'It's hard to imagine how the princess must've felt at that point. She'd lost her mother at a young age, was constantly defined as a failure by her peers, and then she lost everything to the Great Calamity. In one day, she'd lost her father, the Champions and then the hero himself. How she had the strength to pick herself up and submit herself to 100 years of battle against the Calamity is truly extraordinary.'

—Extract from 'The Age of Burning Fields: How Hyrule Survived the Calamity' by Reede Necluda, mayor of Hateno Village

In the Shadows

~O~

Chapter 6: Take This Personally

2.03am.

The lights from the car's clock glare back at me as a harsh reminder of how many hours have already slipped through my fingers—hours I can't get back. In my stupidity and desperation, I thought it was a good idea to chase after Cia before anyone could stop me. But not even minutes after I'd driven off, I'd lost them—lost him—to the night. Now, as I sit in a car park Goddess knows where, I'm left with no traces of where they went and waves of overwhelming guilt that keep me from returning to the station with my tail between my legs.

And that's all I can feel now: numb guilt. There's grief tied in here somewhere too, but it's the guilt that's crushing me. I should never have let Link go on his own, I should've figured Cia out sooner, I should've realised why she was so interested in him before all this happened, I should've—

What does it matter what I should or shouldn't have done? He's gone now and I have no idea how to save him.

At some point in my hopeless search, I drove past the Temple of Time and felt myself heading inside before I could think about it. It was practically empty if not for a few priests lighting candles, but they stayed out of my way as I made my way towards the statue of Hylia looming at the end of the temple. When the king decreed that a new Temple of Time be constructed in Castletown, he specifically asked for a replica of the Goddess statue to be built here.

And the thought of a body—his body—being left at its feet is enough to send me to my knees and renders me a sobbing mess in the middle of a public place. My mind's eye goes wild and, for a horrible moment, I look at the statue and see his bloody body there.

Once I'd gone through the motions of what I now realise was a panic attack, I'd ran back to my car and drove off into the stormy night. Fine rain splatters melodically across the windshield and, with the wipers off, the water obscures my view of the outside world. Not that I know where I am, mind; it's just a blur of coloured lights now. I stare out the hazy window anyway, my vision glazed over and focusing on nothing in particular as I lose this internal battle I'm having. My heart's screaming at me to get going and start doing something, but my body refuses to move.

My phone buzzes again but I ignore it. It's gone off countless times, so much so that the sound barely registers in my mind now. I should pick up, I should tell them where I am, yet the thought of moving and telling them that I've failed sends my gut (and the rest of my body with it) to lead. Those last few critical moments outside the station play over and over again in my head like a broken record. The fear that once filled my entire being is nothing but a dull sense of loss, only her mocking laughter sending pangs of anger through my heart every now and again.

"Go and be my hero, Link, but just know that you're doing this out of guilt and nothing else."

If only I realised the true irony of my words.

I'm sorry, Link, I think to myself miserably. I'm so sorry… I'll make it up to you, I pr—

Without warning, the heat is sapped from the inside of my car and unceremoniously jolts me out of my memories. I blink, though it doesn't take me long to realise what's happened. My body moves for the first time in what feels like forever as I reach over to turn the engine back on. I can't stop my hands from trembling as I twist the key once, twice, three times—the same thing happens every time.

My car whines, then cuts out.

I sit there for a second, desperate to deny what's happening as the rain starts to pour harder. After everything that's happened tonight, this can't be happening too. Even if I wanted to go back to the station (or even go home), I can't now unless I want to be wandering aimlessly in the rain for the next few hours. I could ring Paya or someone for help, but the darkness in my mind gets thicker and I can't bring myself to do it.

I slam my fist into the steering wheel with a cry, gripping it with both hands as I breathe heavily through gritted teeth. My head falls to rest against the wheel, cheeks wet with tears as they silently stream down my face. I'm shaking now—from cold or fear I don't know.

"I will find you," I whisper hoarsely into the darkness. "I won't let you die."

But if I couldn't see through Cia's ploy then how the hell am I going to be able to save him from her?

My phone buzzes again. I gingerly straighten and reach over for it, though I wince at how bright the screen is against the darkness of the car. The mental numbness returns as I wait for it to stop ringing and, once my phone finally falls silent, I scroll past the notifications of many missed calls and texts so I can dial a number myself. The other phone on the passenger seat lights up the inside of my car, the cracks in the glass sending distorted shadows all around the car. I wait as it rings out, my fingers quaking as I put it on loudspeaker.

