The rain poured ceaselessly around Link and Zelda as they took cover beneath a mossy tree. While the young princess of Hyrule seated herself in front of a nearby stone, Link took the time to practice his skills with the master sword. His swings and swipes cut through the air with fluidity. His movements were seamless and efficient - nothing wasted. As usual.
Zelda looked up at the cloudy sky, sighing calmly as she did.
"I doubt this will let up anytime soon," she said, over the gentle patter of rainfall. She turned her attention back to Link's swordplay and smiled.
"Your path seems to mirror your father's," she said. "You've dedicated yourself to becoming a knight, as well. Your commitment to the training necessary to fulfill your goal is really quite admirable…"
Link continued to cut through the rain with his sword, imagining a horde of enemies charging his way. He appeared unaffected by Zelda's comments - at least on the outside. But he was definitely listening.
"I see now why you would be the chosen one..." Zelda finished. Her tone had changed, her mood seemed to turn somber - or at least, more somber than before. Link noticed that she had grown to be quite careful with her words as of late, ever since they left Zora's Domain just over a week before. He had quickly gotten over his own disappointment at leaving Mipha once again, knowing that there was still so much work to be done. Yet Zelda still seemed troubled by something. And it seemed she was finally ready to start talking about it...
"What if..." she began.
Link lowered his sword, turning to face Zelda fully.
"...What if you realized, you just weren't meant to be a fighter? Yet the only thing people ever said... was that you were born into a family of the royal guard. And so no matter what you thought, you had to become a knight..." She looked away from Link as she said this, her eyes downcast, face sullen.
"If that was the only thing that you were ever told... I wonder, then…" She glanced back up at Link, smiling bitterly.
"...Would you have chosen a different path…?"
The vision left as quickly as it came, smoothly fading from Link's mind. With his memories returning to him with greater frequency in recent days, he found that his brain was beginning to adapt to these nostalgic episodes with hardly any trouble. As such, he quickly turned his attention right back to the task at hand - and the growing raw pain that was settling into his sore fingers.
Similar to his earlier vision, the rain poured on him relentlessly as he climbed this sheer cliff face before him. Hoping to find a better vantage point to see the path ahead, he'd made the decision earlier to scale this mountain in order to gain his bearings. But about halfway up the wall, a rather inconvenient downpour had instantly begun. It was as if the gods were purposefully toying with him, laughing at him as he slipped and sputtered his way up, challenging him with the most inconvenient situation they could possibly devise in this moment.
In all, this was yet another prime example of his typical day-to-day luck.
To make matters worse, the raucous sounds of a familiar yet alien musical instrument permeated the air around him as he climbed. It grew louder and louder with each foot of his ascent, and Link's frustrated mind was slowly beginning to formulate a brand new goal: throttling whatever stupid man or creature was playing this ironically energetic song in the midst of the chaotic rainstorm.
With bloodied fingers and angry resolve, he reached the top of the cliff and pulled himself over the top. He laid there, panting heavily for a brief moment...
But he wouldn't allow himself much rest. He was on a mission. He leaped to his feet, peering through the thick rain to locate the source of the music.
And after some searching, he finally found it.
It was a bird. A large bird.
Another Rito!
This one, however, looked quite a bit unlike Revali did. He was light blue in color, with a large black beak dominating his face. His build was incredibly tall yet stocky. He wore a leather chestpiece with a white scarf and matching pants. His instrument was a strange, boxlike device with yellow buttons - an accordion, Link finally recognized.
Between the jolly, colorful, and welcoming look of this Rito musician - as well as the joy with which he played his strange instrument - Link found his anger was instantly subsiding as he approached this interesting character.
Yet he remained as blunt as ever.
"You're a bird." Link said.
The musician raised his brow in wonder as he finally noticed Link.
"...have you...never met a Rito before?" he replied.
Link shrugged. "Oh no, I have. Just stating the obvious."
