"Wow! That was incredible!" Paya proclaimed. "What an adventure you had! And all to save your world from a second calamity and learning the truth of its origin!"
"Your world and our world parallel each other," Impa said. "I wonder if that may be the reason you were sent here."
"Who knows?" Aloy said dryly. "So . . . now what? While I await this hero that is."
"Why don't you help Paya with her chores?" Impa suggested.
"Okay, anything to keep me busy."
"I'm going to be cleaning the outside," Paya said.
Aloy and Paya go outside onto the deck of the building, each with a cleaning cloth in hand. Paya instructs Aloy on how to clean it by crouching down and rubbing it against the deck.
"Hey, Paya," Aloy called from across her, getting the girl's attention. "That eye you have painted on your forehead, is it your people's symbol?"
"Yes it is," she verified. "It is the symbol of the Sheikah. The Yiga use it too, but they invert theirs."
"What are these Yiga I was accused of being a part of?"
"The Sheikah were once one people, but when they were scattered some of them became bitter and chose to serve Ganon."
"So they are your world's version of the Shadow Carja."
"They are dangerous foes. Since you are helping the hero, beware. Because you will become their target too."
"I've had a target on me since the Proving Massacre."
They continue cleaning. It proves to be tedious work and Aloy is feeling a little restless in doing it. Then she gets an idea.
"Hey, Paya, wanna turn this into a race? We start from here and run all the way to the back to see who's the fastest."
"Ah, okay."
They position their selves on either side of the double doors with their backs to one another and hunched over with their buttocks raised, poised to go.
"Ready?" Aloy asked.
"Ready," Paya commented.
"On the count of three . . . three!" As Aloy runs fast.
"Ahhh! No fair, Aloy!" Paya squealed as she tries to hurry as well.
They round the building, with Aloy having gone midway around the building and stops. Paya catches up. Aloy is hardly winded, but Paya is gasping.
"Wow, Paya, you sure tire easily," Aloy teased.
"I-I am a Sheikah!" Paya squeaked indignently. "We are a proud people! We are a tough people!"
Aloy cannot help but laugh at Paya's attempt at being outraged.
"Wha-What's so funny, Aloy?!" Paya once again squeaked indignently.
"You. You try so hard to be haughty and proud. Come on," as Aloy turns around, "let's get back to it. Don't worry, I won't jump ahead."
Paya repositions herself.
"Ready?" Aloy asked. "And . . . go."
They race back around to the front and stop alongside either door. Again Aloy is hardly winded but Paya is panting. Moments later, someone steps onto the deck and they look up to see a man not of this village due to his outfit.
"A man?!" Paya gasped as she quickly stands and covers her face.
Aloy on the other hand remains silent as she slowly stands while staring at the man with an intent gaze.
It's him! As she recognizes him from her vision. But he's not wearing that tunic though.
"Huh? Is that-?!" Paya gasped as she peeks through her fingers at him. "It's . . . a Sheikah Slate! Could you be the hero my grandmother told me about? What was his name? Li . . . Lin . . . Ummm . . . Oh, it's not that I forgot . . . I'm just bad with speaking."
Speaking to men to be exact. Aloy mused inwardly.
"As for me," Paya contined fretfully while still covering her face, "my name is Pa . . . Paaa . . . Paaay . . . Oh! My name is Paya!"
Paya next lowers her hands and faces the man casually. "Phew! I got it out . . . I know I should be able to say that easily, seeing as how it's my own name and all. And she is Aloy."
"Hello," Aloy greeted.
The man nods to Aloy respectfully.
"I'm so . . . sorry," Paya sighed. "Anyway, my grandmother's been awaiting your return ever since I was little. Plea . . . Please hurry inside."
The man nods and walks up to the doors, then pushes them open. Aloy and Paya look inside. There is silence.
"So," Impa finally said, "you are finally awake. It has been quite a long time . . . Link."
So she really does know him. Aloy marveled.
"I am much older now," Impa continued, "but . . . you remember me, don't you?"
The man named Link walks forward, but remains silent. Aloy follows him inside as she takes note of his silence.
He doesn't seem to know her at all.
