POST-UPHEAVAL FUTURE
Forgotten Temple
2 hours until Cooldown Completion
Grante heaved a sigh. He had waited well over 2 minutes and PurahC still hadn't stopped laughing. The times she had been this sidetracked from work could be counted on one hand throughout her life, but now gossip with PurahU had…well…
Earlier, after RobbieC had gotten over the shock of his future self's height…he then spent some time lamenting his future self's much-receded hairline.
Grante, in spite of himself, feared his dad might keel over and die of shame. So he assuaged the younger version with something he felt might even the score with PurahC who, while obviously annoyed, was inspecting the Gate while shooting smirking glances their way.
So, while she wasn't listening, he told him about PurahU's time spent even smaller, in a different way. She apparently had her own pride issue on that, and hadn't discussed that in-depth with PurahC.
RobbieU was aware of this occurrence, though hadn't actually seen PurahU before she corrected it. Grante had.
Suddenly, the two Robbies were laughing, swapping stories and even pulling him in. He even got involved willingly at certain points but unlike Robbie, he had his mother's ability to multitask, so didn't get distracted.
Though he had forgotten that helping examine the Gate wasn't what he was there for.
"Hey! You two! Why are you letting an amateur touch things!"
"Relax, PurahC! Kid's actually pretty good! Definitely no amateur!" RobbieC retorted, his arm around RobbieU like they were partying during a camping trip rather than working.
"Of course! I didn't raise my son to be anything less!" RobbieU cheered.
"Awesome! And my son raised this guy?"
"Huh?"
"Hey wait! So I do get lucky in love? Tell me, man!"
"I'm actually shocked as well. Who is thatcrazy?" PurahC snorted, seeming to actually think this was a prank.
"Actually…" PurahU grinned mischievously as she whispered in PurahC's ear PurahC's eyes widened, then her mouth pursed, and eyes began watering as if she had just heard the funniest joke of her life.
"...PFFFFFFT! Oh jeez, really?! I knew he was…pffhahaah…but… oh…*wheeze*…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…..!"
As PurahC burst out laughing, unable to hold it in long enough to finish talking, Grante made a discovery about the Gate.
Now, though, he had to wait to report it…
A few more minutes passed. RobbieU and PurahU were currently glaring contentiously at each other.
The reason could be summed up as "If you tell them my embarrassing secret, I'll spill yours!"
PurahC and RobbieC were no help. Their consensus was to have fun holding each other's unknown secret over the other for the next few decades… not mutually agreed upon or respected, just the same thought.
Grante loved his mother, so as a son it was difficult seeing his dad embarrassed of her but at the same time, as a man, he understood why he'd want to hide being single until age 90 and marrying a woman 70 years younger. It was a complicated feeling that he had to swallow for his report.
"So, yeah, there may be a way to work down the cooldown time. This circle here… it looks like a receptacle, and based on what we know about Zonai tech, I figured it was probably specifically for…"
"Zonai Charges, right? If not a device, that's the next thing!"
"Dad, let me talk! He's right though. I tried putting one I had on hand, and… here let me show you." Taking a Zonai Charge our if his own Purah Pad Lite (PPL), he put it to the circle inscription on the Gate. Instructions popped up in Ancient Zonai writing.
"Tauro translated this for me." He took out a book with the translation written.
"Wait, he left his post?!" PurahU began.
"As ordered by Paya, yes! He was needed to look at something they found, you were all so distracted… anyway, it came with further instructions." PurahU was technically his superior here, which meant losing his cool would come back to bite him, "We can cut down on required cooldown by offering up Zonai Charges at the time of transfer… but there is still an issue…"
"I'll say! Look at that charge-to-time ratio! 10 Regular Charges nets us one second? The inefficiency is nuts!" RobbieC had been reading over Grante's shoulder. However, this much he was used to from the older one.
"Interesting…" PurahC thought, "This is probably one of the 'Incomplete' features Terrako had to rush on due to the ambush. Calibrating it ourselves would require knowledge and resources we don't currently have…"
"I'd still like to see this 'Terrako', but it's even clearer now that we need to find it!" PurahU concluded, then turned to her apprentice on the other side of the Gate, "Josha, go report our findings to the Princess!"
