"Hey, Link," Zelda said, nudging me with her foot. I was sitting on the ground, polishing my sword in front of our makeshift fire, and she had her cowl hanging loosely around her neck. She looked like she was holding back a goofy grin, and I found it a little funny–this image, compared to what the rest of the world got to see. Everyone else saw a cold, elegant, regal and polite princess, while I got to see… her. It made my heart warm just at the thought.

Zelda's golden hair was a mess from the wind tangling the strands as it dried, and from her repeatedly running her hands through it. She had some mud from earlier smeared on her cheek, too, but her smile was still as bright as the sun. It made my heart do a weird thing in my chest just looking at her.

While I was distracted, she pulled a misshapen thing out of her pocket and held it out in front of me. I stared at it, confused. What…?

Zelda made an inelegant noise and covered her face with a hand, but I was still staring at the thing, puzzled. What was that thing?

She finally peeked through her fingers, face darkened in the firelight. The paper wrapping the thing crinkled as she began to remove it. "I… I wanted to give this to you for your birthday, but," she scratched her chin, embarrassed, "It kinda got squished in my pocket. And… Um, and a little water-logged."

"What?" I took a closer look, and an incredulous laugh escaped me before I could stop it. It was a Kokiri Cake. How in the hell…?

"Saria taught me how to make them a while back, and I wanted to surprise you," Zelda said. She laughed awkwardly. I was staring at her, wonder bound. This woman…

I suddenly thrust my hands out for the cake, and she looked at me, surprised. I shook my hands at her a little, expectant, and she couldn't hold back a laugh at the wonder-filled look on my face. She finally gave me the lumpy, squished pastry and I held it like it was a priceless treasure.

I haven't had one of these gooey cakes since I was ten.

She sat down next to me, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Happy birthday, Link."

My chest warmed, and I tore the pastry in half, giving Zelda the bigger piece. I took a bite, and it took everything in me not to inhale the damn thing and savor it.

It was perfect.

The flaky, buttered crust gave way to a tender chocolate and strawberry filling, with bits of roasted deku seed pressed into the top. Who cared if it was a little soggy?

I was so overwhelmed by the barrage of emotions that I was at a loss for words. I could only look at her, astonished. Zelda took another amused bite of her half, her crimson eyes glittering with mirth.

I held what was left of the pastry close to my chest, and I said quietly, "Thank you. For everything, Zelda."

Zelda hummed in response, and said, "Aren't I the best?"

I nodded without hesitation. "Mhmph," I said, cheeks stuffed with pastry. She laughed and I swallowed. I even licked my fingers, because Goddesses it's been so long. It tasted like home.

"I'm gonna be honest, though, I forgot it was my birthday today."

Zelda looked at me, stunned, but I just shrugged it off. I didn't know how she even found out about my birthday, now that I thought about it—I sure as hell never told her. She just randomly started celebrating it a few years ago, and it still takes me by surprise, with now being a perfect example.

I picked at a scar on my hand, and said idly, "No one really knew when I was born, so Saria just chose a random day for me when we were kids. I don't usually…"

Wait. Shit. That slipped out. My heart leapt in my throat.

Her eyes softened, and it was hard to keep talking. The fire crackled, filling in the fragile silence between us. She didn't say anything to break it, though, and she just leaned against my shoulder. The warm weight was comforting, in a way.

I closed my eyes, and we sat like that well into the hours of the night.

/-/-/-/-/

I twirled a blade between my fingers, bored. Zelda said yesterday that she'd meet me by the gates at sunrise, and she's late. Again. Farore, I need to get her a timepiece or something–

Someone tapped my shoulder, and I turned to see her, an apologetic smile on her face. Her blonde hair was done up in an elegant bun, wisps of strands escaping near her temple. Her dress was a simple white and pink, and she brushed off nonexistent dust from the front of it. "Sorry I'm late, I got caught up in another meeting," she said, sighing. I shrugged, my annoyance fading to nothing at the mere sight of her.

I flinched in surprise when I felt her tender hands brush my bangs away from my face. My heart pounded in my ears at the sudden proximity, and her eyes were so open, so vulnerable. I leaned in, and…

My blade sunk straight into her stomach, as easily as tearing through paper.