The musician immediately laughed at this, placing his instrument on his back and crossing his arms. "Well then," he said, "In the spirit of redundancy… you're a Hylian! And I can't imagine you-"
He paused briefly for a second, as he caught sight of Link's Sheikah Slate. "Wait a minute, that there... on your hip... could it be...? Ah! Never mind! It's nothing." He took a bow, smiling as he did.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name... is Kass! I'm a traveling bard!"
Link smiled back, taking a bow of his own.
"Well I... am Link! And your instrument is actually kind of annoying!"
Kass laughed at this, knowing that Link was only joking. "As a bard," he explained, "I spend my days traveling this land in search of ancient songs. These songs sing the praises of a hero who beat back the Calamity in an age past."
Link's ears perked up at this. He was naturally very interested in tales of his predecessor - if only to shed some light on how he himself could avoid failing Hyrule once again...
Kass continued. "It just so happens... that I know a song about this place! Would you like to hear it?"
Link nodded aggressively, taking a seat on the wet ground.
"Excellent! Without further ado..."
He pulled out his accordion once more, and began to play and to sing:
"...Where the forest dragon splays its jaws,
A shrine sleeps with noble cause,
Courageous spirit, one must bear,
To earn the treasure hidden there…"
The song was rather short, but Link found Kass's voice and musicianship to be quite pleasing to the ear after all. He was starting to regret his earlier frustration at hearing this same tune…
...As well as his previous desire to throttle Kass.
"The forest dragon..." Kass said. "Hmmm... I've never actually seen a dragon in a forest around these parts!"
Link picked himself up, brushed the mud from his rear as Kass continued.
"Though... I suppose the forest from the song could be the Damel Forest, due west of here. It's near the Dracozu River, a place that some have described as the 'Serpent's Jaws.' Who knows? Perhaps you shall find something interesting there!"
Link's adventurous spirit immediately made his decision for him. "Looks like I'm heading for the Damel Forest next!" he said, with mild excitement.
Kass smiled down at him. "Excellent! There's definitely a secret lying in wait - it's just a matter of tracking it down!"
Link spun on his heels, making his way in the direction of Damel Forest. "It was a pleasure meeting you!" he called back to Kass as he departed.
"May the light illuminate your path!" Kass replied. "And… be careful."
Link paused, spun around once more to face the tall Rito.
"While I have never seen a dragon in-person," Kass said, "I've heard many a legend of their benevolence - as well as their violence. He might be a helpful sort, eager to assist you…" Kass shrugged.
"...Or he might just eat you instead."
The thought of this produced laughter from Link, but Kass remained stoic.
"I'm not kidding. He might actually eat you."
"...Oh."
The path up Dracozu River was wet and treacherous. So much so, that Link decided it was best to leave Inferno back at the main road as he made his way to this mysterious place known as the 'Serpent's Jaws'. His Sheikah Slate was entirely blank in this area, so he relied heavily on his paper map to navigate. That is, up until it began to completely dissolve in the constant rainfall. The poor thing was in tatters at this point, almost entirely unusable.
But no matter. He had practically memorized the whole thing at this point anyway.
Enormous palm trees towered along his path, offering some minor reprieve from the downpour. But around him, the menacing eyes of ancient dragon statues peered at him at every turn. With these sights and sounds all around him, Link couldn't help but feel an unsettling sense of familiarity with this place.
And he also couldn't shake the feeling... that he was being watched.
In fact, he knew that he was being watched. Not by the strange statues themselves, but by something - or someone - otherwordly. Something unseen.
Yet this knowledge provided a strange sense of comfort rather than fear, as he finally arrived at the mouth of the Dracozu River.
A volley of shock arrows instantly greeted him, as an army of Lizalfos drew back on their bows in defense of this ancient place. With great accuracy, Link dispatched these archers with several shock arrows of his own. He landed headshot after headshot, each warrior falling with ease. Even a dark-colored Moblin warrior at the entrance gave him little trouble. And as Link finally replaced his battle-worn trident on his back, he placed his hands on his hips and sighed happily.
