The golden boots draw nearer and my sight gazes upward. I behold a man in arcane armor, and his ghostly face bears a kingly expression despite its skeletal facade. At first, I perceive the specter as a lich, searching for lost souls to devour. But as I cower and struggle to escape his sight, he stoops over, offers his hand to me, and says, "You met with a terrible fate, didn't you, Majora?"
The shade is unbearable familiar to me, and I grasp his hand and rise to my feet. His eyes are kind and his grip, although firm, is welcoming.
"You're the fairy-boy from Termina, aren't you? You're Link." I say without knowing how or why.
"And you are the melancholy spirit trapped inside Majora's Mask, no? There was a time when I aided wandering spirits, and now, as I wander myself, I happened upon you again while instructing the Hero of Twilight to vanquish the Evil that I couldn't. It seems that I also failed to truly help you, too. If only—" His head lowers and he turns his back to me.
"No, that's not true!" I interject. "It was because of you that my terror is now over."
"But I should have taken the mask with me that day, but instead it fell back into the hands of that Mask Tribe descendant. I had no idea what he and his Interlopers would do with your remains. And that carelessness is merely one of my dozens regrets that bind me to this world.
"You didn't know." I plead. I reach my hand onto his armored shoulder, my toes straining to make the height.
"I should have. But then, as centuries passed, I watched the new Spirit of the Hero collect the Fuse Shadows, and I knew instantly it was you. I knew my mission had not ended in Termina."
"You did more for me than anyone ever has. It was you that freed me from the Evil inside myself. Lord Dominion and I were as one, and I thought we'd never be torn apart, but you did it when we fought inside the Moon Chamer: with only your Light and Courage. Thank you, Link. Thank you."
He slowly turns toward me, his golden armor flashing yellow rays across the grassy field. He asks, "Where will you go now, Majora? The resting place of the Goddesses Three is a long journey from here. If you ask it of me, I will escort you there."
This time, I look away and reply, "I don't know what I want anymore. From within the mask, I saw so many places; and did many terrible things. But ever since our last parting, I've been free of Demise's anger and hatred. After all these millennia, I've finally returned. I'm finally the Princess Majora again—because of you."
Hours pass in the space of seconds as we remain silent. I examine myself: my skin has returned to its healthy, yet pale color and my hair is a rich purple; and then, for the first time in years, I laugh. I let my emotions flow without impediment. I laugh and weep and rejoice. I gradually reclaim my composure, and then I consider Link's offer to travel together.
"I will not journey to Eternal Rest yet. But, may I tarry with you, Link? You seem lonely, even more lonely then I."
The specter's demeanor changes, his eyes reflect a lifetime of remorse. He then responds, "My life didn't go as I expected."
"We have that in spades," I reply, grinning.
"I would be honored to travel with you, Majora. In fact, I might even need your help. I've been searching for an old friend of mine to no outcome."
As he says this, something inside my breast swells, something I haven't felt in years, but it instantly warms my soul. I feel hopeful, hearty, and adventurous. I feel like myself.
"So you're looking for someone, eh? Leave it to me: I know the perfect locating-charm. We just need to find the three shards of my father's Seers Orb. If I remember correctly from within the mask, I heard that one shard is in the Pirate Grotto of the frozen desert; another is at the Witches' Tomb in Koume Country; and the other is—why are you looking at me like that, Fairy-boy? Are you smiling? I can't tell because you look like a skeleton."
"Let's start at the Witches' Tomb." The shadow says, walking away solemnly.
"But also, in order to join the shards and empower them, we'll need to activate the Oracle Force," I add.
"Of course," the armored man replies, "And do that, we must collect seven things of something from somewhere else."
"How did you know? You're good at this, Link!" I yell. I then wait a moment, pondering what deeds lay ahead. I whisper to myself, just enough that Link doesn't hear: "It finally happened, Anu. I'm free. We'll locate his friend, then your drifting soul, and then we'll live in Eternal Peace together. I promise this." I wipe tears off my cheekbones and jog in Link's direction.
"Hey, Link!" I shout, "Are we seriously walking? What happened to that stupid horse of yours?"