Then, finally, I hear his voice.

"Hi," he says, his voice crackling from the lack of signal. "Sorry, I can't talk right now. Just drop me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

My phone slips out of my hand and my body aches as I dart down to pluck it from the floor and dial his number again, nothing but the dialling tone and my shaky breath cutting through the silence.

His voice echoes around my car again.

I dial the number again, and again, and again.

"Sorry, I can't talk right now."

I curl up into a ball in my seat, clutching my phone close to me.

"I'll get back to you as soon as I can."

I close my eyes. If I try hard enough, it's almost like he's there.

Come back… please come back…

Before I can dial again, another call comes through—this time I pick up.

"Z… Zelda? Zelda, where… where are you?" It takes me a while to recognise Paya's voice. She seems surprised that I picked up this time and she can't hide the relief that fills her tone. She murmurs my name again when I don't reply, as if doubting that I'm here, so I lick my lips and force my voice to work.

"I don't know," I murmur so quietly it's barely audible.

"Is there… anything nearby you recognise?"

I glance out the window, seeing nothing but my rain-streaked windows, "No."

She sighs—out of frustration at me or the situation, I'm not sure, "Can you send me your location? I'll come find you."

Part of my brain screams at me to ignore her, to hang up and stay here until the morning so I can go home alone and not have to bother anyone. Yet another part of my brain reminds me that if I'm going to be of any use to Link then I have to get home and sleep. I zone out for a second as my thoughts churn, lost in a fight with myself.

"Zelda?"

I blink and give in, "Okay."

I hang up before she can say anything else and blearily look at my phone as I send her my location, then toss it onto the passenger seat as soon as I'm done. Silence falls back over my car like a shroud. I curl back up into a ball and let the minutes drag by, unable to hold back the tears as reality crashes down around me again.

I'm not blind to what's about to happen. I remember how she looked at Link like he was her next prey. If she hadn't decided before, then it was at that moment she decided he was the next one—her next test subject. She took advantage of his kindness to get him isolated and my lack of foresight led us to this whole mess we're in now—I could've stopped it if I hadn't been so stupid.

"We always figure it out in the end—together," That's what he'd said to me; we'd work through this as a team.

"Together…" I whisper. But how can we work together when he's gone?

A pair of lights appear out of the corner of my eye, shining through the veil of water covering my windscreen. I force myself to unlock the door but fall short of opening it myself. Someone else opens it moments later and I look up to find Paya peering down at me. Our eyes meet and her gaze softens at how pitiful I must look. She angles her umbrella so I won't get rained on and holds out her hand to me.

"Come on," she murmurs. "Let's get you somewhere safe."

Swallowing thickly, I take her hand and let her pull me out of the car, letting her hold me close as I press my face into her coat and breathe hard. I feel her guide me over to her car and help me in, leaving for a few moments to grab my things. When she comes back, she hesitates before starting the engine. Paya glances over at me, but I refuse to meet her gaze—too embarrassed and upset to look at her. So we just sit there for a moment, neither of us sure of what to say or do. Then, returning her gaze to the wheel, she turns the key and we set off.

I relish in the warmth of Paya's car and lean my head against the window, mesmerised by the way the car lights up with each streetlamp we pass. The rain's watery veil distorts my view of the outside, colours from apartments and shops blurring as we drive by. There aren't many people on the streets apart from some heading home from work and huddling under bus stops.

I hope Link isn't outside in the rain.

"I can come and get your car tomorrow," she remarks. I say nothing. "We'll head… we'll head back to mine for now. You can sleep in the—" Paya cuts herself off when she notices me shaking my head, "Zelda…"

"I need to be alone," I croak, craning my neck to meet her gaze when we stop at a set of traffic lights. The red lights illuminate the car with a vibrant hue. "Thank you, Paya, but… I need this." She toys with the thought as the lights change, fingers wrapping around the steering wheel tighter as she considers how she wants to word what she's about to say.

"I-I'm sorry, but… I can't," she confesses quietly. "I… I know you need time, and when you're safe I'll leave you alone, I swear… but I can't, in good conscience, let you go back to your flat and be all alone. I can't force you, but… please don't shut me out." Then I spot just how much her hands are shaking too. Even though we haven't known each other for long, I'm not the only one who's lost a friend.

I suddenly realise just how selfish I've been. Emotional or not, I'm not the only one who's suffering.

