Impa's POV

We arrived at the castle in two days.

Wind rode on Epona, not having any experience traveling across large expanses of land.

We were allowed a few hours to lounge around the castle and change out of our old clothes before the inauguration ceremony.

The heroes and I blended in with the crowd during it.

Honestly, I wasn't paying attention to what the King was saying.

But Link, Urbosa, Revali, Daruk, and Mipha were wearing their new Champion cloths.

Revali got a scarf embroidered with Vah Medoh, Mipha a sash with Vah Ruta, Daruk a sash as well, with Vah Rudania, Urbosa with a skirt with Vah Naboris, and finally, Link with a tunic with the hilt of the master sword.

The king said something about "Champions" and "solidifying their unique bond". I wasn't really listening.

After the ceremony, we all went outside and gathered in the gazebo.

Link was talking to Urbosa. Though Urbosa was doing most of the actual talking. Daruk and Mipha were across from them. Revali was physically excluding himself from the others.

So not much was new.

The princess, the egg guardian and I entered.

The heroes were either scattered around the castle (most were asleep), or were in the gazebo.

I was still a little surprised that the robot was following Zelda when in battle, it won't leave Link's side.

"We did it." I said. "We have all the pieces on the board to stop the Calamity."

We looked on to the five new champions and past heroes.

"With the knight who seals the darkness, the four champions, the past heroes, and you, of course, I'm positive we can turn back the—" I was cut off by the guardian coming in front.

"Would you stop making a nuisance of yourself?" I scolded the little monster, getting down on my hands and knees. "Unlike you, the princess is extremely busy. Hey!" I exclaimed when I held my hand out, and the robot swatted it away.

"Cut it out!" I said, getting agitated. "Now, listen you—" I made the mistake of putting my finger in swatting-range again.

"Stop that! We're trying to help the princess here!"

The robot kept swatting my finger away. Until I finally learned and kept my hands to myself.

"Come on, you two." I heard Zelda say. "There's no need to fight."

I acted like I didn't hear her.

"Urgh!" How dare you act so disrespectfully in front of Her Highness, you troublesome teapot?"

I heard Urbosa's laughter.

The egg scuttled over to Revali.

I heard the others talking in the background. But my tunnel vision had me focused on only the robot.

"Gah! Enough!" Revali squawked. "Leave me out of this! If you must fight, do it elsewhere!"

I made my way over to the two to continue pursuing the egg. "Come back here, you whiny little…"

I cut myself off.

"Gah!" Revali shouted again. "Stop it!"

I heard laughing coming from the heroes. And smacking sounds that were accompanied with a sound like smothered laughter.

Finally, Revali had had enough.

He took flight and left the gazebo.

He muttered something under his breath but I couldn't hear him.

Finally, Link picked up the robot high above his head. But the robot was twisting so much he dropped it and fell down.

It took a little while before everyone calmed down.

But I can swear the robot glares every time he looks at me.

The little bitch…

—

Zelda's POV

I walked through the red-carpeted halls of my childhood home.

Link and the familiar-but-still-unknown guardian were escorting me to my room.

I held the artifact in my hand.

I glowed with an otherworldly light. One I recognized only from the tower.

It seemed to me Sheikah technology, but I still don't know what it does. I want to ask the heroes, but I doubt they'll have much more of an idea then I do.

I held the artifact to my chest, remembering the day I found it.

I closed my eyes and tried to remember my mother's warm touch and bright smile from that day.

But my thoughts were interrupted by a voice that made my blood run colder than the name "Calamity Ganon".

"Studying relics again, hm?" Father asked. For a large man, he snuck up on me and Link easily.

my eyes snapped open. I turned to face the king.

"Father!" I said, pushing all hostility from my voice.

I heard Link turn of the spot, before sinking into a bow. I felt pity toward him. I knew how much he hated doing that, coming from Hateno Village and all.

"You think you have time to busy yourself with things like that?" Father asked coldly.

"It's just that I…" I trailed off, unable to find a believable excuse.

I heard the robot scuttle closer.

I looked down.

The robot ran before me and Father. Getting in between us.

The robot began to make accusing-sounding noises. I heard Link gasp.

Somehow, that gave me confidence. I looked up at the same time Father did.

I stepped closer to him, artifact in hand.

"This is from a long time ago." I revealed. "It's a relic I found one day… while Mother and I were out exploring."

I handed Father the artifact.

He took from my small hand, into his large ones.

"Mother and I…" I continued. "we discussed it at some length together. It seemed special, like it might hold hidden powers.

"Even after all this time, I have yet to unravel its purpose." I admitted. "But, Father, if you allow me to uncover the meaning behind such relics, I believe it could help us to—" I was cut off.

"Enough." Father said sternly and unkindly. "That is not for you to determine."

"It doesn't mean I won't continue with my training, Father!" I protested. "But I also want… I want to… explore all options—to do everything that I can!"

"Even so," Father started. "it seems that you are avoiding you duty."

He looked away for a moment, looking pained. "I will allow it… for now. But do not forget your mission."

I didn't say anything. I just simply nodded.

I turned briskly around and tried my very best not to storm off.

Link stood up quickly, nodded at my Father, before following me.

I could tell Link wanted to say something to me, he just didn't know what to say.

I mentally willed him to say it, I wanted a friend right now.

But not a word passed his lips.

It wasn't until I reached my room, slammed my door, and screamed and cried as loud as I could into my pillows that I realized something.

Father still had the relic.