Zelda made a pained noise, her eyes looking up at me in betrayal before she crumpled to the ground, clutching the wound that my blade cut. I dropped the blade in terror, but it was too late, too much, too fast. Those piercing blue eyes never left me as the pool of crimson grew larger around her, but her hand still stretched out to me. The shadows seemed to laugh as I dropped to my knees next to her and screamed–

"-ink, LINK!" A rough hand shook my shoulder, and I jolted awake. Those same blue eyes, as vast and boundless as the sky, were filled with worry as she looked at me.

"What was that? You were yelling in your sleep."

As I tried to calm my frantic heart, I grabbed the hand that was still on my shoulder. It was solid, real, and I squeezed it, anchoring myself back to the present. Her rough and calloused hands, so different from a typical noblewoman's, squeezed back. I looked up and she was there, concerned, alive, and I was finally able to convince myself I wasn't trapped in another dream.

"Link?" Zelda asked again, and I finally remembered myself. I released her hand immediately, and mumbled a quick, "Sorry." I couldn't look her in the eyes, though, without remembering… that.

She frowned, her brow furrowed in concern, and I cursed myself for making her worry. My dreams have never been, well, that good, but these past few weeks have been especially terrible. They've started to all blend together, and the common theme among them terrified me.

"Go back to sleep," I said quietly. I groaned as I stood up, and I patted her head as I walked past her.

"Where are you…?"

"I'll… I'll watch over camp. Stalfos can get especially restless at night, anyways," I said over my shoulder.

"...Okay," Zelda said, but I could tell from the tone in her voice that she had about a million questions to ask me. But, unfortunately, I wasn't really in the mood to answer any of them.

The wind blew through the branches above me in a hushed whisper. I frowned as I realized I was clutching something in my other hand, and looked down at it. Everything in my body froze, and pure terror screamed through every nerve ending in my body.

It was the same blade from my dream.

I dropped the weapon like it burned, and it glinted mockingly back up at me. I sat there, numbly, staring at the blade until the sun peeked over the horizon.

/-/-/-/-/

The Castle Garden was my favorite place on the entire grounds, especially in the spring. The flowers' vibrant petals would be in full bloom, the winding vines would reach towards you from their wooden frames, and the grass swayed as if it had a mind of its own. It all exuded the feeling of life, and a hint of the wildness I grew up in. The green of it all reminded me of what once was home. Nothing could quite replicate the smell, though…

"Link."

I was dragged out of my reverie by a familiar deep voice. Impa's white hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and her red eyes, the same shade as Sheik's, were sharp and vigilant, an unconscious reminder of her role as Zelda's guardian and protector.

I lifted my fist to my chest in a salute, and she returned it. Then she crossed her arms, and asked, "What was so urgent that I had to be called out of seclusion, captain?"

Impa was never one for small talk, was she? Not even a "hello," I thought idly. Not that it bothered me, but it was something I noticed these past few years.

"I wanted to submit an immediate request for leave of absence," I said, equally as blunt.

Impa raised an eyebrow at that. "And why should I comply?"

Those shrewd eyes, I swear to Din. "I wanted to check on the Temples across Hyrule, and finish a few unfulfilled commissions made by the Gorons and Zora while I was out." It's not really false, but it's not the full truth either.

"Is that all," Impa said, unimpressed.

She scowled, her severe face even more unforgiving in her frustration. "Link, I thought you were beginning to take this position seriously. I can't just authorize you to leave on a whim, because you are responsible for an entire division of soldiers. You know that," she berated, and I winced. Yeah. Yeah, I did know that.

"So, I will ask you again," Impa said, her glare softening. "Why do you really need to go?"

I looked up at the Sheikah woman, startled. Her frown, instead of displaying the usual amount of severity or anger, was… concerned. It made me uncomfortable.

My own stoic facade faded away, and there was nothing left to hide anymore. I was just tired.

"I need to leave for a while. I'm worried that my continued proximity to the princess may lead to her hurt, or..." Or worse. It floated in the air between us.

Impa's frown deepened. "What do you mean by that."

I shook my head, and pointed to my temple. "Bad dreams," I said simply.

To anyone else, I would have sounded like an absolute nutcase. But Impa knew. She knew that when either Zelda or myself brought up a dream, they meant something. Her gaze examined my face, and took in the fact I wasn't lying this time.

"Have you asked Zelda for counsel yet?"

"She… can't help me with this," I mumbled, rubbing my face.

