Streets of Hyrule Castle Town
Letting PurahC and RobbieC tag along to the castle to avoid wasting time had seriously backfired on ImpaC.
She had wanted to save any and all discussion for when they arrived at their destination and was able to maintain that until now with her orders as chief.
But PurahC never let her sister's position affect her behavior. She naturally bombarded them with questions as they walked, emboldening the equally irritating RobbieC to do the same.
"Hey SidonU! Been a while! Is it just me, or is that a new accessory on your head? Haven't I seen that on King Dorephan before? Something happen in that regard, hmmmmmm?" PurahC grinned slyly, hoping to prod an answer out of the Zora "Prince".
"Er, well..." SidonU glanced at ImpaC, whose look clearly said Do NOT indulge her, and decided to keep quiet.
"Looks like it's been more than 2 years for you guys, hasn't it?" RobbieC pressed, looking at them all, "Riju was just a little thing last time, but look at her now! And I don't remember Yunobo being so macho! You really are Daruk's descendant, huh?"
Riju was no longer a child by any stretch. She was a little over 20 now, as tall as Urbosa with her hair in a braid extending down her back.
Yunobo hadn't changed much... since the Upheaval. But even by that time he had changed drastically in the eyes of those in the Post-Calamity future. His demeanor had toughened up and he had more of a confident air, even more so after the Upheaval.
"Hey! I just noticed some more interesting accessories! You three have the same kind of jewel Zelda... your Zelda had when she appeared!" Purah noted, adjusting her glasses and staring intently, "Teba, Tauro and Linky don't, so it isn't related to the portals... what are those?!"
Everyone seemed to clam up without needing ImpaC's input on that. Teba seemed to struggle with it, maybe an explanation of his exception to this rule. Whatever he wanted to say, he seemed awfully smug about it rather than ashamed.
LinkU and the others (minus one) did exchange looks at this. The shared thought was about an issue they hadn't considered until this point. In the castle, this was also being heavily weighed by ZeldaU...
Princess Zelda's Chambers
ZeldaU was alone in her chambers... if they could be considered hers. A few hours had passed since she awoke. Unbeknownst to her, her allies had already arrived in this timeline, and were nearing the castle. Tulin had just finished off a Battle Talus and was briefly resting before heading that same direction. Paya and Josha were being interviewed in the throne room.
She was gazing out the window, at a view she hadn't seen in millenia, but still vividly remembered. The town. Peaceful, whole, full of life.
She had gone through many phases. Confusion at how such a thing was possible. Her other self had left a record of the Calamity on her desk, and she read it in under an hour, unable to put it down.
She felt it was unfair at first. Why had she gone through such a tragedy if it didn't need to be that way?! Here, she had endured hardship, but lost virtually nothing. She never failed.
That Construct that called itself "Terrako" was apparently responsible. It had come from what she guessed was her future. It seemed to fancy itself her servant, even after it blatantly abandoned her to her fate to live out an alternate reality.
It continued spiraling for a while. She had even screamed our the window several times. But as shocking as all this was, ZeldaU was a survivor. She could only dwell for so long before she regained her rationale.
Her own friends, from her own future had been involved as well. With her mind now clear, she could very well understand if they had indeed recalled these events and chosen not to tell her. The last few hours had made the reason for that plain as day.
It wasn't like her current life was all bad, and she couldn't lament what couldn't be hers. Perhaps she could take solace that a timeline like this even existed at all.
She had her own fond memories, after all. She got to meet people like Rauru, Sonia...
It then hit her, and what little envy she still had was replaced by concern and anxiety.
The Demon King. The source of all Calamities. In this future, he was still sealed beneath the castle. A seal that would break in about a century. This peace, this idyllic outcome, could not last forever.
In her future, they were able to defeat the Demon King after much hardship, but a lot of it was because of the precise circumstances.
The Sages needed guidance. Link needed a more powerful Master Sword. Zelda needed to be...
