When the Company got back to Kara Kara Bazaar, Riju and her guard captain were waiting for them there.

"You got the Thunder Helm and our scouts back, and you didn't even lose anyone in the attempt?" the guard captain, Buliara, said. "Impressive work."

"So, what's the plan?" Ingrid asked.

"The Hero-Link, I believe-and I will disable Naboris's defenses," Riju said. "Then you join us, and we go inside."

"What I think she meant was, who's going in?" Raphael asked. "If we all go in, we'll just get in each other's way."

Dimitri raised his hand. "I'll go. With the unsatisfactory way the business with Astor and Wizzro ended, I want to see this Blight Ganon die myself."

"I should go too," Dedue said.

"I'll go," Flayn volunteered. "You may need a healer. Besides, my light magic might be useful."

"I'll go too," Ingrid said. "Just in case we end up needing a Mirror Shield."

"I'll help too," Shez said. "My swords might come in handy here."

"Good," Riju said. "Seven people should be enough."

"Seven?" Ingrid asked.

"I'm boarding Naboris with you," Riju insisted. "You will not convince me otherwise."

"Chieftain Riju, surely you aren't saying you intend to board the Divine Beast with none of your guard present!" Buliara said.

"That is what I intend," Riju told her. "I trust the Hero and his companions will keep any permanent harm from befalling me."

"But..."

"Hey, relax, pal," Balthus said. "This is the fourth Blight Ganon Link will have taken on, and he didn't have the Master Sword for the first three. This'll be easy as cake for them."

Buliara sized up each member of the strike team. "You do have the look of highly skilled warriors." She sighed. "Very well. I will entrust the safety of the Chieftain to you. Do not make me regret this."

Link stared out at Vah Naboris. The sight of it against the sunset brought up the now-familiar feeling of the beginning of a recovered memory.

In the head of Vah Naboris, Link saw Urbosa cradling a sleeping Zelda. Link knew that, with Urbosa having been the best friend of the late queen, she was the closest maternal figure Zelda had.

"She was out on a survey all day today," Urbosa said. "Still as the sands now."

Link nodded. "She works hard."

"So? Spill it, boy," Urbosa said. "Have the two of you been getting along all right?"

Link wasn't sure if Urbosa was implying anything, so he opted to refrain from commenting.

"It's ok," Urbosa said. "I know. Your silence speaks volumes." She looked at Zelda. "She gets frustrated every time she looks up and sees you carrying that sword on your back. It makes her feel like a failure when it comes to her own destiny, when she sees how easily you seem to have fit into your own role."

Link didn't meet Urbosa's gaze. "It hasn't really been easy."

"No, it hasn't been, has it?" Urbosa asked. "She doesn't see it, but you're too stiff, too rigid, too uncomfortable wearing that sword. I won't tell anyone about your troubles, but perhaps you should share some of the difficulties you've had with her. She might understand better than most."

"I'll think about it," Link said.

"It's unfortunate," Urbosa continued. "She's put in more than enough time. Ever since she was a young girl, she wen through rigorous daily routines to show her dedication. She once passed out in the freezing waters trying to access this sealing power. And she has nothing to show for it. That's the motivation behind her research. I'd be doing the same thing."

Link shook his head. "Even if she had her sealing power, she'd still be researching."

"Oh?" Urbosa asked. "You might be right. She is passionate about this ancient technology, isn't she? She's hungry for knowledge in a way that few other people are."

Link said nothing, but he nodded.

"She really is quite...special," Urbosa said, stroking Zelda's hair. "you be sure to protect her with your life."

"Always," Link said.

"The nights are cold in the desert," Urbosa said. "It's probably best we take her in." Then a thought occurred to her. "Or..."

She snapped her fingers, and a huge bolt of lightning struck not far away from Naboris. The sound woke Zelda with a start. "Urbosa! What was that?" She saw Link. "Wait, what are you doing here?"

Urbosa laughed uproariously. Zelda seemed confused. "What's so funny?"

Link returned to the present, a nostalgic feeling in his chest.

Riju looked at the setting sun, then at the sandstorm being caused by Naboris. "Best not to waste time. Naboris is moving closer to the city than I would like."

Link shrugged. "No time like the present." He took Buliara's place on Riju's sand sled.

Riju nodded. "Patricia, yah!" Riju's sand seal (Patricia?) dove forward and got the sled moving.