"Let's go while we still have the chance," Sidon said as he jumped over the cliff's edge, landing perfectly in the water without being seen. From a distance, he could see the monster that had attacked them in the original timeline was now attacking some of the guards, which would serve as a perfect distraction. They didn't want to leave the guards fighting the monster, as they didn't know if they could handle it. They didn't want to test their skill against it at that moment.

Link murmured to himself, his heart racing with worry, 'Hopefully, they're okay after this,' as he leaped off the cliff's edge, raising his arms and releasing the paraglider. The fabric caught the wind, and Link glided gracefully towards the faint glow in the distance, indicating Sidon's location.

Upon reaching the designated spot, Sidon, donning his ancient helmet, greeted Link and immediately noticed something amiss. "Is everything all right?" Sidon asked, his concern evident. He observed Link closely and said, "You hesitated for a moment; is something bothering you?"

"Don't worry," Link reassured, "I was just making sure that the guards were able to handle it."

"There was no need to worry, my friend," Sidon replied, nodding to him. "They can handle anything it has thrown at them, especially during this time. They are fine warriors, and I am certain that my sister would not let them fight this battle alone. In the meantime, let us get started with this."

Link urged, "Let's move before Tulin arrives, just to be safe in case we're spotted." He led the way to a small patch of land where one of the ancient buildings had collapsed beneath the water, concealing it from view. The water was shallow enough for Link to stand or even crawl under the structure without being noticed.

Turning to Link, Sidon inquired, "Are you prepared, my friend?" He wore a sorrowful expression as he awaited a response. Before Link could reply, a familiar, fleeting sensation enveloped them both. It was a message from Sidon's ancestors, indicating that they were on the right path and encouraging them to press onward.

"Begin," Link nodded to Sidon, firmly indicating that he wanted him to start.

"I'll be back. Be careful there, my friend," Sidon said as they gracefully maneuvered through the water toward the shimmering light ahead. His movements were so swift as he circled the light that the water around him began to swirl and follow his lead. Undeterred, he continued to pick up speed as the water defiantly surged in unison. Finally reaching the entrance, Sidon pointed it out and urged his friend: "It is there. Jump in whenever you are ready!"

Link gazed down and solemnly nodded, acknowledging the intense struggle between the guards and the monstrous foe. Though concealed from his viewpoint, he was sure of their continued fight. With stubborn determination, he leaped over the edge of the underwater structure he was on and went into the churning whirlpool prepared by Sidon.

Immersed in the tumultuous currents, Link tried to propel himself forward. Yet, the ruthless water currents induced dizziness, compelling him to lose control and submit to the water's forces. As he was inevitably drawn deeper into the heart of the whirlpool, he descended through the water and eventually landed in an extensive aquatic room. Tired but persistent, he gathered his strength to assess his surroundings and continue his arduous plan.

As he entered the room, he quickly glanced around, noticing every detail, and then nodded to himself in affirmation. Sidon followed closely behind. "Let's get this done, then," Sidon said, matching his pace as they proceeded deeper into the underwater waterworks, surrounded by the echoing sounds of their footsteps and the faint gurgling of water.

As Mipha observed the Water starting to move ahead of her, she couldn't help but voice her astonishment, "What in the world is that?" Before this surreal encounter, she had been submerged, attempting to spot the source of the mesmerizing Light, only catching glimpses of the ancient structures beneath Ruta during her moments of rest. However, this time was different. She noticed a change: the area where the door typically stood open, emitting its radiant Light. She was on the brink of swimming towards it when suddenly, she spied a Zora entering the Water, prompting her to swiftly conceal herself behind a couple of underwater corals. Although she observed the Zora's movements intently, she could not discern any distinct details.

Before seeing any details on this Zora, she watched him slowly reach for the ancient helmet resting on the belt. The helmet, weathered and filled with the whispers of history, seemed to possess an eerie glow as it settled on his head, obscuring his features. Anger surged through her veins as she realized this mysterious Zora was trying to control her innocent younger brother. Yet her rising fury, an overwhelming wave of fear, washed over her, leaving her questioning the root of her own worry.

She was uneased and confused as she watched him, wondering why he was manipulating her brother and his true intentions. As she hid underwater, she couldn't help but question whether he was there to cause harm or to offer help. Her mind was racing with so many unanswered questions. All she could do for now was remain submerged and observe as he resurfaced to converse with a Hylian man with dark, black hair—the same individual who had previously shared those haunting memories with them.

She was utterly shocked to learn that this man had a romantic relationship with Zora. She noticed his long hair flowing freely from beneath his mask and hood as she observed him. Additionally, he adorned himself with a meticulously crafted Zora armor set, every piece present except for the helm. However, she could see that he held the missing helm in his hands, demonstrating that he possessed the complete set.

"Begin," the man said after the Zora, and he spoke for a couple of moments.

"I'll be back. Be careful there, my friend," the other one told him before gracefully leaping into the Water. Mipha didn't bother to conceal herself; whether he saw her or not didn't matter. Fortunately for her, luck was on her side. From her vantage point, she could unmistakably discern that Revali was also observing the interactions from a higher vantage point in the sky, concealed behind one of the mountain peaks where he could watch without being seen.

The Zora, adorned with vibrant red scales, gracefully leaped into the crystal-clear waters, his movements causing mesmerizing ripples around him. As he swam in a mesmerizing circular pattern around the Light emanating from the ancient submerged ruins, she noticed a subtle shift in the water currents after a few minutes. The currents grew stronger, coaxing her in a specific direction and generating a formidable whirlpool. Amidst the intense vortex, the male Zora confidently beckoned to his hermitian friend, who awaited nearby in the Water, evading the pull of the whirlpool's force. "It is there. Jump in whenever you are ready," he called out, his voice cutting through the murmuring rush of the swirling waters.

As the other man silently nodded, he leaped into the Water from what seemed to be one of the ancient ruins beneath him. He swam purposefully towards the swirling whirlpool, provoking concern from Mipha as she watched him being drawn into its depths. Despite struggling initially, he managed to relax into the powerful currents, which allowed it to drag him in. The male Zora followed suit without uttering a word, diving into the water after him. It was clear that he wasn't trying to rescue the other man. In an instant, both disappeared into the whirlpool, leaving only the churning vortex behind.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Revali exclaimed as he descended from the sky, clearly noticing no water submerged. I observed them vanish into an underwater structure. "What could that be?" Revali inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Mipha gazed at the ancient ruins with a mixture of awe and uncertainty. "Those are some ancient ruins from long before my father's time—even before then. I'm not sure about those stories; they get lost throughout time," she said pensively. "No one has been able to get access to go inside them in thousands, millions of years. I don't understand how it's possible now," she added, her voice tinged with panic.

"What do we do? Do we follow them or do we report to your father?" Revali asked her.

"I don't know... I don't even know what's down there," Mipha said, her voice tinged with panic and confusion. "Was this their goal? Were they using my brother to retrieve some ancient weapon hidden beneath the depths? I'm at a loss for what to do," she continued, her breath quickening with anxiety. She was overwhelmed by the realization that these strangers possessed knowledge that not even she or her father could unlock. According to their ancestral lore, the submerged entity had rested undisturbed for nearly 5 million years since its initial discovery. The actual duration of its presence remained a mystery. Despite numerous attempts, no one had cracked its secrets, let alone come close. However, these mysterious individuals effortlessly breached their defenses on their first attempt, leaving Mipha bewildered and apprehensive about what lay ahead.