Though she did cherish meeting the people from Hyrule's founding, there was something else. The unthinkable sacrifice she had to make. That she never expected to have been able to return from.
The miracle that made that happen was not something to bet on happening. Even if someone assured it to you.
ZeldaU could never ask this version of herself to go through that. Even if she could, she would need to be there 100 years from now. In young form. Possibly put in a sort of stasis like the now-defunct Shrine of Resurrection.
Abandoning this future Terrako had helped her save. LinkC, as well, would need to join her.
This also raised questions of time paradox in her mind. Had the Imprisoning War played out differently here? Was the Light Dragon currently roaming above this Hyrule's clouds?
These thoughts occupied her head. More than anything right now, she wanted to think of a way to prevent the Upheaval, in a way that preserved the happiness ZeldaC currently enjoyed.
A few ideas occurred to her, but all of them gambles with unknown variables...
Throne Room
Paya was internally floored by the surreal events happening to her right now. She never imagined she would find herself in the Throne Room of the Hyrule of yore, talking to the historical figure that was King Rhoam.
They had been guided there by Daruk, who gave them an unbelievable account of the Calamity on the way over.
In the waiting room, she tried to collect herself, even as Josha excitedly rambled on about her thoughts on timelines and history alteration effects.
Now here they stood. Paya had no idea how to hold herself in front of Royalty. ZeldaU had insisted on keeping things casual. The most official she got was when offering reports when on duty.
She decided to go with that and took a knee. Josha didn't get the memo, however.
"That's the King of Hyrule I've read so much about! He looks so big and dignified!" Josha was giddy with excitement, standing straight while practically jumping up and down, "It's an honor to meet you, Zelda's Dad! I've heard and read so much about you along with all the Champions! We even found your diary preserved in the Castle! I was so insightful..."
"JOSHA! QUIET!" Paya exclaimed. She was honestly giving her a heart attack, "I a-apologize for my colleague, y-your majesty!" Josha had her so flustered her old attitude was resurfacing, "She isn't used to etiquette..."
"From what I've heard, it's more impressive that you are..." The voice was stern, yet expressed magnanimity, "Daruk has informed us of your origin... and the future you come from. Are you truly Impa's granddaughter?"
Paya looked up nervously, "I am, Your Highness... I actually don't mean to be rude, but I was informed Princess Zelda is here?" She asked, "The one from our time." She clarified.
"She is... she's currently in her room... at her request, we have let her be, for now. Were you worried about her?"
"Yes, but I wonder if she knows we are here. She may be worried about us."
"Why? Was there a problem?" ZeldaC decided to inquire, then her eyes flashed in realization "Actually... I can believe I hadn't considered... with the monsters appearing, they must have been taken from your future, correct?"
"Yes!" Paya replied, eager to learn more on this lead, though it did loosen her tongue a bit, "I had no idea ZeldaU had been brought her, too, but we were actually on our way to meet with her when we were brought here! The portals were causing a crisis! Not only monsters, but two important people had vanished! The Sage of Wind and the Zora Crown Prince had vanished, and..."
"Wait! What did you say?!" Mipha exclaimed at that last mention, "Crown Prince?!"
Paya shut her mouth immediately, cursing her inexperience. She herself didn't see any reason to hide anything, but this delicate situation required she consult ZeldaU.
Unfortunately...
"Yeah! Little Prince Tidon! Just vanished into a portal! King Sidon was really upset! All the Zora were! I felt sorry for the guy, really! Not to mention Exalted Dore..."
"JOSHA! STOP! FOR THE LOVE OF HYLIA, CONSIDER THE SITUATION!" Paya begged when she finally got over the shock of her subordinate's outburst.
Silence now permeated the room.
After a while, a small yet awkward smile appeared on Mipha's face.
"I see..." That feeling she had for that child suddenly made sense to her, "Well... I assure you, he is safe and sound... Tidon, that's his name, is it?"
