Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story.
BGM: Zora's Fountain (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
Weiss, Winter and Revali arrived at the shrine inside Zora's Fountain. "It's been a while since I've been here…" Winter said as they walked through the waters and up the stairs where they would see Mipha's statue.
"A memorial for the fallen Champion, I presume?" Winter guessed.
"Yeah." Weiss nodded, smiling at the statue as they heard a commotion going on in the throne room. They curiously walked over to see several Zoras chatting.
"Guardians are back! What are we going to do?"
"Those rings are over the waterfall. What does it mean?"
"There's a massive ring out near Tingel island! Who knows what it's doing there but it's enough to give me the willies!"
"All of this sounds familiar…" Mipha said.
"Now now, settle down-"
"How can we settle down when Guardians have shown up?! Ever since that monument showed up near Ja'Abu Ridge in the East Reservoir Lake… I can't take it!"
"Are the Guardians doing anything?" Dorephan asked.
"No… by the looks of it, they seem to be patrolling the area, but aside from that…"
"Then we will do our best to make sure they don't try anything rash!" Sidon said.
"Yeah!" Neptune agreed.
"What's going on here?" Weiss spoke up.
"Ah, Weiss!" Sidon smiled. "Things have been in commotion for a while. We're just trying to quell their fears before we investigate."
"And speaking of investigating-" Neptune started to lean on a wall and smiled at Winter. "Hey, how you doin'?"
Winter blinked. "Um… oh gosh, um… you're… not my type."
Neptune jawdropped. "Ouch… rejected by Weiss's mother…"
"Why does everyone keep thinking that?" Weiss sweatdropped. "Winter's my sister!"
"Your sister? Oh! Mipha had just mentioned that to us before that weird monument showed up." Sidon said. "Perhaps we could take a look at the monument together."
"Good idea." Weiss nodded. "And if these sightings somehow produce a shrine, I'm gonna be the only one to activate them."
Sidon smiled. "Alright then! Let us be off then! To Ja'Abu Ridge!"
Mipha nodded. "I am curious about these monuments."
End BGM
One trip to Ja'Abu Ridge later…
"Do I hear an accordion playing?" Neptune wondered as they approached the monument and seeing Kass playing nearby.
"I applaud your courage in coming here. The locations that will be revealed to you are of trials that will enhance the power sleeping within. Do not let your guard down…"
Images appeared on the three spires, glowing brightly for a split second.
"Hmm? Did I just see something shining? Must be my imagination…"
Kass turned to the group. "Ah, hello travelers!" He greeted. "I see you brought some friends along. As for me, I've gotten curious about this monument that popped up on Zora's Domain. In fact, I've heard they've also popped up in Death Mountain, Hebra and Gerudo Desert. Regardless, my teacher's unfinished song mentions such monuments… and to think that one has appeared before my eyes."
"There's an unfinished song?" Weiss asked.
"Yes. It's mostly complete, but my teacher had left this world without finishing the key verses. I wish to weave the missing pieces together and finish this song. I wish to weave the missing pieces together and finish this song. It's why I'm roaming the areas mentioned in the lyrics. Ah, sweet joy! How glorious to sing this song in the very land it describes."
He let out a happy sigh. "The song that my teacher left behind… There's a verse about the trials that Champion Mipha overcame."
Me?! Mipha thought in surprise.
"Allow me to sing it for all of you."
He started to play.
BGM: The Champions' Ballad 1 (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - The Champion's Ballad)
"Reaching skyward from water's blue~ Ruta's champion a heart true~ The heroine's power shall grow~ Seek trials monuments show~ One, find what the light's path shows~ Two, conquer the ancient foes~ Three, chase rings of the waterfall~ Champion, the trials call~!"
End BGM
Kass turned to them. "...So? Did the verse move you? It was written in honor of the Champion challenging the trial."
"That… that was honestly very beautiful." Mipha said.