"You're right," I murmur. "Thank you for taking care of me, Paya. I'm sorry for running off like I did."

She shakes his head lightly and turns off from the main road, "There's no need to be, Zelda. Hope… hopefully we can go to the station in the morning and we'll have new leads to investigate." I doubt she'll be right, but I don't say it aloud. We lapse into silence as the streets become more familiar, even if the rain refuses to let up. Paya finally parks up and we step back out into the night, a mist from the rain now settling against the ground.

I let the world pass me by as we head inside and up to her flat. I've only seen this place once when we'd first met Paya to investigate her lost heirloom and it's clear that this part of town is much more well-to-do than where I live. We take the lift up to the top floor and I'm glad to see that the corridor is well lit, unlike my own. My heart squeezes as I think back to that night when Koume scared the living daylights out of me and Link was quick to come and look after me.

How ironic you can't go to him now, a dark voice sneers.

I force a smile when Paya glances back and all I can do is pray that she doesn't pity me too hard. She unlocks the door and we step into the pitch black apartment, though she soon turns on one of the lamps and illuminates part of the beautifully and traditionally decorated Sheikah flat. We creep across the living room and she guides me towards what I assume is the spare room, only for her to pause when a floorboard creaks.

"Honey?" a sleepy voice murmurs from somewhere I can't identify.

"I'll… I'll be there in a minute," she whispers back, "Just go back to sleep." She turns on the light for the spare room and the bathroom and her cheeks are a little flushed as she adds, "That's Tauro… I'm sure you'll meet him in the morning. Everything you need should be in there—I'm sure there's some spare clothes too—but let… let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you again," I whisper as I pull her into a tight hug. She squeezes me back.

"We'll get through this, Zelda."

Reality weighs back down on me as Paya bids me goodnight and slips back into the darkness. I hear some voices and I can only assume she's explaining the situation to Tauro. I step into the small spare bedroom first, glad to find some spare clothes just like she'd assured me. I change and shuffle into the bathroom so I can wash my face. The water's cool against my skin, but the sensation isn't enough to draw me out of my daze. My shaky fingers grip the rim of the sink as I stare back at my haggard complexion in the mirror.

Now, I tell my reflection. I can take this personally.

By the time I slip back into my temporary room, turn off the light and settle into bed for the night, my eyes immediately find the bumpy ceiling above me. It's fruitless to even consider sleeping, not with my mind racing with thoughts and possibilities. Now that I've finally stopped, the dark part of my mind decides to remind me of the crime scene photos of the other victims—what they went through to reach that point, what they suffered.

What he's about to suffer.

Unable to hold back, I curl in on myself and surrender to tears once more.

As the hours of a sleepless night drag on, I thank the Goddesses when dawn finally, mercifully, arrives. I drag myself out of bed and get ready for the day. Light seeps in through the partially open blinds and lights up the dark wooden floor to guide me through the still relatively dark flat and into the living room. Paya isn't on the sofa when I get there, though she comes out of the bathroom a few minutes later. She doesn't look like she's slept much either.

We get ourselves ready and head out before we can dwell on the emptiness still lingering in our hearts. The police station is strangely quiet when we arrive less than an hour later, though unsurprisingly so. Officers are hard at work, silently frantic as they hop between desks to chat with one another in hushed tones. Some glance up at mine and Paya's arrival, respectfully smiling at us before going back to their business.

So they know what happened.

I mean, I shouldn't be surprised. There weren't many officers around last night, but it'd do nobody any good to hide what happened. Even if Impa wanted to, I doubt it would've been kept a secret for long. I'm happy either way; I don't think I could lie about why I feel so awful.

We silently make our way into Impa's office, finding that the atmosphere is no less tense in here than the station as a whole. She sits at her desk with a scowl that feels like commonplace after everything that's happened. She scours through something on her computer to no avail, crimson eyes only looking up for a moment to acknowledge us when we walk in.

I doubt she's slept either.

"Ha… have we got any leads?" Paya dares to ask when her grandmother doesn't speak.

Impa grunts in disagreement, "We've confirmed that we arrested Lana Seer and Cia Seer is our main suspect, and that the knife found at Lana's apartment was used to kill our three victims. She played us for a fool and we allowed her to."

More like I was played for a fool and I let her, I think to myself, but I don't say it out loud. I start systematically going through everything in my head.

"Did you test his mug?" She nods.

