Chapter 43 - Discovery
Summary: An unexplored part of the Forgotten Temple is discovered, but how to access it is not initially clear. Mipha continues to worry about her husband's possible involvement, and the Yiga Clan makes plans to involve themselves.
It had been two weeks since Purah's first visit to the Forgotten Temple, and Robbie was fully occupied with supervising the excavation work there. He couldn't help but feel satisfied with the Sheikah Slate that Purah had crafted for him, particularly useful for its picture-taking ability. He could document their progress and send updates to Zelda, Purah, and Link—the others possessing Sheikah Slates.
He also felt incredibly uplifted by Zelda's encouraging notes. She always found time to study the images he sent and offer feedback on his efforts. Only this morning, she remarked on how the temple looked so much better than when they started working on it.
Amidst all the work, the Gorons livened the atmosphere with their digging chant, each stanza of the melody sung in rhythm with the swing of their axe picks.
Pause! Aim! Swing! Clang!
Heave that axe! Feel the twang!
Crack! Split! Crack! Split!
Hew those rocks down! Bit by bit!
Chisel deep where gems might sleep,
In the earth, where secrets keep.
Rhythm strong, all day long,
Gorons chanting their proud song.
Gorons tended to be a jovial but no-nonsense group, happy to stick to the task at hand. They were certainly remarkable at breaking stones.
Suddenly, the chanting ceased as a loud crash resounded through the temple, and a heap of rubble collapsed. A group of Gorons cried out in surprise and jumped back as an enormous chunk of rocks fell, revealing a hidden wall with a stone door embedded within it. Robbie and nearby workers quickly rushed over to assess the situation.
"What an incredible discovery!" Robbie exclaimed, snapping a picture.
The uncovered wall was yellowish in color, with bricks that seemed freshly made and untouched by time. The door itself appeared to be a solid piece of stone, matching the hue of the wall perfectly. Etched onto the door was an emblem resembling a stylized image of a bird with outstretched wings. Its design featured sharp wingtips and an angular tail, while its wings were angled upwards and separated into individual feathers below. The symbol had a shiny, almost otherworldly look, reflecting various hues like an opal.
Robbie's curiosity burned as he gazed upon the massive door before them. "I wonder what could lie beyond this entrance?" he mused quietly.
In response to his question, Bando, a nearby Goron, spoke up confidently with his deep, rumbling voice: "I can help you find that out, Doc."
Without warning, Bando lifted his massive pick axe and swung it with all his might at the stone door. But instead of crumbling or cracking under the force, the axe head made a loud clang and then bent and broke off its handle, rendering it useless. Bando let out a pained wince and shook his tingling hands, still feeling the impact of the blow. To their utter shock, the stone door remained utterly undamaged, not even a scratch or mark to show for the failed attempt. The group gasped in amazement, realizing just how durable the stone was.
Wow! That's one tough stone!" exclaimed another Goron in disbelief. "You'd break a tooth for sure on that!"
"Maybe we'd have better luck attacking the wall instead?" said another Goron worker.
"I doubt it," Robbie said gravely, shaking his head. "It appears to be made of the same impenetrable material as the door."
Studying the intricate symbol etched onto the door, he continued.
"From my research, I recognize that this is an ancient symbol known as a Goddess Crest, a sacred emblem of Hylia that the Hyrule royal family later included as part of their royal seal. This crest likely signifies some magic spell or other condition is needed to open the door. But how to open it and what may lay behind it is a complete mystery to me."
He sighed and rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"I'll need to search the ancient documents for clues or references to this door and its seal. In the meantime, could all of you move on to another area? I'll have our cleanup crew start removing this debris. Now I had better forward this picture to everyone to show them what we found."
Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Mipha sat at the kitchen table, reviewing some meeting minutes and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of their home by Mikau Lake. The gentle sound of the waterfall outside was soothing background noise, making this the perfect spot for their home. The only other sounds were the occasional chirping of birds or the quack of a duck.
Link was out at the moment reviewing domain defense plans with Seggin and doing some combat training with other guards, leaving Mipha alone for now.
