Darkness. Losing the sense of feeling as everything faded away. He felt a pain in his chest. It hurt— being the only sensation that remained— yet, that wasn't the most painful. He had watched them fall one by one—including the one he loved— by the hand of someone he had fought before. Right at the front door of the inn. The masked man was there; the Yiga himself. He hurt them all. He had to move. He had to do something. He had to get up. He had to wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

"Link, wake up."

Link's eyes snapped open. His breathing was heavy and it felt as though his chest could split in two. Pain coursed through his body, sore from a day's worth of fighting and being covered in half-healed wounds. But, after not even a second of being awake, a calming pleasure covered his body. He was on his knees, resting his head on something warm and soft. It was her, and that alone put him at ease. Zelda was there and alive, and he couldn't help but admit to himself that her legs were far better than his pillow at home.

"Sorry," he said calmly. "I must've fallen asleep."

"I can't blame you," Zelda giggled. "I apologize for waking you. I almost wish I hadn't—I haven't watched you sleep in some time— but it looked as though you were struggling. Are you alright?"

"Yeah… Yeah, I'm okay," Link said with a deep sigh, choosing to bury his head deeper into her thighs.

"Was it another nightmare?" she asked, allowing her face to fall as she looked down at him. "You told me about them before…"

"Mhm," Link replied simply. "But, that's all it was: just a dream. It just seemed so real… Then again, I guess they all do."

"I'm so sorry," Zelda said sadly, choosing to run her fingers through his hair. "I hadn't been paying much mind to how they affected you, even after you told me you were having them. You were struggling so much…"

"It's alright," Link said, placing his hand on her thigh to give it a light squeeze. "I shouldn't have let them take over as much as I did. I really let them get to me."

"Still…" Zelda mumbled, but Link had begun lightly chuckling.

"You used to watch me sleep?" he asked, causing his lover's cheeks to glow a pale red.

"Y-you're cute when you're sleeping," she admitted. "Please don't tease me about it."

"I won't, I won't," Link promised. "I watch you sleep too."

"You do?" Zelda asked in horror. "I'm probably a horrendous sleeper!"

"You know, you used to sleep very elegantly," Link claimed, "but, it got a little sloppy as time went on after you were freed."

"Link—!"

"It's cute," he cut in with a smile. "I prefer it."

"Oh, you…" Zelda murmured, though she was unable to keep the smile from growing on her face. After giving a light sigh, she giggled before leaning over his ear to whisper, "how do you feel?"

It hadn't taken long for his energy to finally give out after their discussion with the others before they left to cook. Only after a few minutes and a quick talk with Zelda, Link had fallen to his knees, allowing his head to rest on Zelda's lap before apparently knocking out in her comfort. Even now, it took everything in him not to fall asleep again, right then and there. As he rested, his lover gently caressed his dirty blonde locks. He could feel her slender fingers traveling lightly along the threads of his hair as he calmly breathed. After a few moments though, Zelda gently glanced over at the body that lay under the sheets behind them.

"It feels wrong to be acting as such in front of her," she said guiltily. "Especially in the state she's in…"

"I guess so, isn't it," Link replied, opening his eyes slightly to look at Jules. "It's because of me she's like that. Not you."

"You're wrong," Zelda said. "You didn't see a lot of what transpired between the two of us during these past few weeks. Even if you claim the Yiga was all your fault— which it isn't— I'm the one that pushed her so far."

Link felt her fingers lightly clench his hair.

"It's my fault. I shouldn't have treated her the way I did," she continued. "And something tells me that I would have treated her the same, regardless of whether or not the Yiga had chosen to not reveal himself at all. It was immature of me. I acted like such a child."

"Is that why you want to go to Kakariko so badly?" Link asked. Zelda nodded.

"I have to correct things as best I can," she answered. "Even if only a little. This is the best I can do."

Pursing her lips, she took a deep breath (wincing slightly at the pain in her stomach), before looking down at Link with a gentle smile.

"Thank you for supporting my decision," she said. "I know it's foolish of me to want to go in my condition, but… I just can't leave someone else to do it. It wouldn't feel right to me."

"I know the feeling," Link said, lifting his head to look her in the eyes. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," Zelda smiled, brushing hair out of his eyes. "I'll come back to you safe and sound."

"Weeeeell, aren't you two just adorable?" a young voice suddenly called out. Both looked at the staircase to see the little researcher standing at its top, tapping her foot with her hands on her hips. "Food is ready downstairs. You'd better come to eat now, Zelda. I know I said the stitch bought us time, but we'd rather move quickly if possible."

"Right," Zelda agreed before looking back down at Link. "Will you be joining us? You look exhausted. I doubt anyone would mind if you chose to turn in for the remainder of the day."

"I could say the same to you," Link chuckled, "but, I'm starving. I'd love a bite to eat."