"Good call! RobbieC! Let's go report to this future's Princess!" PurahC ushered both RobbieC and Grante out for their assignment.
"Yeah… pretty sure they just bailed to explore outside…" PurahU was wholly unconcerned, "When ZeldaU gets here, I'll let her know to check Kakariko Village…"
"What if they see a Chasm? They might want to dive into those…" RobbieU suggested. Nobody knew those two better than themselves.
"...Shoot, you're right. Variables like that are so annoying…"
Much had occurred before this, on both ends. Turning back the clock…
POST-CALAMITY FUTURE
Vistro's Villa
"...and so, Kara Kara Bazaar was retaken and rebuilt. That vital trade route was key to sustaining our town in many ways."
Riju was telling Shirana what she knew of her accomplishments after Urbosa's passing in her own future.
"I can't imagine being able to pull that off… but I certainly believe you!" Shirana was enjoying stories of this alternate time, though there were many somber mentions.
"Of course! Any daughter of mine would be able to do that!" Vistro boasted, "Though she must have met your grandpa during those times, right? Mind telling me his name?"
"Father! Absolutely not!" Shirana scolded, "The Voe meant for me will find his way to me without the need for shortcuts! It is as the Goddess wills it!"
"Tch… fine. It's just a pain vetting every wannabe that comes your way…"
"Then don't! I don't recall asking you to!"
"Sorry, it must be done! Can't give my little girl away to just any old idiot!"
"They sure are lively, aren't they?" Josha noticed as she drank her newly-sweetened tea, "Is your dad like this?"
"Er…maybe."
Vistro turned an eye on Riju, "Speaking of, I noticed… you're avoiding this little Gerudo tradition, aren't you?"
"?!"
"Really?" Shirana noticed the confirmation on Riju's face.
"I'm busy! I can't just go out and leave town like that!"
"Aren't you away now, though? Clearly you have someone you trust covering things…" Again, no rebuttal. Vistro sighed, "Look, I ain't telling ya get on with it. I know some women who chose not to go the marriage route…"
"That isn't it. It's just not the right time…"
"I don't think that's it either. Whenever Urbosa didn't want to talk about or tackle something, she always used some aspect of work to avoid it. This reeks of the same thing." Vistro sat down across from Riju, "I'm yer ancestor, too. If there's a problem, let me help."
"There are things happening now, we don't…"
"We're waiting on news. There's time. Believe me, I know procrastination when I see it." He eyed Shirana, who looked away, indicating she'd been caught on this by both parents quite a few times.
Riju recalled her own mother using this "Now, because you won't later" method…
"Very well. For starters, though, I'm not sure where I'd stay. I have friends outside town, but they have their own obligations…"
"You said your mother passed when you were young, did the same happen to your old man?" Vistro asked.
"I'm not sure, I'd need to find him."
"Whoah! Hold on! You don't know where he is? Do you know who he is?"
"No…" Riju picked up on the indication, "Don't misunderstand! He didn't leave or abandon me! He actually did raise me for a short time…"
As she put it, she lived with both parents until she was around 3, too young to learn her parents' names. It was then her mother began her duties as chief and had to take Riju back with her. The ruler's lineage didn't have as many luxuries in this part of life as most Gerudo.
"It was intended that I would indeed see my father again, in the same way you have, but things happened in the worst way…"
The state of Hyrule at the time made traveling very treacherous, with no postal service. This made keeping in touch near impossible, which was understood going in. What hadn't been anticipated was Riju's mother's early passing.
"It was sudden, and the role of chief fell to me when I was 12. It threw much out of order for everyone. Any information on my father and his whereabouts was lost…"
After the Calamity was sealed, Riju needed to focus on assisting in reconstruction. Then came the Upheaval and the awakening of her lightning abilities.
"Even if I were to leave and find a Voe, I'm the current ruler of the Gerudo. I would likely have to leave the moment I conceived an heir, which would itself be a rushed affair." She sighed awkwardly, "It's a nightmare waiting to happen. I was hoping to wait until reconstruction was further along, although that doesn't solve everything about the issue."