Impa still looked like she had a million different questions racing across her mind, but she simply replied, "Then I will notify your regiment tomorrow, and your second-in-command will take on your responsibilities until you return. And, Captain," Impa glared as a warning, "You better return."

Despite the exhaustion that seeped into my bones, I gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't I always?"

Impa's eyes softened again, and she ruffled my hair, just like she used to do when I was a child.

"Be safe."

"You as well."

A salute, and then she was gone in a puff of smoke. I finally released a shaky breath.

Gods, that woman was terrifying.

"Your Highness?"

I stopped mid-conversation to glance at the servant that called for me, and he bowed hurriedly. "The Prince of Ersha has arrived. He has requested an audience with you in the garden for afternoon tea."

"I–"

"She'd love to," my old man butt in, his warm eyes crinkling with mirth. The servant bowed once more, and hurried away without another word. I frowned.

"Dad," I said, indignant.

Dad chuckled, holding his hands up in a placating gesture. "Sweetheart, I know you're busy, but… please hear me out." I nodded, and waited for him to continue. My fingers drummed impatiently on my knee underneath the table.

He sighed. "You're almost 19 now. Soon my mantle will be yours–"

"And so it's my duty to be wed," I finished bitterly. My dad shook his head, and I blinked, surprised.

"And so you will need someone you trust to help you carry this burden. Your mother and I," his voice cracked, a wistful smile on his face as he looked at his interlocked hands on the table, "Your mother was the best thing that could have happened to me."

My mother. I could vaguely recall her face deep within my memory, but it was so faded by time I wonder if I made those details up. Her blonde hair, arranged into a high bun, and murmurs of her voice. I couldn't even remember her face, but she smelled of parchment paper and ink.

Dad's eyes grew serious, and he said, "You know my expectations. I don't expect you to marry the next suitor through that door, but if you somehow manage to find someone you can trust, you will have my full blessing. However," Dad's eyes glittered with humor, and my heart pounded in my ears, and I found myself hanging off of his every word. "You have to find them, first. Hence the afternoon tea."

You have to find them. My shoulders sagged in relief, and I looked up at my dad. King Inum II's eyes were crinkled in the corners with well-worn lines of mirth, and warm with love.

His eyes were blank, slumped on the throne, run through with a magic arrow that fizzed and crackled as it made contact with his blood. Impa yanked me into her arms and ran out of the main hall, the castle rumbling around us. A deep, echoing laugh seemed to follow us everywhere. Lightning flashed across the darkened sky–

I blinked rapidly at the sudden onslaught of images. That… that wasn't my memory. Was it?

My eyes slid back to the man sitting before me, warm and smiling and very much alive.

"Promise me you'll try, though, alright sweetheart?"

Ah, right. The conversation. I nodded, distracted. I'll put up an act for Dad, but in all honesty I had no interest in marriage. I just… I couldn't imagine anyone else by my side except for…

Well.

That wasn't happening, now, was it? He'd probably gag at the suggestion, I thought wryly, a self-deprecating smile tugging at my lips.

My fingers twitched as I resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of my nose, a habit that I managed to pick up from him along the way.

Dad nodded, then moved to stand up. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and I mustered a weak smile in his direction. At least Dad supported me. That in and of itself was a reassurance, and I let out a shaky breath.

Now for my greatest adversary…

Small talk.

Ugh.

/-/-/-/-/

I shuffled through the reports my maids had gathered, skimming here and there, reading up on the intel they gathered for my meeting with the new guy.

It was all the usual things: "accomplished swordsman" (hah! He'd probably just get knocked on his ass once he inevitably decided to challenge Link to a duel. Idiots, the lot of them), good looks, charming smile, womanizer. Yada yada yada, I just wanted a day off.

I let my head fall back in my chair, and I stared up at the ceiling, bored. My restless hands itched for another fight, and I had to resist the urge to snap my fingers and turn into Sheik. I would give anything to be bickering with Link about flaming keese right about now–

Speaking of, what was up with him recently?

I frowned. He'd been actively avoiding me for a few days now, ever since we came back from the Water Temple. I distinctly remembered that night, when I woke him up from a nightmare.

He flinched when he saw me.

There was something bothering him, I could see that clearly, but he was always so damn reticent. Has been since we were children.

Sometimes the focus of his eyes was far, far out of my reach. And I just had to be content with never knowing where he went.

A knock sounded on the door, and I hurriedly stuffed the reports under my pillow. Once I finished this and my training session with Impa, then I could pester him to my heart's desire. He's not going to avoid me for much longer, I decided. No, he's going to tell me all about what the hell was going on.