As Revali and the other person were swimming in the Water, he noticed she was getting anxious. Revali understood the situation's urgency and knew there was no time to panic. He reassured her by saying, "Calm down. We need to stay composed at a time like this." Revali suggested that they wait for the guards to return and have one of them report to her father while they would go and investigate the situation themselves. He emphasized the need to remain collected and stated that they could only afford to save time. "Whether it's something dangerous or something beneficial down there, we have to address it swiftly. Let's not delay any further, let's go."

"But," Mipha started.

"There's no time to question ourselves," Revali exclaimed, his voice tinged with urgency. "Don't you think I want to be here, do you? You know what Water does to my feathers. It's better to do it now before my feathers become too damp for me to use."

Despite the lack of rain, the dense, foggy atmosphere was taking its toll on Revali's majestic feathers. He could feel the moisture seeping in, and he knew he was running out of time before his ability to fly would be compromised. Having been in this place for far too long, he felt the discomfort of itchy skin beneath his dampened plumage due to prolonged exposure to the atmospheric conditions.

"Alright, we should proceed without delay," Mipha exclaimed, her panic subsiding as she swiftly swam into the whirlpool. "I will venture down there. Please promptly notify one of the guards about the situation and bring them to my father. I will return shortly to inform you if there are any potential hazards," Mipha assured him as she got ready to go back underwater only to be stopped.

"No, wait," he said urgently. "I'll be back in just a moment. I'll go inform one of the guards right away. Please, do not move." Despite his trust in her abilities as a champion, he was hesitant to leave her alone, mainly because she was already showing signs of a panic attack. With concern etched on his face, he swiftly took to the air, scanning for the nearest Guard who was not preoccupied with the commotion emanating from the cave.

"You must immediately inform the king of the events unfolding here. We will launch an investigation. Go now," he shouted at the Guard. Startled, the Guard was taken aback and didn't anticipate his approach. His attention was diverted to the sudden appearance of a whirlpool and a cave.

The Guard nodded respectfully and replied, "Yes, sir, right away, sir. I apologize," before quickly turning on his heels and rushing down the grand staircase to deliver the urgent news to the king. Meanwhile, Revali swiftly pivoted in the air and gracefully soared back to Mipha's location. As he drew closer, he felt a sense of relief wash over him upon seeing that she was still there, her face reflecting a mix of deep contemplation and unwavering determination.

At the edge of the swirling whirlpool, he gently urged her to move forward, saying, "Let's go." As the Water churned and rose above them, he noticed how it cascaded into a hidden chamber, its depths obscured from view. Despite the turbulent Water, there appeared to be enough space for him to enter without wetting his wings.

"There is an opening for you to get in through," he said, gesturing toward the passage. "I'll do my best to navigate inside without getting my wings wet," he assured her with a determined look.

"Alright, I'm on it," she yelled back at him as she gathered her resolve and leaped into the swirling whirlpool. The Water engulfed her and pulled her down into the depths. As she landed in a small chamber, she spotted a small, clear opening above her, barely large enough to accommodate Revali. he flued through a narrow entrance partially blocked by Water. Revali nearly splashed into the Water, but he quickly spread his wings and beat them a few times, allowing him to land in a dry section of the chamber.

Mipha expressed relief, "Thank the goddesses; you are all right. Are your feathers okay?" she asked, showing concern.

"I am fine. There is no need to worry. Do you see them anywhere?" he inquired. Despite his efforts to dry his wings and clothes, he didn't want to complain, although that was far from the truth.

"No, when I fell in, I was alone. Here, they most likely went deeper. Look, I clearly see that there is some water I can traverse through to the other end."

"Alright, I'll follow you from above," he told her as she paddled across the Water, only to find a giant cave-like area dripping with Water. "Hopefully, my feathers don't get too damaged here."

"I'll go ahead first," she said calmly, looking back at him with determination.

"No, stay here. I'll fly up and carefully scout the area for any potential dangers lurking in the Water. If there's anything risky, I'll return and carry you over," he assured her. She nodded understanding and patiently waited for him to spread his wings and take flight.

As he hovered in the air, he gracefully flapped his wings several times, scanning the small area meticulously to ensure no lurking monsters underwater or in the sky above. Satisfied with his survey, he nodded his head slightly, sweating effortlessly. Without hesitation, Mipha took a graceful dive, plunging into the water and swiftly swimming across the expanse.

As they made their way to the other side, they stumbled upon a narrow staircase that descended into darkness. Revali couldn't help but voice his worry, quietly mumbling, "What if they're waiting for us down there?" His concern about a potential ambush was palpable, adding extra tension to their already nerve-wracking situation.

As they approached the staircase, Mipha gestured to a spot on the left where the elevation offered a commanding view. Reacting swiftly, Revali unfurled his wings and carefully grasped her Trident with his talons before gracefully lifting her to the small but advantageous ledge.

As she expressed her gratitude with a nod, she crouched down to avoid being seen, and he mimicked her actions as they turned the corner, ensuring that nothing was below them. With each step, the enormity of the underwater cave became increasingly apparent, leaving them both in awe. Pausing with open mouths, they marveled at the sheer size of the cave. In the center, a glowing blue-greenish light caught their attention, seemingly tantalizingly approachable if a Rito were present.

Mipha couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and confusion as she gazed around. "What in the world is all this?" She uttered, her voice trembling with disbelief. "What is all of this madness right under my kingdom?" Her eyes darted from one peculiar sight to another, her mind racing to comprehend the unsettling scene.

Revali murmured to himself in disbelief, "What is all this? How do they know so many secrets that not even we are aware of?" Shocked and puzzled, Revali voiced his bewilderment.

Mipha pondered with concern, "What if they truly are here to harm us? What is that thing."

"Shush, be quiet. I see them," Revali urged, gently pushing her to lay down on the stone. Heeding his words, Mipha complied and observed with trepidation as they prowled around below.

The dark-haired man announced, "All right, I spotted all of them."

Pleased with the news, Zora inquired, "That's good. What time would be best for me to help you in any way I can?"

"I never imagined his voice would sound like this," Mipha murmured to herself, barely above a whisper. "It's deeper and more mature, but there's still a hint of childlike innocence in it," she mumbled softly.

"Does he not seem familiar to you?" Revali asked, his tone betraying his own sense of curiosity.

Mipha shook her head. "No, he doesn't even look familiar to me... At least not from here. If I could just get a closer look at him," she told him.

"We can do that later. For now, let's watch what they do," Revali replied, his eyes fixed on their actions as they started paying closer attention.

Zora's voice echoed in the dim chamber, "All right, you can start whenever you're ready, my friend." The young-looking Hylian nodded in response, his determined expression illuminated by the soft glow of the bioluminescent plants surrounding them.

"Okay, just move back. I'll take care of this first one," the Hylian said with quiet confidence as he stepped towards a pipeline that appeared to be obstructed by a mass of rubble. Drawing a sword that seemed to be fused with a large stone, he wielded it with remarkable speed and agility, almost defying the laws of physics as the massive weapon effortlessly responded to his skillful movements.

With a forceful, precise swing, Water surged toward the imposing boulders, obstructing the flow to its intended destination. In an instant, he felt overwhelmed and pushed back by the immense rush of water hurtling towards him. The room began to fill up rapidly as the water level rose several meters, gradually submerging the space.

Zora exclaimed with a cheer, "All right, you did it!" The man, filled with determination, responded,

"All right, we only have one more to go. Can you swim me there?"

"Without a doubt, my dear friend, climb onto my back just like we did in the past when we bravely faced off against Vah Ruta so many years back," he exclaimed joyfully. "Dancing around ice beams and skillfully avoiding the swinging trunk – oh, the memories we made," reminisced Zora as Hylian hopped onto his back with an infectious bout of laughter.

"What could he possibly mean?" Revali whispered. "Have you faced them before?" he asked.