Suddenly, a quiet chime broke through the calm, indicating a message had arrived on their Sheikah Slate. Standing up, Mipha went to their bedroom to retrieve the device. A glance at the screen showed a message from Robbie with a photo attached. The message read:
Found something exciting! Now, I just need to figure out how to open it.
The photo displayed a yellow wall with a stone slab door adorned with a stylized bird image. "So Robbie actually found something," Mipha muttered to herself as she set the Sheikah Slate down on the table and sat back down.
Unlike Robbie, and probably Purah and Zelda too, she wasn't thrilled about this discovery. She couldn't shake the feeling that whatever it was would eventually involve Link and dreaded the thought of him again facing some unknown danger. They had finally built a life together as a family, and she didn't want anything to jeopardize that.
And then her memory of the Calamity flooded back, and she remembered how worried she had been for Link. When he went off alone to free Rudania, she was so consumed with concern that even Sidon, her usually cheerful little brother, noticed.
She began to reminisce about that time.
It was late afternoon in Zora's Domain, and little Sidon reached out to his sister. He didn't know what else to do. She had started acting sad. Had he done something wrong?
Mipha saw him reach for her. She smiled, knelt down, and picked him up. Then she hugged him and kissed him.
"I'm fine, Sidon, really," said Mipha. "I just miss my friend, that's all. But I have you to play with now. And a hug makes me feel better."
She had been looking for things to occupy her mind and avoid worrying about Link since he had left first thing that morning to appease Divine Beast Vah Rudania.
Her first thought was that spending time with Ruta would help, so she swam out to Ruta right after Link left. She checked Ruta thoroughly to ensure she was in perfect working order, then moved Ruta to a nearby mountaintop with a clear view of Hyrule Castle. She thought that would be an excellent spot as she positioned Ruta in place and activated her targeting mechanism. She aimed Ruta where Link would battle Ganon when the time came. But then that only made her think of Link again.
Afterward, she returned home and took Sidon swimming. Playing with Sidon occupied her thoughts for a while, but in the end, she started thinking about Link once again because she and Link often took Sidon swimming when he visited.
She wondered where he must be by now and how he would cope with whatever monstrosity Ganon had in store for him inside Rudania. And the more she thought about that, the more distracted and worried she became. Whatever was inside Vah Rudania had defeated the mighty Daruk, the biggest and strongest Champion of them all. Daruk was easygoing, friendly, and comfortable just being himself and doing his duty. He didn't need to strut or put on airs like Revali. But Daruk was a formidable fighter. So, whatever had the power to defeat Daruk was a very dangerous adversary indeed. In fact, she thought all the remaining Divine Beast enemies Link needed to overcome might well be stronger than the one they had just defeated inside Ruta. Daruk, Urbosa, and Revali were all highly skilled warriors, the best their people had to offer. Overcoming any of them would be no easy task. Yet all had fallen to the creatures Ganon had created.
Link was a highly skilled warrior as well, of course. Seeing how he had defeated the monster infecting Ruta was the latest evidence of that. He was a swordsman beyond compare. And Link was also quite fearless. But it was his fearlessness she worried about because it could sometimes work against him. He had been known to rush into battle before he was fully prepared, relying on his outstanding swordsmanship to prevail. It was something he could get away with when fighting lesser enemies. But it was not something she thought he should attempt against the creatures Ganon had created.
So, the more she thought about it, the more she felt Link needed her help. She could make sure he was well prepared and heal any of his injuries. And she would also worry a lot less if she was with him instead of staying here in the domain.
Since that time, she had made it her goal to accompany Link on all his adventures. She was determined to support him in any way she could, whether to heal his wounds or aid him in battle. Link welcomed her company, and in the process, she calmed her own nerves.
But their whole world had changed with the arrival of their children. They now had young ones to care for, and she couldn't afford to put herself in dangerous situations alongside her husband. It was not fair to their children for both parents to risk their lives. Link would have to face any potential peril on his own this time. And despite his skills and experience, he was not as young as he once was. She couldn't help but wonder if he still possessed the same strength and agility in battle that he had in his youth.
Then she shook her head to clear her thoughts and resumed reviewing meeting minutes.
Link returned home a short while later, and they greeted each other with a kiss.
"Do you think our defenses are strong enough?" Mipha inquired after their kiss ended, and they sat down beside each other.
