As more snow began to build on the overgrown roads of the village, higher on the mountain stood another lone house. It also had the same architecture as the rest of the buildings, with its mortar cracking and falling off, old red roofing, and a tall uneven chimney near the back. While similar, this house in particular stood out from the rest with its large tower that sat connected to the back of the house. Strangely, the bottom half of the tower had a circular diameter, while the top half had a rectangular shape. To make it stand out even more, many additions had been crudely added to the old construction. A large wooden ramp spiraled around the tower's diameter, before ending right to the doorway where the angular part of the tower began near the top. It was as if a miniature house were sitting at the top, and to make things even stranger, the remains of a spider-like mechanical beast sat atop the roof.
While the tower itself was eye-catching, even more oddities were added. In between the spaces in the roof sat the beginnings of a telescope, one that was so abnormally long and large it protruded from the house and looked as if it could topple off at any moment. The original house's front wall had been knocked down in order for a wooden extension to be added, where a new door had been put in place with a painted eyeball at its center. If all that wasn't enough, sitting next to the door was a large bulbous furnace. In its mouth sat a fierce blue flame, which powered the furnace and gave its rounded body a beautiful blue glow. In short, the building was simply an organized mess of refurbishments and technological advancements. This, however, was nothing compared to the categorized monstrosity that sat within its walls.
Inside, the floors and walls were covered with loose papers , detailed with quickly scribbled paragraphs of notes and comments. Desks filled each corner of the room, while the walls were lined with multiple bookshelves, each filled with a variety of old books, yet that wasn't more books were stacked in multiple piles down at the shelves' base and even on other desks in the room. Also sitting against the walls were crates full of mechanical parts. Gears, screws, and other sorts of machinery filled each of the stacked boxes to the brim. Similar to what filled these crates, larger parts—even full ancient machines— hung from the wooden beams that made up the roof. Of these machines, however, the only one that was functional was the large glowing blue pillar that hung down from the roof, sitting just above what looked to be a small little terminal. While it was true, today there happened to be another relic in the building that—theoretically— was also functional; one that wasn't part of the house's added parts.
Near the center of the floor was a large wooden table, and while it had far less than the desks, it also had papers and books stacked near its corners. Sitting in the center, however, was a large, ancient machine. This one was different from the others. It was clean and well maintained by the ones who created it. The body seemed to have been loosely inspired by a horse, though its dark brown color scheme and swirl-like design pattern matched any other relic. Instead of tentacle-like legs or special wings, this one sat perfectly balanced on a unique set of wheels. It was a magnificent piece of machinery, yet its lights were dull and its gears were still, something the director of the establishment didn't understand.
"Every piece is perfectly fitted, and the pieces themselves are in tippity top shape," a high-pitched voice said. "I've hit every button and adjusted every spring, yet it's shown absolutely no sign of life! Seven days of research and tinkering, only for this little doohickey here to not work!"
The clacking of shoes echoed around the walls as a small individual walked along the table top. She circled the bike, tapping a pencil to her lips as she inspected every nook and cranny of the horse. The girl decorated herself with a poofy tan dress, accented with navy frills and a red collar. She wore dark stockings that covered her legs, and a pair of large red glasses helped her amber eyes to see. Though she had her glasses on, a large technological pair of yellow goggles sat on her head and leaned against the large white bun of hair.
"I thought this would be simple compared to the colossal ones," the little girl said as she continued walking around the horse. "The other Divine Beasts weren't so stubborn. Are we sure this thing even is a Divine Beast? Symin! What are your thoughts?"
"Well, from the information we've gathered and from what the princess told us, it's most certainly a Divine Beast," a tall, muscular man called out from the back of the room.
The man named Symin stood in front of a bookshelf that sat in the corner near the back exit. He was an older man, though he seemed different than any Hylian that lived down in the village below. He wore a set of traditional clothing in the same matching colors as the little girl, along with a pair of brown thin glasses. Stroking his short gray beard, he took a book from the shelf and began flipping through its pages.