I was out the door in an instant, my white and pink dress hem swirling at the movement as the maid that knocked followed close behind. I put on my "regal" countenance, and squared my shoulders for another battle, not of the fists but of the mind.

Nayru, I needed a nap.

/-/-/-/-/

"How did tea go?" Impa asked as soon as I closed the door behind me.

Her "office" was a small, cozy little room, with a few scrolls hanging on the wall, written in sprawling Sheikah. There were also some weapons mounted, but only a trained eye could tell that they were all sharpened and ready for combat. Warm rays of late afternoon sunlight streamed in from the window in the corner of the room. It made sense that Impa wouldn't want a room with a big window near her desk; if there was an assassin, they'd have an easy day sinking an arrow into her back.

She set down the papers she was reading at her mahogany desk, and looked up at me from her chair. I pulled down my cowl and shrugged.

"Same old. Didn't itch his ass once during the conversation, though, so that was nice."

Impa made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snort, and coughed into a fist in an attempt to cover it up. I grinned. Making Impa laugh was one of my favorite past times.

"I can't wait to complain about him to Link," I said, huffing. Link always had something to say to make me feel better when I was upset about the stupid suitors that darkened our doorstep. Though, he's probably preoccupied now with–

The corner of Impa's lip twitched at the mention of Link's name, and a flicker of… something flitted over her expression.

I stopped. My intuition told me that something was amiss.

"Impa," I said, all of my attention solely focused on her. Her lips tightened.

"Where's Link?"

Ah, packing. I didn't quite miss it, if I'm being completely honest.

I grabbed what I could comfortably carry, then strapped my gilded sword and the mirror shield to my back. I had a few extra sets of clothes tucked away, food for about a week if I rationed it well, a few healing potions for when I'm in a pinch, and a few useful masks from back when I visited Termina. The Fierce Deity mask kind of gave me the creeps, though, so I put that in the bottom of my qiankun pouch.

I looked around my room for what could very well be the last time, and I… felt nothing. There is no trace of me left in this small, sterile room, as if I had never been here. And though I lived here, it never really felt like a home.

Nowhere did, really. Not even Kokiri Forest.

I shut the door behind me with a gentle click, and set out for the edge of the castle grounds. I needed to leave before twilight turned to dusk, if I wanted to get a head start on my journey to Kakariko. I checked the list of submitted tasks I jotted down one more time, and I wanted a nap just looking at it.

My handwriting may have been chicken scratch, but hey, I could write, couldn't I? Not bad for a kid that learned to read at the ripe age of 15.

I walked down the dirt path that led from the Castle itself to the gates into Castle Town, kicking up a little dirt as I stepped. They loomed ahead of me as I got closer, and my steps slowed, off to the side, pondering. Maybe I should use the ivy on the side of the cliff next to it, like I used to do back when I snuck in with Navi all those years ago. I don't really feel like dealing with the guards…

My neck suddenly burned, as if I was being watched, and I stopped dead in my tracks. I drew my sword as I whipped around, and the edge of my blade stopped within an inch of my target.

A singular, unamused eye, red as the breaking dawn, peered at me over his cowl. My heart leapt in my throat in panic.

Sheik.

He was leaning against the gate's brick with his arms folded, and he just stared at me quietly. A lone bird called ominously in the trees as the sun began dipping under the horizon.

How long was he standing there, waiting for me?

"...Sheik, I–"

"When were you going to tell me," Sheik cut me off, voice deadly in its quiet. His eyes searched mine for an answer that I couldn't give. When I didn't say anything, he huffed a laugh to himself, and he looked up.

"Dear Din, you weren't even going to tell me, were you? Nah, what's the point, right? Not like I'd be, you know, worried or anything." Sheik shrugged stiffly, and I felt a pang of guilt at the masked pain in his voice.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Farore, I was too tired to deal with this correctly. "...I'm sorry."

He stood there, waiting. Then, incredulous, "...Is that it?"

"What else do you want me to say," I snapped. He finally looked at me, and rage was simmering beneath the surface of that cold facade. It didn't help that I was running on about an hour or two of sleep from the past three days, so I was especially irritable. My head burned.

"I don't know, maybe why would be a good start," Sheik bit out.