"Yes, I believe so," Link replied. "We went over the best positions to station guards and how many people to assign to each location. And we got in some combat training with new recruits."
Then, Link noticed the Sheikah Slate resting on the table.
"Did you send Zelda some pictures of the children?" he asked.
"No, actually, Robbie sent us a message along with a picture," Mipha responded. "Take a look."
Link picked up and examined the Sheikah Slate, and then his eyes widened in amazement as he gazed upon the mysterious door hidden deep within the ruins.
"Oh, wow! It appears to be a door leading into an unexplored area," Link exclaimed. "And I recognize that symbol. It's the same one that appeared inside the Spirit Orbs I collected at the shrines. I'm sure Zelda and Purah will be thrilled about this."
"I'm sure," Mipha replied dryly.
"You don't sound very excited," Link observed, picking up on her tone.
Mipha smiled and replied, "Well, at least it's nice to know you can finally read my feelings after all this time together. But do you also understand why I might be feeling less than thrilled?"
Link took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"No doubt I may fail to read your emotions sometimes, sweetheart. But we've already talked about this. If I'm needed to deal with whatever is found, I promise to stay safe and return to you, our children, and our home."
"I know we've discussed it, but it helps to hear you say it," said Mipha, squeezing his hand back.
"Now, how about a swim before lunch?" Link asked, seeing her mood lighten.
"It's amazing how you manage to weave meals into any discussion, dearest," Mipha laughed. "But some swimming would be nice."
Meanwhile, in the small family dining room of Hyrule Castle, Queen Zelda sat at the table, sharing a delicious lunch with her beloved Royce. The room was filled with the tasty aromas of freshly prepared dishes.
"I can't believe the term break is already over," Zelda remarked. "Even though it's been a couple of weeks, it feels like just yesterday you were busy grading exams."
"I know, time really flies, especially time off," Royce chuckled. "But I should tell you that I'm impressed with four of my students. They did exceptionally well on their exam, and I will recommend them for further instruction under one of the Sheikah scientists if they're interested."
"That's wonderful news," said Zelda. "You know how much I value education, especially in the field of science. We need to be training the next generation."
"And thank you for the delicious lunch and your delightful company," Royce added. "It's a great way to start off the new term."
"I hope it gives you energy so your teaching will soar to new heights," Zelda teased.
"Are you speaking like a Rito now?" laughed Royce.
Just then a familiar sound chimed through the air, indicating that Zelda's Sheikah Slate had received a new message.
"Excuse me, this might be important," said Zelda as she picked up the device and began to read the message that had just arrived.
"Of course, sweetheart," said Royce.
As Zelda examined the attached image, her face lit up with excitement. "Oh! This could be a major discovery!" she exclaimed before setting down the Sheikah Slate.
"Is everything alright?" said Royce.
"Yes, nothing is wrong, just a possibly important find," said Zelda. "They uncovered a hidden section inside the Forgotten Temple. That's all we know at present. However, as I told you, our group agreed when we met that any discoveries should be kept secret and shared only among each other. So, you know I cannot really say more about it, whatever we may learn. I hope you understand."
"I understand completely," said Royce. "I always knew there would be royal secrets in our relationship."
Zelda smiled warmly at him. "But it's no secret how much I love you."
"And I love you," replied Royce as he reached out and lovingly squeezed her hand.
Their intimate moment was suddenly interrupted by the clock chiming the hour.
"Oh, no!" Royce exclaimed. "I'm going to be late for my own lecture."
"Go on then," laughed Zelda. "Do you want me to write you a note to excuse your tardiness?"
"Very funny, dearest," laughed Royce as they both rose from their seats and then shared a tender kiss.
Royce then rushed off to his lecture at the Royal Academy, the building adjoining the Royal Ancient Tech Lab.
After Royce left, Zelda returned to examining the image on the Sheikah Slate. Of course, she recognized the Goddess Crest at once. It was a sacred symbol of Hylia, something she learned as a child. And she definitely shared Robbie's curiosity about what might lie behind the door.
At the Royal Ancient Tech Lab, Purah's Sheikah Slate also signaled an incoming message. She took a moment to glance at it, muttered, "Interesting," and then immediately resumed her work. Speculating without more information was a waste of time, and she relied on Robbie to uncover any necessary details.
