The snow continued to fall upon the mountain range, freezing patches of Link's hair as the flakes landed against him. He balanced himself on the stirrups of Epona's saddle as he rushed her through the snow, holding a lead rope connected to Storm, guiding the horse as he galloped closely behind. The horses bolted through the mountain pass, passing the white trees as the additional weight from the snow caused their branches to snap. Link gritted his teeth as the frigid winds brushed against his face, burning his eyes and skin as he spurred Epona on. It wasn't until he had reached the base of the mountain did the winds slightly let up. He rode through the forests before passing through the remains of the old fort and into the familiar ruins of fields and town.

Though the snowfall was far less intense than in Hateno Village, the snow still covered a majority of the landscape. There wasn't a blade of grass to be seen and the destroyed roads had vanished beneath the snow. What little of the stone brick buildings remained stuck out through the snow blanket, and even the guardian remains were barely visible, with their bodies white and the top of their mossy heads now matching. Only their singular eyes and gray faces were able to be somewhat made out between the sparkling powder. It was actually a beautiful sight to take in, and yet, Link didn't bring Eponda to a stop.

He sped through the snow, guiding her down the invisible path he had long since memorized. He didn't know how long he had been riding. Maybe it was because the scenery was so dark, along with the snow making it different from usual. It could have been because the moon wasn't visible. Or maybe it was because of the drinks he had earlier. Regardless, he continued on, passing the occasional sign and boulder before finally, his eyes picked up on a warm light in the distance. With a sigh of relief, he began to slow the horses down to a trot.

Though it seemed unfamiliar from afar, he knew the stable he had reached was the Dueling Peaks stable, though the mountainous peaks that gave the stable house its name weren't much visible through the darkness and snow. Just barely, a large black mass could be seen a little further down the road, towering over the stable as the tops disappeared into the dark clouds above. While the peaks themselves were dark, the stable remained bright as the inside with torches, keeping the tented sleeping area as warm as possible against the snow. With the insides still fairly heated, the bearded man standing at the front counter stayed warm as he watched the snowfall.

"Tasseren!"

At the call of his name, the stablemaster looked over and squinted through the snow as two large shadows appeared. It took a few moments for him to realize it was two horses, one of which happened to be carrying a familiar face.

"Link? Is that you?" the stablemaster asked as the visitor came to a stop.

"Yeah, it's me," Link said, jumping off of Epona's saddle. "Where's Rensa?"

"My brother's inside, just like you should be! Why are you riding in a storm like this? Aren't you freezing?"

"I'm riding because there is a storm like this; I need to put the horses somewhere safe," Link said, bringing his hand down to the pouch on his lower back. "And I'm not as cold as I probably should be. I've got a little something keeping my chest warm…"

"Will you be alright getting back home though?" the stablemaster asked. "You can't seriously be thinking of camping out here."

"Yeah, I'll be alright," Link said. "I grabbed a little something before I took the horses. Here, take this."

Pulling a red rupee from his pouch, he handed it to the man behind the counter.

"Link, you know we don't charge for boarding," he said, holding the rupee out in his palm, but Link simply waved him away.

"You should when working in this weather. Keep it," he insisted. After a split-second pause, the stablemaster shrugged before turning toward the interior of the tent.

"Rensa! Two horses! Link's!" he called out. "He gave us a nice tip to take good care of them too!"

Appearing from one of the tent openings was another man with a similar face to that of the stablemaster. He shivered the moment he stepped out into the harsh winds and squinted before his eyes landed on the snow-covered horses.

"Storm and Epona, eh?" he said as he trudged through the snow toward them. "I got 'em from here. They're in good care, trust me."

"I wouldn't have brought them here if I didn't," Link said. "I'll be heading back home now. Stay safe in this, you two."

"You aren't staying here?" the brother asked. "But, look at this snow! How are you—?"

"He said he's got his own ways," the stablemaster said from the counter, waving Link away. With a nod, the short Hylian began to slog his way through the snow down the path in which he came. Worriedly, the brother looked back at the stablemaster, who simply shrugged. "It's Link. I think he'll be alright, as crazy as that boy is. You just worry about getting those horses inside."

Realizing there wasn't much point to try and understand, the brother simply shook his head and took both the newly boarded horses by the reins. As he began to pull them toward the stables, Link made his way further down the path he had just come down. The horse tracks were already starting to fade as the snow quickly filled them back in. The snow now had an easier time sticking to his clothes and skin. He raised his arm, shielding his face from the winds as he pressed forward.

