Fragmented images of swirling red and purple inflate and expand the furthest reaches of his mind. Searing hot agony torches his lungs, and he realizes he's drowning.
.
.
.
The sound of rapid knocking against the cottage door startles Link from his Waterblight Ganon related nightmare. As relieved as he was to be awake, he couldn't help his mind from lingering on the negative emotions.
The slash across his back was hurting a lot worse than before and his breathing was sounding more like wheezing now. He was genuinely surprised he had been able to pass out the night prior with the Princess's return and everything else going on. After the nearly thirteen hours of sleep he'd already had, he could remember lying there in pain after changing his bandages and just staring at the ceiling.
Realizing it's probably Princess Zelda at the door trying to check on him, he rolls out of bed quickly and grabs his champion tunic off the floor to dress.
"Come in," he called out strenuously.
Zelda shyly opened the door in time to see Link pulling his arms through the sleeves of his garment as he descended the stairs. She was wearing the champion blue like him, he realized.
He approached her with some effort and the smile on her face faded.
"I'm so sorry…Purah told me you'd likely be in worse shape this morning so I made you a health potion." She held it out to him.
He utters a small 'thank you' before awkwardly grabbing it from her outstretched hand and downing it. She could tell from his demeanor that the effects were immediate, as he lets out a sigh and relaxes his posture considerably.
"Oh, I'm so glad that helped," Zelda says joyfully before continuing, "Purah and Symin were causing quite the commotion this morning…I could hear her yelling at him before running off somewhere. I got your horse back from him before he went, she's outside in the corral now. He tells me all of the towers and shrines have been sinking into the ground all across Hyrule, and no one knows why. He also says Impa and Paya wish to see me, they've been at the lab since early this morning …You're welcome to accompany me."
"Would be happy to," was his soft reply.
"WHY are you DOING this to me," Came a guttural screech from outside.
They quickly made their way out into the chilly morning air, and saw Purah at the nearby Shrine with the Sheikah Slate in hand, furiously pounding on the pedestal with her other fist. Link and Zelda exchanged similar expressions. Purah's head whipped around and she gestured for them to come over.
"The slate is still alive but none of the shrines respond! If I can dismantle this terminal, maybe I can figure out how to prevent the rest from sinking! I have no idea how much time this one has left," She wailed.
Zelda dashed over to grab the slate, so her friend could use both hands, while Link hovered a few feet back in case of being called upon. Tools Purah seemingly procured from thin air went to work at the base of the pedestal for several minutes.
Without warning, the earth abruptly, and violently began to tremor all around them, scattering rocks and debris as both Purah and Zelda began sinking, along with the shrine. Link barely had time to act. He lunged, wrenching his arms out to them both and yanked until they were all falling backwards, away from the forming hole. Rocks crumbled over and closed in, dust and debris settled, and for several moments all they could do was sit and stare at the landslide where the shrine once was.
The first one to speak was Purah.
"I think you two should probably head up to the lab without me."
The swordsman and Princess both helped the young scholar to her feet.
"Are you alright?" Zelda asked.
"I…I'm trying really hard not to cry," Purah said unevenly.
Zelda handed back the slate and squeezed the girl's shoulder gently. Wordlessly they headed in the direction of the Hateno Tech Lab. They're a reasonable distance away but still able to hear when Purah lets out one more screech.
"TEENAGERS!"
Zelda shakes her head at that, as she tries to imagine what going through puberty twice must be like. Link tried to hide his chuckle. They carried on in relaxed silence all the way up the hill.
Symin was outside of the lab when they approached, observing the teleportation circle on his hands and knees. A carriage and horse was stationed several feet away from him.. He rose as soon as he noticed their presence, nodding curtly, and together they all go went to greet the two other sheikah who were patiently waiting for them.
Zelda and Link immediately saw that the lab is in total chaos. Papers, books, and ancient materials were strewn across the floor, table and chairs, and the terminal was in pieces. Symin shuffled in quickly, ignoring the mess. Zelda's eyes fell on a familiar looking hat with glowing delight.
