POST-UPHEAVAL FUTURE
Forgotten Temple, Gate
"PurahU? Why… are only you here?" ZeldaU asked.
ZeldaU, LinkC, and King Rhoam were the second group to arrive. Ahead of them were ImpaC and Ertis.
"That's what I asked her." ImpaC clicked her tongue in annoyance, "Apologies, but it seems our pair of idiot geniuses scampered off with the 'guide' you assigned."
"It happened so fast! I didn't realize until af-wait, what are you holding?" PurahU paused her explanation when she noticed the scale in ZeldaU'shand.
"...Fine, we will have them found later." ZeldaU knewbetter than to try to redirect PurahU's attention from it, "This was obtained in Hateno…"
She explained what King Rhoam had told her about the group waiting there.
LinkC was hearing this for the first time, and it hadn't occured that this might be related to him.
"Okay… but have you noticed the writing?" Purah pressed further.
"Writing?"
"On the scale. I guess it's hard to see through all the sparkling and whatnot, but there's Sheikah lettering on it!"
ZeldaU looked more closely at the scale. Indeed, there was lettering seared onto it, just big enough for it to fit. It must have been written by Terrako after the scale had separated.
The message was cryptic, though. She had no idea what it meant.
"FIND MOTHER"
Gerudo Desert, West Barrens
In a remote area of the West Barrens, an encampment was set up. It had various Sand Seals in a portable enclosure.
This was the mobile base of Sand Wand, the top Sand Seal breeders in Gerudo Desert. They never settled in one place, having their Sand Seals adapt to various areas in the desert.
An employee entered the main tent, having returned from Gerudo Town with a guest. The owner, the only man in the company, looked up from the table.
"Oi! Who said you could bring hangers-on, Tare?"
"Sorry sir… she was very insistent…" The employee, Tare, apologized to her boss.
The boss was a lean-yet-muscular man in his late 50's. He had long red hair with streaks of gray pulled back in a ponytail. His eyebrows were thin, recently grown stubble on his face.
"My name is Jolene. I wish to speak with you in private." Urbosa, still disguised, addressed him, "I mean you no harm."
"If you want a Sand Seal, talk to the receptionist in the business tent…"
"Actually, about 7 years ago a merchant was caught violating Gerudo law with a disguise." She went on the offensive, "Apparently it wasn't 'Villia's' original idea. 'She' got it watching a red-haired, rather effeminate older man…"
The boss' eyes bore into her.
"What do you want?!"
"A word. I have no intention to turn you in, Sir Patrick. I merely wish to discuss your intention. I know you had a strong reason to enter the village often."
"...Fine. Granted. Everyone clear out and don't come back unless I call…"
"So, you know the reason, huh? I assure you I wasn't like one of those ooggling wannabe tourists…" Patrick poured them both some Oasis Water.
"You had to stop after Villia got caught. I think you might have been allowed in at some points though." Urbosa chided, "Riju is very open minded. She allows the hero in despite being a Voe. She'd surely make some time for her father…"
The man stopped pouring.
"You figured it out… was it the Sand Seal?"
"Patricia? The Seal she received from her mother? That was only one of many hints I found going through her old belongings. Not just anyone could figure it out, though."
"Hey! Why would you go through Nel's things?! Who do you think you are?!"
Urbosa chuckled, dispelling the Camo Coin. Anyone who married a Gerudo Chief would know what she looked like.
Indeed, Patrick nearly stumbled over in shock.
"Her Grandmother. That's who I am."
"What?! That's impossible! The Champion Urbosa is…"
"Indeed. There is much to fill you in on…"
"...I see. Up to five years ago, I wouldn't a' believed such a tale." Patrick sighed.
"I suppose when your Princess has traveled through time, it helps."
"And Riju is on the other side of this Gate right now?"
"Yes. She is staying with my daughter, Shirana."
"Shirana?" His nose wrinkled, "Heh… admirable lady, no offense, but hearing that name dredges up unpleasant memories. She really put me through the wringer…"
"Apologies. She doesn't get that from me, I promise."
"You look more amused than apologetic…"
"Riju will likely be striking out on her own Voe hunt in the near future. Can you say you won't be like that?"
"...She shouldn't have to. I know it's some duty as a chief, but… She shouldn't have to go through that… She's the diamond of my life, but I only got to be with her for three years."
"You didn't leave it at that though, did you? You came into the town as a Sand Seal supply merchant. You even gifted her the best Sand Seal you ever bred."
"I wanted to see her. But it wasn't the same. I couldn't talk to her other than saying 'Sign here'. It wasn't as big a risk back then, either… Nel was in on it."
Whenever he visited, he would be granted an audience with the then-chief Neleri. They had a few private meetings to talk about Riju, and his eyes were always on his daughter otherwise.
