Rivan laid on a bed at the inn while Gaddison treated his back. Both were silent.

Rivan buried his face into the pillow. No one is invincible...she seemed pretty invincible right there. Four moves...that's all it took to take down that monstrosity.

"Does it hurt?" asked Gaddison.

Rivan raised his head a little. "No...you are doing a great job."

Gaddison smiled. "Good. How are you doing mentally though?"

Rivan sighed. "Well...don't know entirely. I thought taking down that thing would be easy...and yet it killed one of our own and nearly killed me. Then...she comes along and beats it like it was nothing. Telling me no one is invincible yet she seems pretty invincible herself...just like when I was a kid."

Gaddison's expression did not change. "Can you sit up so that I can put the bandage on?"

Rivan slowly sat up with his back facing Gaddison. She grabbed a roll of bandages from the night stand. She began covering the injured area, and wrapping it around to the front.

"I have to say...you have good medical skills," Rivan stated.

Gaddison frowned. "Kayden taught me...and he has had a lot of practice with Mipha."

Rivan's head sank. "...I've been a total ass to her."

Gaddison pouted. "Yes you have. To me too."

"Sorry."

"...Rivan...is that how you really felt about the Champions?" Gaddison's question echoed in his ears as Rivan slowly nodded. "...I see."

Rivan sighed. "When Link rescued us...the light from the morning sun shined down...and he stood there with a confident grin...he reached out a hand to me and asked me if I was okay. It was one of the few times I heard him speak...but...he seemed so powerful and skilled. It was as if no one could beat him. I saw him fight again and again, and he would win every time. He is the reason I became a soldier."

Gaddison blinked. "Really?"

"Yes," Rivan replied. "I wanted to be as strong as him...he was...my hero." Gaddison tied the bandage. "Yet he was defeated...by the Calamity...and that shattered my world."

Gaddison sat next to him. "Well you have always been pretty naive."

"Hey."

"Not to mention you are prideful in all the wrong ways too," Gaddison continued. Rivan hung his head. "...but...your determination...that is your strongest quality. Time and time again, I've seen you push through boundary after boundary. Bazz at one point didn't think you would cut it...he said the same about me."

Rivan turned to face her. "Please. I don't buy that. You were always naturally skilled."

Gaddison fidgeted her fingers. "Well...it was because...of my timid nature."

Rivan blinked. "I never thought of you as timid. Even back when we were kids." He gently placed a hand on top of her hand.

Gaddison blushed. "R-Rivan?"

"I always saw you as cautious," Rivan stated. "Every crazy act I had, you were against it...yet when I ignored your concerns...you still came with me. It made me feel like I could take on anything, and get closer to my dream. I am very glad to have you at my side."

Gaddison's blush grew brighter. Both very close to each other, staring into each others eyes.

"Ahem."

Both turned behind them. Kodah and Kayden were standing by the door way.

Rivan looked at Gaddison and realized how close they were. He jumped back. "It isn't what you think it is! We were just...comforting each other! I swear!"

Gaddison covered her face with her hands to hide the blush. "He's right!"

Kodah smiled. "Sure you were."

"I was always rooting for you two to get together," Kayden said with a smirk.

"We are just friends!" shouted Rivan and Gaddison together.

"Suuuuuuuuuure," Kodah and Kayden said in unison.

"If you two are done," Kodah said with a chuckle, "you two have been summoned by the king."

Gaddison blinked. "The king?"

Kayden nodded. "Yes. So you better get going."

Rivan stood up. "Can I ask you two something first?" Kayden and Kodah nodded. "Did you guys think that the Champions were invincible? We grew up together...so I was just curious."

"In honesty, I just thought they were incredible," Kodah stated.

Kayden nodded. "Same."

Rivan hung his head. "...I see."

"Besides, having someone invincible to look up would be pretty boring," Kodah stated.

"What do you mean?" asked Rivan.

"Well...seeing them struggle and still win I think makes them even more amazing," Kodah replied.

Kayden nodded. "Yeah. I look forward to the day Mipha and Link beat the Calamity and free Zelda. That moment...is going to be unlike anything we've seen them do."

Rivan raised his head. "I see." If that is the case...why do so many give Mipha grieve? He quietly left the room. I know I'm not innocent in that department either...I did it out of hate for my world view being shattered...do the others feel the same...

Gaddison followed behind him. Soon they reached the throne room where Mipha, Sidon, and Dorephan waiting for them.