"Traces of a homemade sedative drug were found in the mug and were traced back to a small bag of it hidden in one of the kitchen cupboards." She huffs, "Since she had nothing on her when she arrived here, I assume Astor hid it for her in advance." A part of me wants to demand how they didn't see it in the first place, but I can't call anyone out for not noticing things after what I let happen.

"What about the car?" I ask. "Did we manage to get the plate?"

"CCTV on the other side of the car park managed to catch the licence plate—the owner lives on the other side of town, so I assume it was stolen. We tracked it down and found it abandoned on the outskirts of town. We also checked what phone she used to call Astor as well, but it was a burner phone so no traceable leads there either." My heart sinks. Goddess above, she really had it all planned…

I swallow the lump in my throat, "Can I see the footage of what happened last night?" She raises a brow, unsure what the benefits would be, but I have to see how late I was. Not that I'll tell them that, but I have to know. She sees something on my face because she quickly pulls it up on her laptop.

A part of me regrets it, but another part reminds me that I need to see how much I messed up.

I saw most of it from Impa's office, but my heart breaks to see it from another angle. The worst part, however, is watching Link run away knowing that he won't be able to make it. My vision blurs as I think back to those last few moments as I watch his figure stumble and stagger away.

"Keep going. I'll be there soon."

"No. Don't let her see you…"

I visibly flinch as the grainy figure of Astor knocks Link to the ground and pins him down until he stops moving. I can barely watch as he's carried to the car and the doors close only moments before me and Paya appear in the frame. I stare at the screen long after Impa's paused it, instead replaying the video in my head until I can't cope any longer.

"What do we do now?" I murmur after Goddess knows how long.

"We'll start at the Temple of Din," Impa explains. "It's clear she enjoys planting the evidence she wants us to find, and she wanted to reveal her identity now. If she wants to give us any messages, it may be in her personal effects. Did she say anything to you?"

"Hello, princess." My stomach twists violently. "Perhaps a trip to the Temple of Time might enlighten you…"

"She said that I should go to the Temple of Time," I murmur. "I assume that's where she's planning to go after she's finished."

"Oh Zelda," Paya breathes. "I'm s-so sorry…"

"If she's targeting the most famous temple in town, then she's either incredibly bold or incredibly stupid," Impa muses, then adds, "Anything else?" I shake my head, not wanting to mention Cia wanting to "have her fun" before finishing the job. "Very well. The warrant to search the Temple of Din came in this morning, so you and Paya can go over whilst I sort out a patrol for the Temple of Time."

But pessimism thrives in my heart. "And if there's nothing there?"

"Then we'll search for any other leads."

Which, in essence, is code for: we don't have many leads.

Anger swells inside me; we can't have nothing…

"You can't be serious," I seethe. "Cia's already been missing for at least twelve hours and we have no idea where the hell she's gone?"

It doesn't take a genius to spot the accusation in my tone. But Impa's response is calm and collected, as damn always, "We're doing our best, but Cia is smart—" I scoff. "She knows how to conceal evidence and if she wants to give us any info, then she knows how much to give us and when. She's been meticulously orchestrating this for a lot longer than we've given her credit for, Hark, so don't start accusing us of doing nothing when—"

"Oh I'm not accusing," I retort, too tired to stop myself from lashing out with so much on the line. "I'm just pointing out that, yes, she's outwitted us before, but she's made her first mistake by making this personal. She's stayed hidden all this time but she took a massive risk by coming out into the open to take…" My voice cuts out from finishing the sentence. I clench my fists at my side. "All I'm saying is that she will have made a mistake by taking this risk… and we have to find it soon, whether she wants us to or not."

Impa looks at me with a strange look in her eyes that I can't describe, glancing over to Paya before looking back at me. "We are not losing anyone else to this woman, let alone one of our own." The fact she considers Link to be one of her own makes my heart twinge. "We're all aware of what will be happening in the shadows, but we can't focus on that. Keep your mind on what you can do rather than what you can't." Her words hit me like a punch to the stomach. They don't completely ease my worries, but it's a start at least.

Nonetheless, I nod firmly, "We'll head to the Temple of Din. Wait—" I add straight away before I can excuse myself, turning to Paya with a sheepish smile, "I forgot about my car…"

"It's fine… I'll drive," she says simply, and she sounds so kind I don't have the heart to say no—I'm not really in any position to decline her either. Once it's settled, we bid farewell to Impa, only to be stopped at the door. We turn back to her stern gaze.