"It had to be the last of the Divine Beasts created," he continued. "It was possibly created after the Calamity from ten-thousand years ago, but before the original creators were banned from building anymore. There is also the possibility that the ancient monks that have remained in shrines, maybe even designed by Maz Koshia himself! That's just speculation, but it would explain why there was no record of it like the other four beasts. They also advanced the technology enough to turn it into a rune! Such an incredible feat that-"
"Symin! Hellooooooo!" the little girl called out, snapping her fingers without tearing her gaze away from the Divine Beast. "As much as I looooove hearing about your personal theories regarding the Divine Beasts history, I want to focus on getting this thing functional. If it's functional, then we learn more. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Director Purah," Symin said without looking up from his book. "I apologize. As for its functionality, as you've said, we've fine tuned every part of it. It doesn't seem to be a mechanical issue. No, it's most certainly a power issue."
"Of course, the same conclusion we've arrived at each day since this thing was brought in," Purah said to herself as she took a notepad out from her dress. She began to quickly scribble in it, muttering, "after… multiple days… Divine Beast still… will not… operate…"
With a sigh, Purah lowered her notepad. She tapped the top of the pad a few times in her palm as she stood at the edge of the table. She looked up and stared at the beast in its dull eyes, avoiding the horn that was poking out its head.
"U-Um, Purah… If I may," a softer voice said. "A-Are you sure it's safe to be standing on the edge of the table like that? What if you… fall?"
Once again, Purah brought her pencil to her notepad.
"After… one-hundred years… princess… is hard… of… hearing…" she muttered before slamming the notebook shut.
She turned on her heel and pointed her pencil towards the chair in which the voice came. Sitting in it was a woman, one much larger and older looking than the director. Her hair was cut to a short bob and shined a beautiful gold, which contrasted wonderfully with her large, emerald green eyes. She had a slender figure, though at the moment her curves were hidden under the thick white winter clothing she was currently wearing. She wore a long white coat and short, furry cloak, each lined with gold accents. It was a set of clothing that was rare to find in this era. The woman had been watching the two researchers banter back and forth for some time as she was fascinated by the research that was happening before her eyes, however, now she could only focus on the pencil eraser that was only centimeters away from her nose.
"As I've stated befooooooore, I am fine!" Purah continued sourly. "I am not actually a child, but a woman at the ripe old age of 124, along with being the most intelligent Sheikah—and possibly person—in these lands. Have I made myself clear?"
"C-Completely," the woman said.
With a huff, Purah pulled her pencil back before she began walking around the Divine Beast again, tapping the eraser along its sides. The woman breathed a sigh of relief before noticing that Symin had appeared standing next to her.
"Please don't mind the director, Princess Zelda," he said, refusing to look up from his book. "Though she does her best to act her size, she still has the temper of an elder. She's in a mood thanks to the secrets of the beast sitting before us. Please pay her no mind."
"I heard that," Purah called from the other side of the Divine Beast.
"Thank you for the comfort, Symin," Zelda said with a kind smile. "But, please, just refer to me by name. I don't go by my title anymore."
"As you wish, Ms. Zelda," he answered, still searching through his book.
"No, keep calling her princess," Purah called out again. "She refuses to listen to my words. Why, oh whyyyyy, should we listen to hers?"
"Ms. Purah, please," Symin urged her, finally looking up from his book. "You're allowing your frustration to show more than usual."
"And now I'm hearing it from you," she said in an irritated tone as she peeked out from behind the beast. "Let's remember the fact that I am an elder to not only her, but you as well."
"While that is true, what I said is also true" Symin said, causing Purah to give a loud sigh.
"I thought getting this working would be a snap!" she complained, snapping her fingers. "Yet, we seem to be at a dead end. This wouldn't be sooooooo frustrating if it weren't for the fact we've gotten much more complex machines to work before."
"If it's a power issue, then why don't we grab a torch of the blue flame?" Zelda asked. "That's the power source of the other Divine Beasts."
"We've already given that a try," Purah explained. "It won't respond to the flame, nor is there a place to put it. No, it must be powered off of something else."
"Would it respond to Link's presence?" Symin asked Zelda. "What if the beast only activates in response to the champion who owns it?"
"Even when influenced by Ganon, Link was able to control at least parts of the other Divine Beasts with the Sheikah Slate," Zelda explained. "I'm sure we should be able to do something with the slate. He hasn't used it as of yet."
"What does the rune say in regards to the Divine Beast?" Purah asked, once again tapping her pencil against the horse's sides.