"Ah, thank you, strange Zora with the will o wisps! I can feel as if my teacher had sung this song at this very spot. I wish nothing more than to carry on my teacher's dream to complete and perform this special song. To do so, I must learn all there is to know about the champions of old. Thankfully, the Zora king, prince and this strange Zora with the will o wisps shared fond memories of their Champion with me."
"He doesn't know?" Weiss whispered.
"I told him my name, but he thinks I was named after the Champion herself… you know, me." Mipha whispered back.
"I see…"
"To sing the completed song under this sky that my teacher so loved… that is the end goal of this long journey."
BGM: Kass' Theme (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
The group walked over to the monument while Kass played his song. "Hmm, it would seem to me that these spots are the trials that my dear sister had gone through." Sidon said.
"No wonder it sounds familiar… I had done these before, and it would seem it will need to be done again." Mipha said.
"So how do we go about this?" Weiss folded her arms. "Do we split up or…?"
"Actually, how about we go about it in order?" Winter pointed out. "From what Kass had sang, I'd say it'd be the best way to go about things."
"I agree! Going in order sounds fun!" Sidon said.
Neptune shrugged. "What the heck. It could be a lot of fun!"
"Let's go." Weiss said as they walked off together.
End BGM
"By the way, what's with the bald eagle?" Neptune asked.
"Saved him when I was in Hebra. Then he grew attached to me."
"Did he now?" Neptune mused as he looked at Revali. "I have to say, you look more like a horse rider to me."
Winter chuckled. "She tried to ride a horse, but it kept bucking her off at the castle." She said. "We even tried the tamest horse we had but Weiss wouldn't go anywhere near it after a few attempts with different horses."
"Well, that's a shame. I'm sure the horse would have loved to be with you." Sidon said as they arrived near Tingel/Ankel/Knuckel/Davdi Island.
"This is the spot." Mipha said, looking off toward the horizon. "However, this is not the right time for it."
"What do you mean?"
"As I recall, I swam out into the ray of light at the earliest light hours." Mipha said. "I had to make sure I was able to swim in the Lanayru Sea no matter what time of the day it was… even if I was fatigued."
"So we have to wait until morning?" Weiss asked.
"Indeed. It appears to be around eight PM, so I'd say we rest here for the evening." Mipha said as she walked off. "I will keep watch and keep an eye on those Guardians."
"So, anyone want to kill time?" Neptune asked as Weiss sat down by the edge of the cliff.
"Me riding a horse…" She whispered as she closed her eyes, where a memory resurfaced, causing her to gasp.
"Wah! Oomph!" A young Weiss landed on her back as a black horse bucked her off and walked away.
"Weiss!" Winter came to check on her.
"Oooowwww…" Weiss softly cried as she buried her face into Winter's chest.
"It's okay… it's okay… we'll try again with a different horse." Winter whispered.
"These horsies hate me! We tried five different ones and they all bucked me off! They hate me!"
"We just haven't found the right one yet." Winter said gently.
"How about this one? This one's very kind!" A soldier said as he approached with a red horse with a white mane.
"Weiss, look." Winter said gently as Weiss looked up to see the horse. "You want to try Epona? She's very gentle-"
"No! I don't want to go anywhere near a horsey ever again!" She sobbed.
"Hmm… perhaps some other time." The soldier said as he guided Epona away, but the horse turned her head to look at her before being escorted away.
Weiss rubbed her head. "Come to think of it, have I ever rode on Epona…?" She wondered as she softly smiled at Winter holding her as a little kid. "You really were the best…"
Later…
Weiss approached the group as she had went over to Robbie's house to get more Ancient Arrows. "Is it still there?"
"Yeah, just scanning the area." Neptune said, watching a flying Guardian patrol the four islands. "Think you can hit it?"
Weiss chuckled, pulling out her crossbow and putting on an Ancient Arrow. "I think I can." She smirked, taking aim and right when the Skywatcher turned around…
"Pull!"