"Only the officers in this building know about last night," she says firmly. "I trust them not to utter a word to the outside. Rest assured that the media only knows what they need to. If anything reaches them, then I will find the person responsible."

We nod and finally leave. Paya and I exchange a silent look as we process what Impa told us. It's clear now that while we already knew that Cia was dangerous from how we found the victims, but it's her plotting and working in the shadows the entire time which chills me the most. As much as I don't want to, I have to give her credit for the mind games she's playing on us.

I just wish I could figure them out quickly enough and save Link from whatever she's putting him through.

The thought sends me spiralling back into a daze as Paya and I head back out and to the Temple of Din. The sky is overcast after last night's storm and the poetic part of me attributes it to my mood. The car journey is silent, save for my phone constantly buzzing. I quickly notice that it's Urbosa calling, no doubt wanting to check up on me or ask whether I had those drinks yet or not. But I'm not ready to face anyone after last night—I don't want to say it outloud—so I just let my phone ring out until she gives up.

Thankfully, Paya doesn't mention my phone and the journey itself is mercifully short. The Temple of Din comes into view as we round the final corner, its red spires rather vibrant against the dull city. There aren't any reporters here compared to last time, in fact there's barely anyone here whatsoever. A small, makeshift memorial has been erected on the steps leading up to the temple, bouquets of flowers and candles dotted around the small plaque.

I hope I won't be visiting a memorial of my own in a few days.

Stop it, I scold myself. Thinking like this will only make it worse…

My mood isn't helped, however, when my phone goes off again as we pull up nearby. Though when I check my phone, there's no new notifications. I peer into my bag and take out Link's phone, my face going pale when I see the first message that comes up.

It's from Aryll, his younger sister.

'Hey, just checking we're still good to meet up this weekend? I know that case of yours is pretty hectic but mom and dad are missing you like crazy and I need to give Zelda the break from you she deserves. Love you!'

I was so caught up in my own emotions that I forgot about his family.

And yet, I stop myself before I can even think about replying to the text. I can't tell them—not until we know for sure if he's okay.

But I can't just…

"Zelda?" Paya joins me at my side, "What's wrong?" I say nothing in response, merely showing her the message. She makes a small oh but says nothing else.

"I can't face them… not yet," I murmur. "I know it's selfish but…"

"But you… you don't want to worry them until we know for sure," she finishes when I trail off. I hum absently. "Come on," she says after a moment. "Like Impa said: focus on… on what we can do." I swallow thickly and nod, trying to take my mind away from it. I will talk to his family if I have to, but I'd rather Link do it in person rather than speaking on his behalf to give them awful news.

Turning my attention back to the Temple of Din, I pocket Link's phone and join the young Sheikah as she walks up the steps. It feels like both 5 minutes and 5 months since I was last here with absolutely no idea what was coming my way. I have a new partner at my side too, but that just makes my melancholy worse. Although the doors are open and welcoming, I can't help but feel a sense of dread as we make our way inside.

It's just as quiet inside as it was outside, only a few people and priestesses lighting candles and praying. I spot Agahnim sitting on one of the pews near the front of the temple, deep in prayer. Normally, I wouldn't want to stop a devout man from his prayers, but we don't have the time. We walk over to him and I softly call his name, grateful that he isn't too irritated as he meets our gazes before rising and dusting himself off.

"I apologise for interrupting," I say. He inclines his head and I know he doesn't mind, and it looks like he remembers me. "We were wondering if you could tell us a little more about the priestess who found Mr. Makeela." Agahnim hums in thought.

"Ah, Lana. A quiet, but very devout woman," he muses. I glance at Paya, trying my hardest not to correct the priest. "She often keeps to herself, leaving on a night to visit those in need privately but always returns early in the morning for her daily devotionals—the locals have called her an angel. But I'm getting ahead of myself," he adds after a moment. "Why do you ask? Is she alright?"

An angel, I mentally scoff. Quite the opposite…

And now we know more about her intentions, her leaving at night and returning in the early morning makes a lot more sense. Still, she has everyone here fooled like she had us. But we have a warrant to search her quarters and we can't lie to him.

Paya takes out the warrant and hands it to him before briefly explaining, "We have a warrant to search her lodgings in regards to the recent murders."

He blinks, surprised, "W-What?" Then he shakes his head with a frown, "I thought something was wrong when she didn't return for her devotionals this morning for the first time in a long while." My gut twists—that's not comforting. "I'll escort you. We don't have much, but it is enough."

