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Purah groans, her patience wearing thin after days of attempts to fix the Sheikah slate. "By Hylia, why won't you work?!" She lightly tosses her tool on the wooden table. "If only I had more tools from the Royal Lab, this would've been done already!"
She rests her head in her hands, rubbing her weary eyes. Around her, the windmill silo she is in now serves as their quick makeshift lab and workshop, a poor temporary substitute for the state-of-the-art Royal Ancient Lab, which is now likely reduced to ashes.
The place buzzes with activity and discussions, as Robbe and the other scientists and engineers scramble to adapt, their faces lined with frustration and stress. Sketching out new schematics on scraps of paper, working with only a handful of basic tools. Each one can't help but question the point of their work, given the dire circumstances they are in.
The smell of wheat, wood, and stones and the sound of constant talking from the crew give her a headache. She heads out of the silo and bathes in the shining sun, the sound of the gentle breeze of the wind rustling the grasses and the sound of trees quietly their leaves dancing. But the giant swirling looming dark clouds around the Hyrule Castle is still apparent from the far distance from where she is. Even the tall dark pillars that mimic fingers clawing on the castle can also be seen.
Purah removes her glasses and tilts her head to the sky, watching birds soar and listening to their songs. "I wonder if we could train other birds to send messages," she muses. Her younger sister Impa approaches her attire a blend of traditional Sheikah and combat-ready gear. Her long, silver-white hair sways as she walks.
"How are things down there?" Purah asks, her eyes shifting to the dark clouds swirling over the castle.
"People are settling in. Some of the able-bodied have volunteered for fort duty. They're building houses, farming, planting—y'know, the works," Impa replies, her exhaustion evident.
"And you? How's your end?"
Purah bites her lip, making a 'tsk' sound. "Not great, Impa. Our resources are thin. And I can't even fix the Sheikah slate. Who knows how long it'll take with the tools we've got."
Both sisters fix their gaze on the dark, swirling clouds encircling the castle. "Do you think she's there, Impa? The princess, all alone?" Purah asks.
Impa's eyebrows frown, her face etched with concern. "I believe so. We're still standing, and the village hasn't been attacked by corrupted Guardians. She must be holding Ganon at bay by herself."
Yet, the unspoken question lingers in the air: How long can the princess keep Ganon contained? Purah's mind races, not just with concern for Zelda but also for the other regions—Zora, Goron, Rito, Gerudo. Silence has fallen over their communications, and it's deafening.
" How in the Hylia's name are we supposed to get Link to the Great Plateau?" Purah blurts out, her voice tinged with slight desperation.
Impa crosses her arms, her face showing a grim expression. " The Sheikah scouts reported that the direct way to the Geat Plateau, the Outpost, and the Gatepost Town are all swarming with Guardian Stalkers. A full-strength army might stand a chance, but that's just a fool's hope right now."
"So that means, we have to take the scenic route huh? The long way around, the great waterfall." Purah takes in the dire situation, thought that the mission would be straightforward once they are well prepared but has now turned into a great undertaking task to accomplish.
The sisters share a heavy silence, each grappling with the grim reality that hope for Hyrule might be slipping through their fingers. Their contemplation is interrupted when a Sheikah warrior approaches.
"Ms. Impa, a stranger from the Far East has arrived in the village. He requests an audience with you."
Both sisters blink in disbelief. A foreigner? Here? Now?
"A Far East stranger?!" Purah can't contain her excitement, her hand instinctively reaching into her pocket to touch a red scarf. "Could it be...?"
"Lead the way," Impa instructs the warrior, her eyes meeting Purah's. "Let's hope it's who we think it is." Purah follows her as the Sheikah warrior takes them to this foreigner of the Far East who has come a long way to Hyrule.
Renzo observes the Hateno Village from the small town hall, taking in the bustling activity. Children scamper about, their laughter mixing with the sounds of hammers and chatter. Young men and women are hard at work, building, farming, and more. His attire, a dark grey ensemble with a subtle red line on the collar, catches a few curious glances. It's traditional yet functional, a clear departure from typical Hylian fashion. His jet-black hair and round ears mark him unmistakably as a foreigner.
"Surprise these people are not leaving. Despite the death is on their doorstep." his tone subtle note of perplexity. He is about to light his pipe when he spots Impa and Purah approaching. He tucks the pipe back into an inner pocket, his face breaking into a small smile at them.
"Renzo!" Purah exclaims, containing her excitement.
"I can't believe you are here, Renzo, it is really great to see you," Impa says her expression with slight hope as if expecting him to bear good news.
Purah's eyes, a vivid red, almost seem to sparkle as she grins at him. "What brings you here, Renzo? I mean you must have seen that big dark cloud swimming around in the sky from far away."
"I did and so does my country and the other nations are aware of it, Purah."
Impa gives a slight nod and gestures for him to follow her into the small town hall for a more private discussion. The atmosphere is warm and the light shines through inside illuminating the small and simple town hall a welcoming place for the people of the village to engage in discussion with the mayor.
His white-golden spear, round shield, and crossbow are already put in the corner before entering the room. A simple yet, intricately carved wooden table is in the middle of the space. They take their seats, and Renzo's gaze sharpens. "Tell me the current situation, I need to know if the Hyrule government is still intact or not."