Weiss pulled the trigger as the Ancient Arrow went flying and struck the Skywatcher, immediately hitting the center as it lit up and fell to the ground, landing on top of an unsuspecting Lizalfos and exploding.
"Bullseye!" Neptune fist pumped, high fiving Weiss.
Later into the night…
Mipha looked through some binoculars, seeing the Guardians at Upland Zorana still patrolling the area and not bothering to get any closer to Zora's Fountain.
She closed her eyes, reminiscing when she went to town on these Guardians, dodging their lasers and striking them with grace until they were all destroyed.
She opened her eyes with a soft giggle as she looked up at the moon, seeing that it was in its Waning Crescent phase.
"Tomorrow's a new moon." She said to herself. "I wonder what surprises await us…"
She rubbed her chin to ponder for a moment.
"Wait… don't new moons typically bring-...?"
She shook her head.
"I just hope none of us are in the middle of a fight…"
The next morning, around dawn…
"Wake up!" Mipha called out to everyone as they woke up a bit groggily. "It's that time!"
"Ugh… five more minutes…" Weiss yawned as a fish was plopped down onto her lap (along with Winter's) as Revali landed near them. "Oh… I guess we're up now." She said, cooking the fish and popped it into her mouth right as the sun shined over the water, and they would see a blue ring out into the distance.
"Is that it?" Sidon asked.
"I believe so, yes." Winter nodded as they made their way down, with Revali clutching Neptune's wrist as they made their way down to where the ring was, where they made some ice platforms as Revali dropped Neptune.
"Hmmph…" Neptune held on to his wrist as it was bleeding. "You got some sharp talons…" He mumbled as they looked at the blue ring.
"And I'm supposed to swim through it?" Weiss wondered.
"I don't recall a blue ring in my trials… I just swam out for a few miles before turning around and coming back." Mipha explained as Weiss immediately dove in and started to swim, and as she swam through the blue ring, a Shrine rose up before them.
"Oh, look at that. She didn't have to go that far!" Sidon said.
"Curious…" Mipha mused as they approached the shrine as Weiss activated it and they all went inside.
BGM: Shrine (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
"To you who walks into this shrine… I am Kee Dafunia. In the name of the Goddess Hylia, I offer this trial."
The Melting Point
"Goodness! Is this what was in these shrines? I never imagined the interior to look so… technological." Mipha said.
"It is truly a marvel…" Sidon agreed as they walked down as Mipha noticed a torch next to some fire as she picked it up, set it on fire and walked over to the ice, melting the ice blocks as best she could.
"Need some help?" Weiss asked.
"Possibly… this might take a bit longer than I had anticipated." Mipha said as Weiss and Winter both proceeded to melt the ice wall and made their way over, proceeding to melt the ice tower that was in front of them with Sidon cheerfully cheering them on as Neptune walked over to a chest and pulled out a Frostblade.
"Huh… eh…" He shrugged, handing it to Winter when she was done as they climbed up and went to the final portion where there was a giant wall in front of them.
"Hmmm! Perhaps we ought to melt the ice back there long enough to squeeze through this gate and then we-"
"Or we can do this." Weiss said, creating glyph platforms.
Sidon's eyes sparkled. "That is wonderfully outside the box~!"
"Have to admit, that's genius." Neptune nodded.
"I agree." Mipha giggled as they climbed up and walked over to the shrine, where instead of a Spirit Orb, it was a Ruta Emblem.
"Oh? That's new…" Weiss said.
End BGM
"Ruta's Emblem…? Curious…" Mipha mused as they went out, and made their way to Upland Zorana where the Guardians were prowling about.
BGM: Hyrule Fields - Day (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
"Guardians… how did they pop up here of all places?" Neptune asked.
"As far as I know, these Guardians were placed here as sort of a test for me to see how well I could handle things under pressure. I was able to do it spectacularly." Mipha said. "I wonder why they showed up here?"