I catch Paya's eyes as Agahnim leads us out of the main chamber, growing more and more concerned by what he told us. I shouldn't be surprised that she didn't come back last night, but it doesn't comfort me at all. I don't want to think about the implications of it.

She must be busy, a dark voice points out.

I shudder at the thought.

"Watch your step here," Agahnim warns as he opens a door leading straight into a tight staircase. Although it's surprisingly well lit, I brace myself against the walls as we descend beneath the temple itself. "These old temples are littered with underground passages," he explains as we go. "They were used for a variety of things—they helped people to escape, house secret places of worship, things like that—but now we use them as our quarters."

The stairwell soon opens out into a system of passageways. We pass a few priests and priestesses as Agahnim guides us into an open space lined with candles and dotted with well-trodden rugs. We follow him into one of the smaller rooms that looks like it used to be a small prayer room. Two beds hug each side, both perfectly made, with a few candles in alcoves on the wall, the Hylian crest hanging on the wall between the beds and a small table beneath it. It seems like a nice enough place to live for only living in this room and the main temple every day for most of your life. I have to hand it to the priests and priestesses here—I couldn't imagine living in such a confined space with only one duty.

Agahnim nods to the bed on the left, "She resides over there—there should be a journal and prayer aids in the drawer."

I thank him and, as if by fate, the priest is called away from the chamber. With our chance to search the room without anyone watching, Paya and I quickly get to work. She goes for the bedside table whilst I go for the bed, moving a pair of sandals out of the way to check underneath the bed and mattress, but it's fruitless. Pushing myself back up onto my knees, I notice something poking out from under her pillow. Curious, I move the pillow to reveal a worn, leather-bound journal. Though it feels strange to be rifling through someone's things, she doesn't deserve the discretion; I'm thinking about Link, not her. I call Paya over, who's only found some prayer beads and hymn sheets, feeling her hover over my shoulder as I start flicking through the pages.

The first page is filled with an old photo of a temple tacked to it. I pull the photo away from the page and inspect the back to find a note written in perfectly neat handwriting: 'I know why I am here. It's something only I can do.'

Each page is full to the brim with beautifully neat handwriting, journal notes, prayers, and poems all perfectly written. With little else to do, I shouldn't be surprised at how much she's written over the years, even if it's strange to think how the journal's author is a malicious killer. That makes this all the more chilling. But as I delve deeper, her writing seems to become less coherent and her scriptures are written with less care and more urgency. I grow more nervous with every page that I turn, her scrawlings becoming frantic and focused more on the power of the Goddesses rather than her devotion to them.

I turn to the next page to find a hastily written diary entry, 'Uniting the scattered pieces of the Triforce has proven difficult. I have tried to merely bring the Chosen together into the same vicinity, but this has proven fruitless. It seems that the bearers are living their lives without their pieces truly awakened; they have no knowledge of the power that lies dormant within them. It seems that I must first force their pieces to awaken in order to extract them.'

"Paya," I breathe, pointing to the extract I read.

She comes to my side just as the page flitters over and the priest's voice takes my attention away from the journal, though I hear her whisper, "Sweet merciful Din…"

"Did you find everything you needed?" asks Agahnim, who now stands in the doorway. I nod numbly and hold the journal tightly in my grasp. He smiles thinly at us and offers to lead us out. I clutch the journal, desperately trying to figure out how the Cia in this book became the Cia I saw last night; it's a fruitless endeavour, but I try nonetheless.

Finding our way out of the passages is much easier than before, and it's not long before we emerge back in the Temple of Din's main chamber. We bid farewell to Agahnim and thank him for his hospitality before making our way back outside. Paya is oddly tense, refusing to look at me or anything in particular as we descend the steps outside and head back to her car.

"Are you okay?" I wonder as I open the car door.

She remains silent until we've sat down, and then she just nods at the journal with a silent question in her eyes. I pass it to her and grow more anxious by the second as she flips through the pages until she finds the part she's looking for. I lean over and inspect it for myself.

What I find chills me to the bone.

These pages are much more organised than the mad scrawlings of the others, familiar names written at the top of each page and with times written down the sides with notes and observations attached to them. The air rushes out of my body as she stops to read one extract in particular.

'Tetra—Wisdom

Activation Test Results:

Physical Pain—failed.

Asphyxiation—failed.

Hunger—failed.

Thirst—failed.

Death after hour 37 of tests.'