For several seconds they just looked at each other, and very quickly the Princess gets down to hug her dear friend tight.
"Impa…I can't thank you enough for guiding Link throughout his memory loss. I haven't the words to fully express how terribly I've missed you all." Impa weakly returned the gesture, and Zelda broke away gently to stand again.
"Symin already told me how many times you've thanked us and I'll hear none of it. I'm so pleased that this moment has come and I've lived to see it," Impa said with a faint smile.
Zelda directed her gaze at the shy young woman several feet back and smiled kindly. "It is such a privilege to meet you Paya. Thank you for assisting your grandmother in making this journey…" Zelda looked to Impa again, "...though I do wish I could have come to you instead."
"I-I insisted she wait for you as well, but you know how headstrong she is," Paya stammered before adding, "It's such an honor to meet you as well Princess Zelda…h-hi Link." Paya looked directly at the wall and blushed madly. Zelda couldn't help but immediately adore the girl and her sweet demeanor.
Symin yawned and cleared his throat awkwardly. "It's unfortunate the teleportation system is down. Purah's dedicated nearly her entire life to researching and understanding this ancient technology, and it's getting ripped out from under us. I can't help but wonder what's become of the divine beasts as well."
Purah burst through the door, and everyone but Link jumped. Wet red and black makeup streaks were seen running down her face and neck. "I highly doubt the divine beasts function correctly anymore. All of the ancient technology is failing us now."
"Aunt Purah, you've aged again…" Paya said awkwardly.
"Last week I thought I'd finally configured the anti-aging Rune just right, but just like everything else, that failed too," Purah complained.
"You're throwing a tantrum," Impa retorted.
"Love you too. So anyways. My life's work is now entirely obsolete."
The angsty teen threw herself in a chair and lets her head hit the table with an uncaring smack. Paya is quickly at her side with a tissue in a gentle attempt to clear the tear streaked makeup. Zelda flits to her other side to sit, and begins to rub soothing circles on her back.
"Purah, it's as Symin says," Zelda began, "You're the brightest scholar I know, and you understand this technology better than anyone. You could easily replicate all of this. The slate, the teleportation circles, and with enough ambition, the towers and their function too. Your research is all right here!"
"Princess Zelda, I admire your go get it attitude, but that would mean completely starting over from scratch," Purah said monotonously.
"At least consider the idea. I know you could pull it off, I have complete faith in your abilities." Zelda turned to address the room. "I've been thinking to myself about what my plans are now that I've returned…Most of you probably know I've never been one to sit idle when there's so much I can contribute. The calamity left this kingdom scarred, and broken. So many countless lives were lost, and I want to honor all of those brave individuals. Those that survived this tragedy carried on and found their own ways to rebuild. I know there's so much to be done out there still, and it would benefit this kingdom greatly if I assisted in Purah's research. That starts with the divine beasts, and that means I must head to the closest one at Zora's Domain."
Purah sat up and gave the Princess an agonized look. "Your confidence in me is…too kind. I will do my best to earn it."
"You'll accompany her, won't you," Impa directed at Link.
He was mid response when Zelda interrupted. "Link is relieved of his duties as my personal knight. He nearly died twice protecting me from Ganon." She looked at him pleadingly. "I meant it when I said you can live the life you want to now."
Link hadn't uttered a single word since they'd arrived at the lab. Everyone turned to look at him. His face masked the sadness her statement caused him well.
"My duty is to protect you. I take my job seriously," he said simply.
Zelda lingered on several unspoken thoughts, but ultimately decided not to push the subject. He was capable of making his own choices, and deep down she didn't want to be alone during this trip. She could continue to tend to his injuries in this case as well.
"It's decided," Impa proclaimed. "Link and Princess Zelda will investigate the divine beasts. We'll get Purah on track in the meantime…her fit won't last."
"You're speaking like I'm not here."
"Act your age and I'll address you."
Zelda and Paya giggled at the two sisters bickering.
For a while Zelda chatted with Impa and Purah about the plans being set in motion. She went around the room to hug everyone goodbye, and she and Link exited the lab together to gather their supplies. They agreed to meet back at his cottage.