An incredible structure stood before him. It was an enormous stone monument, worn away with age - but still impressive nonetheless. The entrance resembled a serpent's head, threatening to swallow him whole.
The 'Serpent's Jaws.'
And contained within them was yet another statue of the goddess Hylia. He cautiously approached the glowing statue, waded through the shallow pool around it, and waited.
And waited.
...And waited some more.
Well... I'm here… he thought to himself.
...Now what?
After some time, the air around him suddenly grew still. The ever-present sounds of chirping creatures slowly faded to dead silence. Even the rainfall itself seemed to grow eerily quiet.
And in that moment, Link realized... that whatever creature or entity that had been watching him this entire time... had finally arrived.
"You have done well to make it back to this place, young Hylian!"
A booming voice entered Link's ears from all directions. He spun around, searched for the source of the voice, but found nothing.
"Above you. Look."
Link obeyed, and was instantly blinded by an incredible green light. As his eyes adjusted, he could just make out the creature in the sky before him.
Its face was menacing, a great yellow horn protruded from its forehead. A large scaley mane erupted from the back of its head, and small arms and horns protruded from all around its snakelike body. The air around him began to buzz with electricity, and the great beast seemed to slither through the air above him, flying straight into the gaping mouth of the giant serpent statue before coming to a stop just in front of him.
Only then did Link recognize the creature.
It was a dragon.
"My name… is Farosh. " This booming voice still seemed to flood Link's senses as it addressed him.
"I am the servant of this ancient Spring of Courage, and the great spirit of lightning."
Link nodded in recognition. "And I take it…" he said, "That you aren't here to eat me after all?" He'd already redrawn his trident, ready to defend himself once again.
But Farosh seemed to smile at this remark. "I mean you no harm, hero of Hyrule. In fact… I have come to aid you in your journey."
Satisfied, Link yet again placed his trident on his back and crossed his arms.
"Will you hear what I have to say?" Farosh asked.
Link nodded.
"Very well. As I said before… you have done quite well to return to this place… Link."
Link raised an eyebrow at this. "Have we… met before?" he asked.
"We have not," replied Farosh. "But I know of your exploits and your travels. I know of your history. Because you see… this is not the first time that you have visited the Spring of Courage."
"Then… I must have traveled here with Zelda long ago?" Link asked. "Is that correct?"
Farosh nodded slowly. "That is correct. As expected, some of your memories have yet to return to you after your slumber. Allow me to explain…"
Another great flash of light, and a vision entered Link's mind...
Princess Zelda stood in front of the statue of Hylia, clothed in simple white robes. Her eyes were closed tightly, her hands folded across her chest in prayer...
"You accompanied Princess Zelda to this place," explained Farosh. "She had hoped to unlock the ancient sealing powers of the Goddess Hylia by praying here."
The princess stood in silence for some time, before shaking her head and turning to face Link. She flashed him a grim smile, before walking right past Link to gather up her things.
Whatever she had come here for, whatever her goal was, it appeared to have been for naught.
A feeling of sorrow and despair entered Link's heart. But he said nothing. He too began to walk towards the entrance of the serpent's jaws, ready to move on to their next destination...
This vision melted away, bringing Link's consciousness back to the present day.
"How... do you know all this?" Link asked. He knew it was an obvious question. And as expected, Farosh seemed to angrily snarl at it.
"I am the guardian of this place! Shall I not be aware of all that occurs within my domain?!"
Link shrugged. "Was just checking. Carry on. ...Please don't eat me."
"...As you know, the princess was unsuccessful in her efforts. Just as she was unsuccessful when she visited the other springs that are scattered across this land… "
Farosh closed his eyes for a brief moment before continuing. "...Which brings me to you. It is destiny that has caused us to meet here. You see, there are reasons that Zelda was unable to tap into the powers of her ancestors at that time. One of them… was her lack of courage to face her deepest fears…"
Link couldn't help but feel the need to defend the princess as he heard this.