My jaw tightened, and I saw flashes of crimson and shadows whirling and daggers glinting and broken screaming and I had to squeeze my eyes shut. "I can't do that."

"..." Sheik studied me, the setting sun casting long shadows and setting half his face in darkness. I tried to memorize as much of it as I could.

"Unbelievable," he muttered to himself, and he pushed off of the brick. He strode towards me, and I backed away until I hit the gate's wall, pressing myself against it. Sheik leaned in close, one hand on the brick next to my head, and I suppressed a shiver at the proximity.

His eyes bored holes into me, and I found my mind blissfully blank for the first time in a month.

"How about a deal," he murmured, voice so low I had to strain to hear it. "Let's fight a match. If you win, you get to leave without another word. I won't stop you. But," Sheik's eyes hardened, and he growled, "If I win, you tell me everything. Sound good to you?"

I gritted my teeth at the challenge.

"You know what? Yeah, sure, fine," I said, pushing him off of me. A flash of hurt crossed his features, but I tried to tell myself that it's for the best.

I walked down the path for a short distance, then I pivoted on my foot and threw my sword and shield down to the side.

I motioned impatiently to Sheik with two fingers, and… Farore, I think I just pissed him off even more.

Sheik's fists were clenched so tightly they were shaking, but he squared up into his fighting stance, hand out. I inched forward, pressing the back of my hand against his.

"Go."

Sheik was lightning fast as he threw three jabs in quick succession, and reached out to grab the back of my neck. I barely managed to block, and reverse gripped his wrists before he could interlock his fingers and bring his knee up.

He redirected his momentum to duck low, and a sweep kick sent me crashing to the ground. I coughed once at the impact, but rolled out of the way just before his fist connected with my nose. I reached out above my head and grabbed his supporting elbow, and yanked hard. He yelled as he lost his balance and I took the opportunity to jump on top of him. I grabbed his arm, swung my leg over and caught him in an arm bar. All I had to do was add a little bit of pressure to his joint, and–

He slapped me hard on the leg to tap out. I instantly let go, and we both laid there, catching our breath–it was the only sound in the quiet of the twilight. I finally mustered up the energy to crawl to the side to give him space. My heart was hammering in my chest and adrenaline rushed through my veins at the intensity of the match. It was still a little difficult to breathe from the impact of the fall, but I was slowly recovering. Dear Din, why haven't we done that before?

And then the reality of the situation hit me like a brick to the face. I looked over at Sheik, who had sat up with his back to me.

"Sheik."

Nothing. Not even a flinch.

"...Sheik?"

"Weren't you going to leave," Sheik asked coldly.

I sighed, then groaned as I got up to sit next to him. I bumped his shoulder with my own, and he glared daggers at me. I ignored it.

"You were distracted."

Sheik snorted, "No shit, Nayru." His glare intensified.

Ladies above I really did piss him off, huh? I haven't seen him this mad since that one time he caught me drinking poe fire ("WHAT IN THE FLYING FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU" was, I believe, his exact wordage).

"...I'll try to be back as fast as I can. Hopefully… distance will work." There, that was all I could say. I hated being cryptic about it, but I didn't know what else I could safely say. Paranoia made me feel as if there was always someone there, someone watching.

Sheik's glare lessened its intensity, and he peered at me curiously from the side. "Distance?"

I shook my head. I thought of that blade I held in my hand that fateful night, and it took everything in me not to bolt like a spooked deer. I reached over, and gingerly tugged Sheik's cowl down. Zelda stared back at me, the swirling mess of emotions in her ruby eyes on full display. Well, at least she wasn't glaring steak knives at me anymore.

I tried to commit each detail to memory, etching this moment into my soul. I smiled weakly, and said, "My knees still haven't given out yet, have they? I still have a promise to fulfill." My hand was still hovering in front of her cowl.

Zelda hesitated, then reached up to grab my hand. She muttered, "I'll hold you to that. And," She jabbed a finger on my chest, "I want a rematch when you get back."

I laughed despite myself, and pulled her in for a hug. She returned it, stiffness melting into weary acceptance as she hugged me tight.

"If you ever feel alone, remember that I'll always be here to talk to. Always," she murmured, her chin on my shoulder. A lump rose in my throat, and I could only nod. I squeezed my eyes shut, and pretended that we could stay like this forever.

Eventually, though, all good things must come to an end.