He hadn't lied to the stablemaster about his way home. Resting on his hip was the ancient device, ready to transport him wherever he needed in an aerial river of light. He had grabbed it from the house before guiding Epona and Storm down the mountain. Internally, he wanted nothing more than to disappear from the snow and take shelter, but he couldn't. Not just yet at least. There was something he had to check before that; something that wouldn't stop nagging him in the back of his mind.

He made his way down the path before reaching a fork in the road, one he had passed earlier. He looked up at the signs. One of which pointed down the path he had come from, where the fading tracks followed. The other pointed near a withered bridge that held itself high above a now frozen river, connecting itself to the base of a small mountain range in front of it. It was between those mountains a familiar village sat hidden away. It was the first village Link had been instructed to go to upon his awakening from his century-long rest. This wasn't his destination, though.

Pushing passed the sign, he crossed over the bridge, careful not to fall into the icy waters below before stopping at the other side. With a furrowed, icy brow, he looked over near the side of what used to be the road, now covered in snow. He wasn't there; the traveler that always stood waiting, sometimes there, sometimes not. He could very well be in the desert, where many of the traveler's kind now sat bound. But, he could be the one that had been stalking them not too long ago. Or what Link believed to be currently.

Link stood in place, staring at the spot where the assassin usually stood, unable to tear his gaze away. His eyes grew red against the cold, yet he refused to blink. The feeling boiling in his chest, keeping him warm along with the liquor that now still coursed through his veins. It was more painful than the cold violently brushing against him. It wasn't until half his face was covered in snow—something that reminded him of the dangers around him— did he finally move.

"Zelda…" he mumbled before reaching down. He took the Sheikah Slate from his hip, allowing the screen to brighten before eying the blue icons that littered the map. After one last glance at the assassin's usual guarding place, he tapped one of the icons before disappearing into the dark clouds above.

...

Up top of the mountain, Hateno Village continued to pile up with snow. The doors of houses facing the wind had started to be covered in snow, while others even with doors protected from the snow were soon to follow. As the white flakes continued to pile up, those still okay enough to leave the Ton Pu Inn hurried back to their homes before it was impossible for them to get inside them.

"Please be careful on your way back!" Zelda called out as she stood at the inn's double doors, holding one of them open as she watched the villagers hurry out before heading down the snow-covered staircase as carefully as they could. "When it's clear, please inform us at the inn that you're alright!"

She received a few murmurs in what she believed to be understanding, none of which she could properly hear over the winds. The only voice that did reach her was a slightly older and wiser one.

"Zelda, is Link going to be alright?"

She turned back to the interior of the inn, ignoring the strands of hair that danced around her shoulders. Standing behind her was Mayor Reede, staring down at her with concerned eyes.

"He should be, I hope," she answered quickly. "He said he's just guiding the horses down the mountain to a safer place. For now, I believe you should head home and—"

"That's not what I mean," he said over the wind, "and I believe you know that. I'm talking about the incident from earlier."

Zelda's fingers—now red from the cold— gripped the door she was holding open tighter. Reede didn't flinch at the snow blowing in past him. He kept his gaze firmly on Zelda who could only frown and lower her head, unable to keep her eyes on him.

"Hey, Zelda! If there aren't any more people leaving, then close that door!" Prima's voice suddenly came from upstairs. "You're letting the snow and cold in! It'll take forever to warm this place back up if we lose too much heat!"

Reede looked back at the staircase that led to the floor where Prima had called from before turning back. He stepped forward and leaned down toward Zelda's ear.

"You said you'd like for me to keep my responsibilities over Hateno Village," he said in a calm, yet stern voice. "We love Link as if he's been here our whole lives… but we can't have something like this happen again. I'll deal with Manny, but can you promise me you'll get through to Link?"

Zelda didn't answer. She kept her gaze down at the now-soiled hardwood floor.

"Zelda, the door!"

"I pray that you'll be able to," Reede said, quickly realizing he wasn't going to get a proper answer from her. "Good luck, and please be safe during this storm. May the Goddess be with you."

With that, he straightened himself and forced himself through the winds and out the door. After a few seconds stuck in what felt like a daze, Zelda finally pushed the door to a close. She looked out into the lobby that was now covered in melting snow and water, with drenched papers now littering the floor. She stepped across the room, only stopping once she was at the doorway of the dining hall she decided to peer into. The sight was similar. Somehow a little snow had found its way into the hall, while bowls of half-finished food and empty mugs littered the tables and floors. She looked over the room before her eyes stopped where she and Link had been sitting near the back with Celessa. She stared at the empty space on the floor by the chair legs, where drops of blood sat staining the wood, something she soon found herself unable to look away from.

