The rhythmic clapping of powerful horse hooves resonated through the Tanagar Canyon, accompanied by the heavy panting of a mighty steed. As they galloped through the arid landscape, a thick cloud of sand billowed in their wake, swiftly enveloping and obscuring them from view.
Riju sat at the back of the black horse, feeling the warmth of its body against her skin. The horse had saved them from the Yiga's attack and was carrying them safely. Tulin flew ahead, his wings flapping gracefully as he guided the horse toward their destination. The horse seemed to know the way instinctively as if it had made this journey many times before.
But as the night began to fall, exhaustion set in. They had been running for hours, and none of them had slept since the attack. Riju's eyes grew heavy, and she leaned against the horse's back, feeling its steady breathing beneath her. She knew they had to keep moving, but the thought of sleep was almost too tempting to resist.
The black horse had galloped down the path of the snow-covered South Tabantha field, leaving the Yiga clan members behind during a blizzard and the town they had passed. As they continued their journey, they suddenly found themselves at the entrance of Rito Village, having traveled farther than they had realized. The determined horse turned around and followed the path to the Tabantha Great Bridge before veering towards Gisa Crater and around the Rayne Highlands, finally arriving at the canyon's entrance. Despite the long and arduous journey, they were now very close to The Hideout, or at least near it.
Riju gazed at the entrance of the Forgotten Temple with a sense of pride as she spoke to Link's trusted stallion, Diablo. "That's a good stallion, Diablo," she said, patting his neck affectionately. "Link trained you well."
Tulin, flying overhead, landed on the horse's saddle with a thud. "You're telling me," he grumbled. "The damned Yiga Clan always pops up where they aren't wanted."
Riju dismounted from Diablo and reached into her satchel, pulling out some juicy apples she had gathered earlier. She fed them to Diablo, who eagerly munched on them, his eyes closing in pleasure. Riju also gave him water from her canteen, which he drank gratefully.
Riju sighed in relief as she spoke, "I'm just glad you didn't have to deal with them on a daily basis like I did." She rolled her eyes, clearly frustrated by the memory. "But normally, they aren't that difficult to defeat... there was just something different about that blade master," she said, lost in thought as she finished giving the horse its last snack.
Tulin listened intently, curious about what made this particular enemy so formidable. "I overheard some of the members call him by name. I think it was something like Sooga," he said, trying to recall the details. He dismounted his horse and landed gracefully beside Riju.
With one final Pat to the horse, the horse started to walk away in the direction it had come in. Both being grateful, they both said their goodbyes to the horse with a couple more pets and well wishes for the horse to get wherever it was headed.
Tulin and Riju made their way towards the Forgotten Temple, with Tulin lending a helping hand to Riju by carrying her up to the leading platform. As they stepped inside, they were greeted by numerous Fallen pillars, remnants of a once-great civilization. They carefully navigated their way around the towering mother goddess statue, its intricate details still visible despite timePassagely; they entered through a hidden Passage, the darkness enveloping them as they walked through the tunnel. Then, Riju spoke, sharing her knowledge about the members and their practices. She confirmed that she had never heard them call out each other by name during battles, nor had she encountered such a practice.
As Riju and Tulin walked towards Yunobo, they noticed him carefully cleaning and watering the first Queen's grave. The flowers around the grave looked healthy and friendly, and Yunobo ensured they stayed that way. Riju and Tulin asked him to go to the map room where Link and Sidon were waiting for him. Yunobo was confused and followed them with a worried expression as he noticed the many cuts and bruises they had on them, along with how tired they looked.
When they reached the map room, Sidon and Link were murmuring to each other while Link finished his meal. The room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with tension. They both turned around and smiled at Riju and Tulin as they entered the room, but the smile quickly disappeared from their faces and turned into worried expressions as they saw how messy Riju and Tulin looked. The cuts and bruises on their faces and arms were evidence of the danger they had faced.
As Link rose from the bed, Sidon approached Riju and him, his eyes quickly scanning for any visible wounds. "Are you two all right?" he asked with concern etched on his face.