"You say a bite, but you'd like much more food than that, knowing you," Purah said, raising an eyebrow. "Good thing we planned for your appetite. Come, come."

She waved her hand as she headed down the stairs, ordering them to follow her. With a light chuckle, Link pushed himself to his feet. Gritting his teeth, he held his hand out to Zelda, only for him to show the wince he had been trying to hold in.

"Are you alright?" Zelda asked, hesitant to take his hand.

"Y-yeah," he answered. "I just… It didn't hurt like this a little bit ago."

"Your fight or flight response ended, it seems," Zelda giggled. "I'm sure mine has ended too. My stomach is in agonizing pain at the moment."

"Looks like we should hurry so you can get to that fairy fountain," Link said. "Don't worry, I'll help you down the stairs."

"Hey, you aren't doing too well, yourself, Mr. Knight," Zelda teased. She reached up and lightly placed her hand in his palm. "How about we help each other down the stairs?"

Link gave a simple audible laugh and gripped her hand, helping her to her feet. Holding on and keeping each other balanced, they walked to the staircase and stopped at the top. After allowing a pause for Zelda to look back at Jules, they headed down to the dining hall. The moment they stepped in, the sound of Prima yelling echoed in their ears, ordering Manny and Teli around to help set the food out properly as Celessa watched from the table they were setting up. She wasn't the only one watching, for Purah stood from the doorframe, shaking her head in disappointment as everything unfolded, only looking away when she noticed the two step in.

"Welcome down," she said.

"What's all this?" Zelda asked, watching the chaos unfold between everyone.

"Well, we wanted to make the meal seem a lot less… tense," Purah explained, twirling her pencil between her fingers. "Things have been soooooo dreary lately, and I believe it's best to shine a little light when things go dark. It effectively keeps hope inside of us. Unfortunately, our teamwork here isn't very snappy."

She snapped her fingers, and at that moment a crash was heard throughout the room.

"Manny!" Prima yelled. "I told you to be careful! You can carry them one at a time!"

"S-sorry…"

"I'll help clean it up in a moment—" Teli began as he set dishes on the table, yet Manny instantly shouted.

"No! No, I can handle this—"

"You clearly can't!" Prima shouted again. "Stop trying to do more than you're able to— Oh, great. Look, Link and Zelda are here and nothing is set yet. Good work you two."

"Hey! You know, I don't have to help!" Teli yelled, now agitated himself. "First it was the horse stables, now it's these dishes. I'm starting to regret telling you to start asking for help around here!"

"Oh really?" Prima threw back. "Well, it wouldn't be that hard if you would just—"

As the two continued to argue, Celessa chuckled awkwardly from the table while Purah sighed from the door, bringing her fingers to the bridge of her nose.

"It looks as though it would have been smarter to just bring you something quick and efficient to eat for your little journey to my sister's—" Purah began, but Zelda started giggling. Link glanced over at her as she laughed in his arms.

"This is perfect," she said. "It's exactly as everything should be."

While Link smiled at this, Purah raised an eyebrow and glanced at the scene unfolding before them. After a moment, she shrugged.

"Whatever makes you happy," she said before yelling. "Come on you three, snap to it! We're on a time crunch here. Get that food on a table!"

"Why is she barking orders in my inn?" Prima mumbled before sighing. "You three just sit down. I'll make plates right here and let Teli and Manny bring them to you. Which they won't drop. Understood?"

Hearing the sternness in her voice, Manny nodded and quickly hurried over, though Teli folded his arms and huffed.

"I didn't drop anything… A person as dashing as I doesn't deserve this," he sighed, yet he followed after the large Hylian.

Still smiling, the couple walked over and sat down at the table. Immediately a plate was given to Link, who started scarfing down his food, while Celessa— who Zelda had sat next to— gave her a warm smile.

"You two look better than before," she said to the princess, glancing over at Link before meeting her eyes again. "Did you clear some things up?"

"You could say that," Zelda said. "Celessa… You know, you don't have to come with me to Kakariko. I can do this myself; I know you're just as injured as I am."

"I'm not as injured as you are, and I can't let you go alone," Celessa said, furrowing her brow.

"But, this is my responsibility—"

"Zelda," Celessa said sternly. "You're my friend and my hero. If I can help, even if just a bit, I will. Just like I did today."

Zelda stared into Celessa's unwavering eyes before sighing.

"I guess it's futile to try and stop you… Thank you," she said, "for everything."

"Absolutely," Celessa said cheerfully. "Besides, this'll be fun! It'll be a nice little girl's trip, even if we're a bit sore."

"A bit sore?" Zelda chuckled. "I guess that's one way of looking at it. By the way… What's up with that name?"

"Hm? Name?" Celessa asked, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You're calling me Zelda, not Princess," she explained. "I was wondering what the sudden change was for?"