Reaching down to her waist, Zelda took the Sheikah Slate from her belt and opened it to the runes screen.
"Nothing other than its name," she answered, holding it out for Purah to take. "We already put it in the guidance stone in here. It didn't do anything, meaning Maz Koshia had to have already programmed it to its final setting."
"The Master Cycle Zero,"Purah read. "Interesting name compared to the rest of the beasts. The other beasts' names were linked to influential leaders of the past. What does this name even represent?"
"Link said something similar," Zelda said with a slight smile. "He wants to name it Vah Epona."
"Doesn't he already have a horse named Epona?" Purah asked as she stared down at the Sheikah Slate.
"He does," Zelda answered with a giggle.
"Then this stays the Master Cycle Zero," the little girl said. "The only beast that won't power on. Why is this giving us such a hard time? It's such a simple machine compared to the rest of them. It shouldn't be this complicated."
"While I am very much fascinated by the secrets of our ancestors," Symin spoke up. "Why is it that you're in such a rush to get this beast working, Ms. Zelda? You've brought it by every day for the past week for us to inspect. It's a miracle the director hasn't charged you yet."
"I'm just about ready to!" Purah called out as she walked on the other side of the Master Cycle again.
"From what you've told us, it sounds as if Maz Koshia has some plans for Link and possibly yourself," he continued. "Do you plan to embark on your next journey soon?"
"W-Well, not exactly," Zelda said nervously. "I… I actually don't want Link or myself to leave Hateno, not anytime soon at least. The reason I brought the cycle here was to… Well… You see, I'm-"
Before she could finish, a rapping against the front door echoed through the halls. Zelda and Symin both turned their heads towards the door, while Purah kept her gaze on the Sheikah Slate's screen.
"Insert materials into the tank to convert them into fuel," she read as the rapping against the door echoed again. "So there's a tank somewhere in this thing…"
"Miss Purah-"
"I hear it!" Purah said loudly without looking up. "Soooooooo, Zelda, if you would please answer that? Thank you!"
While being practically commanded to do something like open a door didn't bother her, Zelda dreaded it nonetheless. There were only so many people that could be at the door, and the most likely person was the one she didn't want to see at the moment. She didn't respond to Purah—who began tapping the beast with her pencil again in an attempt to locate the empty tank— and continued to stare at the door.
"Is everything alright?" Symin asked, who noticed Zelda's silence. "I can answer the door if you'd like."
"N-No," Zelda answered. "I-I've got it."
Slowly, she pushed her chair back from the table and stood. Playing with her fingers, she walked to the door. The knocking sounds grew louder the closer she came to the handle. They echoed in her eardrums, making it difficult to come up with an excuse as to why she was here instead of in the village. Giving up, Zelda took a deep breath and reached out to open the door. She kept her head down, choosing to look at the floor as cold air rushed into the building.
"H-Hello, Link," Zelda said nervously. "I-I can explain-"
"Sorry, little lady," an eccentric voice said. "But I think you've got the wrong guy!"
Furrowing her brow, Zelda looked up to see not the shorted, dirty blonde swordsman she had grown to love, but another unfamiliar Hylian face. He had a darker complexion, with white hair that was tied back into a bun, though loose strands covered his forehead. He was dressed in thick leathers and sweaters, and had a large, stuffed backpack on. With a grin, the man placed a hand on his heart and bowed.
"Teli!" a high pitched voice yelled.
Both the man and Zelda looked back into the house at the table. Purah, who had apparently overheard the man's voice, had peeked out from behind the Divine Beasts to confirm who was at the door. With an eager smile, with surprising agility, she jumped down from the table and hurried towards the door. Shivering from the cold air, she took the man named Teli by his thick pants and pulled him in.
"Teli! It's good to see you again!" she said excitedly. "Zelda, close the door, would you?"
"Y-Yes, of course," Zelda answered, closing the door as she kept a curious eye on Purah.
It was one thing for Purah to act this excited when she and Link ahd first arrived. But when it came to others, this was an unusual response from her. Zelda glanced over at Symin, who had raised an eyebrow and was shaking his head slightly as he watched the little Sheikah drag the man to the table.
"Hello, Symin!" Teli said as he was pulled past the older Sheikah.
Symin bowed his head slightly.
"Pleased to see you again, Teli," Symin answered, still watching unamused as his director put on a show.