"We're fine," Riju replied, "but we were ambushed yesterday on our way back by some of the Yiga members of this time." Her words elicited gasps from Yunobo and Sidon, and even Link shot her a slight glare, wanting her to go into more detail.
As Sidon tended to their injuries, Link bombarded them with anxious inquiries. "What exactly happened? Are both of you alright? Did the Yiga pursue you all the way here? And where precisely did the attack take place?" Despite the visible evidence of wounds, Sidon remained composed and efficiently applied the medicinal herbs they had collected the previous day.
"We lost them somewhere in the Tabantha tundra and the nearby village, but we took a longer route just to be safe. Also, your horse Diablo came to our rescue and helped us escape with our lives," Tulin explained their journey. He felt relieved to share their experience with Passagerea, a better place than Riju.
"You have trained your horse well, especially since we didn't even have to lead it here," Riju acknowledged.
Link's voice was concerned as he addressed his companions, "Thank you, guys. However, are you guys absolutely certain that you're alright?" He was reassured that it was only a few scratches and they were fine. "We must gather the horses at once. I don't want to attract any unwanted attention from the clan," Link muttered urgently.
Riju drew attention to a troubling fact - the Yiga they were facing now were much more robust and skilled than the ones they had encountered in their own time. To make matters worse, they were being commanded by a blade master who went by the name of Sooga. The Yiga seemed to be relentlessly hunting them down, and their motivation was clear - they were searching for vital information about the Divine Beast and other matters.
Link was surprised to hear about Sooga's existence as he had never encountered anyone by that name in their timeline during his infiltration of the Yiga clan. The gravity of the situation was not lost on him, and he knew they had to proceed cautiously. Link retreated into deep thought, pondering their next move and the implications of their newfound information.
Riju furrowed her brow as she spoke, her eyes darting around the room as if checking for eavesdroppers. "The Yiga Clan has reason to believe our hideout is nearby. We cannot afford to let them discover this place, especially in a vulnerable location."
The group had forgotten about the Forgotten Temple - its name was an apt reflection of its obscurity. But they were all too aware of the risks associated with the Yiga, and the possibility that they might stumble upon the hidden rooms behind the mother goddess filled them with dread. That was something they didn't want happening at all.
"We must be extra careful," Link continued, his gaze piercing as he looked at each of them. "We cannot take any chances with the Yiga on our tails."
Sidon nodded thoughtfully, his eyes fixed on the group. "I agree. It's not safe for us to stay here any longer. We need to find a new spot to hide... But where can we go? The place I usually go under the Zora kingdom is spacious enough for all of us, but it's also dangerous. We could easily be spotted by some of the Zora." Sidon furrowed his brow, considering their options. "What about the caves on Death Mountain? They're well-hidden and not many people know about them."
Yunobo shook his head. "No, that's not a good idea. The Gorons use those caves frequently, so it's likely we'll be discovered."
The group stood in silence, the tension palpable, as they carefully weighed their options. They knew that their safety and survival depended on making the right decision.
Link broke the silence with a suggestion. "I have an idea of where we can go," he said, "and it's also very convenient for us for the next two temples. It's so close to Death Mountain and the Zora domain." He remembered a good hiding spot that would fit all of them and still be convenient for their journey.
However, there was a catch. "But I'm going to have to gather my horses to help us move our things, and that's going to be challenging," Link spoke, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
As the group in the room exchanged glances, they all seemed to realize the challenges ahead if they were to bring their luggage along on horseback. For Link, his horses held a special place in his heart, as they were not only from his original timeline but also had been through numerous trials and triumphs together.
However, the primary concern was that the other horses, besides Diablo, Dragon, Heart, and Cadet, were exceptionally striking. Titan and Twilight towered at nearly 9 to 10 feet tall, respectively, and were imposing figures that could easily capture one's attention. Epona and Storm were counterparts to the original Epona and the legendary Royal White Horse of the Royal Family, which made them both rare and highly sought after. Meanwhile, Malfoy was a pure gold horse with an incredibly lustrous coat that sparkled in the light, making it impossible not to admire its beauty.