Impa exhales deeply, her red eyes drifting to the ceiling as if searching for the words. "What you see here, Renzo, is all that remains of the Kingdom of Hyrule. the government and the royal family are gone. Our princess, Zelda, is or I believe is in the castle by herself holding off the Ganon Calamity on her own. While our savior, Link, the knight who wields the sword that seals the darkness is comatose, teetering on the edge of life and death's door."
Renzo listens and absorbs every word from her."And the army? What about the other regions? Zora, Gerudo, Rito, and Goron? Their Divine Beasts?"
Impa's face tightens. "The army? This is all we have left, Renzo, just survivors and refugees. And as for other regions, no words came from them. And for the divine beasts, the machines turned against us, corrupted by Ganon including those Guardian Stalkers in Hyrule Field."
Renzo leans back in his chair, crossing his legs. His hand instinctively reaches for his pipe, but he catches Purah's eye. Her expression clearly says, 'Don't even think about lighting that up in here.' He reconsiders and tucks the pipe back into his pocket. "So Hyrule is leaderless, in a state of administrative absence. The Hateno village is the only functioning place in Hyrule as of now, Impa?"
"Well, no, there is Kakariko village at the Lantern Lake. Our Sheikah scouts go through that village as the alternative route outside of Neculda for the main path crossing the Proxim bridge to the Hyrule Field is dangerous with Guardian Stalkers. As for other regions, like I said no words ever came from them."
Renzo gets the whole picture of the situation and the word hopeless crosses his mind. Purah then intervenes and speaks out to him. "You've got the lay of the land now, Renzo. But you dodged my earlier question, why are you really here?"
Clearing his throat and puts his hands retreating from the table. "I'm here on orders from the Zing Ching court to assess the situation in Hyrule. Once I report back, they'll decide on the next course of action."
Purah and Impa exchange glances, a flicker of hope igniting between them."Wait! So, Zing Ching is actually considering helping us? Are we talking about sending us troops, a fleet of armada or what?" Impa's voice trembles with cautious optimism as she rises from her seat, leaning across the table toward him.
Renzo offers a small smile, his eyes though are not. "I can't make any promises, Impa. First, I need to assess the situation myself in my own way thoroughly. And then I make the report and head back to my country. Then, and only then, will Zing Ching court decide whether to extend a helping hand here."
Purah swivels her head toward Impa, her eyes alight with determination. "Sis, I can assist Renzo in his assessment. We'll make it so compelling that Zing Ching won't have a choice but to help us." Her words are laced with urgency, but there's a hidden agenda there—she has her own reasons for wanting to work closely with Renzo.
Impa's eyes widen, her hands almost coming together in a pleading gesture. "Renzo, please document every last detail, every shred of urgency. We're desperate for help, and there are still people here who need help and giving them hope."
Renzo's eyes dart to the floor, his lips briefly meeting as if weighing his next words. The room hangs in a palpable tension, waiting for his response.
"I'll do my best," he finally says, his voice steady but a flicker of internal conflict passing briefly across his face. "I'll make sure to emphasize just how dire the situation is here."
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the village, Purah takes Renzo by the hand and leads him to the inn where he'll be staying. The air is thick with the scent of cooked meals and freshly baked bread from the shops, mingling with the earthy aroma of tilled soil from the nearby farms. Sounds of hammers and nails echo as men and women are still constructing new homes together. He takes a quick look at the food stalls where people are eating and sharing meals together. Despite the calamity that has befallen them, the people of Hyrule are resilient and high spirited, and united. "What a positively optimistic people they are," he murmurs himself, the faintest edge to his voice.
Purah turns her head, catching his quiet comment. "What did you say?"
"Nothing," he replies, his expression unreadable.
They arrive at the Ton Pu Inn, a modest but welcoming establishment. She guides him up the creaky wooden stairs to the second floor, where the hallway is dimly lit by flickering lanterns.
"Here's your room," she opens the door to reveal a simple but cozy space. "A bed to rest your weary bones, a washroom to freshen up, and a table in case you feel like doing some late-night reading—or whatever else you might have in mind." Her eyes sparkle with a mischievous glint as she says this.
Renzo puts down his weapons and equipment in the corner of the room. Purah's face softens, and she wraps her arms around Renzo, burying her face in his chest. "I missed you so much," she whispers, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Feeling her warmth, Renzo's arms encircle her, pulling her closer. He rests his cheek atop her head, his own fears momentarily alleviated. " I was worried you know? I was dreaded of you being lost to that calamity, Purah."
Purah tightens her embrace, her mind drifting back to happier times when they'd shared moments like this. "I'm still here, Renzo. Still standing, still breathing, and still able to hug you."
Their eyes lock, and Renzo gently disengages from the embrace. Just as Purah's hand reaches for a red scarf she's kept close all this time in her pocket, he interrupts her. "Purah, there's something I need to be upfront about."
Her head tilts, curiosity piqued. "Upfront about what?"
He strides to the door, his hand resting on the handle. Casting a final, weighted glance back at her, he says, "I lied, Purah. I wasn't sent here on orders to assess the situation or report back to the court."
Purah's lips part in disbelief, her eyes widening. Words escape her as Renzo closes the door behind him, for he is about to confess his real intentions of coming to Hyrule.