"You've been through so much, I can see it affects you still…" Shirana was sympathetic, "You can't be blamed for hesitating. You have great foresight, so I'm sure you can find a solution."
"Sounds to me like finding your father might sort a lot out for you, at least on this." Vistro sighed, "That's probably something from my side of the family. One thing out of whack throws off our tempo. It's why I could never cut it as a commander."
"I agree. You've done a lot, I'm sure your people can help lighten the burden. There might be records you can go by in a place you haven't looked!" Shirana urged her.
"I haven't actually gone too thoroughly through my mother's belongings…I suppose it might be a good place to start." Riju couldn't put this off forever. She had a duty to continue her bloodline as Gerudo Chief…and now as a Sage.
"Great! Progress!" Josha clapped, "Glad I was here for it!"
There was a pause as she suddenly started thinking.
"Wait… shoot! I was supposed to go help at the Gate after I reported! Zap Sage, can you help me get there?!"
"That silly nickname… fine. Would my grandmother wish to accompany us?"
Shirana accepted. They both escorted Josha back to the Forgotten Temple.
POST-UPHEAVAL FUTURE
Death Mountain, Rupon's Manor
Daruk sat across from the much older Goron that was his son. Rupon had set out a feast for the two of them after Darvil had finally worn himself out for a nap.
"Dig in! I don't get to see you often!" Rupon offered.
Daruk took a Rock Roast in one hand and bit in.
"Good, huh? My boy only sends me the best cuts!"
"Yeah… I'd actually like to talk about that…" Daruk said while still chewing, "I didn't want to talk about this in front of Darvil, but…"
"You noticed, right?" Rupon sighed, "Me and Yunobo? I'll be frank… I'm not like you, Dad… I tried, but I couldn't be a leader and a father."
"C'mon, don't give me that! The way I hear it, I wasn't even around to be your father!"
"Dad… I tried for years to make Yunobo grow up. But I screwed up when he was a kid, and he got traumatized instead. I didn't know how to fix it and Hylia knows I tried, but I only made it worse." There was frustration in Rupon's voice, "Then he changed all of a sudden, just from seeing you."
"What now? I'm gonna need to hear specifics, son."
"Fair enough… to start with, my limbs…"
When Yunobo was about Darvil's age, he had wandered into the territory of an Igneo Talus. Rupon had personally come to his rescue and defeated it easily enough.
"But times were changing. The seal on Calamity Ganon was just starting to weaken…"
A second and third Igneo Talus were there, one infected by Malice.
"I got a bit careless. I had already broken my leg when the Malice one targeted Yunobo…"
It was in its death throes when it launched its arm at the boy. Daruk's Protection was up around him, but it wasn't completely impenetrable for Yunobo yet. Rupon rushed and batted the Talus' arm away towards the remaining Igneo Talus.
The result was the defeat of both Taluses, and a damaged, Malice-Infected arm for Rupon. Neither his right leg or left arm were salvageable and had to come off.
"I had to retire after that. Left the village in my best friend Bludo's care. He insisted I had to live in this cave for safety and much-deserved relaxation. He would not budge, so I left Yunobo to him so he could keep living around other Gorons."
Yunobo visited often at first. He had grown timid after the encounter with the Taluses and both Rupon and Bludo urged him to man up.
As time went on, Yunobo visited less frequently. He hadn't made progress overcoming his fear so visiting Rupon must have made him feel more like a failure.
"I wasn't trying to give that impression, but I didn't want to coddle him either. I should have been different, but I thought it would help him if I held off on the praise until he accomplished something."
Then Yunobo finally did. He helped Link calm Vah Rudania.
"I was proud of him, and I told him so… but by then he didn't need it. He told me he saw the Great Daruk wave at him from aboard the Divine Beast and how he was now inspired to work harder. It changed him in ways I never could. I'll admit I started feeling a bit like a failure myself. After all, you and Link got him to change in a single moment the way I couldn't in years, but I supported him."