As they discussed their strategy, Sidon brought to everyone's attention that the Zora domain had intensified their security measures due to the princess being away on her Champion duties. He advised the group to hold off on their plans to explore the Water Temple and Fire Temple to prevent any harm to Link's health and avoid potential danger. Sidon's words conveyed a sense of caution and concern for everyone's safety.
"It would be better if we go to the fire temple first," Link suggested, noticing Sidon's disapproving look and the others' silent agreement. "But before that, we need to start packing and I have to finish healing. So let's get ready to move," he added, turning around to gather his belongings. Sidon felt frustrated, but he knew it was important for Link to recover fully before they set out on their next temple.
Zelda's body was completely drained of energy, and she felt like she had been stuck in the same position for an eternity. For three long and tiresome days, she was confined to praying, her mind and body weary from the monotony of it all. The growing, increasingly impatient guards couldn't hide their annoyance towards her. In particular, she couldn't help feeling their impatience directed towards her. Meanwhile, Link was always by her side, never leaving her alone once and constantly watching her. Despite his unwavering dedication, she became increasingly irritated with his presence, longing for a moment of solitude.
The last day of their camping had arrived, and the atmosphere was thick with a bittersweet feeling. The campsite was surrounded by dense green trees, and leaves rustling in the wind filled the air. She took a deep breath and said a final prayer, feeling the sun's warmth on her skin. As she stood up and turned to Link, she noticed he was gazing intently at the water's edge. This was unusual for him, as he was always composed and professional. But now, his stoic expression had been replaced with a look of surprise and shock. She couldn't help but wonder what had caught his attention.
Zelda walked out of the spring, still annoyed, and gave Link a confused look as she approached the Champions, who had guarded her. Link followed her and shrugged his shoulders, appearing unaware of something.
"Princess, are you alright?" Urbosa asked with concern as Zelda passed by her. The other Champions turned to her, giving her a puzzled expression before nodding in agreement.
Zelda's voice was gentle as she responded to Urbosa's question. "Yes, I have just finished my prayer," she said. The Champions, uncertain why she had been asked this, looked at each other before returning their attention to her, waiting for an explanation.
Mipha approached Princess Zelda, and She reached into her waterproof bag and pulled out a soft handkerchief, extending it towards the princess. "You're crying, princess," she said, her voice gentle with concern.
Zelda's hand quickly rose to her face, and she became aware of the tears cascading down her cheeks. Her eyes were overwhelmed, and the tears flowed like they would never cease. Mipha's handkerchief was a welcome relief, and Zelda wiped her eyes until she was no longer crying.
The other Champions watched with worry, wondering how it was possible that Zelda had not noticed her own tears.
After wiping away the tears she hadn't realized were streaming down her face, Zelda took a moment to collect herself before addressing the Champions. She assured them she was okay, though she couldn't explain why she had been crying. As they returned to the guard, the Champions followed behind Zelda, quietly noting her behavior. Despite her efforts to hide her tears, they had not gone unnoticed. However, they chose not to bring it up to the guard, keeping her moment of vulnerability private.
The group took two days to return to the castle and inform the King that Zelda's prayers had not been answered and there were no new developments. The King was livid and accused Zelda of being absent, along with the other champions, to seek advice from his advisors.
As Zelda made her way out of the throne room, she asked her father for permission to leave the castle and conduct research on the Guardians that had been destroyed or simply to get some fresh air. Her father nodded his head in anger and instructed the servants to return her belongings since she had completed her prayers to the goddesses. He was unwilling to entertain her tantrums and allowed her to leave. He then proceeded to seek counsel from his advisors without further delay.
Upon their arrival, Zelda and the Champions quickly headed to their rooms as the sun set and night fell. Link, the ever-vigilant guardian, stayed behind to watch at the front door of Zelda's room.
Before Zelda entered her room, she reassured the others that she was fine and that they should not worry about her. Even with her reassurance, however, they couldn't help but feel some apprehension as they watched her go to her room. The weight of the evening's events was still heavy on their minds, and they didn't want to say anything that might further upset her.