"Please, have a seat!" Purah said kindly. "You can take Zelda's chair. She's not sitting in it anymore and it's already pulled out for you! You don't mind, do you, Zelda?"
Before Zelda could respond, Teli had already been forcefully pushed in her seat. He laughed.
"You never change, Purah," he said. "Just like an old lady set in her ways."
"Weeeeeeeeell, you wouldn't be too far off!" Purah said with a giggle.
The two laughed. Still as confused as ever, Zelda chose to remain quiet. She walked away from the door and chose to plant herself next to Symin, curious to see why Purah was so unusually giddy around her visitor.
"Soooooooo," Purah continued, climbing back onto the table and avoiding the Master Cycle Zero's horn. "What brings you here today, Teli?"
"Come now, Purah," he said with a grin. "Both you and Symin know why I'm here. I've got two things for you."
"Two?" Symin asked curiously.
Teli looked back at him and nodded.
"Of course, as a treasure hunter with my dashing good looks and skill, it's a given that I have a load of treasure to sell," he claimed. "However, I also come packed with a couple gifts from our friend in Akkala."
"Friend in Akkala?" Zelda asked, unable to contain her curiosity. Teli winked at her.
"A specialist in the treasures I find, just like my dear customer Purah is," he clarified. Zelda furrowed her eyes.
"You know Robbie?" she asked.
"Why, of course," he answered as he pulled his backpack off his shoulders. "I wouldn't be that great of a treasure hunter if I didn't know those who would be willing to buy my products. I've worked with these two old researchers for a long time now. In fact, it's been so long that I have a bit of a soft spot for them, which is why I do these little errands for them."
Opening his backpack, Teli pulled out a large sack. It clanked and grinded as he set it down on the table in front of Purah, who marveled at the sight.
"These are fresh parts that Robbie either refurbished from his stack of old guardians, or taken from some freshly caught ones," Teli continued. " He asked me if I could drop these off for you to use. I guess he didn't need them. I figured I would help him out since I was headed to Hateno after my visit there."
"Why, Teli, you are such a treat," Purah said with sparkling eyes as she heaved the large bag up into her tiny arms. "Of course, since this is a gift, there's no charge for your kindness, right?"
"And there it is," Teli said with a grin. "The reason the little director is so excited when she sees me. She knows that someone with my roguish good looks can't resist those pleading large eyes of hers, old or young."
"Well, you do know my heart would practically snap if you did charge me," she said in a playful, yet sharp tone. "You know rupees are hard to come by for elders like us."
"Yeah, yeah. I did tell you I did this because of the soft spot I have for you," Teli laughed. "Though, I was hoping that maybe you'd buy something from me today. I do see you have quite the project on the table here."
"Well, if you happen to have one," Symin spoke up. "We could use an Ancient Core."
"Symin!" Purah called out from one of the corner desks. "We don't have the rupees in the budget for something like that!"
"Don't worry, Director," her assistant assured her. "This will come out of my own wallet. So, do you have one, Mr. Teli?"
"I do actually," Teli answered. "That'll be a beautiful 130 rupees, please."
Zelda watched as the two proceeded in transaction. She awed at the little orb Teli pulled out of his bag. It was covered with plates and splotches of yellow glowing light. With Symin pulling a few rupees out of his belt the two swapped.
"Thank you for the business!" Teli said cheerfully.
"Why an Ancient Core?" Zelda asked, watching as Symin held the orb up to the light.
"Along with blue flames, these Ancient Cores were also used to power certain smaller devices," he explained. "I do believe something like this should work. Insert materials into the tank to convert them into fuel. Is that what the slate described, Director?"
"It sure is!" Purah said, who was now organizing the screws and shafts on the table from Robbie's gift.
Symin took a step forward and held the little device out towards the cycle on the table. Immediately, streaks of lights began to glow orange as bulbs began to glow blue. The side of the beast opened, revealing an empty tank. Everyone in the room gasped in wonder.
"It's really on!" Zelda said happily, clapping at Symin's intuition.
"That's a pretty cool light show you have there," Teli said with widened eyes. "I swear, you old researchers always have some weird things going on in here. Still, this doesn't beat the time Purah turned into a hot, young lady. Hey, Purah, why don't you grow up again, but stop when you're 24 like before, instead of your usual wrinkly-"
Purah threw an ancient screw across the room, knocking Teli in the forehead.