She's talking about them like they're test subjects.

That's how she treated them, like nothing more than specimens.

And that's how she'll treat—

Paya turns the page to the most recent entry and immediately holds it away from me when I move to read it, "Zelda—"

"Show me," I say strongly, even if I don't feel that confident. It's only logical to know what she's trying to protect me from, but I have to see it. She thankfully concedes and turns the journal towards me so I can see.

My heart stops.

It's a blank page with Link's name at the top, the list of tests she plans to run through but with no timings attached. My eyes well up as they drift down to a simple note at the bottom of the entry: 'Come and see for yourself, Princess Zelda.'

Goddesses above… she really did leave something for us.

She knew we'd come and search her chambers, she knew we'd find her journal, and she knew we'd read it. She wanted us to read it—wanted me to read it—and see her taunt.

Because that's what it is, isn't it? It's her way of reminding me just what she's going to do, and has been doing, in these past few hours of me fumbling from place to place. Her way of dangling the person I love right in front of me and using that weakness to attack me with the harsh reality of it all.

She won't treat him any differently to the others.

If anything, she might treat him worse.

And somewhere in here are the clues to finding her.

"You're not safe, Zelda."

"W-What?" I cry, exasperated. "We don't need to worry about me. Link's—"

The Sheikah shakes her head, her crimson eyes shining with concern, "She called you pr… princess."

I already know what she's getting at but I don't want to hear it. In a vague attempt to avoid the truth, I shrug, "So? She called me that last night too; it's a part of her taunt."

"Yes… a-and she considers you to play the role of the princess, the bearer of… the Triforce of Wisdom." She meets my gaze firmly and I wilt a little under her kind but worried eyes. "This is more than a taunt, Zelda. She… she wanted us to find it. For her… she wants you to… she wants you to w-willingly go after Link so you can easily… r-replace him."

Replace him…

"But I… if she tries to use me against you…"

"Don't say that," I'd said to him. "I won't let her use you like that."

And now she's doing exactly that.

"But I can't just leave him there!" I snap. "I'm not abandoning him, Paya. You can't ask that of me."

"I-I'm not… but I'm not going to let you… become another test subject in her book." My eyes glance back to the journal entry.

I'm completely in over my head.

She must see something in my expression break because she closes the book and reaches across to hug me. The action tips me over the edge; I burst into tears and let her hold me as the weight of the world crushes my chest. I can't leave Link behind, but I don't want to willingly put myself next in line to be tested.

In seven words, Cia's broken my spirit.

"I won't let anything happen to you," she promises.

But I'm not worried about me.

Oh Hylia, Link… what the hell have we gotten ourselves into?

"You're doing better than the others, hero. Most would have succumbed to fatigue or infection by now."

Link wisely chose not to reply, focusing instead on his breathing. He wasn't quite sure whether she was being sarcastic or she was actually surprised that he'd managed to stay awake for so long. Either way he didn't care. He was pretty surprised himself at how well he was doing, but his definition of "well" was currently the same as "alive" which he assumed was different to Cia's definition.

Cia… that was her real name. He struggled to remember leaving the station, but he vaguely remembered her telling him that after he'd woken up here—wherever here was. The shock of it all didn't last for long, however. Apart from the pain and fatigue dulling his senses, Link was already in enough trouble as it was—a mere name change was nothing in comparison to the entire situation.

He kept his mind focused on staying awake and as alert as he could be—he didn't want to find out what she'd do to wake him up. Something painful, he imagined.

That's all his existence had become: a blur of pain and then waiting for more pain to come. He wasn't sure how much time had passed since he woke up in this dark, unrecognisable place. At first, Link focused on memorising everything as far as his eyes could see—the candles sitting in small alcoves, bookcases lining the room filled with old tomes, the oak pews shoved to the edges, even the statue of the Goddess Hylia behind him which he could just about crane his neck to see. It seemed like a temple, though where it was he had no clue.

Things grew blurry after those initial few hours, the metal chair he was tied to growing more uncomfortable with each passing moment. In between Cia's "tests," he did his best to keep his mind occupied, but as the pain grew it quickly became more difficult.

In all, he was glad that his exhaustion wasn't showing too hard.

"Do you really believe this will work—what you're doing?" His question was more of a rasp but Cia was sitting close enough to him to hear, perched on a wooden chair and twisting a gilded knife in her hands, one similar to the knife recovered at Lana's flat but not nearly as ornate.