As they settled into their rooms, the Champions couldn't help but reflect on the events during the prayer. They were concerned about the lack of any immediate response from the goddess and the implications of that for their impending battle against Calamity Ganon. They knew they had to stay intense and focused, but the uncertainty and unease were challenging.
Zelda took a leisurely stroll by the tranquil shores of Lake Kolomo, marveling at the breathtaking scenery surrounding her. The pale trees that towered above her cast a delicate shadow, adding to the peaceful ambiance of the area. As she explored the region, she took in the sights and sounds of the wilderness, her senses heightened by the sheer beauty of it all.
She took her time, relishing the freedom of being alone, and immersed herself in the natural world. She rolled around in the soft grass, feeling the blades tickle her skin, and used her trusty Sheikah Slate to capture the many animals that passed by her. She snapped endless pictures of the wildlife, from the scurrying squirrels to the majestic deer, each adding to the area's awe-inspiring beauty.
Finally, with her father returning all her research, she could breathe freely and enjoy her free time without interruption. Not even that annoying swordsman Link, who was fated to fight alongside her against Calamity Ganon, could spoil her moment of peace and tranquility.
The day was warm and inviting, with clear blue skies and brightly shining sun. As the clouds moved quickly towards the northeast, Zelda was busy conducting extensive research on the Guardians, including the flying ones, and delving into the rich history of Hyrule. She spent hours poring over scrolls and books, taking notes and cross-referencing information, wholly engrossed in her task. The time seemed to crawl by as she delved deeper into her research, her mind racing with new insights and ideas. After finally completing her work, she looked up at the sky and breathed in the fresh air, feeling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Zelda lay on her back on the soft, green grass, the blades tickling the back of her neck. She gazed at the sky, watching the fluffy clouds passing overhead the birds soaring high above. She couldn't help but think about what true freedom meant as she stretched her arm out, trying to touch the fluffy white clouds.
As she placed her hand on her stomach, she noticed something unusual. She sat up, her eyes still fixed on the sky, which now appeared strange. The clouds were moving oddly, glowing as they drifted with the sunset but not following the direction of the wind. Zelda watched with curiosity as they seemed to rise, giving the impression of a storm or hurricane.
She wondered what could be causing the clouds to move so peculiarly. Was it a weather phenomenon? Or was it something else entirely? Zelda couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement as she sat there, watching the strange behavior of the clouds.
Zelda, feeling disoriented, muttered to herself, "What on earth is going on?" She was taken aback by a deafening roar that echoed through the air, sending chills down her spine. She frantically looked around to identify the source of the sound, but to her surprise, she realized that she was no longer standing on the grassy hill where she had been before. Instead, she was floating, suspended mid-air, with clouds surrounding her. She opened her mouth to speak, hoping to get some answers, but all that came out was a soft whimper.
Just as Zelda was about to panic, she saw a glimpse of something moving out of the corner of her eye. Zelda looked around again for any signs of danger, but all she could see was a long, serpent-like body hovering in the sky, seemingly attached to herself.
Zelda was in complete shock as she noticed that her body had undergone a drastic transformation, and she was now a towering dragon. Her initial reaction was to scream in terror, and the sound that came out of her mouth was deafening. She felt overwhelmed and couldn't think straight as she gazed at the vast sky above her. Her body felt alien to her, and she struggled to control her movements, except for her eyes, which darted frantically around, trying to take everything in.
Looking downwards, she noticed that her shadow in the clouds was much thicker and golden, shining brightly in the sunlight. She couldn't see the ground, making her feel disorientated and afraid. Despite her fear, she couldn't help but marvel at the clouds, which looked like cotton candy, with their soft, fluffy edges and intricate shapes.
As she soared through the sky, time seemed to stand still as she struggled to understand what was happening. She gazed at the world below, watching the clouds zoom by in a blur while the wind roared past her, carrying her higher and higher. Despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, she managed to calm herself down and focus on the sensation of the wind blowing past her. As she listened to the sound of the breeze, she could feel the turbulence of the air currents settling down, creating a more peaceful atmosphere. She watched the clouds dip and swirl around her as the wind carried her toward her destination.