"Heh... uh... Congratulations, Auntie Mipha?" LinkC attempted to joke.
"Sounds like SidonU is indeed doing well... thriving even..." ZeldaC added, "Do you have any idea who the boy's mother might be?"
"I can't honestly say... I have noticed SidonC is certainly popular in his age group, but..."
The sudden outburst had made the situation tense, and now this solemn meeting had turned to small talk. At the very least, it eased the tension.
Urbosa wanted to let it go on, but she also was curious about another key phrase "Pardon, but if I may ask... Sage of Wind? Who is that? What does that term entail?"
"Hey, yeah!" Daruk added, "It sounds cool! Nothing like that exists here! Is it important?"
Paya preempted Josha with a sharp grip on the shoulder this time.
"I apologize... but before we answer any more questions, I insist on seeing our ZeldaU. With all due respect, I report to her. I'd be happy to continue, but only with her permission."
"I second that." Came a stern voice.
They recognized that voice, and immediately turned to LinkC. But he himself was looking towards the doorway, where another LinkU stood.
In all the commotion, they hadn't noticed the door open. Indeed, usually they would get a report of any arrivals like this, but when they arrived at the Castle, LinkU was having no more unnecessary formalities.
ImpaC couldn't stop him, and the others who arrived with him didn't try. Two of them actually seemed on board with it.
The whole arrival party was now there, with ImpaC, PurahC, RobbieC and the Sheikah escorts catching up a moment later. But things were already moving by then.
"Paya! There you are!" Tauro exclaimed, running up and hugging the right woman this time, "You had me so worried, babe! Oh! Get this! See them? That's your grandma, and that's your grandpa!"
"Wha? Tauro! Hold on! How did you get here?! LinkU?! Everyone?! How did... wait... Grandma?... Grandpa?!" Paya seemed to be busy processing this new development.
Another important arrival occurred at this time.
"My, my... what did I miss?" Revali had just arrived, expecting a few of these faces, but then noticed the presence of an additional Link, and a mirror Impa being embraced by a wild-looking scholar, "Hold on...! What have I missed?!"
He noticed Teba and decided to at least tell his friend about Tulin. But as that occurred...
"SidonU!" Mipha exclaimed, in a surprised "Speak of the devil" moment.
"Sister! Hello!" SidonU gave an energetic smile "I'm so happy to get to see..." Just as Mipha noticed the familiar crown that now sat on her brother's head, he stopped, hearing a familiar voice cooing in the nearby courtyard outside. It was faint, but unmistakable to him, "...Tidon? Tidon! My boy! I'm coming!"
Now not even his beloved sister registered to the Zora King. He dashed to the other side of the room, leaping through the window outside to where the fountain was.
Mipha, to her credit, took no offense. She calmly walked to the same window and looked out, seeing just as SidonU reached the fountain, scaring the attendants, but the baby in the fountain beamed at the sight of him.
"DADAAAAA!" He exclaimed as the large Zora picked him up excitedly, hoisting him in the air.
"Tidon! You're safe! Well done! I know how frightening it must have been!" SidonU looked up at the baby aloft on his arms, eyes tearing up even as he flashed his trademark smile, "Your mother is very worried! When we return, we'll tell her all about how brave you were on your first adventure!"
Good for you, brother... Mipha thought, her own eyes watering at the joyful reunion before her. Whatever his future held, he seemed happy.
"I can honestly relate to his sentiment." Teba stated back on the other side, "The only one missing here is..."
"Tulin, correct?" Revali finally found room to say, "You really don't have as much to worry about. He's certainly more than capable of taking care of himself, I can personally attest. He's not a fledgling anymore..."
"Yes. I suppose... but I can't help... wait, you've seen him?!"
"Hmph. He actually helped me avoid a delay on the way here. He should be arriving himself momentarily."