"From what I've recalled…" Link said, "Zelda was one of the most courageous people I knew… And yet you deemed her unworthy?"
Farosh nodded. "Ah, but you look only upon the exterior. We guardians… can see inside the heart. In that time, I sensed much fear within her. Her thoughts were filled with self-doubt and with caution. She wanted nothing more than to be free of her burdens and of her fate.
Farosh's eyes widened, his pupils shrinking as he unleashed an enormous, toothy grin.
But you! I can see that your own heart… is now entirely unburdened by fear. You have taken charge of destiny with your own two hands! And your personal growth will be the key to destroying Calamity Ganon."
"That is all well and good…" Link interrupted. "But the Divine Beasts… surely you know of them? We failed to use them to defeat Ganon all those years ago. But if I can recapture all of them... shouldn't that be enough?"
Farosh shook his head.
"The Divine Beasts will do well to destroy Ganon physically. That much is true. But to seal away his spirit for good… to obliterate his malice that has existed for countless eons... that will require something far beyond mortal capability. It will require an ancient power, lost to time..."
Another vision crossed Link's mind...
Princess Zelda, alone, approached Hyrule Castle to face the swirling mass of darkness known as Calamity Ganon. She raised her right hand, and a set of mystic golden triangles appeared on her right hand. Their yellow glow cut straight through the darkness of Ganon's malice, their vibrant light was utterly staggering in its brilliance.
"In the eleventh hour, Zelda discovered how to tap into her ancient powers." Farosh explained. "But she has only scratched the surface of its abilities. Thus far, she has only been able to hold back Ganon's calamity - but cannot yet overcome it. Which leads me to you!"
Link snapped back to the present once again, slightly dizzy from the repeated visions.
"The dance of light and shadow... has always featured a strong partnership, forged between hero and princess. Your destinies are intertwined. You must know already... that Zelda's powers grow weaker by the day. In her stead, you must unlock the true potential of her abilities. When the three wielders of the triforce are assembled together once again… the final battle against darkness will begin. You must be fully prepared for this moment."
Link shrugged. "How… will I know when I am ready? How will I know when we are prepared to destroy Ganon for good?"
"You must visit the other springs, and seek an audience with my fellow dragons. They shall determine your readiness in facing the calamity."
Link pointed a finger at Farosh. "And what about you? What is your judgement now?"
Farosh smiled once again.
"You proceed with a heart that is unrestrained by fear! You are not afraid to allow your true self to show at all times. And that is precisely why you find success. That is precisely why I… have deemed you worthy of my blessing."
Farosh closed his eyes, and a single scale began to glow on his body. It separated itself in a shower of energy and sparks, before floating slowly into Link's waiting hands.
"As a token of your tremendous courage…" Farosh said, "Please take this. Offer it in the Spring of Courage as proof of your achievement…"
Link did as he was told, spinning around and dropping the scale directly in the water in front of the statue of the Goddess Hylia. The spring immediately erupted in an explosion of brilliant light, as the scale offering suddenly disappeared into the water. A spirit orb took its place, which Link collected without hesitation.
"You are heading for Gerudo Desert next, I presume." Farosh said. "I too will be making my way there soon. Shall I offer you transport there?"
Link shook his head. "You've done quite enough already. And besides… I have some… unfinished business in this area. And I can't just leave my horse out here in the middle of nowhere…"
Farosh smiled at this. "Well, I can always eat your horse instead, if it has become a hindrance."
Link's eyes widened in shock, but Farosh simply laughed mirthfully.
"I jest, I jest. Very well. Do as you please." Farosh began to turn and leave, but Link suddenly held up a hand to stop him.
"There is... one thing you can help me with, however." Link said.
Farosh turned back and stared at Link intently, awaiting his request.
"What can you tell me… about Malanya ?"