"No, never... not unless they battled her while I was away. But if that was the case, I would have received some kind of notification," Mipha said with a dazed look. And there was no way they could have done it before I had control of the Divine Beast. It wasn't even out of the earth unless... No, that's not possible," Mipha spoke.

Revali's eyes widened in shock as he began to speak. "You don't think," he said slowly, his voice filled with disbelief. Silently, they both shared the unspoken thought, "They're from the distant past."

Mipha shook her head in disbelief, her voice filled with incredulity. "There is no possible way. How is it even possible? That simply cannot be true."

"Calm down; we probably have this all wrong," Revali said calmly yet firmly, trying to reassure the group. "It would be best if we ran a thorough investigation. I'm going to fly up to the ceiling. I highly doubt they'll hear me over the roar of the waterfalls, and they seem preoccupied with something else. I'll try to find a good vantage point to conceal myself, but there's a risk of being spotted if they continue to raise the water level," Revali explained, strategizing his action plan.

"Okay, I will submerge myself underwater. You make sure you stay out of sight. I'll search underwater to see if I can discover anything. If I can't find anything, I'll do my best to track their movements without being detected."

"Alright, you go ahead then," Revali nodded. With a confident flap of his wings, he ascended into the sky, closely observing how the color of his feathers blended seamlessly with the cave ceiling, rendering him nearly invisible from a distance. He perched himself on another end of a piece of Ruin, obscuring himself quickly. As he gazed down, he observed Mipha gracefully navigating underwater, diligently maneuvering around the submerged rocks and ancient structures. He couldn't help but notice the myriad of captivating sights hidden beneath the water's surface; the underwater world seemed to hold far more secrets and wonders than visible above.

As he gazed upon the scene, everything seemed plain to him. However, for her, everything appeared extraordinary, filled with rich history. His eyes kept searching, and all he could spot was Zora standing outside one of the entrances. He waited anxiously, hoping to witness some action, but Zora remained motionless, an air of worry surrounding him as the water lanced inside. Suddenly, the water started to rise, jolting him into alertness. He frantically scanned the area, searching for the Hylian, but he was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't until later that the Hylian emerged from another entrance, sporting a happy expression, seemingly pleased that he could activate the water. Yet, despite his relief, it became evident that the water had reached the required level to access the small Island in the middle.

Revali cursed under his breath, feeling frustrated by his own hesitation. He was keen to investigate before the two strangers had the chance, but he knew he had to bide his time now. The only advantage was his unobstructed view of whatever lay in the middle as he observed their approach toward the radiant, glowing Light.

As they approached, the ancient pedestal emanated a brilliant, ethereal glow that illuminated the surrounding chamber. The intricate carvings on its surface seemed to dance in the mesmerizing Light. However, as they got closer, the Light abruptly vanished, plunging the room into darkness. A subtle hum emerged from the pedestal's core in the eerie silence, hinting at a dormant power waiting to be awakened as another light appeared in the center of a circular structure.

The experience on the colossal flying ship island above the Rito village was eerily similar. The stone structure was circular, adorned with an intricate depiction of two majestic dragons in a circular motion around the empty center. As they cautiously approached the structure, the shorter figure extended his hand and made contact with the now-illuminated center of the two dragon circles.

Suddenly, the radiant Light vanished, dissipating throughout the space the two majestic dragons shared. As they both gazed upward, Revali's keen eyes discerned an intricate structure enveloping them and an aperture radiating the same ethereal glow as before. The intensity of the Light coalesced at the center, growing increasingly luminous until it condensed into a focused beam, piercing through the ceiling stone. However, beyond the breach, nothing else was seeable to him.

Zora's voice rang out, filled with urgency and determination. "Yes, let's go," he shouted to his companion, Link. "We need to hurry and reach Ruta before it moves its position," he exclaimed as he fearlessly drove their vehicle into the water, ready to face the challenges ahead.

"Alright, let's get moving. We need to move fast and make sure that we aren't detected. We must meet up with Tulin, but if we can't, we'll move without him," Link stated as he skillfully dove into the water, where the Zora would carry him on his back to get them out.

After both men left, during which they seemed to vanish, Mipha emerged from the water and returned to their previous place. Shortly after, Revali followed, gliding through the air to reach her position.

Mipha's eyes widened in confusion as she gazed at the stone dragons, their elegant yet eerie figures seemingly devouring themselves. "I have no idea what that was," she murmured, her voice tinged with concern. The inexplicable sight before her signaled something profound that demanded immediate attention and intervention.

"Agreed. Let's leave, but how?" Revali asked.

"I'm sure that I know a way out, most likely through the entrance we used. But if that doesn't work, I'll come up with another plan. We must leave this place quickly and reach Ruta before anyone else does," Mipha declared as she plunged into the water. Eager to discover an exit, he trailed behind her, maintaining a bird's-eye view from above.

"Attention, guards! Move quickly; we cannot afford to waste any time," one of the elders urgently shouted as he hurried after King Dorephan, striding purposefully towards East Reservoir Lake. They had just received news that the King's daughter was facing a dire emergency at the lake. "There is an ongoing attack at East Reservoir Lake. Everyone, make your way there at once!" the royal advisor shouted, the urgency in his voice cutting through the air.

"Your Majesty, it's where the Golden Light appeared earlier. That's where Princess Mipha was going to investigate after seeing some suspicious activity. We haven't had any communication with her. We also tried to capture the unknown Rito, but he escaped. We currently have some guards looking for him," the guard who came to him earlier said.

As they stood on the lakeshore, Dorephan's voice carried a note of urgency as he addressed the attendants. "just make sure someone stays with my son at all times. I do not want him risking his health while we're here," he said, his concern evident in his tone. With determined strides, he marched towards the East Reservoir Lake, his mind preoccupied with the mysterious occurrences. Upon reaching the lake, he hurried up the weathered stone steps that led to the water's edge. To his astonishment, a massive whirlpool had formed in the lake's Center, churning the pristine waters into a swirling whirlpool.

"My liege," one of the guards respectfully addressed King Dorephan, "we stand ready to carry out your orders. What would you have us do?"

"Step aside, everyone. I'm going in to assess the situation. Half of you remain here as backup, while the rest of you come with me in case we need assistance," he instructed assertively. He plunged into the water with a determined leap, causing it to ripple and rise slightly as he began swimming toward the turbulent Whirlpool. The guards, whom he had specifically chosen for their loyalty and skill, trailed closely behind him, ready to act at a moment's notice. Meanwhile, his trusted world advisers and Elders remained at the water's edge, prepared to provide support and guidance in an emergency.

"My king, I don't see anything out of the ordinary underwater, but-"

"Where is the Divine Beast?" Dorephan asked. He looked around, trying to find it, but didn't see it. Then he looked up and saw it at the top of the mountain. "Why is it there? Get it down at once. Have it come here to solve this issue."

"The Divine Beast can only be controlled by your daughter, Princess Mipha. She is currently occupied with an investigation into the Whirlpool's contents, so we are unable to fulfill your request, sir," the guard explained earlier.

"Very well," the King said, his voice echoing in the grand chamber. "Can any of you guards see what is inside the whirlpool?"

One of the guards stepped forward and replied, "No, sir. Princess Mipha mentioned that she spotted something inside, but I cannot confirm as Sir Revali was the one who conveyed the information to me."

"Let's investigate it then!" he yelled urgently. A group of guards carefully maneuvered around the powerful Whirlpool, making sure not to be pulled into its swirling depths, and meticulously examined the surrounding area.

Upon close inspection, they observed nothing unusual in the water. However, the Whirlpool showed no signs of stopping, which was highly unusual. Typically, whirlpools ceased their motion when there was minimal activity in the lake, except when the Divine Beast was responsible for any disturbances.