"Zelda? Are you still down there?" Prima's voice called again from the second level.

"Yes," Zelda called out without pulling her gaze away from the hall. "I'll be up in a moment."

With a deep breath, she forced her eyes away from the scene and headed up the stairs. The moment she took a step onto the second floor, she moved aside upon seeing an oncoming Prima with a basket full of sheets in her hands. The clerk stopped in her stride to meet Zelda's eyes.

"It looks horrible down there, doesn't it?" she asked. Zelda nodded, and with a sigh Prima shook her head. "Alright. I'll take care of it. You should head home yourself."

"Head home?" Zelda repeated as Prima walked past her and started down the stairs. "I can't just leave! Look at what all needs to be done!"

"This is supposed to be your day off," the clerk said, pausing on the steps to look back up at her employee. "Besides, if you stay any longer, I'm sure you'll be stuck here for a few days."

"What do you mean a few days?" Zelda asked. "Can the snow really build up that much? I've never seen a snowstorm that bad before!"

"Welcome to the mountains, Zelda," Prima said simply. "These storms usually come every few winters or so. This just happens to be one of them."

"Well, isn't that another reason I should stay?" Zelda asked. "I feel like you could use all the assistance you could get—"

"I'll be fine, Zelda," Prima said. Zelda's face fell, confused at the insistent refusal. The clerk sighed. "Look… I'll ask you this: Do you think this is really the place you think you should be stuck for the next few days? Especially with Link coming back?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Zelda asked.

Prima tilted her head to the side, prompting her employee to look over into the guestroom. The beds were completely filled, some with villagers like Bolson who had gotten too drunk to walk home, and others who simply didn't like the idea of walking through the dangerous winds. It wasn't until Zelda's eyes landed on a few individuals that made her realize what Prima was trying to say.

Sitting on one of the beds was Manny, whose nose was currently being bandaged by Koyin, who surprisingly was still sober enough to do the job at least somewhat properly. In the bed over was Celessa, who was curled up in a ball as she attempted to keep her food and drink inside her stomach. And finally, there was Jules, sitting in a chair next to Celessa's bed, covered in a blanket to shield her still lightly dressed body from the cold. Her face was hard to see, with her looking down at the floor and one of her eyes still covered by her deep violet hair, yet it was just visible enough to see the defeat across her face. Her plan to give Link a fun night had failed. In fact, as Zelda repeated her glance along the room, everyone had similar features painted across their faces, though none as intense as Jules's.

Eventually, she had seen enough. She turned back towards the stairs where Prima remained staring at her, and Zelda's gaze was similar to Jules's with her eyes now stuck at her feet. With a frown, Prima spoke up once more.

"If you understand, you really should head back now before you can't," she said, turning back to finish her journey down the stairs.

Without a word, Zelda followed Prima down the stairs. Once on the first floor, the clerk moved to take the sheets to her room next to the dining hall, yet Zelda stopped at the desk.

"Is this… my fault?" she asked in a soft voice, one so small only a Hylian would pick up.

"Is what your fault?" Prima asked, once again stopping to look back at Zelda.

"Everything," she answered. "I just… I just can't help but feel I'm at fault for everything. It's just like one hundred years ago… I feel that no matter how hard I try, I just can't stop whatever horrible thing always comes next. I only want him to be okay…"

"Well… I mean," Prima started thoughtfully before giving another tired sigh. "Yes, it is your fault… but, only partly. It's not just you. Honestly, I think everyone has screwed up in some way with this whole… thing. Some more than others, but the point is, there isn't one wrong person at fault. But really, you need to focus on the part you played. Focus on that and maybe you'll find what you need to change."

"Do you know what I need to change?" Zelda asked, yet Prima shook her head.

"Personally, I think you're trying too hard," she said simply, "but, I don't know your past as well as you—or Celessa— do. I don't know Link the way you do. Honestly, the only real answer you can get is from yourself. Good luck, Zelda. I'll see you here for work when the snow lets up."

With her piece spoken, Prima disappeared into the room, leaving Zelda alone in the lobby. After taking a few moments to sit in silence, contemplating the advice Prima had given her, she moved toward the door, unnecessarily avoiding the now puddles of melted snow on the ground. With a tug of the handle, the door violently flew open as a blast of icy winds slammed against her body. The snow had already piled high against the door and if it hadn't been for those who had left earlier, she probably would have already been stuck.