"Yunobo said he had a friend who inspired him…" Daruk recalled a conversation aboard Vah Rudania back in his own timeline with Yunobo, "I never suspected it was Link. But I died over a century ago here, right? He didn't actually see me, probably just…"
"No, that was you he saw." Rupon insisted, "I didn't think so at first when he told me. Then Calamity Ganon was finally sealed, and I was introduced to Link and the Princess. They told me my father's spirit dwelled within Rudania for all those years until he could carry out his mission. I'm certain it was that very spirit that waved to Yunobo."
"Ah! Right! I did hear about that!" Daruk nodded, "So that explains some of it, but what happened during the Upheaval? I heard about the Demon King and how Yunobo helped fight him, but not much else."
"Ah, see…"
Rupon outlined the general happenings of the Upheaval. The raising of Hyrule Castle, the rampant Gloom, the opening of the chasms and revelation of sky islands, everything.
Then he detailed how it affected Death Mountain. How the fake Zelda Daruk saw in the memory deceived Yunobo into putting on a mask that warped his mind. How he distributed "Marbled Rock Roast" and the effects it had.
"It was a dangerous substance. Kids and old Gorons weren't eating it. Not strong enough to bite into it… but I took it as a challenge… and won." Rupon intoned bitterly, "Yunobo gave me a whole heaping pile as a gift. I noticed he was acting differently, but my son had gifted me a special meal and I thought I could ask him about it after I ate."
Instead Rupon became addicted like the others. Yunobo wasn't supplying enough to satisfy him. This caused him to exert himself more than he was supposed to in order to obtain more. He left his home more often and only did so to obtain Marbled Rock Roast and Rupees to buy Marbled Rock Roast by any means necessary.
When it was over and all the Gorons came to their senses, Rupon did too, and the strain caught up to him. He was bedridden for weeks and had done more permanent damage to his body.
"Not only does Yunobo still blame himself for that, but I also found out he already blamed himself for my injuries. I've tried talking to him, but he shuts me out. I can't get through to him anymore."
LinkU and ZeldaU were familiar with this situation, as were the other Sages. Rupon was trying honestly to tell Yunobo not to worry but, to Yunobo, it felt like Rupon had given up on him and was being charitable.
After years of reprimanding his mistakes, it was too jarring to be told he was not only forgiven for such a blatantly damaging oversight, but that it wasn't his fault.
Yunobo's friends wanted to help and certainly tried to, but this dual misunderstanding between father and son was beyond something they knew how to clear up.
This part was not told to Daruk, but he could infer as much. He could at least be certain they were aware of the situation.
"That's certainly a story… I had no idea parenting could be this complicated!" He scratched his head, "I'll tell you now because I know I never got to say it before, I'm proud of you."
"Huh?! Didn't ya hear how I…?"
"You did what you could with Yunobo, not like I was around long enough to be a good example, and I heard it's thanks to you Goron City survived, which you know means a lot to me."
"Dad…thanks…" Rupon covered his eyes with his Zonai Tech arm, clearly emotionally overcome.
"You and Yunobo are awkward, just like I was… and still am. I'm glad seeing me gave Yunobo that push…" It apparently happened before Yunobo had traveled back to save him from Fireblight Ganon, "But the rest of it was because he's strong. As a warrior, he's got more strength and experience than me by now and it shows! My own grandson has become a goal for me to live up to! How many Gorons can say that?!" Daruk laughed.
"Ha! You're right! The boy probably doesn't know. More like he's too modest to admit it to himself!"
"See? You do know him, and I know you can figure out what's up with you two if you use your head a little!"
"...Yeah, guess so. Honestly, I had kind of called it a lost cause by now, focusing on Darvil. You're right, I shouldn't have given up so easily." Rupon smiled, "I really am no match for you, Dad."
"And stop talking like that! You and Yunobo both, I swear…" Daruk took another bite from his roast before pigging out in earnest.
"Heh…Okay. Hey, Dad, wanna see something cool?" One Rock Roast flew out of Daruk's hand and Fused with the end of Rupon's Zonai arm, then was promptly devoured.