"Did you prefer Princess?" Celessa asked, but Zelda shook her head.

"I'd prefer my name, but you were set on calling me Princess before," she answered, giving her a thoughtful look. "You did it back in the house too."

"Well, back when you and Jules were arguing, you noticed you were acting a bit like… You know," Celessa said. "So, I figured maybe calling you by your royal title would just remind you of that, I guess."

Zelda smiled before resting her head on Celessa's shoulder.

"Thank you," she said, closing her eyes and taking a breath.

Happy, Celessa placed her elbow on the table and put her chin in her palm, silently giggling to herself as their plates of food were placed in front of them.

...

Dishes clattered as Prima stood at the counter, washing whatever food or grime had been left from the feast at hand. The ambiance of cleaning echoed through the hall, muffled by the murmur of conversation that continued at the table. While Manny sat quietly, watching Prima from the table, Celessa yawned—wincing slightly from her sore body— as she listened to Teli ramble, giving her advice on how to travel dashingly (something that was supposedly different from traveling normally). Though their conversations seemed relatively harmless, depending on how helpful Teli's traveling advice would realistically be, it was Purah and Link who were focused on what was next to come.

Standing in one of the chairs, Purah swiped through the slate's icons as Link remained in the chair next to her, watching as she mumbled to herself. For a moment, he looked away, glancing over at Zelda, who stood in the dining hall's doorway, leaning against the beams as she stared at the staircase. He knew it had to hurt, standing in one place with how injured she was, and yet, he knew he wouldn't be able to pull her away. Even if he could, that wouldn't take away what she was thinking. That was something he knew all too well. Finally, after a few moments, the little researcher spoke up.

"It looks as though she has everything she needs," she said. "There isn't any food or any useful ingredients, but there are weapons and a few necessities for her journey."

"She won't be gone long," Link said, still watching Zelda from afar. "She'll be there and back again with some fairies."

Purah hummed in response, still swiping rapidly through the slate. After a pause she mentioned, "you seem awfully calm, especially for someone who knows full well there's a psychotic, narcissistic assassin out there waiting to take your lives."

"She'll be fine," Link said. "The Yiga won't show himself, not again."

"That's a surprisingly relaxed response for someone who almost died to that Calamity worshiper, and watched almost everyone else die, as well," Purah claimed. Link looked back at her.

"Do you think I'm making the wrong choice?" he asked. "Hoping that everything will just work out?"

"That depends," Purah replied. "Are you actually just hoping? Or do you think you've actually thought it through?"

Link didn't immediately answer. He sat quietly for a moment, looking at everyone around the table until his eyes landed on Zelda again. After a few moments, he spoke.

"The Yiga appeared because I let him. I drove myself to exhaustion thinking he would strike at any time when it ended up being the opposite. He struck at the perfect time, the only time he could have: when I was weak, and when I allowed that weakness to take over. I won't let that happen again."

"Are you still afraid?" Purah asked, now looking at the slate's map. Link looked back at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Afraid?" he repeated. "I'm not actually afraid of the Yiga—"

"Not the Yiga," Purah snapped. "Afraid of what could happen."

This made Link pause again. Of course he was afraid. He could lose Zelda and everyone else to not only just the Yiga, but anything else that threatened them. It could be the one time he couldn't pull through or the one time he was too overconfident. Link blew air through his nose and folded his arms. Regardless of the truth, he instinctively wanted to say no. It was what he did months ago when Zelda had asked similar questions. He didn't want to worry anyone or stress them out even further, especially after all that had just transpired, and yet, he sighed.

"Yeah," he said simply. "I am. Anything could happen, even if I don't think it will."

"So what makes this situation different from before?" Purah asked, causing Link to furrow his brow.

"Are you testing me or something—?"

"Juuuuuuuust answer, please," Purah said, zooming in on one of the blue icons, one Link could see was the closest to Kakariko Village. Though he was confused, he answered.

"Because living in fear only made things worse," he said. "I hated living like that. These last few months were… Well, I'm sure you know. As scary as it is, I'd rather have faith that we'll be alright and that we can find our way, instead of… Well, how everything has gone recently."

He looked over his shoulder and back at Zelda.

"What's the point in keeping everyone alive if no one seems happy…?"

"Is that how you actually feel?" Purah asked. Link nodded without looking away from his lover.

"It is," he said. With a grin, Purah turned off the slate.

"Good," she said before jumping down. "Glad you both have learned a thing or two."

"So you were testing me," Link grumbled, but the researcher gave a fake— and very much sarcastic— laugh.

"Well, I had to make sure you learned soooooomething because of all this," she said. "If I had just told you, who knows if it would have stuck?"

Link glared at her but quickly gave in to the smile that was creeping on his face.

"I really messed up," he said. "With everyone, but mostly Zelda. I'm supposed to be her lover, and all I've done is cause her stress and grief. I hate that."