Later, as the workday ended at the Forgotten Temple and the Hylian laborers left to go home, one of them turned to another as they rode the lift up the eastern edge of the Tanagar Canyon wall.
"Well, tomorrow's payday," he said with a grin. "Do you have any grand plans for your hard-earned rupees? My name is Anton, by the way."
The other worker, whose name was Landon, smiled wearily and shook Anton's hand. "I'm Landon. Most of my funds go to my older sister. She recently lost her husband in an accident and is struggling to keep their farm going until harvest time."
Anton's expression turned sympathetic as Landon continued. "With a little one at home, she has no choice but to hire workers to tend to the fields. It's been tough, but we'll make it work."
"Yeah, sorry to hear that," Anton replied, shaking his head in understanding. As they reached the top of the canyon, he added, "Good luck to her and you. I have to head south from here. How about you?"
"I go east," said Landon. "See ya tomorrow."
As Landon began his walk home, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that someone was following him. He kept glancing back and forth, scanning for any potential threats lurking in the growing darkness. He had been forced to deal with some very dangerous individuals recently, and the memory sent a shiver down his spine. He just hoped they would leave him alone.
His hands shook as he reached his front door and fumbled for the key. A sense of relief washed over him as he finally stepped inside and shut the door behind him, blocking out the outside world. With shaky fingers, he was about to light a lamp when a voice pierced through the silence, sending a chill down his spine - a voice he knew all too well but didn't want to hear.
"Leave the light off for now," said the voice from the darkness.
Landon jumped, his breath hitched in his throat.
"You scared me," he managed to say, struggling to keep his voice steady. "And I thought I left the door locked."
"You did," said the voice, dripping with amusement. "But do you seriously think a locked door is any obstacle to us? What have you learned today?"
"It's a big find," Landon replied nervously. "The Gorons uncovered an unexplored part of the structure, but nobody knows how to enter it."
"Ah, finally, there is some interesting news," said the voice, and Landon could almost hear the smirk in their words. "Starting tomorrow, you'll lay low and stay home."
"But it's payday!" Landon protested, desperation creeping into his voice. "And I can't afford to miss any work! My sister desperately needs every rupee I can spare."
"Don't worry, you will get your wages, and you won't miss any work," said the voice. "Until further notice, I will work in your place to investigate. You can light the lamp now."
Landon's hand shook as he reached for the lamp, his heart pounding in his chest. As the light flickered to life, he turned to face his visitor and let out a gasp that quickly turned into a scream. It was like looking at a twisted mirror image of himself.
The stranger grinned. "Impersonation is one of our specialties," they said with a terrifying chuckle. "Now, not a word to a soul if you know what's good for you. I can easily pay a little visit to your beloved sister and her child disguised as you. They won't be so lucky when I've finished."
Landon felt sick to his stomach, his mind racing with fear and desperation.
"I'll do whatever you say," he stammered, his voice trembling. "Just please, don't harm them."
With a final menacing smile, the stranger disappeared into the night, leaving Landon alone with his terror and the weight of their threats hanging heavily over him.
Meanwhile, as the moon rose high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the Forgotten Temple, Robbie continued to work diligently. But with each scroll and parchment he examined, his groans of frustration grew louder. The documents most crucial to their discovery were also the most worn and damaged by the passage of time. The delicate markings and text were smudged or faded, making translation a formidable task.
Despite the numerous challenges, Robbie pushed through and diligently recorded his observations in his notes, hoping to solve the mystery. Among the old manuscripts, one idea stood out - the concept of a Skyward Strike. It was somehow connected to a formidable weapon called the Goddess Sword, which reminded him of the legendary Sword that Seals the Darkness wielded by Link. Could they be one and the same? And if so, what exactly was a Skyward Strike? Was it possibly the powerful beam of energy emitted by Link's sword?
Then, a deep yawn escaped his lips, accompanied by a heavy sigh as weariness and fatigue washed over him. His eyelids drooped heavily, the weight of the day finally catching up to him. Time enough to continue his research tomorrow when his body and mind were rested and rejuvenated. For now, it was time to sink into much-needed sleep.