Rito Village
"It's not as big as I expected. Didn't you say you were expanding?"
Revali wandered through the village with Teba and Saki. They weren't in the central part of the village, or even as close as the HQ of the Lucky Clover Gazette, which was now within the village without moving locations.
"We are. It just speaks to how much the Village initially shrank." Teba informed him, "I was actually shocked by how big it used to be when I was there in your time."
"Our village is actually the one growing most rapidly in terms of buildings," Saki added, "The kingdom is still lacking the necessary number of Stonemasons, and the ones they have are devoted to key projects like castle and fort restoration."
Initially, there were no stonemasons left in the Kingdom. The Calamity had caused such knowledge and others to be lost. It was due to the immigration boom that they had the few they did.
ZeldaU had actually brought a few books on that and other lost arts back from the Post-Calamity time, taking advantage of the invaluable opportunity.
"Our village always used wood buildings to start with, so it's been easier for us." Saki finished explaining.
There were suddenly cheers erupting from a nearby street. Revali knew them as the kind of commotion when a famous figure approached.
"Drat! Is this coin defective?"
"They haven't noticed you 'Komali'," Teba referred to Revali by the assumed name assigned by ImpaU, "One of my son's Lieutenants must be looking for me… Judging by the female attention, it must be Gyas…"
Teba was partially right. It was actually all three of Tulin's direct subordinates that approached them.
"Elder! Pardon the intrusion! We were hoping for an update on the Captain!" A Dark Gray Rito with sharp eyes of around 15 Rito Years addressed Teba with a wing-over-his-heart salute.
This was Gyas, known as "The Right Wing of the Sage", head of the Flying Lynel Unit that specialized in setting up large-scale attacks and maneuvers.
He had a Falcon Bow, which was standard issue for all three of them, but his specialty was the spear, specifically the Fire-Breath Lizal Spear. His unit stored large quantities of explosives and catalysts for freezing and electrocution.
Gyas was known to be even more focused than Teba, but less reckless. He gave off the aura of a cool headed, strategy-focused commander that was popular with the girls, though he himself kept oblivious.
"You went to where he is, right? No offense, but we were kind of expecting to be welcoming him when you returned. Getting sloppy, Eld-OW! OWOWOW! Fifi, I'm sorry! I'm trying to fix it, I swear!"
"Don't call me that when we're on duty!"
The one who had his wing twisted was Skiy, a light green Rito known as "The Left Wing of the Sage" and head of the Slippery Wizrobe Unit that focused on distraction and subterfuge.
His weapon of choice was a Gleeok Guster. His unit mostly had a variety of Zonai Devices like fans and stakes that they dropped on the battlefield or attached to their arrows.
Skiy had an attitude that could be called the most "Revali-Like" with his breezy manner of speech and lack of respect for most. It was a well-known saying "The only authority Skiy respects is Captain Tulin", which was true…to an extent. While he was less-than-respectful to Teba, Village Elder and father of his respected captain, or even Princess Zelda, off the job he also had his girlfriend and colleague reining him in.
That was Dofi, "The Talons of the Sage" who was currently reprimanding his usual flippant attitude to the Village Elder rather forcefully. Her feathers were a light blue and tied behind her in a single bunch that stuck out behind it.
She was head of the Aerocuda Swarm Unit whose main tactic was to overwhelm their foes with numbers that were difficult to even whittle down. They stockpiled Elixirs to heal and boost performance, but we're also known for having at least 3 fairies one hand per warrior going in. Dofi's weapon of choice was a Strong Zonai Sword which would be fused with whichever device was convenient in the moment.
Dofi and Skiy had met after joining the Brigade and were now a couple, but her no-nonsense nature refused to let that interfere with their roles on the job. Rito Women typically didn't become warriors and Dofi was actually the first female on the Brigade, which inspired a few more to join.
These were Tulin's three most trusted subordinates, all of whom deeply admired him, the legendary sage who saw and brought out their potential. They had naturally been on edge after he disappeared.
"About that," Teba responded to Gyas' question, "I can assure you he's fine, let me just say that. He's currently busy with something important. If you want details, come to my house for a briefing."