As she floated there, surrounded by the clouds and the breathtaking sunset that seemed to stretch on for eternity, she couldn't help but gaze around in awe. The wind continued to whistle in her ears, and she felt a sense of unease as she couldn't quite understand what was happening. But as she listened to the wind, she couldn't help but hear a faint humming sound that grew louder as she moved through the clouds.
She tried to figure out where the humming was coming from, but she couldn't see anything beyond what was already in her sight. As she continued to hear the humming, she began to relax, with fear gradually leaving her as she recognized the humming tone. It was a familiar sound, but she couldn't quite place where she had heard it before. She listened closely, trying to hear more, and as she did, she realized that it was the sound of a distant song carried on the wind.
She closed her eyes and let the melody wash over her, feeling a sense of peace and contentment she hadn't experienced in a long time. The song seemed to fill her, and she felt part of something greater than herself. She opened her eyes again, feeling more alive than she had in ages, and continued moving through the clouds, following the song's sound.
The soft humming that filled the air was coming from a woman's voice. Zelda could tell immediately that it was a woman's voice, but the strong winds, clouds, and humming made it challenging to identify where it was coming from. The golden clouds cast an ethereal glow, and she could feel the wind caressing her skin as she listened to the humming.
The humming continued for an eternity, and it felt like days to her. Zlda wondered who was singing and why they were humming. She closed her eyes and focused on the sound, trying to understand everything.
Suddenly, amidst the humming, a bright light appeared before her. It was not blinding but bright enough to be seen even through the clouds. As she got closer, the glow grew more prominent, and she could see it was a reasonable distance away.
At first, she was curious about the light, wondering what it could be and why it had suddenly appeared. However, as she continued to approach it, she felt a sense of unease and dread. She couldn't explain why, but the closer she got, the more she felt like something was wrong.
Her mind was screaming at her to stop, not move any closer, but her body ignored all attempts at control and continued to fly towards the growing light. As she approached, the light became brighter and brighter until it was blinding. She had tried to resist, begged, and pleaded with herself to turn back, but it was no use. Finally, she was right before the light and suddenly stopped, hovering there. She couldn't help but catch her breath as the light shone brilliantly, illuminating everything around her and making the clouds shine brighter.
As she floated there, trying to make sense of the situation, she suddenly realized that the humming had become overwhelmingly loud. It was a strange and eerie sound that seemed to be coming from right beside her, yet she couldn't see anyone humming. She looked around, trying to locate the source of the sound, but she found nothing. Her fear grew, and her heart raced as she stared into the bright light, feeling an unexplainable dread. She could feel a cold sweat forming on her forehead, and her hands trembled as she tried to steady her breathing. Despite the unease, she took a deep breath and continued gazing into the light.
Then, all of a sudden, the humming stopped utterly. The wind, which had been blowing fiercely, also died abruptly, as if someone had flipped a switch. The clouds moving quickly in the sky also came to a standstill. The only movement was the glowing light in front of her, making her even more anxious. She could feel her heart pounding as she looked around, trying to understand what was happening. She was surrounded by complete silence, with no sound of birds or wind, and the humming had stopped entirely. She felt a sense of unease and foreboding as if something terrible was about to happen.
Zelda was lost in thought when suddenly, a woman's voice shattered the silence, making her jump in fright. The voice was so close that it felt like the woman was right before her, screaming, "Link!" Zelda's body froze, and she tried to look around, but it wouldn't respond. Her eyes darted to the source of the sound, and she saw it coming from the light in front of her. She was stunned as she realized that the voice had come from the light - it was an eerie feeling.
The woman's voice was filled with urgency as she screamed, "Protect them all." Zelda was confused but also curious. Who was the woman talking about? She searched in the light, trying to understand what was happening. The light flickered and danced, and Zelda could see it pulsating with energy. Then, all of a sudden, her body surged forward straight into the light, and then nothing but darkness consumed her.