"How are you feeling Rivan?" asked Dorephan. His expression was difficult to read for Rivan. Sad? Angry? Happy? He just wasn't sure.

Rivan rubbed his arm. "Well...not entirely sure your majesty."

Dorephan's expression remained. "Explain."

"I looked up to all the Champions, including Princess Mipha," Rivan began, "and yet when they were all defeated...I did feel betrayed. I thought they could stand against everything. I didn't think they would ever be defeated...yet...now after the fight with that Guardian...I see how it would be difficult to fight one if you don't know what to do."

Silence filled the room.

Dorephan pulled down part of his robe to reveal a nasty gash scar on his chest. "Do you know how I got this?"

"The story goes that you fought a Guardian," Rivan replied. "You managed to destroy it yet you also received a terrible wound from it."

"All of it true," Dorephan stated. "Do you know how many Guardians are active?" Rivan shook his head. "Neither do I...only Zelda can truly answer that. However, the number is in the hundreds."

Rivan's eyes widened. "...what...then...why aren't we seeing more of them?"

"For one," Dorephan began, "a good portion of them are at Hyrule Castle defending the Calamity. Two, some are stationary whether they are too damaged to move, or are the turret types. Lastly, this is only a guess, the Calamity can possible be holding some in reserves."

"No way," Rivan stated.

Dorephan nodded. "A certain individual managed to put a dent in the forces of the Guardians. It wasn't much but it still helped in the long run."

"You mean Link?" asked Rivan.

To Rivan's horror, Dorephan shook his head. "It was Zelda...after Link was nearly killed by a horde of Guardians."

Rivan's pupils shrank. "He...had to fight...a group of them?"

"A large group and it was only a small portion of the forces they had," Dorephan stated. "He did take down a few, but received a fatal wound and collapse."

Rivan sank to his knees. A horde...he had to fight a horde of those things?!

"I believe you see the odds that Link had to face," Dorephan spoke. Rivan nodded. "With that said, don't try to take on a Guardian like that ever again. They are not to be taken lightly."

Rivan hung his head. "Yes sire." I'm such an asshole.

"More importantly," Dorephan stated, "I want to know why a Guardian came so close to the domain."

"I do not know Father," Sidon stated.

"The other guards that were there said it marched through the plains and rushed the wetlands," Mipha stated. "The residents of the near by stable hid, but the Guardian was only interested in getting near the wetlands."

Dorephan rubbed his chin. "Mm...Guardians can't think for themselves. I have a feeling Kohga is behind this."

"Why would he send a Guardian here?" asked Gaddison.

"To lure out Mipha and kill her," Sidon said bluntly. His tone was low and dark.

Dorephan nodded. "That is most likely the case. He must have sent some troops to guide the Guardian there, and lay in wait for her to appear."

Mipha's eyes shrank as her expression shifted from neutral to horrified.

Sidon looked over. "Sister?"

Mipha slowly opened her mouth. "...oh no...they know..."

Dorephan leaned down. "What is wrong?"

Mipha rushed out of the throne room. "They know Link's still alive!"

Rivan's pupils shrank as Gaddison gasped. Both quickly followed after her.

WwwwwwW

Symin tinkered with some parts in the lab. At the very least Purah will tend to Link while he recovers. She may seem crazy...okay she kind of is, but she still knows what she is doing.

He sets some parts down, and began looking at a different set. A loud, crushing sound burst forth from outside. Symin quickly ran to check on it. He rushed outside to see the generator that held the blue flame destroyed...by Kohga.

Symin's eyes narrowed. "Kohga."

Kohga turned toward Symin. "Not who I was expecting...but you will do for now. Where is the hero?"

Symin took a defensive stance. Dammit...he knows...but he doesn't know that he is here in the village.

"I know he is in this village," Kohga stated. "Where is he?"

"Even if he was here," Symin spoke, "and IF I knew where he was, do you think I would tell you?"

Kohga chuckled. "No...and for that I'm glad." He cracks his neck. "That means I get to torture the information out of you."

Symin held his stance. "Come and try."

"Gladly," said Kohga.

Kohga rushed Symin. Symin countered with a spin kick, but Kohga blocked it.

Kohga smiled. "I see that Purah has taught you some tricks." Kohga grabbed Symin's ankle and swung him over head into the ground. "But you are not fast enough."

Symin delivered a swift kick to Kohga's gut with his free leg. Yet Kohga didn't flinch. Kohga then dragged Symin across the ground before throwing him into the lab's outer wall.