"What is the matter?" Impa asked suspiciously. "You are looking at me as though I am a stranger to you. Those eyes . . . They lack the light of familiarity. It is I, courageous one. Impa. Surely you must at least remember the name Impa?"
Link remains silent.
"I see," Impa sighed, "so you have lost your memory. Well, it matters not. In fact, that may actually be a blessing in disguise for the time being. Dearest Link . . . Please come a bit closer."
He does so, along with Aloy and Paya.
"A hundred years ago," Impa began. "Yes . . . A hundred years ago, the kingdom of Hyrule was destroyed. After you fell, Princess Zelda's final wish was to place you in a sacred slumber. And then . . . all alone . . . Alone she went to face Ganon. Before Princess Zelda went to nobly meet her fate . . . she entrusted me with some words she wished to say to you. I have waited one hundred years to deliver the princess's message. However!" As her tone and manner turned intense for the moment. "These words which the princess risked her life to leave you . . . Well, if you are to hear them . . . You must be prepared to risk your life as well. But I am afraid that burden may be too much to bear while you are still without your memories. I leave the choice to you, Link. When you feel that you are ready to receive the princess's message, return to me."
Link let's her know that he decides to take that message.
"Before I give you the princess's message, Link," Impa said. "You were no doubt introduced to Aloy before you entered."
Link nods.
"Tell me, Link" Impa continued. "Do you noticed anything unusual about her?"
Link turns to stare at Aloy for a moment. He then turns to Impa once again and answers that Aloy's ears are small and round.
"Yes, that is correct," Impa said. "It is because she is not from Hyrule. She is from a world where life was killed off by machines and then resurrected by other machines. Aloy can explain it a lot better than me. She was pulled from her world and placed into ours after she had a vision of you and Zelda."
"That's right," Aloy said, getting Link's attention. "Yesterday, I had a vision of you wielding a sword and about to challenge the Calamity Ganon, then I saw within it a blonde green-eyed girl dressed in a white dress. The next thing I knew I was in this world next to a Sheikah Shrine above a stable. I learned about the Sheikah and made my way here."
Link turns to Impa and asks what the princess's message was.
"The words that the princess risked her life to impart to you," Impa instead answered, "I cannot pass on to someone who lacks conviction. Are you prepared to risk your life for the greater good?"
Link states that he is.
"Ha!" Impa laughed. "Not a memory to your name, Link, yet you are as intent as ever to charge forward with only courage and justice on your side. You have not changed a bit. Once a hero, always a hero. Very well. Since you have lost your memory, I will recount for you all that has happened."
Impa proceeds to tell him about how the Calamity Ganon would always appear to create havoc, only to be defeated and locked away by a hero and a princess. About how once the Sheikah had created a wonderful civilization ten thousand years ago and decided to use their high technology to prepare for when Ganon would return. How they had created four Divine Beasts and legions of guardians to attack Ganon if ever he should show up again. How each time, Ganon was defeated, the victory faded away with the generations until he is forgotten by the time he should rise and threaten all.
"A hundred years ago," Impa continued, "in preparation for the foretold revival of Ganon, we strove to follow the lead of our ancestors of ten thousand years prior. But . . . in the end . . . Despite out best efforts, and careful planning, we underestimated his power. In order to avoid ever making that grave mistake again, the princess left you these words."
There is a moment of silence as Impa steels herself.
"Free the four Divine Beasts," Impa finally stated. "That is what she said."
"You mentioned those to me earlier, Impa," Aloy inquired. "What are these Divine Beasts?"
"The four Divine Beasts are the ancient Sheikah weapons wielded by the four Champions who Ganon defeated," Impa answered. "The Divine Beast Vah Rudania, controlled by Daruk of the Gorons. The Divine Beast Vah Medoh, controlled by Revali of the Rito. The Divine Beast Vah Ruta, controlled by Mipha of the Zora. And the Divine Beast Vah Naboris, controlled by Urbosa of the Gerudo."
"Sounds difficult," Aloy mused. "Couldn't we just skip them and go straight to fighting Ganon?"