She chuckled, "If this is a ploy to develop a rapport in hopes I'll make you an exception to fate, then you are hopelessly mistaken, hero."

Link sighed; of course she'd take it that way, "I'm currently tied to a chair with nothing to do but wait for whatever you're going to do to me. All I'm asking for… is something to pass the time." He hadn't expected his sarcasm to be so biting, but he hardly regretted it.

But when he expected her to lash out, she broke out into laughter instead, "It's been a while since I've had this much fun," she confessed, taking a few moments to calm her giddiness before continuing. "And, in answer to your question: I don't know. Whether my endeavours will bear fruit is up to the will of the Goddesses."

"The same Goddesses you commit blasphemy against by killing their creations."

She merely scoffed, "The Triforce was created to be a single entity, not three separate parts. I'm merely fulfilling their wishes by reuniting the pieces." But he wasn't listening to her. He was struggling to process her words, but he needed to keep her talking—it kept him alert and kept her occupied. He forced himself to raise his head, albeit shakily.

"Surely the Goddesses would've rewarded you by now."

"Ah, but they have," she gestured to him with her blade. "They gave me you." He blinked slowly, unsure what to say in response, so she continued, "Tell me, hero. Do you recall the miracle at Fort Hateno?"

Link shook his head before he could even think about the answer. He knew that he'd struggle to remember the event at the best of times, and right now was not the best of times.

"History's Zelda's department… not mine."

She smiled, "Either way, you've perfectly proven my point. When Calamity Ganon struck Hyrule, the powerless princess and hero fled to Fort Hateno. They were besieged by monsters and, despite the hero's best efforts, were quickly overwhelmed. The princess was overcome with love and fear for her hero that she finally awakened her sealing power. It was still too late for her beloved hero, but it was her love that made her awaken her powers."

"Hm," was the only sound that escaped him. He just about understood it all, though his eyes started to droop and he knew he couldn't stay awake for much longer. Cia must have noticed it too because she carried on before he could think about replying.

"I've seen the way your princess looks at you, and how you look at her," she told him. "The Goddesses have given me not one, but two chosen by them. Pure, unbridled emotion has driven people to awaken their powers in the past. Perhaps the Goddesses wish to see it come to pass again."

Gathering his tattered strength, Link grew to his full height, or as best as he could, "And when that plan fails… what then?"

"So pessimistic, hero," she cooed. "Still, you never gave me a real answer when I said that you liked her, and I'm keen to hear you say it yourself."

He was too tired for this. "I don't get… what me saying anything will do." But that only made her laugh.

"You yourself asked for something to pass the time. I'm just asking for entertainment." He sighed and could feel darkness gnawing at his vision. He spoke without thinking.

"Of course I care about her," he mumbled. "But… that doesn't matter anymore." Knowing it was the end, he wished that he'd tried to tell her how he'd felt before Astor appeared, but his moment was pulled out from under him like everything else.

Cia pouted, "Aw, so you don't think she'll come for you?"

"She's… too stubborn to stay away…" He let his head drop back down, too tired to hold it up anymore. "But… it's not like I'm leaving here alive…"

She pressed a hand to her heart in mock sorrow, "How selfless! You really are the hero destiny speaks of. And no, you won't leave here. Even if you awaken your power, it's not like we'll let you wander out of here." She paused. "Anyway, I'm tired of this conversation. Your wounds are starting to heal and we can't have that now, can we?" Cia almost gilded towards him, drinking in his pitiful state—often reopening his wounds to keep his state constant. She ran her fingers across the blade with a feeling that could only be described as glee, frowning when she heard him mutter something. "Do speak up, hero. I can't—"

"How many have you killed?" Link demanded in a weak voice. She took his chin into her slender fingers and forced his feverish eyes to meet her keen ones. "Because I'm not the fourth… am I?"

Her lips curled up into a sly grin and moved his gaze towards a mound of things in the corner of the room that he couldn't recognise, "You certainly aren't the fourth. I must be honest with you, hero: I've lost count at this point. Apart from a few months without any new subjects, that pile sums up around… hm, a year's worth of work." Through bleary eyes, horror flooded into his tired body as he finally realised what they were.

Shoes. It was a pile of shoes.

His breathing grew heavy; that's why his feet were bare.

"You aren't the fourth, hero. You probably aren't even the fortieth. And if you don't awaken your power, then you certainly won't be the last."

The knife appeared in his field of vision and he braced himself for what was to come.