"I found something. I see something in the Center," they all looked up to see a guard standing over a cliffside above the Whirlpool. "What do you see?" another guard yelled up.

As the guard peered into the darkness, he noticed a peculiar opening where the water was steadily draining. Something seemed amiss. "I think there's more than just water down there. It looks like the ancient ruins are open," he exclaimed in surprise.

Upon hearing this, the King said, "The ancient ruins have remained sealed for centuries, even beyond my time." Although meant for his ears only, the King's hushed words were overheard by all present.

"My king, would you like us to investigate?" asked some guards. Dorephin nodded, allowing them to proceed. However, as soon as the guards approached the Whirlpool, they were instantly sucked in. Despite their screams of Fright and attempts to escape, they continued swirling at the Center of the Whirlpool until they disappeared underwater. Despite waiting for them to resurface, they were nowhere to be seen.

As soon as the guards disappeared from sight, a strange phenomenon unfolded in the very Center of the lake. The water beneath them, particularly the area directly underneath the King, began to emit an ethereal glow. The King, visibly startled by the unexpected occurrence, quickly reached for his weapon while his guards stood poised and alert, ready to defend against any potential threat emerging from the depths. Despite the clarity of the water, it continued to emit an eerie luminescence, giving the impression that something unseen lurked in its depths.

The water glowed for a couple more seconds before a beam of light suddenly shot up from the Center, reaching the sky. Everyone looked up to see where the light was headed, but they didn't see anything else continuing into the sky. They tried to make sense of it, but nothing else could be seen. For a moment, nothing happened, and then suddenly, screeches started to be heard throughout the area and beyond.

"What in the world is happening?" Dorephan exclaimed, a mix of confusion and awe in his voice as he raised his gaze to the sky. Without warning, despite the clear blue sky and the bright sun illuminating the domain, droplets of rain began to fall. However, this wasn't a gentle shower—it was a downpour with an earthy, mossy scent.

The guards, taken aback, exchanged confused glances and scanned the sky, trying to understand what was happening. As the heavy rain intensified, they couldn't help but notice the lack of any clouds in the sky, deepening the mystery of this rain.

"Go underwater and leave this area immediately; something is wrong here," Dorephan yelled as he looked to where the guards disappeared.

"My king, for your safety, I must—" one of the guards shouted as he tried to lead the King away, only to be stopped by the King himself.

"No, some of my guards are down there, and I will also investigate. Not only that, my daughter is nowhere to be found. What kind of King do you think that would make of— what in the world? Who are you?" the King shouted as two figures emerged from underneath the water. Both of them looked at him in panic. "Answer me at once, who are you?" he shouted with all his might, angry he had never seen those two before.

One was a Hylian; the other was a very tall Zora wearing a helmet, but he had never seen either. He demanded answers but received none as both ignored him and started to swim away, with the small Hylian on the back of the Zora.

"After them, all of you at once, we demand answers," Dorephan yelled as all the guards started to chase after them. The guards outside of the lake quickly tried to cut off all escapees.

The two men did not say a word to each other as they looked around at how surrounded they were. They were surrounded from all angles, from the left to the right and from the bottom of the lake floor. The only clear getaway was going upward, but they needed wings.

"Hold on, my friend. I'll handle this," the red Zora yelled at the Hylian on his back. As he suddenly started to move quickly through the water, he saw the King approaching to capture them with his weapon, which frightened him deeply. It was hard to tell due to the helmet over his head.

The Red Zora's movements became more fluid and graceful as he started swimming in a circular motion, the water swirling around him gaining momentum with each passing moment. With unwavering concentration, he summoned another whirlpool into being. At first, it was just a tiny swirling motion, barely noticeable. But gradually, it expanded and intensified, pulling in with relentless Force all the guards in the water. The overwhelming power of the Whirlpool drowned out their desperate cries for help as they were engulfed by the swirling waters, only to be ejected from the Center and pulled back in again. Despite the chaotic scene around him, the Red Zora swam with remarkable ease and speed, the burden of carrying a Hylian on his back seemingly no obstacle.

"Stop this nonsense, you stupid fool," Dorephan shouted. I demand answers. Why are you manipulating my son? Why are you here?" he yelled at the man. However, the man didn't say anything and continued doing what he was doing until he finally broke out of the Whirlpool as soon as the guards were in its Center. He swam on the other side, away from the King, making sure to keep his distance, and then swam underwater with the Hylian still in his back.

"Damn it all!" bellowed the King in a fit of rage. Suddenly, a commotion seized his attention, causing him to whirl around and behold the sight of the Red Zora standing by the champion chamber's dock, where the Elder and some guards were standing. His sudden appearance startled them; emerging from the water at tremendous speed, he soared into the air and came crashing down just a short distance from them. With remarkable agility, he leaped over the ledge and plunged into the land below, vanishing from view from their sight on the lake.

In Anger, Derephan glared and raised his weapon and put it in the edge of the Whirlpool with all of his might; he was all of his Force to try to stop its movements, which was hard enough as it was seeing as the water pressure was too much even for the most experienced guards. Even then, he didn't stop and continued to place his weapon at the edge, not allowing the water to go through his weapon until, finally, the water stopped moving. The only movement was the other Whirlpool, and he still needed help to stop by the Ruin's

The guards emerged from under the water, exhausted. They made sure everyone was okay. King Dorephan used his healing magic to check on them. He then went to stop the Whirlpool, which was still churning the water. Suddenly, the guards trapped there appeared just a short distance away.

He hesitated briefly, and then Mipha came splashing from underwater."Father, father, you wouldn't believe what's waiting down there," she exclaimed, clinging to the Rito champion. The champion appeared dejected, his feathers sodden with water tenderly carried him. His daughter appeared before him.

"What is happening here? Are you feeling okay?" he asked with concern, reaching out to her.

"I'm fine, father, but we need to act quickly. Those two men are heading up to Vah Ruta, and we must reach her before they do," she urged urgently.

"Follow my daughter's instructions. I will join you shortly," he called out, assuring the guards that he would support her orders.

As Mipha swam the Rito champion towards the champion chamber Docks, he expressed, "I can take us there; I just need to get onto dry land first." A few Royal advisors and servants assisted in the effort to dry Revali's wings as much as possible.

Although it wasn't a perfect solution, it did provide some relief. Although his feathers remained damp and posed a challenge for flying, it was still an improvement.

"Father, is it all right if I..." Mipha's voice trailed off as she hesitated.

"Go," Dorephan interrupted, his tone firm as he looked down at her. "I'll investigate here, but you better keep yourself safe. Do you understand me? Also, find answers to all the questions that we have, especially from those two intruders," he said with a look of disgust in the direction that the two and the shooters had gone.

Standing before her father with determination, Mipha made a solemn promise. "Yes, Father, I promise I will return safely and uncover the answers we seek," she assured him before turning to face Revali. "Whenever you're ready, I am prepared to travel alongside you," she said with unwavering resolve.

"Alright, I'll just let them air-dry from here on out. Get your trident ready," he told her as he started to flap his wings, the air rushing past his feathers as he tried to dry them faster. After a few moments, they seemed dry enough for him to take flight. He soared upward, not with great speed, but with determination. Once he reached a suitable altitude, he descended, grasped Mipha's trident, and lifted her. Together, they headed directly toward the Divine Beast perched at the top of Shatterback Point.

A heavy silence enveloped them as they made their way up the mountain and approached the waterfalls. They were trying to avoid the guards who were heading towards the lake. Link couldn't help but notice Sidon's struggle, especially after witnessing King Dorphane's attempt to attack them. Seeing the king's anger and aggression deeply unsettled Link, and he found it almost impossible to imagine it coming from his friend. The sight of the king's behKing'sfilled Link with fear, and he could only imagine the turmoil Sidon must have been experiencing.