"Aren't you escorting a guest right now, it looks like? Can you afford to ditch him?" Skiy was now rubbing his previously-twisted wing as he said that.
"He's actually involved, and we were looking for you. It's faster now if we fly."
Zora's Domain
As soon as Yona returned with Prince Tidon, there was joyous celebration from the residents. Many swarmed as they entered the plaza to see with their own eyes that the precious heir was home safe.
Two in particular were allowed to approach. Chroma and Khira, the Queen's attendants who were watching Tidon when he vanished.
"I'm so relieved! I thought that light had taken him forever!" Chroma was in tears.
"Your Majesty… if I may ask, who is she?" Khira motioned to Mipha who, with her Coin active, appeared to be an ordinary Zora warrior they didn't recognize traveling closely with the Royal Family.
"This is Lady Oren! It is thanks to her Tidon was recovered unharmed!" Yona announced. The name had been given by ImpaU, with the story thought up on her own, "As such, she is our honored guest and is to be treated as such!"
This declaration went out to all. Mipha was a bit surprised. She had been told they had a good reason to give, but she assumed she would be staying as an ordinary guest rather than a hero who saved the Royal heir's life.
Walking further in, she noticed a statue that hadn't been there in her time. It was titled "The Turning Tide" and appeared to be LinkU in full Zora Armor riding the waves atop SidonU.
"Are you interested? This statue was made some years ago!" Khira had apparently volunteered herself as tour guide, "It depicts our King Sidon with his best friend Link as they faced Vah Ruta when it threatened to flood the Domain!"
"Faced Vah Ruta?" She had heard the Divine Beasts were seized, but it seemed they were used in nefarious ways just before Calamity Ganon's seal broke.
"Yes! He was just Prince Sidon then, but they were able to calm Ruta long enough for the hero to purge the Blight within and return control to the dutiful spirit of Lady Mipha!"
"How wonderful…" You never let me down, Link… "Hold on… why is Link wearing Zora Armor?"
"It is said that Lady Mipha herself made him that very Armor, for it was he who she was in love with!"
"WHAT?!" How?! How does everyone KNOW?!
Mipha glanced to Yona and the Exalted Dorephan in panic. Yona nodded with a smile, seemingly unaware of her plight, while Dorephan merely averted his eyes.
Though he did speak up.
"Now, there will be time to show Lady Oren around later, yes? We need to take her to the palace for a proper welcome, right, Queen Yona?"
"Oh yes! Please, clear out, everyone!"
Mipha's disguise could almost be said to have failed because her deep red coloration had returned as they ascended the stairs. Her disguise, though, was still functioning…
Hateno Village, Outside Zelda's House
News had spread to Hateno of the Princess' safe return. She was going to stop there and rest for the night before returning to work the next morning.
In front of her home, three men and an old woman stood waiting.
"People are giving us stink-eye… I hope we get to see them soon…" One who was muscular with a long beard whispered. He was shirtless, held a large spear and appeared to be in his 60's.
"This is our Master's wish. We will see it through." The shorter, slightly older man responded. He was leaner, but still armed with a sword at his hip. He wore glasses and his beard was shorter.
"Boys…" The small old woman spoke up. She was crouched over, wrinkled with her white hair in a bun. She was far more aged than them, giving her the right to call them boys,"None of that 'Master' stuff here. Gil, for this meeting, they are your sons first, students second."
Taller and only slightly younger, the oldest man, Gil, glanced to the old woman, his sister Aryll.
"I never thought this day would come, now we only have to hold out a little longer…" His eyes were wistful, but he knew this wasn't just personal, "Orcan, you got the thing?"
"I left it with Sturgis. He's better with that stuff." The tall brother, Orcan, responded gruffly.
"More like you can't be trusted." The bespectacled Sturgis picked up the bag at his feet. In it was something they had been tasked with delivering to Princess Zelda, as if it was known that they would make this trek to Hyrule and Hateno Village.
It wasn't active, but it appeared to be a Construct. A specific Construct gripping something in its inactive "hand".
These people had Terrako.
TO BE CONTINUED…