POV Link

A few hours remain before sunrise when I see the coast of Loshlo Harbor appear on the horizon. Traditionally, ships dock directly at Lurelin Village, a bit further south; but after a conversation with the captain—and a few rupees handed over—a new stop was added to the route so I could disembark closer to Hateno.

"But there's no port there," the captain complained when he first heard my request. I assured him he could stop a little way off the coast, at Tenoko Island. There's always a raft lying around there, and it would be enough for me to reach my destination.

As we near the small island, the ship halts, and they lower a ladder for me to descend. As expected, there's a small abandoned raft there. I load my bags onto it and head for the shore. In less than two hours, I reach the coast, and my feet touch the lands of Hyrule for the first time in years.

I had no idea how far I had traveled. It took nearly six months to return from Koholint, even coming as fast as possible without any detours. I had to take ships at two different points and cross countless miles of land.

Each step I took reduced my distance from Zelda. And that was all I thought about every day of the journey. The longing hurt, ached, and I could do nothing but wait for the arrival. The Ocarina I received from the Hero of Time remained untouched, at the bottom of one of my bags. I knew I would need to return to that task at some point, but my mind refused to focus on anything other than Zelda.

I can't say it was a mistake to leave Hyrule. Without having known Koholint, I probably never would have found new clues to learn more about the past. I wouldn't have learned about the existence of the Spirit of the Hero. However, it was a mistake to think I needed to be alone to make these discoveries. Not that Zelda could have accompanied me. But couldn't I, at the very least, have kept in touch through correspondence? Or returned more frequently?

Since deciding to return to Hyrule, not a night has passed without me dreaming of Zelda. Her smile, her wit, her passion for learning new things, her laugh, her scent. My arms ache with the desire to hold her again.

Unable to wait another second, I start up the road leading directly to Hateno on foot. As the sun is just rising, everything is still very quiet and peaceful. Hyrule—this part of it, at least—is exactly as I remember, and for a second, it feels like I never left.

Within a few hours, I reach the entrance to Hateno and am hit by a wave of nostalgia. I enter the town slowly, absorbing everything around me. I notice that the Sheikah Tower in the region is gone, as well as the Sheikah Shrine that was inside the village. Zelda and the researchers must have opted to destroy them, then.

It must be just past 8 a.m. now. I see some people coming out of their houses to start the day. Some look at me curiously, but no one seems to recognize me. Maybe it's because I've let my beard grow freely over the past few years, with no energy for its maintenance.

I head straight to my old chalet. I imagine Zelda must still live there; knowing her, the castle's reconstruction is likely one of her last priorities. She'll want to ensure her people's well-being first.

As I cross the bridge leading to the house, my heart is pounding so hard it feels like it might burst out. My palms are sweating. My breathing quickens with each step. I see the interior of the house is lit, but I don't know if she just woke up so I decide to wait until she comes out rather than knock on her door.

I go to the tree to the left of the house and sit at its base. After a few minutes, I get up again—the anxiety makes it impossible to remain seated. I start pacing back and forth with my hands in my pockets, trying to make time pass faster. The cabin is at my back when I hear the door opening.

I turn immediately, ready to address Zelda. But instead of her, I see a man leaving the chalet. Caught by surprise, I hide behind the tree, worried I might be invading some strange family's privacy. Did Zelda move back to the castle after all and give the house to new people? However, within seconds, I am proven wrong, and my heart sinks. Frozen, unable to stop watching the scene like a curious pervert, I see Zelda, still in her pajamas, standing at the door talking to the man.

She is smiling and communicates with him easily and familiarly. I watch as she raises her arm to touch the man's shoulder and slide her hand down to his, holding it, in a gesture more intimate than if they were naked in front of me. He, much taller than her, bends down and places a soft kiss on her mouth.

It's too much, and I can't keep watching. I slide down the tree, falling to the ground. From where they are, they can't see me. But I hear the man say, confused.

"Did you hear something?"

They stay silent for a few seconds.

"I think it was just the wind," Zelda says. Hearing her voice, so clear, so familiar, so unreachable, makes my heart contract in a painful beat.

I hear the door closing, his footsteps moving away from the house and crossing the bridge. It seems he pauses for a moment but continues shortly after.

Stunned and unsure what to do next, I hide between the back of the chalet and the mountain wall that surrounds it. I wait until Zelda leaves the house—after a few hours—and walks away before I can leave that place.

With a foggy mind, I decide to go to the last place anyone would expect me to be.

Hyrule is much busier than I remember. Many new faces mixed with the familiar ones. People carrying construction materials from one point to another, all extremely busy.

Being on foot and carrying bags, it took me three days to reach the Dueling Peaks Stable. The attendant there looks at me curiously when I arrive, as if trying to recognize me. After a few seconds, he gives up but continues to look at me uncertainly during the service.

I ask if they have any horses for sale. I don't have the energy to capture a wild one in the fields. I left Epona at the Lakeside Stable—southeast of Hyrule—before traveling on foot with Kass to Lurelin when I embarked on that damned mission. I didn't think she would still be under the care of the stable network, but in a stroke of luck—so rare lately—not only is she with them, but she is also at this very unit.

I pay 2000 rupees to get her back. They only ask for 400 for the sale, but I insist. Seeing her, I realize she has been very well taken care of since I left. Her chocolate-colored coat is shiny and soft, and she seems very happy. So I make sure to cover any expenses they might have had with her during my absence.