" Sidon," Link started to speak, but he cut him off.

" It is fine, my friend. I do understand that he does not recognize me and that in this time he does not see me as his son but as a stranger," Sidon told him.

"Sure, we can deal with this later, are you ready to go?" Link asked, his voice carrying a tinge of concern.

"There's no need to worry about me; let's finish this," Sidon replied with a forced smile that failed to reach his eyes, which seemed filled with a touch of melancholy. Link could sense his friend's inner turmoil, but he nodded in agreement. They continued their arduous ascent up the roaring waterfall, the mist from the cascading water enveloping them until they finally emerged victorious at the summit of the imposing mountain.

When they reached the top of Ploymus Mountain, they expected to proceed directly to the Divine Beast, yet their plans were abruptly thwarted by the formidable presence of two Lynels that customarily held dominion over the area. Despite their efforts to avoid being spotted, their climb up the waterfall was noticed by them. The massive monsters immediately fixed their fierce eye on them, casting powerful growls and roaring roars as they menacingly raised their bows, poised to charge at any moment.

"Damn it," Link muttered under his breath, frustration evident as he deftly sidestepped an oncoming attack, narrowly avoiding a powerful strike from above. Sidon mirrored Link's movements with precision and agility, evading a relentless onslaught of attacks. However, their efforts were hindered by the challenges posed by the imposing height of their adversary, who seemed to effortlessly zero in on Sidon's presence due to his conspicuous red scales.

As they navigated through the Lynals, their movements were messy but swift. Link skillfully wielded his Feathered Edge dagger, strategically parrying a few strikes. His intention was not to cause significant harm; instead, he wanted to pass through. Despite his efforts, the Lynal grew increasingly agitated and aggressive.

"Link, I'm going to go ahead; you distract them. If it comes down to it, I can try my best to defeat the temple on my own," Sidon shouted.

"No, don't be reckless. We can end this soon. Just give me a minute," Link said. Sidon nodded at him, and they continued to battle the two monsters effectively until one of them got a good hit on Link. Sidon saw this and instantly attacked the Lynel before it could attack Link again, killing it by accident.

The other Lynel was shocked by its partner's demise and hesitated a moment before striking Link, giving Link the upper hand for a second and allowing him to kill the monster. They quickly hurried up the path until they reached the top of the mountain, not bothering to turn around other than to pick up a few things for Link to use later.

They didn't hear the small whines of a baby Lynel approaching the corpses of its parents as it glared at the two beings that killed its parents.

As they finally entered the Divine Beast, they wasted no time and hurried to the secret room at the top of the colossal creature's head. Once inside, they swiftly began entering commands into the control panel to initiate detaching the Beast's trunk from the pipeline on top of the mountain. With deft movements, they programmed the trunk to angle upwards and set a countdown for 5 minutes, allowing them to prepare before the thrilling leap into the water. Their plan was to be propelled through the Divine Beast's trunk, launching them skyward with the hope of reaching the magnificent waterfall cascading from the sky island.

As they were engrossed in their activities, they did not once glance backward or check their surroundings to notice that the massive doors of the Divine Beast had swung open, revealing the presence of an unidentified individual within its confines.

Exhibiting extreme caution, Mipha stealthily navigated the perimeter of the Divine Beast, ensuring that she remained undetected. The fact that the doors were accessible surprised her, considering that in previous instances of the Divine Beast being commandeered, they were promptly sealed shut, impervious even to her, the esteemed champion of Vah Ruta.

Revali silently flew to the ceiling of the Divine Beast, moving with silent exactness to avoid being seen. From his vantage point, he signaled Mipha to instruct her to make her way to the head of the Divine Beast. Ensuring that the coast was clear, Revali ventured to the head of the Beast, where he observed that the door was still ajar. Taking the lead, he proceeded to meticulously monitor the area. Looking cautiously into the narrow hall, he cautiously moved until he caught sight of a statue at the far end. His keen eyes discerned a figure, accompanied by a Zora, engrossed in their moves at the complex control panels within the inner chambers of the Divine Beast's head.

As the man approached the Zora, he inquired, "Do you have everything?"

The Zora, with confidence in his voice, replied, "Yes, I do. Are you ready?" He directed his question to the dark-haired Link, who seemed ready for the impending task.

"Hey, we're running out of time. We've got less than a minute," Link told the Zora as they hurried towards the pool connected to the trunk of the Divine Beast. The massive trunk was angled relatively low, almost touching the ground.

Revali quickly scanned the room and spotted a screen indicating the water capacity and a timer ticking down. It was clear that the water pressure could be released at any moment. As the man had warned them, the timer showed barely a minute left. The sense of urgency was tangible.

Mipha quietly approached from behind, gently touching Revali's shoulder. She hesitated momentarily, unsure whether to intervene immediately or allow them to proceed with their task.

"Go ahead," Revali told her. "I'll cover your back in case they try anything," Mipha nodded and followed his instructions.

"Being the champion of the Divine beast and the second-in-line ruler of the Zora domain, I demand that you cease your current activities and respond to my inquiries at once," she proclaimed firmly, causing both men to swiftly pivot their attention towards her in a state of bewilderment.

"What are you doing in here?" they both exclaimed simultaneously, their voices reflecting a mix of confusion and urgency. They turned to face each other and then back to her. Meanwhile, the digital display on the screen indicated that less than 30 seconds remained, and unexpectedly, the door initiated its closure process.

Revali found himself in a tense situation, with just a few seconds to make a critical decision. As the doors began to close, he weighed his options. Should he remain inside the room with Mipha, risking exposure to the two men? Or should he stay outside, leaving Mipha to handle the situation on her own? The weight of the decision was palpable as Revali swiftly made his choice. Determined, he leaped through the door, deftly drawing his bow and aiming his arrows at both men, ready to protect Mipha at all costs.

The man's voice echoed in the cavernous room, "Wait, no, you can't be in here!" His words were cut off abruptly as the heavy doors slammed shut, sealing them inside. Without warning, water began to surge into the room alarmingly. The man barely had time to react before the water level rose rapidly, submerging everything in its path. In the chaos, a mysterious figure named Zora swiftly seized the man, while Mipha also sprang into action, both of them desperately trying to keep him afloat. As the water churned ferociously around them, they were swept through the narrow passageway, hurtling towards the surface until they were forcefully ejected from the depths.

As they soared high above the ground, the landscape below blurred. Perched atop the mountain, the Divine Beast had already carried them to great heights, but now the world seemed even more distant. They ascended beyond the level of the island where Revali had followed after this 'Link.'

Revali struggled to catch his breath in the thin air. Water infiltrated his nostrils as he plunged back and forth between the depths and the surface. Mipha made valiant efforts to keep Revali afloat, but she also wanted to prevent him from hurting himself, so she kept him close, inadvertently causing him to collide with the water repeatedly.

The Zora and the man made their way up the water, which cascaded down like a regular waterfall. As they ascended, they stole occasional glances behind them to check Mipha's progress. In the distance, the water began to disperse into fine droplets, returning to the earth below. At that moment, they caught sight of a waterfall high up in the sky. Mipha was astonished and uncertain of what to do. She trailed after the Zora, who was leading the way, and swiftly ascended the rushing stream of water in pursuit of the enigmatic waterfall. When they finally reached it, the Zora successfully scaled to the top.

Mipha hurried to catch up with him, focusing solely on ensuring Revali's safety and well-being. As she finally ascended to the top of the waterfall, she scanned the area for a suitable place to touch down. A patch of rugged stone caught her eye, and she swiftly maneuvered towards it. However, her landing was abrupt and jarring, causing her to inadvertently drop Revali, who struggled to breathe and expel water from his lungs.