"Why don't you focus on the light show in front of you," Purah said with a frown before adding, "young man."
"I was just teasing," Teli said with a chuckle, rubbing where the screw had hit him. "So? What are you waiting for Symin? Are you gonna put the core in?"
"If Miss Zelda is okay with it," Symin said, looking over at Zelda. "Though, I do believe she has an idea I'd like to hear."
"M-Me?" Zelda stuttered from behind them. Both Symin and Purah nodded.
"We've noticed that you've been itching to say something for a while now," Purah said, turning back to her pile of ancient materials. "Spit it out. What is it you want to say?"
"W-Well," Zelda said, playing with her fingers again. "The Sheikah Slate says we should insert materials, right? That's plural. By definition, that would mean that it could take more than one type of material or even object. So…"
Zelda crouched down and reached out towards something sitting on the floor next to Teli's boots. She stood, with her hand now clasped around something.
"Now that it's responded, maybe we could try putting something like this in?" she continued. She opened her hand to reveal the ancient screw that Purah had thrown. "It would be a lot more… cost efficient… if the machine could break down items such as these."
"We could most certainly try it," Symin said with a smile, pulling the ancient core away from the cycle. "Why don't you drop it in?"
Eagerly, Zelda stepped forward and dropped the screw into the beast. It fell into the empty stomach before transforming into strings of blue light. The light circled around the Master Cycle Zero before disappearing. Instantly, the beast began to vibrate as a loud humming sound began to stir from inside. A light turned on near its horn, and its eyes had begun to glow a bright blue. The beast had come to life.
"It worked!" Zelda cheered loudly over the beasts growling. "It worked! It worked!"
Only a few seconds later, however, the beast's humming stopped and its lights became dull once more.
"Is that it?" Teli asked, now leaning back in his chair curiously. "That didn't seem to do much."
"But it did something," Purah said, jumping down from the chair she had been standing on in front of her desk. "And that gives us a lot to work on."
"Yes," Zelda said eagerly with her eyes now glued to the Divine Beasts. "I can only assume the quality or quantity of whatever is put in the tank determines the amount of power the beast has to run on! So, if a screw only gives a few seconds, than an ancient core could potentially-"
"Make its power last for hours on end," Symin finished, handing her the ancient core. "Why don't you determine if your theory is correct?"
Zelda had practically thrown the ancient core into the tank before Symin could finish his sentence. Instantly, the Divine Beast roared back to life. Having climbed back onto the table the beast sat on, Purah brought the Sheikah Slate up to its body.
"Now that it's awake, the Slate has some sort of gauge on it," she explained over the beast's rumbling. "It claims to be about ten percent full. So it has a lot of potential energy life. For now though…"
Purah tapped a button on the slates screen. The Master Cycle Zero began to glow blue, illuminating the entirety of the room. It began to turn into strings of energy that coiled around the table before flying into the Sheikah Slate. In a matter of seconds, the Divine Beast had vanished.
"Well, that was something," Teli said in surprise.
"Why did you put it away?" Zelda asked disappointedly. "We just discovered how to power it on!"
"And now that it's functional, we need its champion to be here in order to properly test its abilities," Purah said, walking across the table towards her before holding the slate out for her to take. "Whom you seem to be reluctant to bring. Don't think we haven't noticed that you've been avoiding bringing Link here when it has to do with his Divine Beast."
Zelda swallowed.
"Before that, though," Purah continued, turning her attention towards the merchant sitting in the chair. "I believe you said that you had two things you had to deliver? We have yet to receive Robbie's second delivery, correct?"
"Correct," Teli said, sitting up in his chair. "Actually, it's a message. He wanted me to tell you something in order to give to someone else that lives here in Hateno."
"Someone else?" Symin asked. Teli nodded.
"Two people in fact," he clarified. "And one of those people is actually standing next to me."
He turned his head to look Zelda in the eyes.
"Zelda, was it?" he asked. Zelda nodded nervously before he continued. "I knew the moment I saw your face. Someone with such looks that rival my own can only belong to that of the ancient princess. It's a bit late to say this, but it's an honor to make your acquaintance, Princess."