Despite my different appearance, she recognizes me as soon as she sees me. She trots happily towards me and lowers her head onto my shoulder, as if giving me a hug. My throat tightens at this reception, and I have to hold back tears. I pet her neck, then offer an apple from my bag. I picked a few before stopping at the stable, in case I needed to befriend a new horse: the easiest way to get into their good graces is through their stomach.

"Hey, girl," I say, stroking her long face. "I missed you."

Epona neighs happily as if sharing the sentiment. The stable attendant watches the scene with curiosity but says nothing. After she finishes eating, I mount her and head straight for the Castle.

Castle Town is still in ruins. Confirming my suspicions, it seems Zelda decided to leave the restoration of this part of the kingdom for last. Which is great because I can hide here until I decide my next steps.

I pass through the gates still mounted on Epona, and we head to the first gatehouse. This is a structure that, at the height of the Calamity, used to be infested with monsters. But I imagine it must be deserted now.

However, as soon as I enter, I see that I am wrong. It's not a demon waiting for me, but for a moment, I wish it were: it would be easier to deal with that kind of problem.

"How predictable you are," says Purah, looking at me with her arms crossed.

Frustrated at not having the silence and isolation I wanted to process my emotions, I dismount from Epona and face Purah. I see she is no longer a child but exactly the woman I remember from before the Calamity.

"Hello to you too," I reply.

Despite being slightly irritated by the intrusion, a bittersweet joy at being recognized by someone hits me. I walk over to her and hug her before she can respond. Realizing I need this, she returns the gesture and waits until I let go. It takes a few minutes.

"Wow, Linky, what a situation, huh," she says, and I realize she already knows I'm aware of Zelda's new relationship. Then, she grimaces. "How long has it been since you had a bath?"

Slightly embarrassed, I remember the last time was nearly two weeks ago before boarding the last leg of the journey to Hyrule. My clean clothes ran out after 10 days, and I started alternating them, looking for the ones with the least unpleasant smell.

In this light, it's good I didn't speak to Zelda as soon as I returned.

I ignore her question and answer with another.

"How did you know I was back?"

"A few days ago, Tauro stopped by my lab, as usual. He is helping us research ancient technologies because he is a historian and knows a lot about places outside Hyrule. He said he saw an unknown traveler hiding behind the tree by Zelda's house. Since he knows your story, he put two and two together and concluded that you were back."

Definitely mortified for being caught in the act, I just nod. Before I can stop myself, I ask the question that has been tormenting me for days.

"Have they been together long?"

Purah looks at me with pity, making me feel even more humiliated. I know I was the one who told Zelda before leaving not to hesitate to enter a new relationship. But theory is very different from reality. Since I couldn't get involved with anyone in recent years, I naively believed it would be the same for her.

"Does it matter, Linky?" Purah replies. "You left, said you'd never return. You gave her your blessing to be with whoever she wanted. She's young, beautiful, witty; did you really think she wouldn't find someone else?"

"Is she happy?"

Purah sighs.

"I hope so. The past few years have been very difficult for her. It took her a long time to open up again, especially having to deal with the uncontrolled powers and…" she stops, as if realizing she said too much.

"What happened with her powers?" I press.

Realizing it's pointless to hide now, Purah tells me everything that happened recently. I feel guilty for not being there while Zelda was in pain. And for being responsible for part of that suffering.

"Why did you come back?" Purah asks.

Then I explain about my last few years. I talk about my time on Koholint Island, my strange experience in the Dream Shrine, meeting other young men who also claimed to be called "Link" and shared the experience of bearing something called the "Spirit of the Hero." I notice that Purah takes notes the whole time I'm talking.

"Very curious…" she says, thoughtful.

"What?"

"As I told you, Zelda also started a journey to learn more about the origin of her powers. What day did you say you received the Ocarina?"

"The night of September 22nd to the 23rd."

Purah shakes her head, impressed.

"The same day her powers reappeared. Curious, very curious."

"What do you think it means, Purah?"

"Honestly? I have no idea. But it'll be fun solving this mystery with you two. Now I'll go back to Hateno, and I hope you do yourself—and US—a favor and take a bath. Wash your clothes too. The Castle is surrounded by a river, in case you don't remember. And do something about the beard, this 'castaway' look doesn't suit you."

Purah returned to Hateno after our conversation. I followed her advice and cleaned up; I was really filthy. After sharing some fruit with Epona, when it was already dark, I leaned against the gatehouse wall.

I still don't know if I should talk to Zelda. On one hand, I don't want to intrude on her relationship. Purah didn't specify dates, but the way she was evasive indicates it's a still-young relationship. On the other hand, it really is curious that we shared those experiences simultaneously, even being thousands of miles apart. And the Deku Tree said there would be another attack. I imagine we'll have to fight side by side again. Maybe it's best if we get reacquainted as soon as possible…

Unable to make a decision about it, I rummage through my bag for the Ocarina. I examine the strange instrument, still sitting on the ground. It seems very well made, and despite clearly being very old, it's in excellent condition. I notice that near its mouthpiece, there is a silver band where the three golden triangles that seem to be in all the decorations here in Hyrule are engraved. I frown, intrigued. What does this symbol mean? Every time I see it, I'm flooded with a sense of nostalgia.

Impulsively, I bring the Ocarina to my lips, play the six notes of the Song of Time that I was taught, and focus on the first destination I was instructed to visit.