"Perhaps to test Weiss." Winter said.
"You may be onto something. As I recall, you mentioned something about Maz Koshia last night while Weiss went off to get more Ancient Arrows…" Mipha said as they made their way through as the Guardian Turrets and Skywatchers spotted Weiss and took aim… only to get completely decimated by Ancient Arrows while nearby, Sidon and Neptune took care of some Moblins and Lizalfos.
Once the Guardians were taken care of, the shrine rose up from the ground as they went inside once they all regrouped and Weiss activated it.
End BGM
BGM: Shrine
"To you who walks into this shrine… I am Sato Koda. In the name of the Goddess Hylia, I offer this trial."
Support and Guidance
"Let's see… water wall… rolling ball…" Weiss mumbled to herself as she nodded, proceeding to use Cryonis on the wall.
"Oh, try using one over there!" Sidon pointed to a platform as Weiss did so, as the rolling ball came to hit it, and dropped down a slot as it rolled right down into a platform as it launched high into the air and dropped down into the switch, opening the gate up.
"Nice one!" Weiss smiled.
"I will be honest, I did not think that would be pulled off in the first try!" Sidon smiled proudly, along with a "shing!" in his teeth, high fiving Weiss as they walked off and collected the Ruta Emblem.
End BGM
Once outside, they made their way to Mikau Lake, finding a Trial Gate in front of them as they approached the waterfall. Weiss reached into her bag and pulled out the Zora armor and by request, both Sidon and Neptune looked away, though the latter subconsciously tried to sneak a peek, only to be met by a glaring bald eagle, causing Neptune to look away while sweating nervously.
"Okay, I'm ready!" Weiss said as the men turned around.
"You got this!" Sidon smiled as Weiss turned around and walked through the gate, as rings appeared above the waterfall's wall.
"Okay, I think she will need to use Cryonis toooooo-" Winter trailed off, looking at her sister swimming up the waterfall effortlessly. "...What?"
Mipha smiled. "Oh, Whitley would have loved to swim up waterfalls…"
Suddenly the ground shook.
"Done already?" Sidon wondered as they went up to meet Weiss as she was casually leaning against the side of the shrine.
"Yo." Weiss greeted as they went inside once they regrouped.
BGM: Shrine
"To you who walks into this shrine… I am Mah Eliya. In the name of the Goddess Hylia, I offer this trial."
Secret Stairway
The group approached the two metal platforms on the waterfall. "Okay, so how do we go about this…?" Weiss wondered as Neptune started digging into his pockets.
"Goodness, this puzzle may take some time…" Mipha said. "Perhaps if we…? No, that won't work."
"What if we used Magnesis to lift Weiss up? We just throw it up in the air quick enough." Winter suggested.
"Unfortunately, Magnesis is slow…" Weiss said. "It's not easy to throw things."
"Hmm…"
"What about Stasis? Launch Weiss up that way." Mipha said.
"Wouldn't that cause her to crash into the ceiling?" Sidon asked with concern.
"Hey guys?" Neptune spoke up as they turned to him. "How about we just use these?" He asked, holding several Octo Balloons.
"Ah! The Octo Balloons that you kept just in case!" Sidon said.
"Will that hold us all?" Mipha wondered.
"Says the ghost who can fly." Neptune said.
"Ah… fair point… wait, I could have picked up Weiss to-" Mipha blinked. "Can we do that first?"
"No no, we do my idea first."
"Very well." Mipha nodded, mentally and lightly kicking herself for not thinking of it earlier.
Neptune placed the Octo Balloons on the platform after everyone got themselves situated, and then the platform rose up.
"Oh goodness, it's working!" Mipha said.
"I never had a doubt!" Sidon smiled as they reached their destination as everyone hopped off the platform as Mipha spotted a chest nearby and flew over to it, opening it up and pulling out a Royal Shield.