Pushing her body against the wind and snow, she stepped out into the winds before heaving the door to a close. Just like the villagers before her, she carefully made her way down the icy staircase, fighting against the wind so as not to fall into the high sea of sparkling powder. Following in the steps of those who had left earlier, she ventured down what used to be the village paths before finally reaching the fork that led to her and Link's side of the mountain. With the previous steps in the snow now vanished, she forced her way through the mostly untouched snow, through the construction company's buildings, and carefully over the icy wooden bridge.

Now violently shivering from the cold, Zelda squinted through the winds to look at the horses in the stables, yet just as he said, it seemed as though Link had actually taken them away, leaving the stalls empty and full of snow. Almost relieved, she shuffled toward the door— which looked to have been opened before she had arrived— and pushed it open. She fought with the door after she stepped inside, trying to close it against the wind before finally with a click, the house grew quiet.

Zelda stood in front of the door, her clothes now moist from the melted snow. She tried to focus on the echoing of the winds outside, the light pattering of snow against the glass, or the creaking of the home against the storm, but she could only hear the strike of fist against nose repeating constantly in her mind. With a moan, she stepped to the side and turned to lean against the wall, allowing the melted snow to drip from the ends of her dress. She closed her eyes and simply breathed. It felt as though hours had passed as she stayed unmoving from that spot, that was until her eyes snapped open upon a certain realization.

"Link?" she called out, now hurrying up the staircase. "Link? Are you here?"

She didn't receive an answer. She quickly made her way to the bed, throwing off the sheets even though it was clear the one she was looking for wasn't in them. She looked out the bedside window, where all she could see was snowfall and darkness. Her heart began to pound. She turned on her heel toward the writing desk where the Sheikah Slate usually sat, but it wasn't there. Link must've grabbed it before he took the horses. She then made toward the stairs, yet stopped upon realizing it wasn't possible for her to survive a trek down the mountain on foot in a storm like this. Upon instinct, she turned back toward the bed wanting to check it again before realizing how futile it was.

For a few minutes, she repeated this process: bed, stairs, a glance at the window or desk, then the bed again. She didn't know what to do before finally a creak came from downstairs, along with the loud howl of winds. She rushed down the stairs to see Link trying to close the door, practically white from the snow now sticking to his shivering body.

"Link!" she said as he finally managed to close the door. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he answered. "I just needed to check something."

"Check some—? Link, look at you!" Zelda said loudly. "Your skin is practically blue and shivering so much! I thought you had the Sheikah Slate!"

"I do have it," Link said, reaching down for the slate on his hip. He tried to grab it, yet his hands fumbled a bit before he was actually able to get a grip on it. Carefully, he lifted it up. "It's right here. I told you everything's fine."

"Everything's not fine!" Zelda said as he began to walk toward the kitchen table. "You think you're fine because of the alcohol! You don't even have winter clothes on, just your tunic!"

"The alcohol is keeping me warm," Link said, setting the slate on the table before beginning to wipe the snow off his face and tunic.

"No, the alcohol is making you feel warm," Zelda corrected. "Your body is a mess. Thankfully you're back now, so for now go change and get in bed so you can warm up—"

"I can't," Link said, cutting her off. "I only came back to make sure you got home safely. I'm going back out there."

"What? No, you aren't!" Zelda argued. "If this is about the Yiga, he's not here! There's a storm outside. Even they aren't crazy enough to try and do anything in this weather."

"You don't know that," Link said, yet Zelda furrowed her brow.

"And you do?" she asked. "The same way you knew Manny was a Yiga?"

"That was a mistake. I didn't expect him to appear behind me," Link said. "I'm fine now—"

"Stop saying you're fine!" Zelda said angrily. "You are not fine. Not at all, and… and I made a mistake tonight by leaving you."

She reached over and took the Sheikah Slate off the table before backing away from him.

"I won't let you. I won't let you leave. I need to keep you close this time. Properly."

Stopping his attempt to wipe the snow off of him, Link looked over at her, then down at the table where the Sheikah Slate no longer was, before tracking it down to where it now rested firmly against her chest while in her arms. Meeting her eyes again, he held out his hand.

"Zelda, give me the slate," he said simply.

"I refuse," Zelda answered. Link took a deep breath.

