward Mipha as her blue hands ran along her father's body. He had no outward cuts or wounds, which made the diagnosis, and the treatment, all the more difficult to pinpoint. She was confident her magic could mend any external damage, but she never once worked on internal issues. Nevertheless, she persisted and continued to send out her magic like arrows into the darkness.
She noticed a particular disturbance by the lungs, and she crawled up Dorephan's massive frame to get a better angle. She applied her magic for several seconds, until finally she felt tremors beneath her legs. It wasn't an earthquake: it was her father heaving, albeit weakly. The entire room gasped.
"Mii… pha." The King weakly opened his eyes to the sight in front of him. "My daughter… have I passed on?"
"Not yet," the Princess recalled her royal etiquette, and refrained from displaying strong emotion in public. "You're still among us, father. I've returned from beyond, thanks to Link, and-"
"Not… for long," the massive Zora returned to a massive coughing fit, causing the crowd to instinctively back up in fear. "So good… to see you… my dear… Please promise me… never get old…"
"At ease, father. Now isn't the time to jape."
"Bless your heart… my daughter… I'm so happy…" Speech became heavier and harder for the King, but he wouldn't be stopped. "Link… come here… my boy…"
Link quickly moved to the front of the crowd, and to Dorephan's side. Mipha carefully slid off the belly of her father and took his side. He grabbed his left hand and held it tightly.
"This is your home… always… you still have… my blessing… protect her, Link."
"Father, what are you talking about? My magic healed your ailment!"
"Peace, Mipha… even your power… can't stop… old age… natural causes…" It was clear to everyone that he didn't have much time left. Still, he had one matter on his conscious. "Sidon… come here…"
"Yes, father!" At cartoonish high speeds, the young Prince strode beside Link, firmly grasping his father's left hand.
"I… am proud of you… my son… you are ready… don't let them… down…"
"What are you saying? Even if you die, we can bring you back-"
"I've lived… a good life…" the coughs became much more frequent. "A King must… protect his people… no matter the cost… you are better… than I…" Dorephan took a deep look into his son's eyes, and a smile crept across his face. "King… Sidon…"
The left hand in the Prince's possession fell to the ground, and it was nigh impossible for the Prince alone to lift. The Princess scanned the body for any signs of life, using her healing power to look for any focal point, but to no avail.
The King was dead.
The Zora people were restless and unmovable, camping outside even until eight in the morning the next day.
They were aroused upon seeing a delegation of Domain notables with Prince Sidon on the balcony in front of the throne room. There was no sign of Dorephan, which distressed the crowd. They grew increasingly concerned, and wild conspiracy theories flew through the air.
"To all the citizens of the Zora Race, and her allies," the Prince proudly proclaimed. "It is with great sadness that I inform you that King Dorephan, my father, our great sovereign who had led and protected our Domain for over a century, has passed away peacefully."
The crowd returned to even more hurried commotion. Rumors of palace intrigue and outside interference could be heard from the parapets. They were quickly silenced as Sidon continued.
"He was a great Zora, a model for all of us to stride by, which is why I, as the new acting King of the Domain, shall continue to live by his example. His funeral shall be planned in the coming days but remember that the Zora people shall continue to stand tall in this new era of peace."
"All hail King Sidon!" Bazz blurted out, drawing a scowl from Seggin. He looked as if he were to publicly reprimand his son for speaking out of turn.
"All hail King Sidon!" The crowd had quelled its concern for Dorephan, and exchanged it for praise for their new sovereign, loudest of all from the Prince Sidon Fan Club. It helped to be popular.
"That is not all I have to proclaim," the acting King added. "When nature brings death, life born anew is to follow. Our situation is not without blessings, which is why I am honored to introduce the return of my sister, Lady Mipha!"
The Princess was startled at this statement. She was in awe that her brother had not only grown up to be a mighty Zora, but also such a gifted and well-received figure. All eyes were now upon her, and it made her increasingly nervous. She fidgeted for moments, unsure of what to do, until her left hand suddenly grabbed something warm.
She turned and saw Link by her side. He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, encouraging her to move forward. It was the confidence boost she needed. She took a few deep breaths and walked forward, next to her brother, who embraced her with his right arm.
"All hail Lady Mipha!" Bazz sounded off again.
"All hail Lady Mipha!" The crowd erupted in chorus.
Nobody was sure whether to be mournful and downcast over the death of their King, or jubilant over the return of their long-lost Princess. One thing was for certain: not one individual would be faulted for expressing one emotion and not the other at a given time.