"Fascinating…" She smiled as she flew back and gave it to Weiss as they went to collect the final Ruto Orb… and then they were transported out of the shrine and found themselves near Vah Ruta.
End BGM
"Why are we at Ruta?" Mipha wondered.
"To the one who approaches this Divine Beast… in the name of the Goddess Hylia, I offer this trial. In exchange for Ruta's Emblems… you will be granted the chance to tread through the realm of Mipha's memories."
"Huh?!" Mipha said in surprise.
"Those who lack determination will find this trial unforgiving. Do not take this place lightly, nor dismiss it as merely a world within your mind. The truth is much deeper than you know. Champion… you may only bring one with you."
"Let me go with you, Weiss." Sidon said. "If this trial is what I think it is, I wish to be with you."
"Okay." Weiss nodded as they both started to glow and were transported away as Mipha's head started to glow a bit.
"Nnngh…" Mipha groaned.
With the duo…
The two of them found themselves in Waterblight's arena, with Weiss finding herself in Zora armor but having the Lightscale Trident in her hands.
"This illusory realm was created from the depths of Mipha's memories. The enemy she faced had destroyed her due to the fear she had against it. You must have her overcome this fear to proceed. This battle is a trial of the soul. You must emerge victorious using only the tools provided.
"Aaaagh!"
Both turned their heads to see Waterblight knocking Mipha down as blood poured out of her body, her trident laying a few feet in front of her.
"Sister!/Mipha!" Sidon and Weiss exclaimed in horror.
"I… I can't… give up… I…. I have to… protect Hyrule… from the Calamity…!" She slowly reached for her trident as they would see Waterblight locking on to her and was ready to thrust her spear into her.
"NO!" Sidon yelled as he charged straight ahead as Weiss's eyes turned draconic. Waterblight thrusted its spear… but Sidon got in the way and parried while Weiss used Nayru's Love on him to reflect the laser back at Waterblight.
BGM: Worlds Converge - Sidon and Yunobo (Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity)
"What…?" Mipha quietly whispered as Weiss immediately started running toward Mipha, gently kneeling down. "Weiss…? I thought… you were-"
"Shhh, it's going to be okay…" Weiss said, immediately starting to heal Mipha. "Sidon! Think you can stall for time?"
"With pleasure." Sidon said, twirling a Lightscale Trident around as Waterblight glared at him. "I will not allow you to harm my sister anymore!"
Sidon started to skate through the icy ground as Waterblight swung his spear, but Sidon ducked and then stabbed the ground, creating geysers as they struck Waterblight as it was launched into the ceiling.
Sidon then created a whirlpool as sharks came out and slammed into Waterblight, including a large Hammerhead. Waterblight pulled out its mace and threw it at Sidon, where he blocked the attack but was knocked back a bit.
"Grrrr…" Sidon growled as he swung the trident rapidly, creating fissures into the ice as water burst out, changing into watery spears that impaled Waterblight that wrapped around his body and was thrown into the ice, shattering upon impact that made the rest of the ice break apart and leaving it flooded.
Sidon jumped into the water and swam around as Waterblight came out and scanned the area for Sidon, trying to impale him with its spear and attempting to blast him out with lasers, unaware of a vortex rising up underneath him and trapping it as Sidon burst out of the water behind Waterblight and swung powerfully, vertically slashing the beast gracefully and landing back into the water.
Waterblight screeched, trying to fire more lasers into him after it got out of the vortex as Sidon emerged near it and attacked, but Waterblight backhanded Sidon into a wall and impaled him in the shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain.
"You foul beast…!" Sidon spat as Waterblight aimed at Sidon, the reticle resting on his chest and fired… only for a watery barrier to block it. Waterblight turned its head, only for a watery spear to impale its eye and caused it to recoil in pain and let go of Sidon.
Mipha arrived, looking much better than before as she went over to heal Sidon. "You've grown in the last twenty four hours, dear Sidon… how is that possible?"