"T-Thank you, but-" Zelda began, however, Teli shook his head.
"I know, Robbie informed me that you wouldn't be going by your title," he explained. "But I needed to say it at least once. Now, as for Robbie's message, since you're here, I can give it to you personally."
Teli reached back into his bag before pulling out a little folded note.
"It has to do with some encounter you guys had with the Yiga awhile back? He claims that the malice that covers Hyrule is still around and the guardians are still against us. And his studies show things aren't showing signs of it disappearing any time soon. He knows you guys dealt with the Yiga, at least for now, but Hyrule isn't out of the clear. He hopes that you two know what to do. There's more detail in the note, but that's the gist of it."
"T-Thank you," Zelda said, taking the piece of folded paper from him.
"Well, that's about it!" Teli said, pushing himself up from the chair. "It's been a pleasure to see you all again, but I'm a bit weary and need to get a room at the inn. I just arrived in Hateno, and traveling through the snow isn't easy. As usual, I thank you both for your business."
Teli gave both Symin and Purah a little bow before pulling his backpack straps over his shoulders.
"With that, I take my leave."
"Wait!" Zelda said before Teli could take a step. He turned with a raised eyebrow. "Y-You must know the other person this note was made for, yes?"
"Of course," Teli said with a smile. "A dashing young lad and a hero that one is. He's even bought a few things from me when our paths crossed on the road. Robbie's wife said that you'd be very well acquainted with him."
"P-Please do me a favor," Zelda said slowly. "Don't tell Link about Robbie's message. I would greatly appreciate it."
Teli stared curiously at her for a moment, contemplating her request before simply shrugging.
"If that's what you wish, I won't question it," Teli said. "I'm just the messenger, and the message has been delivered."
With that, Teli walked away and out the door into the snow. The room remained quiet as Zelda turned the folded slip in her fingers. Slowly, she looked back at the two Sheikah researchers. While Symins face remained neutral, Purah had an eyebrow raised. She looked between Symin and Zelda before sighing.
"Symin, can you leave the two of us for a moment?" Purah asked.
Without a word, Symin bowed his head. Zelda listened to the echoing of his footsteps as he exited through the back door, possibly to head up to the other rooms in the tower above them. The two continued to sit in silence before Purah cleared her throat.
"Malice still clings to Hyrule's grounds," she began. "You've told me of a Yiga that remains on the loose who's vowed to hunt you down, and apparently Maz Koshia has given you hints that the Calamity has yet to be properly resolved. Yet, you wish to keep Link in the dark about anything that has to do with what may be a hint as to what comes next. Do I have that correct?"
"Well, technically I think he knows what comes next…" Zelda said quietly, refusing to look Purah in the eye.
"Then let me correct myself," she responded. "You're keeping him from aaaaaaanything that will remind him of his heroic duties. Do you care to explain why?"
"He needs to rest, Purah," Zelda said, walking forward to take a seat at the now cycle-free table. "Maz Koshia may have pointed him in the right direction, but the trials he gave Link in which to do so have severely hurt him! He had to witness every death the Champions—our friends— went through, and then had to duel Koshia himself!"
"Hmmm, that does sound like a rather painful experience," Purah said, now pacing the tabletop.
"It was," Zelda confirmed. "He's nicknamed the trials after Kass's song: the Champions Ballad Trials. He's different, Purah. He's anxious, he's tired, he's-"
"Being a hero," the little researcher finished. "Zelda, I understand you want him to rest, but there's potentially something in these lands that keeps the Calamity's influence strong. You may have sealed him for now, but his work —our work— isn't quite finished yet. If anything, this may be a chance to get rid of Ganon entirely."
"I understand that," Zelda assured her. "I do, but Link can't go on like this! He almost got himself killed fighting Koshia. He almost got himself killed fighting Ganon!"
"It's his job, Zelda-" Purah began, however, Zelda rapidly shook her head.
"It's not his job to die!" she said loudly as tears began to form in her eyes. "It's his job to win. To win and come back to me. He almost died before because he wouldn't rest, and now he might make the same mistake again."
"Zelda, I understand your concern," Purah urged in a stern tone. "But he's been here a week. You've been here a week. How long do you plan to stay here and rest? We don't know how much time we have before whatever it is Maz Koshia warned us about will happen, or arrive, or whatever it is."