As she assessed the situation, Mipha noticed two enigmatic figures observing her and Revali with intense gazes.

"What is the meaning of this? What is all this?" she panted, trying to catch her breath. Her chest heaved as she struggled to speak. She never expected this to happen. When she ventured to climb the waterfall, she had not prepared for the consequence of accidentally mixing air and water simultaneously. This prevented her lungs from smoothly transitioning to use her gills.

"How did you get..." the mysterious man began to speak, but Zora cut him off.

"Your presence is a great honor, Princess," he uttered, meeting her eyes sincerely. The Princess regarded him silently. "I regret the circumstances of our meeting, but your arrival provides us with a significant advantage in our battle against Calamity Ganon."

"How does your actions and our meeting contribute to our collective effort to vanquish Calamity Ganon?" she inquired, her gaze piercing. She remained prone on the ground as Revali straightened on his wings and knees, attempting to regain his composure and recover from his ordeal in the water.

"I understand if you're feeling uneasy right now, but I want to assure you that there's no intention to cause any harm to you or your family, or anyone else in this Kingdom," Zora assured her. "I believe it would be best to explain everything at a later time, but for now, I hope you can trust me."

"Tell me one good reason why I should believe you after everything you have done," she exclaimed, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. "Taking my brother away and making him keep secrets from me and his family," she ground out the words, her eyes flashing with emotion. She wobbly got up and pointed her Trident at him, her hand visibly shaking with the weight of her feelings.

Zora remained silent, her eyes locked with his through the small openings in his mask. He hesitated, unsure of how to react. This was not the sister he knew; she had never been this cold, especially not to him.

"That's enough," the mysterious man began, his voice urgent and reassuring. "We do not mean you any harm, I guarantee you that—" But before he could finish, she cut him off, her eyes filled with suspicion and fear.

"I'm unsure how you plan to achieve that by presenting us with that vision," she remarked, her gaze now fixed on him with a steely intensity.

The two men's hearts skipped a beat as they watched with bated breath when suddenly, Revali's voice pierced the tense silence from where he lay on the ground.

"Answer me this... What are you trying to achieve?" Revali said as he lay on his back, glaring at him from the corner of his eye. "What is the end game of all of this? Who is this Demon King, and why must we defeat him when we have the Calamity to focus on?"

"I believe it would greatly benefit you if you decided to accompany us to the top of this island," the man suggested. "Although I acknowledge your lack of trust, I am confident that you will uncover at least some of the answers you seek, despite the... issues that lie ahead."

Mipha and Revali locked eyes for a brief moment, their thoughts intertwining as they weighed their options. Revali's expression showed a subtle glimmer of agreement, but he needed to gauge Mipha's reaction before fully committing to their decision.

Mipha, with a commanding tone, snapped at the Zora, "Very well, we will, but for now, give me a name."

Confused, the Zora asked, "What?"

Unfazed, Mipha replied sharply, "I repeat myself... Give me your name, both of you."

Both men exchanged a brief, knowing glance before courteously extending their introductions. "Forgive me, Princess, for not properly introducing myself. I am Don, a warrior of great skill hailing from my... homeland," he conveyed to her with a slight bow.

" and I am-"

"Don't give me that fake name you gave me before; tell me your real name," Revali snapped, cutting off the man named Link.

Link felt the frustration inside Revali, knowing he had to be honest. "I'm not lying to you... My actual name is Link," Link told him, trying to convey his sincerity through his tone and expression.

Revali's feathers rustled as he addressed them. "And where do you guys come from... How can you conveniently share the same name as one of our champions?" he growled.

Link met Revali's gaze with a stern expression. "I believe that the answers you seek will be revealed by the end of this, if not later on, but for now, I cannot answer that," he told Revali, his voice unwavering.

They looked at each other briefly before the two looked away. Link and Don looked ahead to the Island and observed their surroundings. Mipha and Revali composed themselves as they slowly exited from the ground and struggled to balance themselves. The gravity in the area did not affect them as much, making it harder for them to walk, jump, or even fly.

Revali struggled the most, but he tried his best to get used to it, even though he couldn't fly right now; his wings were too damp. Once they composed themselves, they got up and walked a little ahead, only to find that the Island pathway was very high. They looked around, trying to see if they could find anything familiar, only to take a couple of steps back and look over the edge of the waterfall where they had originally come from.

There was nothing but pure land. Of course, they could see the Kingdom, but it was not visible, only a tiny dot of what could be considered the Zora domain. They couldn't even see the figures below. They couldn't even see landmarks as they were high up, and the Island passed through clouds in the sky.

"What is the meaning of all this?" Revali asked himself as he looked over the edge. He tried his best to dry his feathers, but it was hard.

" I'm not sure," Mipha said.

" I do not mean to rush you, but it's better if we get going now," Link said as he walked a little forward with Don down the pathway. Mipha and Revali looked at him apprehensively before they followed after him. As they walked, they approached a little river with a bridge. The river, however, was completely black and mucky. The river was not moving because of a giant debris pile at the edge of the Island covering its Escape, making the mush unable to move out of the engine and down to the earth below.

They made their way through the Island and the rubble, trying their best not to get any mud on them. But the mud seemed familiar. As they looked at it, they walked closer and found that the muck was the same mud that the monster from earlier used before they entered the lake.

They didn't voice their concerns. They continued to talk, but they both glanced at each other as they realized this and followed after Don and Link. They continued to walk until they got to a destroyed pathway when they had to jump up. They almost fell over and off the Island. When they did so, the gravity on the Island was very high—unsettling.

"Revali are you all right," Mipha asked him.

" let's keep going... I'm fine," he told her. She just nodded her head and led the way. They made it to a little section where there seemed to be some bubbles floating out of the ground, only to pop in the middle of the air and reappear on the ground, doing the same thing over and over. They crossed over to the other side of the bridge, which was easier for them.

When they reached it, they saw two Pathways, one through the bubbles and the other through some mechanical things, the same ones on the sky islands in Rito village.

" are those the same beings that were on top of that.." Revali started to ask but cut himself off as he watched the constructs.

" yeah... They are all over the place," Link mumbled. Linke jumped into one of the bubbles, with Don following after him.

" you can't just walk away and not give me answers," Revali snapped at him as he watched Link land on the platform above them.

"And I told you you're going to get your answers by the end of this. Don't worry, champion Revali." Link told him, "Are your feather's all right? Can you fly up here?"

"My father, they're fine. I just need a couple of minutes to myself, is all," he glared at him. Link couldn't help but feel ashamed. How did they go from being... Close to this?

" I have a fan that-"

" I do not need your assistance... You have already betrayed my trust once. What is another thing?" Revali glared as he flapped his wings to get them a little dryer. It did work, allowing him to fly up to the platform only to have him steadily land as he flapped his wings. He felt even lighter, making it harder for him to navigate, but he still did it.

Mipha was already on top, waiting for him. She understood his mistrust, and despite her doubts, she decided to stay quiet, wanting to see what they would do. She always had her Trident at the ready, pointing it upwards in her hands, not like it usually was strapped around her back.

" I'm just making sure... We have a couple more of these to go through," Link mumbled.

" I told you I will be fine. Continue," Revali snapped. Link nodded and fixed his mask further, ensuring his face was no longer in his View.

Once everyone was settled, they continued to the next machine, which blew up another water sphere. Link jumped into it first, only to land on the other bubble maker and wait for the next one to appear. He jumped inside, and once he landed on the other straightforward platform, he instantly took all his sword, and it took something on the other side. Revali looked up and flew in that direction, trying to see what he was fighting, only to see it was one of those constructed machines.