Back in the Zora Castle, Link was quietly examining his Master Sword in a guest chamber. He had spent the entire day before in mourning with Mipha and Sidon, grieving over the loss of their father. Both of them bawled their eyes out, bargaining that there could have been something that they should have done. He reminded them that Dorephan's fate was caused by natural causes, and there wasn't anything they could've done, even if they never left his side.
That said, he still wanted to give them their space. They were just as happy to be reunited with him as he was with them, but even they needed room to breathe. Link too needed some time for himself to grieve alone. Perhaps it was because of his memory loss, but the loss of the Zora King felt like a new feeling in his gut, of a bottomless pit in his chest. He may have experienced loss in the past but had since forgotten the feeling. His recollection of memories of loss paled in comparison to seeing someone important die in front of him.
He was content with that. He sat in an ornate chair, wearing his Hylian Trousers and the linen undershirt of his Champion's Tunic. Mipha had requested the garment the day before for unspecified reasons, and he hadn't seen it since. Not that it bothered him: he had no enemies to fight, nor did he need to report to Zelda anytime soon. His thoughts drifted towards Daruk, and what Ruta had said. He'd definitely need to visit Eldin soon, but he also needed to see Purah about their success, as well as Robbie at some point.
The room was different from others in the castle, as it contained a tall basin of cool water in the center, rising to just above his waist. It was refreshing for him to wash his face. Lacking a towel, he ended up drying his face with his shirt, a sight Mipha walked into upon opening the door.
"You never change, even without your memories." She could only smile at the simplicity that the blonde enjoyed. "Hello Link."
He returned her smile as she turned slightly to shut the door behind her. "Top of the morning, Mipha."
He walked over to her to bring her into an embrace, but she coolly walked past him, as if he weren't there. "When I was a spirit, I was able to follow your every step, and I was in-tune with what happened on your journey. Even with the last two days, it's still a struggle for me to catch up with the world."
She traced her fingers inside the basin, letting the water wet her fingertips. "It brings me to tears to see what happened to my father. I wish our reunion didn't end as it did, but I'm glad that it happened at all."
"Mipha, I'm sorry for bringing you back, for forcing you into this world without your consent."
"Why are you apologizing? Had you not, I would have stayed trapped within that Beast for eternity. I would've never met my father in the next world, nor my mother. At least now I can roam free." Her hand increasingly swirled itself within the basin, letting the cool texture rub her scales.
Link was going to say something else. Something profound, maybe something silly, perhaps a pun. It was completely lost to time. Before he knew it, his face was splashed by a handful of cold water, sending shivers along his spine.
"What was that for?" he looked to the culprit, the Zora in front of him. She faced him sternly, arms folded in front of her chest.
"That was for reading my diary."
Okay, that was probably deserved. He was about to bumble on some sort of apology, when another splash hit him in the face, just as chilly as the first.
"That, was for going through my room, and rummaging through my personal possessions."
Her expression didn't change at all. The once shy and sweet Princess of the Zoras was taking no prisoners today, and the Hero of the Wilds didn't know how to respond. She was right on both counts: his childish curiosity was bound to backfire one day, at least the consequences weren't as severe…
If anything could possibly go wrong, it would. Hence, another massive splash in the face, which dwarfed the previous two, drenched him to the point of falling over. He rubbed his backside in pain, as he looked up to the Champion in front of him.
"That, was for destroying the Zora Armor I made specifically for you."
Link was scared. He never thought he'd see the day where he'd think that Mipha would scare him. But it came, and he was lost. He decided to stand up and take it like a Hylian. He closed his eyes to brace himself.
What came next wasn't the rest of the barrel washing him out of the room, but something warmer. He opened his eyes and saw her hugging him tightly.
"I can't stay mad at you, you know."
He returned the hug, snaking his hands around her waist. They held this position for several seconds before she pulled away and shifted her head down.
"Link, do you still intend to keep the promise you made?"
"Yes, Mipha. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Good choice," she giggled, which reassured Link. This was the Mipha he remembered.
"So, I know the timing is bad, but when is the wedding?"
"That's something we need to discuss." She continued to refuse to meet his gaze, which told him that something he didn't like was going to follow. She nervously gripped her limp right arm with her left hand. "We… can't get married."
"What do you mean?"
"At least, not yet. When I brought up the topic with the elders yesterday, they insisted that the ceremony cannot proceed without a proper set of Zora Armor for the groom."
"That seems arbitrary."