"Nor are you strong enough," Kohga taunted. Symin fell to the ground. "Make this easier on yourself...where is the hero?" Symin's arms shook as he tried to raise himself from the ground. "Still have some fight left in you? Interesting...but pointless and boring. You are no match for me."

"...I know..." Symin spoke. "I wasn't...trying to beat...you."

Kohga tilted his head. "Then what was the point of all that?"

"Stalling for me!" shouted a familiar voice.

Something flew toward Kohga and punched him in the gut. He flew into the lab, crashing into the table and broke it.

Purah landed next to Symin and crossed her arms. "What were you thinking? Never mind you weren't." She handed him a potion. "Drink."

Symin drank the potion. He quickly got to his feet again.

Kohga strolled out of the lab. "I see that you haven't lost your touch...Purah."

Purah rolled her eyes. "You are as creepy as ever...Kohga."

Kohga chuckled. "I believe you mean powerful."

"I know what I said and I meant it," Purah stated. "So, what brings the leader of the Yiga clan to my lab?"

"I'm here to kill the hero," Kohga replied. "Don't bother with your lies either."

"I won't," said Purah. "I'm not going to tell you either."

Kohga chuckled. "Then I will burn this entire village...my troops are waiting for my signal."

Purah shrugged. "They can try, but are not going to like the end result of failure."

"And now it's two against one," Symin stated.

Purah sighed. "No you are not fighting him. You are going to leave this to me."

"I have no problem with killing him," Kohga stated. "Let him stay."

Purah took a piece of scrap metal from the destroyed generator, and placed it on the ground. She pushed Symin onto it, while secretly handing him the Slate. The force of the push made the metal move forward as it continued downhill.

"I DON'T LIKE THIS!" Symin shouted as he slid away.

"There," Purah stated. "Now it's just you and me."

Kohga drew a serrated sickle blade. Purah took out a small rod. She pushed a button to extend it, with a light blue blade on top. Both quickly swung their weapons, both collided, and created a shock wave. Kohga tried to push Purah back, yet couldn't due to Purah trying to push him back. Both jumped back.

Kohga sprang forward. Now all I have to do is follow that assistant to find the hero.

Purah thrust her spear toward Kohga yet missed. Kohga jumped over the attack and her at the same time.

Purah quickly spun and swung her spear. Dammit he saw me handing Symin the Slate!

Kohga quickly blocked the attack. He disappeared in red smoke. Purah quickly jumped down the cliff toward the village. Kohga appeared mid air and slashed at her. Purah swung her spear vertically and blocked the attack. Kohga disappeared again. Purah landed on a tree branch. It bent down before it sprung back up sending Purah soaring toward the village.

Kohga reappeared in front of her. Purah thrust her spear while Kohga swung his sickle. The attacks collided once again making a shock wave. Purah and Kohga were forced apart, with Purah flying further away from her goal and with Kohga landing in the center of the village.

Purah scowled. Clever bastard.

Kohga took a quick look around. The villagers scattered away...while Symin sprinted across a bridge toward a certain house.

"There you are," Kohga spoke.

Meanwhile, Midna stood on the bed growling. Link tried to calm her down to no avail.

"Why are you so angry?" asked Link.

Symin burst forth from the door, breathing heavily. "Link!"

Link nearly jumped out of the bed. "Symin?"

"You need to get out of here!" Symin shouted.

Symin reached into his robe. Suddenly, blood burst from his back as Kohga slashed it. Symin fell to the ground. Link's eyes shrank in horror as Kohga stepped into the house. Midna growled louder.

Kohga turned toward Link. "Ah...there you are...hero."

Time slowed for Link as Kohga burst toward him. Purah's spear shot through the wall, and pierced Kohga's leg. The spear stuck in the floor pinning Kohga in place.

Purah rushed through the door. "Link get out of here!"

"DAMN YOU PURAH!" Kohga shouted. He pulled the spear out, and snapped it in half. Link was frozen in fear.

Purah looked around. Where is the Slate!?

Symin drew the Slate from his cloak enough for her to see it before passing out. However, Kohga had nearly reached Link. She quickly leaped and kick Kohga in the head, through a wall.

"Link you need to get the Slate now!" Purah shouted. Yet he didn't move. He shook horribly with fear. Dammit this isn't-

Her thoughts were cut short when she felt something slash her chest. Kohga had cut her with his sickle. She stumbled backwards clenching her chest.