Patricia's name had been Neleri's idea.
"I was known to have earned her favor in town. I was allowed… to attend her funeral." He inhaled deeply, closing his watery eyes, "Things got tough for Riju after that, but I couldn't reveal myself to help her, or even visit as often. Still…she's a trooper. Look at her now. I'm so proud an unworthy man like me is her father…"
He downed the rest of his Oasis Water.
"But she's been through enough! She doesn't need that pain Nel and I had to go through! Whoever she would marry… I wouldn't wish that on him, either! Not getting to be with your wife or daughter…"
He wasn't the only one. The prison in Gerudo Town often had its fair share of Voe who tried to sneak in. The common conception was it was mostly lovestruck perverts, and there certainly were some of those there.
But probably more common were husbands and fathers desperate to see their families.
"I understand. I truly do…" Urbosa pattern him on the shoulder, "I had a similar situation myself. Though we were able to communicate… and I myself could leave town to visit my Voe…"
She almost took the postal service and the freedom peace offered for granted. She was reminded of what luck she had. Perhaps this was something to talk to ZeldaU about?
"I have thoughts on how to improve your situation. Ultimately, it's up to Riju. You might want to start with talking to her? I know she still dotes on that Sand Seal. I'm sure she'd love knowing it came from you…"
"I…"
"Fate may have brought me here to tell you this. Riju is a strong girl. I'm sure she will find her way, but she deserves to know you, doesn't she?"
"...am I worthy?"
"You are her father." She simply stated.
Zora's Domain, Mipha Park
"Really…?" Mipha sat in front of a large, crystal pool where a statue of herself stood in the center.
The statue she could understand. She knew her people loved her. But an entire park on Shatterback Point named for her?!
She was sitting next to Yona, feet in the water as Tidon playfully got his exercise in the pool.
"Statoo~~~ STATOO!~~~~" He was repeating the words with a smile as he swam, likely proud of himself for noticing the resemblance when they arrived.
Mipha had also undone her disguise at Yona's request. Chroma was being fanned by Khira at the bottom of the stairs, having fainted at the revelation.
Yona looked sideways at Mipha. She needed to discuss something with her, but had been told by her father-in-law to get in the right mindset by asking a separate question.
"I heard something interesting from father… the Exalted Dorephan… I heard that you actually resented Sidon when he was first born…"
Seeing how close they were even in her own youth, she found that difficult to believe.
"Ah, yes… I'm not proud to admit that." Mipha averted her eyes with a wry smile, "I was much younger. My mother had died in the process of his birth. I blamed Sidon… and also myself."
Her healing power had only just blossomed around that time. She had attempted to heal the late Zora Queen as she lay dying, but to no avail. A late adolescent, she felt the need to vent her grief and frustration, and chose the child that had been born.
"It took but 2 years for me to get over that. He was such an innocent, happy child that refused to leave me alone. I just couldn't stay angry… but why do you ask?"
"Oh… I suppose I just wanted to get to know you better while I have the chance…" Like Sidon, Yona had only known Mipha as an exemplary older Zora to look up to. A relatable story helped her mind adjust.
"Actually, I'd like to show you these…" They were written versions of the Zora Monuments, kept by the Royal Family in case they became damaged and in need of repair.
There were two separate, thin booklets. One of the old Monuments, one of the new.
Mipha took them and flipped through the first, seeing stories from both before and after herU fall in the Calamity. There was sadness, but also triumph. Her father had heaved an entire Guardian away from the domain. SidonU had made a name for himself fighting a giant Octorok…
Then came the second, with information she needed to see more. She was surprised to see that SidonU had also struggled with water control. In that story, it told her the very concept he was struggling to grasp! The thing she needed to know!
So it was Sidon who named this park… She chuckled a bit sardonically…
She then read Sidon's entry regarding Yona. It appeared that, in her own time, the seeds were already there. She recalled these exact events herself…
"I was surprised by that one." Yona noted, "To think he could so accurately describe his feelings. Me… I could only say when I realized mine…"
"Oh?" Mipha inquired.
"Yes. I always knew I would be married for diplomatic ties. I had resigned myself to such a thing. When it was first told to me I was betrothed… I remember feeling resigned. Maybe a bit apprehensive. They told e my fiance was a great warrior, a charismatic leader and all these wonderful things…"
She closed her eyes.
"None of that quelled my anxiety. Not until I heard my fiancé's name… Sidon. Just like that, I was happy. It took me but a moment to realize this was because it was what my heart had wanted for the longest time. It didn't matter how dashing, how strong or how brave he was… what mattered was that brave, strong Zora was him." she then blushed, "Though… those other qualities certainly made me happy… and they are true…"
"I see! That is certainly a wonderful story to hear!"