Zelda makes her way to the East Wind General store while Link ran back home. By this point most of the villagers were awake and going about their routines. Several of them stopped in their tracks at the sight of Zelda, including a handful of children.
A small crowd was forming now, and the attention was flustering to say the least. The store greeter Ivee gasped, and a small girl by the name of Karin timidly approached. "Are you really Princess Zelda?" Karin asked her.
Link had finished gathering most of the supplies he had stored away, including two bows and an additional sword, before he made his way back out to the horse corral. He could hear the buzz of townspeople across the bridge greeting Zelda warmly. It brought him deep satisfaction in knowing he helped make this very moment possible.
He patiently waited for everyone to get their chance at meeting her. She said her goodbyes with a satchel in hand as she made her way back to Link. He was tending to his horse when she approached with an embarrassed smile.
"Ready?" He says kindly, before taking the satchel from her to include with the pack.
"You never did tell me your horse's name. I've been curious," Zelda said to him.
"Pig."
She looked at him incredulously and his expression was straight.
"You… you named this beautiful horse Pig? Can I please ask why?"
He looked at her as though the answer was perfectly obvious.
"She loves to eat."
"She was destined to be yours," Zelda laughed.
He cracked a bit of a smile at that as he helped her mount Pig's back. He found his own place at the front, and she gripped on to his leather straps anxiously. Their close proximity flustered Zelda considerably. Link could only blush and stare straight on as they made their way out the front gate of the village, Zelda waving to villagers as they went.
"Keep an eye out for any wild horses, Link. I want to try my hand at taming one and I think I know how from watching you. It's not fair for poor Pig to carry us both," She said close to his ear.
"I actually know exactly where we need to go," he replied.
Being the Hero of Hyrule required a great deal of traveling, and Link had tamed dozens of wild horses during that time. He knew all the typical spots they'd likely be, and one of those spots was across a rock bridge nearby. He guided Pig in that direction with ease, and before long it came into sight.
"Crouch when you approach, and don't sneak up directly behind one. The last thing we need is one of them kicking you," he told her as they made their way to the grassy outstretch across the bridge. He quickly added, "I can step in at any point if you need help."
"I'm confident I can do this," she said as Pig gradually slowed to a halt.
Link got down first to help with her descent, and motions vaguely towards the edge of the cliff. "I see three," he informed her.
She immediately set her sights on the smallest brown horse in the direction he pointed. She gives him a fleeting glance before crouching low and inching her way forward. He stifled a laugh.
Her heart picked up rapidly from the anticipation as the horse got within several feet of her. The moment to sprint for it came, and she hesitated just a second too long. The horses all caught sight of her and startled, running off in three separate directions to Zelda's great dismay.
She wearily glanced back at Link who was failing miserably to conceal his amusement. She blushed bright red before fixing her gaze in the direction the brown one ran off to. She came around from another angle, only for the horse to notice her again and dart quickly off.
Link was giving Pig a carrot when Zelda came to the realization that there was a better way to approach this.
She made her way back over and filled her arms with some apples she'd tucked inside the satchel. Her posture straightened, and with a new look of determination, she cautiously approached the horse once more.
"Hello there, Una," Zelda cooed. The small horse snorted at her but remained still.
She cautiously held an apple out for the animal, who approached her slowly. She couldn't help the grin from spreading as she took every apple from her extended reach.
Zelda finally gained the courage to pat her new friend and gracefully mount her. She beamed at Link.
"Impressive. I'll consider that method next time," he said humorously while climbing on Pig's back.
"You like the thrill of the chase too much," She replied strenuously. Riding without a saddle was more difficult than Zelda could have anticipated, and it was making guiding the horse off the plateau challenging. Pig took the lead towards Dueling Peaks stable, with Una close behind.
Everything, from the warmth of the sun to the smell of the air, brought Zelda an overwhelming sense of peace she'd almost forgotten existed within her. She was cherishing this new adventure with her noble knight more than she was ready to outwardly express.
She wondered if he felt the same.