Link was getting close now. He could feel it.
With the the activation of a lakeside Sheikah Tower, just south of the enormous Lake Hylia, Link felt that he finally had his bearings in the area. According to his map Malanya was located just up a small mountain road ahead of him. His mind was abuzz with possibilities as he rode Inferno up the treacherous mountain path.
A 'horse goddess'? he pondered to himself. What does that even mean?
And if she truly can revive horses… maybe her powers don't stop there? Perhaps… Mipha...
He shook his head. There was no need to jump to conclusions. One way or another… he was about to find out the truth. Farosh had made it abundantly clear in their conversation, that there were some things he would simply need to find out on his own.
The path winded its way up the mountain, before giving way to an open gap between the peaks. As he entered this place, a familiar sight was there to greet him: a large, thorny flower bud.
Just like the spot of the Great Fairy near Kakariko Village.
Link sighed deeply. He could easily guess what was coming next…
"Sweet boy…" A booming voice emanated from inside the bud as he approached it. "Please… listen to my story…"
"How many?" Link replied.
"Hast thou…" the voice said. "I mean… have you ever- wait. What?"
"How many rupees do you need?"
"...One thousand."
Link reached into his bag, retrieving the needed amount. An enormous, dark-skinned hand emerged from the bud's interior, awaiting the payment.
"Here you go." Link said flatly, as the hand snatched up the money and slipped back inside.
The giant bud began to pulsate and throb, a purple smoke shot out of the top…
"Nwaaaaaagh… I… am… Revived!"
The bud exploded outward, revealing a glowing pool of water. A pair of hands grasped the sides, as the giant being - likely Malanya, slowly pulled itself out of the water.
Despite its shocking appearance, Link didn't flinch a bit. Unlike the humanoid Great Fairies, this being was utterly monstrous. Its hands were severed from its body, floating on either side of it. The being wore a crude horse mask that was adorned in colorful markings. Its crude, patchwork dress was cut off at the waist, revealing a skeletal body that ended at the base of its head. Link could only guess what the face itself looked like, hidden behind the horse mask, as the head spun and twitched creepily in front of him. Only then did Link notice the creature's eyes, embedded in the ears of the horse mask. They stared at him, blankly, expressionless.
Link just shrugged.
Eh. I've seen weirder.
"Oh ho ho… at last!" Malanya said. "Free of that tiny bud after so long! If my arms were corporeal, they'd have cramped for sure! And you're the one who set me free, are you not?"
Link's hands found their usual place on his hips. "I am indeed," he said. "And you are Malanya, correct? I have a few questions for you…"
Malanya's head continued to twitch and spin around its skeletal neck. "I am indeed Malanya! I am the god who watches over the horses of this world. Does that answer all of your potential questions?"
"Are you male or female?" Link asked bluntly.
"Hmmm… does it matter?" Malanya replied. "Male or female… I can still eat you!"
Malanya suddenly lunged forward, threatening to snatch Link up with its hands, but Link didn't flinch.
"I just finished talking to an enormous, carnivorous, electrical dragon." Link said, calmly. "If he didn't eat me, I seriously doubt a skeletal ghost thing is going to either."
Malanya reared back and laughed raucously.
"Hahahaha, what a great sense of humor! I only jest of course. And for the record, I am indeed female. But don't you tell anybody!"
The horse god clasped her hands together, staring intently at Link's face. "It seems I owe you a favor now. If a horse you love passes away from some sort of tragic, fatal accident, it is within my power to revive that horse!"
Link's heart sank a bit at this. Of course it was too good to be true…
Malanya seemed to notice Link's subtle mood change.
"You seem troubled at this," she said. "Perhaps… you've killed your own horse?! Is that a guilty conscience I sense within you?! Maybe I should eat you after all!"
Link shook his head. "That's not it… I… well, I had hoped that your powers might help me revive something… someone else. But it seems that's beyond your abilities-"
"You've lost a lover, haven't you?" Malanya interrupted.
