Entry #17:

Dragons are ancient and wise creatures. Always keep an ear out for nuggets of wisdom. That is if they are not doing so just to make fun of you.

Twilight had fought a dragon before, but it was nowhere similar to the ones he had met in Wild's era. The Servants of the Springs did not have wings nor were hostile to non-monsters. They were not creatures of the parallel realm but of the light-blessed world created by the goddesses from which their names were derived. They reminded him of the Spirits of Light but with subdued presences that only those blessed could sense.

"Little One, it has been a while, has it not? To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Naydra loomed above them, looking down at the duo with piercing gold and blue eyes. Their serpentine body curled around the peak of Mount Lanayru - the topmost rocky protrusion was just a perch to the divine dragon's massive size. The Rancher was in complete awe when he first saw them, despite being corrupted by Malice. Argorok was nothing compared to the Dragon Spirit of Ice, both in appearance and power.

A hum came from his companion. The Champion was clad in his Snowquill set, waist-deep into the frigid waters of the spring. His mentor preferred transforming and stood back to watch quietly on the sidelines.

"Nothing much. Just checking in."

Tinkling laughter like falling snowflakes filled the air. "Such a kind child you are." Naydra lowered their head - fondness and amusement twinkled in their eyes. "Now that the treacherous beast has finally been put to rest, so should your ills. Worry no longer for little old me. The eternal passing of time can be cruel, but there is beauty within it, much like snow and ice. I have come to watch over these blessed lands and meet you."

"Alas, I cannot enjoy the same freedom as yours, for I must fulfill the duty bestowed upon me. So, dear child, cherish it. Living a long life like ours is harsh, but loneliness is harsher. Let not the past dictate the future your heart desires for."

The younger dragon stared at them before crossing his arms. "I don't understand a thing. You're always like this. Can't you be less cryptic?"

The divine dragon did not seem offended by that. Instead, they found him amusing. "Someday, you will. So, do not lose heart, Little One."

"Now," The Ordonian shifted nervously on his paws when Naydra's attention honed on him. "I presume Her Grace's chosen from another stream of time wishes for a word?"

Huh? What? The Hero of Twilight was confused. He had not said anything nor indicated wanting to speak with the ancient dragon. However, the Dragon Spirit of Ice looked at him as if they could see his soul.

"I sense sorrow in your heart. A desire - a longing for someone from beyond your reach. Am I not right?"

Twilight flinched. He suddenly felt small under Naydra's steady gaze. His protégé sensed something was off and shuffled toward him. The former was worried and protective, given how he blocked the older dragon from his mentor's line of sight. His shoulders were tense; his fingers hovered above his Sheikah Slate, ready to whisk them away immediately.

"Do not take this as a mere curiosity on your affairs." The divine dragon clarified. Their voice was soft to appease this era's hero. "However, continuing this path will only condemn you to a life of regrets, much like your predecessor. You will become a ghost - a shade cloaked in shadows of a future unseen."

"Confine yourself not to lingering misery nor the journey that had concluded so long ago. You still have a life to live of your own choosing. I am sure that was what she would want for you."

The Rancher was silent as he was shocked. It took him a second to find himself and transform back into human. He almost stumbled on his footing and fell into the spring if it were not for the other hero grabbing him by the arm. "Do…Do you know her…?"

"The creation is vast. Be it this world, the other, or one your eyes have yet to behold. My kin and I are not constricted by one alone."

The younger werewolf had many questions, but the Dragon Spirit of Ice shifted and started to uncurl from their perch. "Your visit warms this old heart. However, our parting is nigh. Fear not, heroes, for this is only a moment."

The Hero of the Wild perked up; his eyes shone in a questioning light. The older dragon chuckled softly. "Of course, dear child. You may take a portion of my power. However, you must try to keep up like always."

A frigid gust whipped around them, stirring the snow into a weak tornado. "Take heed my advice, Hero of Twilight. Live not in the past but in the present. Only then will your future become clear to you."

…Then, Naydra was gone, soaring high through the cloudy skies. Wild glanced at his mentor, who nodded. Go. Twilight watched as the other hero jumped off the mountainside, deployed his paraglider, and chased after the older dragon. He decided to descend to the nearest shrine and meet with the Champion there.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

The Rancher was quiet. His thoughts filled with the divine dragon's words since they started to trek down to the mountain base. "No…" He answered softly. "Not yet."

The dragon hummed, not wanting to push further. He could tell it was a sore topic for the other man. The latter would tell him once he was ready. "You should listen to them."

"I suppose." The Ordonian sighed. "It's just…too much, I guess. I didn't expect that at all."

"Well, it makes sense. Naydra is Naydra, and they serve the Spring of Wisdom." The scarred hero whipped his tail behind him, scattering snow in his wake. "How about I give you some advice too?"

"You?" The younger werewolf chuckled. He decided to humor him. "Alright then. What bit of wisdom can the great Hero of the Wild give me?"

The said hero turned to him and stared at him straight in the eyes. "...Pumpkin Stew."

The other man looked confused, so he continued. "When we get home, I'll cook you some Pumpkin Stew. You miss your home, don't you? I can't send you back there, but something familiar should help with homesickness. I haven't mastered your era's recipe yet, so you'll have to settle for mine for now."

A smile slowly turned up on his mentor's lips. "Thank you, Cub."

A pleased purr rumbled from Wild's chest. "Sure, but only if you take a bath." He dramatically inched away from the Hero of Twilight. His nose scrunched as he spoke. "Your fur stinks. Smells like wet, moldy cheese thrown to a swamp."

Twilight's head snapped in his direction so fast that the Hero of the Wild thought it might fly off. A look of offense marred his features. "Excuse me?"

However, the other man was gone by his side, already shield-surfing down the slope ahead of him. The latter's gleeful cackles trailed behind as the Rancher whipped his own shield in hot pursuit.