He watched Link fight and get a little closer, and that is when he realized another construct was approaching. He was about to shout out, but Link killed the first one, quickly turned around, and kicked the other one off the Island, watching as it fell and disappeared into the land below.

" That was quite impressive." Revali barely even praised him as he glared at him.

" I appreciate your praise. I always look forward to it," Link said, rolling his eyes playfully. Reveal rolled his eyes and walked away as Don and Misha appeared in the following water spheres. They then continued on their way as if nothing had happened. As they made their way up, There was even more muck and disgusting filth. Link maneuvered his way around it quickly along with Don, but Mipha found it challenging. She would look at it and think, how this... Disgustingness makes its way up there... Even so, she still wondered how any islands were up here.

" I have been meaning to ask," Mipha said in a Stern voice, making both men turn around to face her. "What are these floating islands? Why are they here, and why are they so destroyed?"

" that is a tough question to answer. My apologies princess" Don started.

"But this is a question you have to tell later, isn't it?" she said with a sense of sass.

"Actually, I can answer that. This is also an answer to your question about the Island floating above your village, Champion Revali," Link said, getting his attention. "The reason these islands are up in the sky is that they are basically holy lands."

"What do you mean by holy?" Revali asked, confused.

"The islands above your designated kingdoms or villages, sometimes even below, like the Gorons and Gerudo. They are from a very long time ago. Before the Champions, there used to be a title called a sage. Only the strongest of sages could lead their villages or their people. In doing so, they became the known rulers throughout the Hyrule Kingdom. They had temples built, and these were made by holy intentions and by holy people. They became a sacred ground, where only pure energy comes from. This is how the natural spring water comes from the mountains. Actually, this island used to be the Zora domain before it was brought up into the sky for its own protection," Link revealed.

"But why? If it used to be part of the domain, why was it brought up to the sky, and why build another one? I mean another domain," Mipha asked as they walked.

" that I cannot go into full detail into but... I can't tell you this. As you know, Calamity Ganon happened, and every time Calamity appeared every couple hundred years, he brought a bunch of monsters that were basically impossible to defeat. You remember the Colgera..." Don asked as he faced Revali and nodded his head. " that was a monster that was controlled by the Calamity Ganon directly and it was instructed to destroy the Temple but instead with the help of its people actually, from the help of the entire Kingdom all of the temples were raised into the sky and the monsters that were individually sent to each Temple instead of destroying it they took over it."

"Wait, let me make sure I understand this correctly," Revali said, his brow furrowed in concern and confusion. "So you're telling me that the enormous creature we had to defeat in Rito village managed to take control of a sacred treasure of my people? And there were other monsters sent to different temples to destroy them, but instead of succeeding, they were somehow concealed - either buried underground or lifted into the sky - and the creatures decided to take over those temples instead?"

"Basically, yeah," Link said with a shrug of his shoulders as they continued to walk ahead.

"Don't shrug your shoulders at me."

"Revali, this may not be the right time," Misha said gently, attempting to soothe him as she approached the group. "We are currently standing in the ancient city of the old Zora domain, which predates even my father's era."

"And even before his great-grandfather," Don told her. "The reason this has been kept secret for so long is that these temples hold great history and great power, but the monsters still live here. It has been dormant for quite a while, and I'm not sure when it will awaken, but it can still happen. That monster holds the power to destroy the entire domain. That is something I've seen firsthand," Don said as he mumbled the last couple of parts to himself, hoping no one heard. Of course, they did, but they didn't mention anything.

"Can we take control of this island? My people deserve answers," Mipha told him.

"Of course, there is a way to take control of this island, even to bring it back down to land, but..." Link said, "I feel like it would be better if you just listened to what she had to say, then we can talk about this later."

"Listen to what he has to say," Revali snapped.

As they continued walking, both men remained silent, refusing to converse with Mipha and Revali. Despite Mipha and Revali's ongoing attempts to elicit some answers from the two men, their questions were ignored entirely until they finally reached a peculiar sight: a pair of statues resembling fish, with water gushing out from them.

"Champion Revali, it would be better if you met us at the edge of that platform over there," Don told him as he pointed in the direction further up ahead.

"Very well, I'll expect you there," Revali nodded as he flew up. "And you best take care of the princess," he snapped at them as he flew up, ensuring his brothers were completely dry."

Both men nodded as they explained to her how they were supposed to get to that platform. Mipha understood and quickly followed their instructions. She jumped from one tiny spewing fish head to the next, making sure not to miss. When she was done, she reached the other side and waited for the two men.

Once at the platform, they turned to face one of the shrines.

"What is that?" Revali asked. "I saw one of those on top of one of the floating islands over Rito Village."

"These are shrines," Link said. "They are to purify all evil in the vicinity. I can activate it now." Walking up to the shrine, he absorbed the light into his hand. Revali and Mipha watched as the light disappeared into Link's hand. Link had seen it before, but this was different; this was much closer.

"What is that you're holding in your hand?" Mipha inquired.

"As I explained before, this is pure energy... When I hold it in my hand, my body absorbs the energy and channels it into physical energy or uses it for physical healing," Link clarified.

"Are you the only one who can do that, or can I do that as well?" Mipha asked.

"From the looks of it, I'm the only one that can activate the shrines," Link told her.

"But why you?" she asked him.

"I believe it is best that we avoid these questions for now," Don said.

"No, she deserves an answer," Revali snapped at Don, his voice edged with frustration. "Why is he the only one that can absorb that Pure Energy?" Don and Link exchanged a knowing glance before both turning away, their silence speaking volumes. They quickened their pace, taking a couple of hurried steps ahead, hoping to evade further probing questions from Revali.

As Revali ascended the steps, he could feel his frustration rising. He wanted to snap at both of them and demand answers, but something held him back. When they reached a small area at the top, he noticed an array of peculiar bird-like shields. Mipha mirrored his confusion as she looked around with a similar expression.

"We've been traveling for hours, and now we're going to stop here for the night," Link announced. "It's getting dark, and navigating in these conditions can be very dangerous, especially since we can't see below us," Revali responded with a roll of his eyes while Mipha nodded in agreement. They built a small camp under one of the platforms, carefully setting up their sleeping arrangements before slowly drifting off to sleep.

Mipha lay down to sleep; her mind filled with deep thoughts. As she gazed around her, she couldn't help but ponder the rich history surrounding her. Every brick seemed to be etched with ancient scriptures, their words barely legible to her. She strained to decipher a few words here and there, longing to piece together the complete stories they held. These inscriptions were the tales of her ancestors, and they filled her mind with profound contemplation.

Amidst these swirling thoughts, she could not shake the image of a Hylian man bedecked in full Zora armor from her mind. Who was this enigmatic figure, and who was the woman who loved him so deeply? These questions tugged at Mipha's heart, compelling her to ponder the mysteries hidden within her people's past.

Revali found it challenging to fall asleep. He couldn't help but keep a close eye on Link and Don, ensuring they didn't engage in suspicious activities. Despite their silent acknowledgment of each other's presence, they soon settled in for the night, seemingly trusting that neither Revali nor Mipha would threaten them. However, Revali couldn't shake off the feeling of being excluded as he struggled to stay awake. Eventually, he succumbed to sleep, entertaining the possibility that Link's motives might not solely revolve around manipulating him during his visit to Rito Village. He held onto the hope that he might finally receive the answers he sought this time.

In the depths of the underground within the Hyrule Kingdom, Daruk gazed at the imposing exterior of the Divine Beast, shrouded in darkness. "I never imagined there would be anything down here; I always assumed it was just pure lava," he remarked. With a hint of bewilderment, he turned to his companion and asked, "So many questions... Do you happen to have any answers?"