"I-I…" Zelda stammered before looking down at her thighs. Purah furrowed her brow.
"I ask this not as a friend, but as a researcher that's dedicated her life to stopping the Calamity Ganon," Purah said– almost coldly. "You need to give me a reason why I should go along with this plan of yours to let Link rest as long as you want him too. A good reason; one that's not based on your feelings for him."
Zelda's fingers tightly gripped her thighs as she bit her lip. She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her chest as vivid images flashed in her mind. Link's anger when the Yiga attacked them, his sorrowful face when he returned from each battle against the blight that Maz Koshia put him up against, and finally the image of Link laying lifelessly in her arms. The same dread that had filled her heart the moment Link had passed out had returned. She remembered her pain, the feeling of hopelessness that had consumed her, one that would have stayed had it not been for the Master Sword. Zelda's eyes snapped open before looking up to meet Purah's gaze.
"T-The Master Sword," she said as confidently as she could. "Link's next trial most likely has to do with the Master Sword. He knows his next destination is in the Lost Woods. The sword… It hasn't said a word to either myself or him. Ever since I've returned, it's always spoken when something was urgent. I'm positive that it will tell us when the time has come for Link to commence whatever trial it has waiting for him, if we take too long. Just as it did one-hundred years ago. It's because of it that we knew to use the Shrine of Resurrection. I believe that… I believe that we can trust it will do the same this time."
"It was a bit late at notifying us one-hundred years ago," Purah argued.
"It went based on our actions and was ignorant to abilities that Ganon refused to show," Zelda retorted. "It couldn't possibly expect Ganon to take over the guardians or for Link to… fail. With it giving Link its own trials before anything has happened yet, then it's already taking initiative. I doubt it will allow Link to fall again."
"Fine," she said. "I'll trust your judgment. But… I do hope you don't make me—or the rest of Hyrule— regret it."
"T-Thank you, Purah," Zelda said, watching as Purah walked across the table before jumping down. "I really appreciate it."
"Thank that mind of yours," she answered, climbing back onto the chair of the desk she had placed the bag of guardian parts on. "You're smart, but you allow your past failures from before the Calamity to ruin your confidence. Have faith in your ideas."
"Y-Yes," Zelda said, slightly lowering her head. "I understand."
"Now then, Symin and I have things to do now that we have these parts," Purah said, putting the screws and shafts back into the bag Teli had given her. "I think you best be on your way for today before I start charging you for the work we've done to that Divine Beast."
"A-Actually, Purah," Zelda began. "I actually have a question about-"
"It's a no," Purah said without stopping what she was doing. "It's hard enough for me to pay Symin, as is. I'm sorry, but I can't afford to have another assistant. You need to find a job elsewhere."
"B-But, no one in the village will take me," Zelda said dejectedly. "I've searched all week. Maybe it's because of winter? I'm not sure why-"
"It's because you're a princess," Purah said simply.
"What?" Zelda said surprised. "B-But I've made it clear that I don't want to go by my title."
"And while many possibly appreciate that, there's still unease in the air," Purah explained. "Some don't feel right putting royal blood to work. Other's are nervous that you'll try and change the town. Some are concerned that you may simply be lying. And even those who would be willing to hire you regardless of all that, thanks to the stories the elders told about the royal family, many expect you to be unable to do anything since you used to have servants do the work for you. To the town, you're simply a princess without a land to govern and expectations that people will make things easy for you. And regardless of eeeeeeeeven that, they've been perfectly fine for years on their own without hiring outside their families. You're inessential. Nothing more to it."
"T-Then… Then what am I supposed to do?" Zelda asked hopelessly. "Link would usually do the mining or fight monsters to get rupees, but I'm sure he'll find a reason to head to the forest if we travel at all. I also can't go fight monsters or mine, not when I have to keep an eye on Link… What am I supposed to do?"
"Simple," Purah said with her bag in hand as she jumped back down to the floor. "You prove the village wrong."
"Prove them wrong?" Zelda asked as Purah headed for the back door.
"Yup. Show them you are essential," she answered. "Not as a princess, or as a traveler, but as a resident of Hateno."
"Do you think I can?" Zelda asked.
"Well…" Purah said, pausing at the door. "I can tell you this: it won't be a snap."