"It would be extremely ill-advised to face Ganon without the power of the Divine Beasts to help you," Impa answered. "You must infiltrate the Divine Beasts that were stolen away by Ganon one hundred years ago and bring them back to our side."
"So where are these Divine Beasts at, Impa?" Aloy asked.
"More information about the Divine Beasts can be found by locating the four races scattered across Hyrule. Link, your Sheikah Slate will guide you and Aloy on your way. You must go where it tells you and meet with each leader there."
Link takes out the Sheikah Slate to gaze at. Aloy also looks at it and reads it as such with her focus. On it is a map surrounded by blank spaces. Within the map is a triangle, showing that this must be their position. In the blank spaces are blinking dots, showing their next destinations.
"That is nothing like the machines I have ever seen," she mused.
"It seems to me that your Sheikah Slate is not yet complete," Impa noted. "The device Princess Zelda left you is your guide and also your memory. Now, let's see," as Impa looks upward in thought as she strokes her chin. "Someone at the research lab in Hateno Village might be able to help you. The location shining on the eastern edge is Hateno Village. It is a small village . . . One of the very few places that avoided suffering significant damage during the Great Calamity."
"That's good to hear," Aloy said.
"Aloy," Impa said. "Given Link's conviction in getting this task done, no doubt you intend to help him."
"That I will," Aloy answered. "Who knows, it might enable me to return back to my world. So what do you say, Link . . . ? Will you accept my help?"
Link stares at Aloy, then nods and states that he will.
"I knew you would say that," Impa said intently. "You two are Princess Zelda's only hope, and Hyrule's as well . . . You cannot turn back now. Follow your hearts and seize your destinies."
"And hopefully destiny won't get us killed," Aloy quipped. "By the way, Impa, what exactly is that thing over there?" As she points out the large sphere with the pulsating orange glow.
"That is a Sheikah heirloom," Impa answered. "It has been guarded by our tribe for generations. I must request that neither you nor Link touch it . . . Even for esteemed guests such as yourselves, there are certain rules that must be respected . . . Is something wrong, Link?" Upon noticing that Link is still staring at her. "Do not tell me the steel has slipped from your spine . . . I realize you have just awaken. I am not suggesting that you must defeat Calamity Ganon right this moment. For now, you should focus on getting that broken Sheikah Slate fixed. Hurry to the research lab in Hateno Village. In any case . . . If you two ever lose your way, simply look to the Sheikah Slate to guide you. Princess Zelda is fighting Calamity Ganon all alone. You two are the only ones who can save her-the only ones who can save Hyrule. Now go. You must!" Ending with a command.
"Hateno Village you say?" Aloy said. "I just hope we don't meet up with any of these Yiga that Paya told me about."
"We Sheikah have long served the royal family of Hyrule in secret," Paya said. "During the Great Calamity of one hundred years ago . . . the royal family was destroyed, and the numbers of our tribe scattered. Sadly, there were some who swore allegiance to Ganon at that time. They joined together as the Yiga Clan, seeking out all who opposed Ganon . . . cutting them down, one after another. Master Link, now that you are awake, and Aloy, since you will be helping him, you are both surely the most formidable opponents standing against them! No doubt they will come for you two, employing whatever underhanded methods they can devise . . . Oh, but of course, if there's anything I can do to help you, all you have to do is ask!"
"The Great Fairy Cotera," Impa next said.
"Who?" Aloy mused.
"Only a few remain who know this," Impa said, "but this village was built under her watchful eye. The mysterious power of Cotera is that of a sacred protection . . . I suggest you seek her out."
"The Great Fairy," Paya said from nearby, "resides behind the shrine that overlooks this village. That is where you two should seek her. You can put your trust in the Great Fairy. I can't think of any reason she wouldn't be happy to help you, Master Link, Aloy."
"Then I guess this Great Fairy is the first person we should meet," Aloy said.
Link agrees.
"Well, hopefully this adventure will be a success and we'll meet again," Aloy said to Impa. "Until then, see you soon, Impa, Paya."
Together, Aloy and Link walk out of the building.
Note:
Link is not given a direct voice in the Legend of Zelda games; so in keeping with that theme, he will not be having a direct voice in this fanfiction either (nor a point of view for that matter).