"Zelda—"

"No."

"Zelda."

"I won't," she said again, slightly shaking her head. "I will not."

Link's brow furrowed as his eyes slightly narrowed, giving her a glare she rarely saw aimed toward her. Blowing air through his nostrils, he took a step toward her.

"I don't have time for this," he said in a low tone. "Give me the slate. I don't wanna have to—"

His words were interrupted by a fit of coughs. His shaking legs finally gave out, forcing him down to his knees. He tried to save himself by grabbing the table, yet it slightly slid from the force as its wooden legs ground against the floorboards. Trying to control his cough, he pulled himself up with help from the edge of the table, though his grip was weak.

"Link!" Zelda called out as she watched him hit the floor. With concern in her eyes, she quickly stepped forward and knelt down in front of him. She placed a hand to his chest, feeling the rapid breaths and beating of his heart before running her fingers across his face. "Link, these are clearly signs of hypothermia!"

"No it's not," Link said, but Zelda shook her head.

"Link, anytime we returned back from the Hebra mountains a hundred years ago, I would always be checked for hypothermia as a precaution, and these are all the signs the mistresses would look for! I know you know this!" she said. "You can't go back out there! You could really—"

It happened in a blur. With a quick snatch, the Sheikah Slate was out of her arm and back in Link's possession. With as much control as he could muster, he pushed himself up as she tried to piece together what had just happened. After a split second, Zelda was also on her feet, with her eyes now full of focus. Even while sick, Link was still Link.

As he began to head toward the door, Zelda quickly ran behind him, wrapping her arm around his torso.

"Zelda—?"

"You're not leaving!" she said, reaching out and grabbing the slate with her free hand. "I won't let you! You'll get yourself killed!"

"I have no intention of dying!" Link said, keeping as best of a grip he could on the slate as Zelda attempted to pull it away from his shaky hands.

"Maybe not, but right now you can't even tell how bad of shape you're in!" Zelda argued.

With a tug, she yanked the slate from Link's hands. She stumbled back, hitting her lower back against the table. She sucked air through her gritted teeth from the sudden pain, but she kept her grip strong as she held the slate to her chest once again. Link, who had stumbled from the pull, recollected himself as best he could before turning back to Zelda.

"Zelda, give me the slate!" Link demanded. "I need to do this; I need to handle this now! No more waiting!"

"You can't handle it! Not like this!" Zelda shouted back.

"What, like I couldn't before?" Link shot back. "That Yiga should have been handled months ago! Look at what he's doing to us!"

"He hasn't done this! We did this!" Zelda exclaimed. "You were hurt during Maz Koshia's trials, and you haven't been the same since! You haven't properly rested at all—"

"I'm tired of hearing that!" Link yelled at her. "I've sat here for long enough while that piece of garbage has been watching us and ruining our lives! Give me the slate so I can fix that!"

"Link, you don't even sound like yourself!" Zelda said. "As cruel as the Yiga can be, you've never sunk to their level. You've never killed them and you've always still seen them as people! You aren't okay right now! You are acting rash— you've been acting rash ever since those trials!"

Link didn't respond to this. He only glared at her with eyes that illuminated anger. He quickly marched forward toward her once again. Zelda tried to move out of the way, yet his speed was still far greater than hers. He gripped the Sheikah Slate and pulled, but Zelda refused to let it go.

"Stop!" Zelda said, holding onto the slate as hard as she could. "You aren't! I said I wouldn't allow it!"

"I don't care if you won't allow me or not!" Link growled. "I'm taking this and saving you, the village, and me!"

He gave a final tug at the last word, forcing another fit of coughing to explode from his throat. Both came crashing to the ground with the Sheikah Slate hitting the floor with a thud before sliding away. With a groan, Zelda pushed herself up onto her hands before looking over at Link. Panic filled her eyes the moment they landed upon him. His breathing had become more rapid, his eyes were tightly shut as his hands gripped the chest area of his tunic. With her own heart now racing even faster than before, she crawled over to him and placed her hands on his cheek.

"No. No, no, no," she mumbled to herself. With a heave, she turned him onto his back and placed his head in her lap. Brushing his wet hair out of his eyes, she began feeling over his body. "Link… Your clothes are still wet… Your body is freezing!"

Fearing for the worst, she looked around the empty mess of a house, yet this time, she was alone. Taking quick breaths she quickly looked back down at the cold body in her hands.

"It'll be okay. You'll be okay. I promise. I promise…"