The throne room was seldom this chaotic, especially in these peaceful times. Not even the recent portal incident had made it this lively.
LinkC looked at the first newcomer, who he knew was himself. Or some version of himself. He, like ZeldaU had aged, but not anywhere near 100 years. He had a device with him, looking similar to a Sheikah Slate...but not quite. He noticed the other newcomers had them as well.
ZeldaC also took note of this aged LinkU, and the familiar devices they held. He certainly had a harder expression to him than LinkC, but something else caught her attention. Something only she was capable of noticing.
On LinkU's back was the Master Sword, the same as LinkC, but only in appearance.
She often felt great Sacred Power flowing from the Sword. With how often she was around LinkC, she had gotten used to it.
Which is how she could tell. The Master Sword on LinkU's back had even more sacred power emanating from it.
Not just a little, or a fair bit. It was a vast amount more than she was used to. To compare the two would be to compare a pond to the ocean. Maybe not even a pond, but perhaps a puddle. She faltered slightly from the sense, righting herself immediately.
LinkU glanced at his double, then at ZeldaC. His look softened briefly, even flashing concern when she almost stumbled, but he then put his focus on King Rhoam.
"Your Majesty. I'm sorry, but please answer me immediately! Where is she?!"
There was an intensity in his voice that ramped up by the moment.
Luckily...
"They said she was in her room! I think I remember where she said that was when we..." Josha spoke up again, while Paya was taking hesitant steps toward the human statues that were currently ImpaC and Ertis.
LinkU bolted off, knowing which direction to go. After a brief pause, both LinkC and ZeldaC hurriedly ran after him, with the currenly quiet Terrako sticking by their sides. Urbosa then followed, Riju in pursuit.
This was no longer a formal meeting, King Rhoam had long since felt that. He glanced over to ImpaC, who was currently in no mental condition to answer him.
PurahC noted his look, though, and said "Go, Your Majesty. We'll handle this for now!"
He got up from his throne, taking off after his daughter.
Daruk, meanwhile, could see the chaos around him, but decided the dramatic stuff wasn't his business for now.
He casually strode up to Yunobo, who immediately noticed him.
"Yunobo! Fancy seeing you again like this! I gotta say, you've gotten rugged! I knew you had it in ya! And you're using the Boulder Breaker now, too!"
"Ah!" Yunobo yelped briefly like his old self at the praise, but righted himself, "Yeah! I've worked hard to live up to your legacy, Daruk! You and the Sage Rudania!"
He was referring to his other ancestor, whose name was found to be the same as the Divine Beast of the Gorons. This discovery was made from translations of ancient Hylian writings after the Upheaval and seemed to be a trend shared among the other Sages and Divine Beasts. This led to the prevailing consensus that the Divine Beasts were named in honor of the Sages.
Unlike Paya and his companions, Yunobo had no notion that he might not want to bring such things up.
"Sage? That word came up earlier. Something about a Sage of Wind going missing from your time?" Daruk noticed. That Rudania came after that word "Sage" indicated he wasn't talking about the Divine Beast, the only Rudania Daruk knew of.
Revali heard this as well, and noticed the stone on Yunobo's belt, "...Tulin had disappeared from his time... and had a similar stone on his ankle. Is he this 'Sage of Wind'?" He asked Yunobo.
"Oh yeah! He is! You said you found him, right? Didn't he tell...you...?" A look from Teba, who was more in tune to what might be appropriate here, caused him to stop and think.
"Er... sorry, Daruk. I wish I could tell you more, but..."
"You need the princess' permission, right? That Paya girl said the same thing..." Daruk responded, "No pressure, I get it... kinda curious, though. This doesn't sound like anything to do with the Calamity..."
Daruk insinuated, but didn't press further. He always seemed lax, and he certainly wasn't as sharp as the other Champions, but he wasn't oblivious.
The title "Sage" seemed to mean something. Something important.
To Be Continued...