I pulled away, and gave her a half-hearted, crooked grin. Shadows began to shift in the corner of my eye, and I instinctively knew deep down that my time was up. I stood, and pulled her up with me.

The night around us was quiet as we stood facing each other. The moon was full and bright overhead, with stars as numerous as sand in the desert. I raised her hand to my lips, and pressed a tentative kiss to her knuckles. Ladies above, my hands were shaking. I hope she didn't notice.

"Be safe, Zelda," I whispered.

I threw down a deku nut, and it flashed blindingly bright in the depths of the night. As I lunged to grab my gear and disappear into the night with the few seconds that flash bought me, I felt like my soul was being ripped in half. Down the cliff and across the bridge, I couldn't stop thinking about the pain illuminated in her eyes, or the shining tears that were still threatening to spill.

I'll be back. I promise.

/-/-/-/-/

I lowered my hand from my face, blinking to get rid of the deku nut's stun effect (and something else–my throat burned).

Was that how Link felt every time I used deku nuts on him in the last timeline? I sighed, shoving my bangs out of my face, only for them to return over my eye. That's one more thing I needed to apologize to him for when he came back, then.

If he came back.

(don't do this to yourself, don't you fucking dare–)

Frowning, I tried to shove my emotions to the side (he left me oh NAYRU he really left, I'll-never-see-him-again–) and rationally go through my different options. I went numb.

He probably hasn't gone far, I could follow him, I mused. I immediately dismissed the thought.

No, there has to be a reason why he looked as if he'd stumbled across a Redead when he saw me in particular. Knowing him, not a lot got under his skin; even when he was scared, he handled it pretty well. It was just when he was protecting someone that I saw that hysteria break through the cracks–

I stopped, my frown deepening.

Impa said he had a bad dream. He nor I have had any of those since…

Since Ganondorf.

I pulled my cowl back up and turned on my heel to begin my trek back to the castle, lost in thought. The night was blanketed in a fragile silence, save for the occasional crunch of fallen leaves where an animal stepped. My own footsteps were light as a whisper, and I glided through the Castle Grounds like a spectre.

Is there another evil out there that I need to know about? That had Link spooked so badly that he would flee into the night like a skittish animal?

I pinched the bridge of my nose, making a frustrated noise. Why doesn't that asshole ever tell me anything? I don't have nearly enough clues, nor any idea what Link was going through… if he was even going through anything, and that he hadn't just grown restless cooped up in the Castle...

"...I'll try to be back as fast as I can. Hopefully… distance will work."

I sighed through my nose. That was very, very vague. For a guy that's especially adept at puzzles, he's shitty at leaving his own clues. I slipped back into the Castle using the path Link personally showed me all those years ago.

My room was on the fourth level of the castle, and there were decorative (but strong) vines that twined and stretched all the way to my balcony. I had personally requested for them to be installed two years ago, so I could use this way to climb back into my room undetected at night (and maybe for the occasional card game with Link, but I'd never admit to it out loud. Ladies above, I miss him already).

I made quick work of the climb, and slipped over the balcony's railing, ducking through the curtain silently.

The room was chilly and dark. When I left, I hadn't even thought to ask a servant to heat my room while I was gone; I was in too much of a hurry.

I tried not to look at the wood carving Link gave me for my sixteenth birthday, a deku scrub sitting atop my mantle, mocking me with its silence. Or at the bag next to it, tea leaves from the Lost Woods that Link would drink every time he came over (it was the only tea he could drink without making a face). Or at the daggers that were haphazardly scattered over my desk, the ones I kept forgetting to return to him after I offered to sharpen them–

I set my jaw, blinking rapidly. Stop. Stop.

I snapped my fingers, and the world around me stopped, shifted, lost a little vibrancy as I lost the innate Sheikah ability to see curses. I squeezed my eyes shut at the puff of smoke, and I could feel the transformation, the enchanted red bleeding away to reveal chilly blue. My fighting gear and suit morphed into a simple nightgown, and my bare feet touched the cold marble tiles.

Flopping onto my bed, I laid there, arms outstretched, not even bothering to climb under the blankets. Everything suddenly began to sink in all at once, and heat flooded my vision as I could no longer fight back tears. They raced down my face, soaking my pillow, and it was hard to breathe. I curled onto my side, tucking my knees close to me, biting my knuckles so hard I tasted the tang of blood on my tongue, trying not to let a noise escape. However, there was no one to see me anymore, no one to be strong for.

I broke.