"Indeed… and I doubt it will be any different on your side. Our love will blossom there on its own, don't worry. The Goddess herself can't make it otherwise!"
"Oh…" Mipha realized what she was getting at, "Was I…that obvious?"
"Not exactly. Link noticed, though, and told ImpaU." Yona smiled, "I think you can sympathize. As long as you were able to meet, could you see yourself not falling in love with Link?"
"Never! Nothing would change that." Mipha smiled, "I see… thank you for this. I might have made a fool of myself when this is over otherwise…"
"Think nothing of it! If there is anything else I can do, let me know!"
"Well…" Mipha reached down and scooped Tidon, who had approached them when he noticed them talking, out of the pool, "I do hope this little one learns my name before I leave. It might not be possible, but it's one wish of mine… can you say 'Aunt Mipha'?"
"Statoo!"
It would be a while, it seemed.
The Depths, Near Nojoj Lightroot
"This is unbelievable! It's like this whole other Kingdom beneath the Kingdom!"
That was RobbieC. True to his other self's prediction, he and PurahC had happened upon the Depths. They had coerced Grante into a "Depths Safari" aboard a Car-Like vehicle made using Autobuild.
Currently, they were stopped by a Zonaite deposit so the researchers could mine this fascinating new type of ore to bring home.
"We really should get back to the surface, you two…" Grante tried to tell them, "There are still a lot of monsters down here, plus the Yiga are active here as well…"
"You got that fancy weaponry on ya, right?" RobbieC dismissed, not looking up from his mining.
"Yeah. So do the Yiga! I'm not a trained fighter. We're lucky we haven't run into anything so far!"
PurahC looked up, "I hate to admit it, but he's right. We're woefully unprepared for an…"
An arrow struck by her foot.
"ATTACK!" Came the voice of the Seer, Lusha. She had a squadron of Yiga footsoldiers and Gloom Lizalfos with her.
They had been on their way to the Gate, taking the route through the Depths. It was sheer misfortune they happened upon witnesses.
"We gotta get outta here, pronto!" Panicking, Granted started the vehicle as PurahC and RobbieC scrambledon.
"Can't catch what ya can't see! Robbie, do it!"
PurahC gave the order, and a blinding flash came from RobbieC's backpack.
It allowed them to escape, but Grante was caught off guard and dropped an important notebook in the process…
Lusha picked it up, flipping a page.
"Fortunate… You! Go fetch our stockpile of Zonai Charges!"
She had now been warned of the cooldown, though she had no idea about the requirement to unlock the Gate. Namely, Zelda…
POST-CALAMITY FUTURE
Yiga Hideout
"The Calamity was but a manifestation of malice. Demon King Ganondorf is a man of reason! All he needs is our loyalty!" Crowl was standing on a podium with a half-crazed look on his face, "I hear him… he calls to me… he awaits us underneath Hyrule Castle!"
Despite past experience, there were quite a few Yiga listening receptively to his words.
Kohga himself didn't mind listening, but he still wasn't going to blindly trust this lout. The allure of power was still promising… he just needed to hedge his bets.
"You say you have a plan. Let's hear it, brat!" Kohga asserted as much authority as he could muster from his chair.
"Heh… four volunteers. I can grant four of you power… with it, we can attack the targets…"
"..." Kohga was hesitant. He valued his henchmen to an extent. It was why Astor's initial betrayal hit him hard.
"I volunteer!" Raiga raised his hand, then took a knee before Kohga, "Master Kohga… it was I who brought this stranger to our doorstep. Any risk is mine to take!"
"...Ugh…FINE!" It was just one, and a volunteer at that.
Going before Crowl, a ritual began.
"Your ability to control this new power will depend entirely on your strength of will…be warned." Crowl mentioned.
"I'm not scared! Do it!"
Gloom began to swirl around Raiga… he endured… held his mind…
It was then a Sand Shroud erupted in Gerudo Desert.
Only briefly, as its source began to move…
Forgotten Temple, Gate
It was time for the transfer. On one side was Tulin, ZeldaC, LinkU, Riju, Shirana, Paya, Tauro and Josha.
On the other side was ZeldaU, LinkC, King Rhoam, ImpaC, Ertis, PurahU, RobbieU andTeba.
They exchanged information regarding Terrako, as well as the whereabouts of PurahC and RobbieC.
"I wish I could make sense of Terrako's message… what could 'Find Mother' mean…?" ZeldaC began after hearing it.
"I know what it means." Tulin told them, whipping out the green storage device, "The answers are in here, and we should all be able to view it if I activa-WHOAH!"
He touched the glowing green tube, and there was a flash. Everyone on both sides of the Gate found themselves viewing a recording…
TO BE CONTINUED
(Comments really help motivate me!)