"I suppose you haven't taken a serious wound for a long time now," Kohga stated, "but don't look so shocked. This was the outcome from the beginning. Did you think that I was just goofing off these past hundred years? No...I trained in order to serve the Calamity. You had a chance to join us...but you refused and this was the end result."

Kohga turned toward the still petrified Link. Midna was barking at him, trying to get him to move.

"And now," Kohga continued, "the victory of the Calamity will be ensured by my hand!"

Something rushed in front of him...or rather someone. Mipha had stabbed him with her trident.

"You will not touch him," she protested.

Kohga shook in anger. "You!"

Rivan dragged Symin out of the house with Gaddison retrieving Purah.

"How are you here?!" shouted Kohga. "I had troops around this entire village."

Purah smiled. "Looks...like Bolson took care...of that problem."

Rivan picked up the Slate. Need to get this to him.

Mipha kicked Kohga off her trident into the back wall. Yet, he was still standing. He still wants to fight?

"Princess!" shouted Rivan.

Mipha turned to see the Slate flying toward her. She barely caught it. "Rivan?"

"Get him out of here!" Rivan shouted.

"I WON'T LET YOU!" shouted Kohga. He summoned a large metal, spiked ball. He hurled it at Link. Rivan rushed forward, and held it back with a Zora shield.

"GO!" shouted Rivan. His legs shook as he held back the attack.

Mipha nodded. She jumped up to join Link and quickly opened the map.

"NO!" Kohga shouted. He forced more power into pushing the ball forward. Rivan held his defense, but wouldn't be able to hold it for long. Gaddison quickly joined him and became a brace to aid Rivan, yet her legs shook as well.

Mipha selected a destination on the map with Midna near them. The three of them glowed blue. Kohga poured more into the sphere, and broke through Rivan and Gaddison's defense. Both were forced to the ground as the sphere flew toward Link, Mipha, and Midna. The three disappeared as the ball hit the bed, teleporting to safety.

"NO!" shouted Kohga. "YOU DAMNED HEROES! I HAD HIM! YOU WILL ALL DIE FOR THIS!"

Kohga rushed toward the nearest target. Yet something slammed into his chest and sent him flying backwards through the wall.

"None of that big boy," said a voice.

Kohga looked up to see Bolson, Hudson, and Karson standing in his way each holding an iron great hammer.

"How...how did you three defeat my troops?!" shouted Kohga.

Bolson chuckled. "Come now...in this day and age you have to know how to fight. Especially in our line of work. How else can we make an area safe to build towns?"

Kohga growled. He screamed in frustration before he disappeared in red smoke. The house began to shake and was on the verge of collapsing.

"Get the two Zora's out of here," ordered Bolson. Hudson helped Rivan while Karson helped Gaddison. The five of them made it outside before the house fell apart. A large dust cloud rushed in all directions. Soon it cleared and the group saw the ruined home in all of its pieces.

"Boss...we are going to have to rebuild this aren't we?" asked Karson.

Bolson smiled. "Most likely. For now, let's take the injured to the inn and treat their wounds."

WwwwwwW

Mipha, Midna, and Link appeared in a cave. Link still shook horribly with his pupils dilated.

Mipha gently held Link as she looked around. The Shrine of Resurrection...haven't been here in over a century, but it is the safest place at the moment.

Link shrieked loudly as he grabbed his head. "I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE!"

He forced himself out of Mipha's arms ran deeper into the shrine.

"Link wait!" Mipha called out.

"NO!" Link shouted. "I DON'T WANT THIS ANY MORE!"

Mipha quickly followed him with Midna close behind. They reached the healing chamber with Link curled up in the bed, shaking even worse than before.

Mipha stared sadly at Link. ...Link...

"I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST THAT MONSTER!" Link shouted. "I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST THAT MAN! I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT ANYTHING! LET ME WAKE FROM THIS NIGHTMARE! PLEASE!"

Tears threatened to fall from Mipha as she heard sobs come from Link. She knelt down and placed her trident on the ground.

Mipha turned to Midna. "Please watch the entrance." Midna nodded and left. Mipha then removed her armor. She held the Champions cloth that Zelda made all those years ago. She then joined Link on the bed and embraced him. She covered them with the cloth, and gently stroke his head.

Link had stopped shaking and looked at Mipha with tears streaming from his eyes.

Mipha smiled and held him him gently. "Shh...I'm here for you. Cry as much as you want."

Link's tears fell faster. This..warmth...

Link hugged her and cried openly. Tears threatened to fall from Mipha, yet she forced them back.