"Ahehehe~... let's just say I had a massive growth spurt in that short amount of time." Sidon smiled as Mipha giggled.
"I don't know how you got in here with Weiss, but I thank you." Mipha smiled as the two turned around as Waterblight let out a roar after getting back up.
"Let us face this beast together, dear sister!"
"I'm with you!"
Both dove into the water as Waterblight growled, attempting to freeze them on the spot with ice, but Weiss immediately countered with melting the ice and threw fireballs directly at it to distract it as Mipha then launched out, wrapping it a watery bubble before Sidon manipulated the water and had a few Hammerheads swim into it and bit down onto Waterblight.
The illusory creature roared as it tried to shake them off as Weiss conjured up an electrical bow and fired a lightning arrow, electrocuting the Waterblight and sending it into the water, then Weiss conjured up wind to lift the Zora into the air.
"Use these!" Weiss conjured up electrical spears and threw them to the duo as they both deflected it up into the air as they used the water to send it crashing into the beast, upping the speed of the current for good measure.
The electrical spears struck Waterblight, unleashing a powerful electrical explosion that disintegrated the beast.
End BGM
"That was for my sister!" Sidon said proudly with Weiss smiling.
Suddenly, the arena started to glow as Weiss and Sidon both found themselves back outside.
"Mmm…" Mipha shook her head. "Oh goodness, I don't recall that happening…"
Weiss and Sidon turned to Mipha, seeing the will o wisps still there.
"Did we… do something wrong?" Weiss wondered.
"I do not think so." Sidon said. "I personally believe this was to bring my dear sister the peace she needs! …And the peace that I desire as well."
Mipha turned around and smiled. "Both of you have gotten stronger and while the memory is nothing more than an alternate reality, I thank you both." She said, hugging the two as Winter and Neptune looked at each other curiously before shrugging.
"You're welcome, Mipha." Weiss smiled.
"Alas, I believe I have what it takes to lead Zora's Domain now…" Sidon said.
At that moment, both Mipha and Weiss started to glow for a few seconds before stopping. Weiss backed up and conjured up water, but it was a gentle seafoam green that sparkled brightly. "What in…?"
"Water with healing properties? Does this mean that your magic is evolving?" Mipha wondered curiously.
BGM: Mipha's Theme - Accordion Short Ver (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild: The Champion's Ballad)
Everyone turned to the sound of the accordion.
"Recall the Champion of Ruta's wrath, before she walked her chosen path~ Mipha's kindness was known to all, which is why the princess came to call~"
End BGM
"Hmm?" Kass turned his head to see the group staring at him. "Oh, hello there! I was just playing a song dedicated to Mipha. She was known for her kindness, yet the Zora princess could be quite strict when necessary." He chuckled. "By writing a song that captures the determination of Champion Mipha, I feel closer than ever to my dear teacher. I was struck by a realization… that the missing parts of the song can only be finished by my teacher's pupil. By me."
He then smiled. "So, what do you think? Would the fallen Mipha appreciate this song?"
Mipha smiled. "It's perfect."
"I'm glad you agree! She would appreciate this song dedicated to her!"
"Yes, to me."
"Oh, come now, you are the descendant of Mipha by name only!" Kass reassured.
He still doesn't get it? The group sweatdropped.
"That said, I do appreciate that even you like this song." Kass smiled. "Now then, I must be off to Death Mountain!"
He flew off toward the volcano.
"We should be going too." Weiss said. "Death Mountain awai-"
Her Sheikah Slate started booping.
"Hmm?" She wondered as she pulled it out, seeing that a new summon has been added to her roster.
Sidon
"Hey, that's me!" Sidon smiled. "And it captured my charming smile to boot! Goodness me, I had no idea it was quite infectious~!"
I was originally going to do Mipha and Daruk's trials this chapter, but midway, I thought "Eh, let's just only do Mipha's this chapter."