"Believe me when I say there is to be no offense given. Not one member objected to our coupling, and several spoke out in support of you, especially Muzu. But traditions are essential, and we cannot have a royal wedding without said traditions being honored, said the council."
"What do we do, then?"
"It's simple: we just have to craft another set of Zora Armor, and we can proceed."
"Why do I feel that it's something easier said than done?"
She snorted in an uncontrolled laugh. "Because it is, my love. The materials will be difficult to obtain: they were hard enough to acquire before the Calamity, when we had functional infrastructure and trade. These days, many of the essential industries are gone, and we'll have to do the heavy lifting ourselves."
"I have a list of the materials that I would need to craft the Armor. All I would need are your measurements, but with you here, that's the easy part."
"Then I'll go with you," he grabbed both of Mipha's shoulders and rotated her to face him. "No matter where it takes us, or how hard it is, I will always be by your side."
"Link…" she had to wipe away tears of joy.
"By the way… how did you get my measurements the first time?"
"Oh, that?" she attempted to laugh it off, gently peeling his hands off of her as she turned to the side. "I, um, do you remember the day when we confronted the Lynel on Ploymous Mountain?"
"Of course!" he said. "Did I tell you something that day?"
"No, it's not that… after the battle, your shirt was damaged, and I offered to mend it for you. I fixed it, but by then you had already left. That was also the day I realized my feelings for you, and since you forgot it, I kept it safe. I based my measurements off of that, accounting for a few minor factors."
"I also… enjoyed feeling it. I'm embarrassed to admit, it's not ladylike of me, but there were some nights where I felt lonely, and I… slept with it. It set me at ease when I was in doubt. Please don't think less of me."
"Less of you?" Link pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm in awe of you. I just wish I had something that symbolized our bond."
"One moment," she gently wormed her way out of his grasp yet again, this time reaching into her satchel. She pulled out his familiar Champion's Tunic.
"I hope you don't mind, but I was thinking the same thing. This fabric is some of the highest quality I've encountered, but sadly it's discontinued. I made a slight altercation, which you can see for yourself."
The gingerly unfolded the tunic, exposing the front side of the top. Nothing seemed different to him: it still held the simple sword pattern around his neck, and only small details on the side.
The back was a different story. Gone was the plain, royal blue expanse that draped over his backside. In it's place, a large, white design stretched across the fabric. It ranged from the shoulder blades all the way to his center back. The series of white blocks recreated the pattern of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, exactly the same as what was once worn on Mipha's own Champion's sash. His symbol was on the front, while hers was on the opposite side, representing that she would always have his back, and he hers.
"So beautiful…"
She moved her hand to cover her mouth as she giggled. "Thank you, I-"
He hugged her again, this time craning his neck so that his chin rested on the back of her neck. "This stitch is beautiful too, but that's not the one I was talking about."
"Where do we go from here?" She asked.
"Wherever we want to go. We'll stay in the Domain for a while to fulfill our obligations, and then set off," was his reply.
No matter what happened, no matter what road they would travel, no matter who told them no: the two of them, Hylian Knight and Zora Princess, would never be separated again. In this moment, they were one.
A/N: That's a wrap for Part 1 of this story! Thank you, once again, for reading this far, and if you liked it, please feel free to let me know.
These last two chapters, especially the ending of this one, were the original idea I had in mind when I wrote this story, but I felt that I couldn't simply jump into them. I had the idea that there should've been significant buildup before the plot took off, but I'm not sure if I did too much (probably not too little, but I've been wrong more than once.) Having held this concept for so long, these were my favorite chapters to write.
When I started, I originally had roughly 30 chapters in mind for this, but I've changed my mind a few times over the course of this story so far, and based on some new ideas, I could do up to 50, although I don't think this would last nearly that long. But it's a reflection on how the writing process can change a person, and I'm glad it has.
I noticed when I re-read a few of my chapters that some of the details may come off as confusing, and I'll take full-responsibility for them. I'm not sure if I'll re-write any chapters in the future, but I'll definitely pay more attention to it as I progress.
If you have any critiques on my story telling, my writing style, or even a few minor details that I've slipped up on, please don't feel afraid to let me know. The way I wrote this part of the story may affect how I write the subsequent ones: it may be done in the same style, I may choose to do things a bit differently, but it was fun to learn how to craft a narrative like this.
Say something, or say nothing at all: your continued support helps motivate me to write, and I'm grateful for that.
Remember to make today, and everyday, a great day.