Link nodded quietly.
"I see. You're not the first to come here, seeking the revival of a loved one. And I regret to inform you… that I currently have no such ability."
Despite his disappointment, Link felt a bizarre sense of relief at the finality of the whole thing...
"Then I suppose…" Link said, "that I no longer have any business here. I'm sorry for wasting your time. Thanks for the information." Link turned to leave, prepared to mount Inferno once again, when Malanya suddenly called out from behind him.
"Hold it!"
Link spun around to face Malanya. "Yes?"
"While it is true that the Goddess has only given me the power over horses… that does not mean I cannot help you on your way! I sense that there's yet another you have lost. Someone loyal, caring, sweet. One that died with numerous regrets, who seeks to be by your side once again."
Link began to search his memories, but was unable to summon any recollections of such a-
Epona!
His eyes widened with excitement. How could he have forgotten her?
"Your trusted companion Epona wishes to finish her mission with you," Malanya said excitedly. "Shall I bring her back?"
"Absolutely!" Link cried, without hesitation.
"Haha!" Malanya's hands suddenly spun around her body as a swirling vortex of purple energy began to fill the air. She lunged forward, and a beam of purple light rained down from the heavens in the spot right next to where Inferno stood. A flash of light, and a beautiful horse suddenly appeared out of thin air. She was gorgeous, golden brown in color, with a white mane that seemed to glow and sparkle in the darkness. Recognizing her old master, Epona reared back on her hind legs, neighing triumphantly as Link ran up to greet his long lost companion.
He brushed her mane carefully, as Malanya looked on proudly.
"She is a beautiful specimen!" she said. "Take good care of her."
Link looked back at Malanya, fighting back tears. "I will! Without a doubt, I will. Thank you."
"My pleasure! But be warned-" Malanya continued, "Epona will only be by your side as long as her mission is yet unfulfilled. When you have accomplished your task, she will move on from this world. I want you to be steeled for this."
Link nodded absentmindedly, burying his face in Epona's mane. Her sweet scent brought back so many memories, reminded him of his few brighter days back at the Knight Academy. Her presence helped beat back the heartache that once again threatened to bubble to the surface...
"Should any harm befall one of your horses," Malanya said, "please come and see me! I promise not to eat you - assuming you didn't kill it on purpose! Hahahaha!"
Link mounted Epona, for the first time in a hundred years, and the pair quickly galloped away. After some time, Link finally sighed aloud - partly in disappointment, but also partly in relief.
This wasn't at all the result he had wanted from his visit to Malanya... but it was certainly quite a bit more than he had expected. And as they trotted back down the mountain path, Inferno loyally bringing up the rear, Link's hand gently grasped the shoulder of his Zora armor.
The search has ended for now, I suppose… he thought bitterly. His fingers found Mipha's familiar white scale, and he smiled. The scale seemed to shimmer in the darkness in response to his touch, though he didn't notice it. And he sighed again, happily.
Because in the end...as long as Mipha was with him, even in spirit, he just knew that he would always possess the courage he needed to carry on.
"...If that was the only thing that you were ever told…" Zelda said, "I wonder, then. Would you have chosen a different path...?"
Link stared after Zelda for a while, carefully considering his response. He knew precisely the answer she was reaching for, knew exactly what words could offer her the tiniest, briefest release from her guilt and her responsibilities and her doubts.
But Link wasn't one to lie. Even for the sake of comforting a dear friend. So he shook his head at her.
"No." He said.
"No, I wouldn't. And I didn't." He resheathed his sword, crossed his arms as he faced Zelda.
A brief pause, then his face curled into a rare, determined grin. One that seemed to shock the Hylian Princess more than anything else.
"...And to be perfectly honest, Zelda…
I don't regret my decision a single bit."
Next is the start of the Gerudo arc in Chapter 24: Heavy Spirit. See you soon.