"Well, it's not like it's only your fault," Purah said, waving the slate around in her hand. "She's a piece of work too. I just hope maybe you guys can snap back on track. You're a pretty cute couple, you know."

"I'm surprised to hear you of all people say something that—" Link began, yet Purah pointed the slate at his nose.

"Don't get used to it," she said. "Both of you are still a couple of dunderheads. But, that's most. Not everyone was gifted the level of intellect or maturity I was blessed with."

"Aren't you a hundred years older than us?" Link asked. "I don't think that's fair with how old you are—"

With a (possibly) playful thud, Purah knocked the ancient device against Link's noggin.

"You're over one-hundred years old, as well," she said, choosing to face the rest of the room before he could challenge the flaw in her logic. Leaping down from the chair, she called out. "alright! I think we've had enough time to lounge around. Zelda! Celessa! You're up."

Happy to pull herself away from Teli's ramble, Celessa jumped up. While she winced at the sudden motion, it didn't seem to bother her in the slightest as she followed Purah to the door, followed by Link. Zelda, who had looked back at the sound of her name, watched as Purah and Celessa walked passed before following them to the door. It wasn't long before they all stood in front of the inn's large front doors.

"Okay, you should be full of energy now that you've eaten," Purah explained. "You know what your task is. Nothing more than that, and should something happen—not saying that it will— you will immediately teleport back here. Are we clear?"

Both Celessa and Zelda nodded, though Purahs gaze was squarely focused on the princess, who gave a more thorough nod.

"Get fairies, and then come back," Zelda said. "Nothing more."

"Glad you understand," Purah said. A simple task means a simple journey. Here."

She held the Sheikah Slate up, allowing Zelda to take it from her tiny hands. She looked at the slate before tapping on its screen, allowing the map to shine brightly. It had already been zoomed in, with the blue icon near Kakariko already selected.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" a voice asked.

Everyone looked back to see Prima, coming from the dining hall with a wet plate in one hand and a drying towel in the other. She walked toward the door, drying the dish as she did, before stopping next to Purah. Zelda and Celessa smiled.

"We'll be fine. Promise," Celessa said eagerly. "It's just like Purah said! It is but a quick trip, nothing more."

"You better not do anything besides that," Prima said sternly before looking at Zelda. "Knowing you, I can't help but put it past you, even if you say otherwise."

"We'll be okay," Zelda said before glancing at Link in the back. "Right?"

Link stared at her with a blank face, one she hadn't seen in some time before giving a small smile.

"Yeah. You will be. I'll be waiting for you to come back."

"Right," Zelda said. Suddenly, her smile grew a bit wider. "Oh… The roles seem a bit reversed, don't they? It's kind of exciting…"

"Aaaaaaalright, now," Purah suddenly spoke up. "Don't let that dinner go to your heads. There's still someone dying upstairs. Time is precious, soooooo, if you would, please?"

"Y-yes, of course," Zelda said, focusing on the task ahead. With a stern face, she turned to Celessa. "Are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," her friend returned.

Excitedly, her hand went to the door and yanked it open. Link furrowed his brow. This all felt familiar— far too familiar. It was just like the dream he had. The Yiga could be standing there, waiting for them to strike. His judgment— his hope— could have been wrong. Very wrong. He opened his mouth, ready to call for Celessa to stop, yet when the door was all the way open, all he saw was snow. Nothing else. He sat almost dumbfounded. It almost didn't seem real. His body relaxed almost as quickly as it had tensed up.

"Celessa, we don't need to walk," Zelda said. "We can travel far more quickly using this. I've told you all about how useful this device is before, haven't I?"

"Right, that slipped my mind," Celessa said. "I've never used it before so I'm still kind of wrapping my head around it. So… we don't need to be outside for it to work?"

"If not, close the door please!" Prima said. "It's still snowing!"

"Right, right, Sorry. I've got it—"

"Link?"

As if snapping his trance, he looked at Zelda, who was giving him a questioning look as the doors slammed shut behind her.

"Is everything alright?"

"Y-yeah…" he replied, before looking out the open door once more. "Yeah. Everything's fine. It really was just in my head."

Zelda raised an eyebrow, but before she could question him any further, Celessa spoke up.

"So, what do we have to do?" she asked.

"Just place your hand somewhere on me and the slate will pick you up," Zelda explained. "All I have to do is push the button, and we're off."

"Alright then," Celessa said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let's get going. For Jules."

With a nod, Zelda tapped on the screen. The two began to glow a bright blue as their bodies turned into a river of lights. Prima watched in awe as the strings began to flow upwards, covering the lobby with its light. Purah, adjusting her large red-framed glasses, smirked at the sight, while Link watched with his usual blank face.

Come back safe, he thought as the lights faded. I'm not used to sitting here like this, but, Jules is counting on you… and so am I.