Yunobo remained silent as he guided the Divine Beast through the underground passages. Daruk acknowledged his silence and refrained from pressing for an answer.

"You seem quite young to be handling this machinery, even though I have my own issues with it," Daruk chuckled as he affectionately clapped the young Goron on the back, causing Yunobo to gasp in surprise. Glancing at the older Goron, he visibly relaxed upon noticing the man's lack of anger or tension. "You're powerful for someone your age, that's for sure."

"Thank you," Yunobo finally said in a small whisper. It is an honor to hear that from you, sir."

Daruk smiled as he finally got a response from the young one. "Well, look at that, you do speak. Well, I'm glad I'm someone that you look up to," he smiled at him. Yunobo smiled slightly before turning his face back to the control panel. Finally, he dared to ask, "Now, if you are okay with me asking... Where exactly are we going?"

Yunobo fell silent for a moment, deep in thought, before finally speaking. "Calamity Ganon is dangerously close," he said solemnly, capturing Daruk's undivided attention. "There may not be enough time for the princess to fully master her powers or for us to adequately protect the Kingdom... At least, that's my fear, but I can't be certain."

"Why do you believe this?" Daruk inquired, his concern evident.

"I just have this feeling..." Yunobo replied as they approached an ancient, subterranean structure. "I have a sense that history may repeat itself, but this time, there's hope. This time, you have them... they will stand by you," Yunobo added, his voice filled with an unusual mix of doubt and determination.

As they drew nearer to the subterranean structure, Daruk remained silent, taking in the grandeur of the sight before him. The underground building loomed large, dwarfing everything around it, with many mine carts scattered about, far outnumbering those on the surface. He found himself captivated by the breathtaking scenery, marveling at the abundance of precious minerals that adorned the surrounding landscape and filled the interior of the colossal edifice.

"What is this place?" His whispered question hung in the air, lingering as they approached the imposing building. The answer never materialized, leaving him in a state of curiosity. Finally, the Divine Beast stopped, allowing him to exit as its great maw opened wide.

Yunobo acknowledged him with a silent nod before departing the control panel room. Daruk observed him momentarily before trailing behind, emerging from the Divine Beast and setting foot in the building. The surroundings captured his attention; the structure was a marvel to behold. Its sturdy, towering form exuded an undeniable beauty, prompting him to ponder the skilled hands that brought it into existence.

"Hundreds of years ago, no millions of years ago... Our ancestors created this... They created this in defense against Calamity Ganon..." Yunobo exclaimed excitedly as they strolled through the ancient structure. The walls, bearing the hallmark of Goron craftsmanship, spoke volumes about the dedication and skill of our people. "You can tell by the way the walls were built that our people built this. They put a lot of heart and effort into this, even blood... It's beautiful and tells so many stories," he said with a hint of awe as he gazed at the intricate carvings and sturdy construction surrounding them.

As Daruk gazed around, he was struck by the grandeur of the building. The structure, meticulously carved out of stone, seemed to hold countless untold stories within its walls. The builders had sparingly used bricks and primarily relied on stone, with occasional brook use in specific sections. The walls and floors were adorned with intricate engravings, and various metal doors, mine carts, and trails added to the complexity of the structure. Each element seemed to be intricately attached to different areas of the building, creating a mesmerizing sight that contrasted with the open expanse of Death Mountain.

Daruk asked, "Why is this located down here?"

Yunobo explained, "This area was once easily accessible to our ancestors many generations ago. However, due to the destructive influence of Calamity Ganon, access was sealed off. Now that we have managed to reopen it, we can once again share access to our people and extend it to those outside the Goron tribe. This underground mine serves as the primary mining site, and it is just one of many scattered throughout the entire Kingdom, all interconnected."

As they continued their walk, they eventually arrived at a room with an interesting sight at its center: a floating stone. "What is that?" Daruk inquired, his attention captured by the enigmatic object.

"It's the answer to a multitude of problems... Master Daruk. Please, feel free to approach it," Yunobo replied, granting Daruk permission to investigate the stone. Daruk, visibly puzzled, studied Yunobo's expression, but the younger Goron maintained a neutral visage as he focused on the mysterious stone. Daruk, unsure, glanced back and forth between the stone and Yunobo before tentatively taking a step forward. Suddenly, a bright light enveloped his vision.

The following morning, they awoke feeling utterly exhausted. Not only were they weary from spending the night on hard, unforgiving stone and the occasional soft fabric from their bags, but every little noise seemed to jolt them awake. Whether it was the rustling of a potential monster lurking nearby or the gentle sound of water and mud flowing through the stone, every disturbance left them even more fatigued than before they had settled down to rest.

Revali awoke feeling extremely irritated. His irritation quickly turned to alarm when he saw Link engaged in a fierce battle with several monsters while they had been sleeping. Reacting swiftly, Revali jumped out of bed and rushed to assist Link. Once the danger had passed and the monsters were defeated, Revali couldn't contain his frustration and shouted at Link for not waking them up or informing them about the imminent danger.

Mipha felt a sense of unease creeping over her as she observed the Zora male preparing to resume their ascent up the islands. Although deeply concerned, she kept her thoughts to herself, not wanting to disrupt the group's momentum.

When everyone was prepared, Link turned to Revali and instructed him to jump over to the opposite side of the platform, assuring him that they would rendezvous there. Mipha remained silent, carefully watching Link pick up one of the bird-like objects and position it on a stand. With his assistance, she and Don mounted the object, and then Link struck a golden pillar adjacent to the stand, propelling them to the other side.

Mipha was surprised as the bird-like object was pushed into the air. Reacting quickly, she grabbed hold of it, feeling the rush of air as it carried her gracefully to the other side. Landing next to Revali, she watched Link follow suit, replicating the same smooth maneuver that had brought them across.

"We would really appreciate it if you could let us know in advance if something like that were to happen again," Revali snapped at him as soon as Link finally arrived on the Island where they were all standing.

"I told her to hold on," Link said with a playful tone and a lighthearted voice.

"but you should have informed her of your actions. What if something had happened?" Revali snapped, his frustration evident.

"I understand your lack of trust in me, but I assure you, I am confident in my abilities," Link said gently, attempting to ease the tension. "Anyway, please stay here. I am sure of a construct ahead that I need to kill; it won't take me long." Link informed him as he kept walking without acknowledging him. Revali shot a disapproving look at his back and then trailed after him to continue arguing with him.

"Is he always like that?" Mipha asked Don as he patiently waited for Link to dismantle the construct.

"Usually, but right now, he's agitated because of his strained relationship with champion Revali," Don told her in a hushed tone.

Mipha expressed her gratitude, saying, "I really appreciate you holding on to me while we were on that flying machine. It made me feel safe and secure." She smiled as she remembered how he had firmly grabbed her, ensuring she wouldn't fall off the contraption.

Don replied with a hint of solemnity, "It was my pleasure, Princess Mipha." Despite wearing a mask, he couldn't resist gazing into her eyes. She was not only a princess but also his long-lost sister and hero, who had tragically passed away many centuries ago.

"Come on, guys. I'm done," Link shouted, getting their attention and causing them to go up the steps to the little platform.

"What is all of this mud precisely? I started to notice that the higher we go, the more there is," Mipha began to question, her voice filled with curiosity and concern as she observed the increasing amount of mud as they ascended.

"Remember how I was telling you about that monster? Well, this is what that monster does to disrupt the Temple. This specific Temple is known as the water temple and is considered the sacred ground for the Zora people," Link explained, gesturing as he spoke and continuing when Mipha nodded in understanding. "The monster has the ability to generate mud from its body and uses it to clog up the water flow, contaminating all water sources. This is one of the reasons why this Temple is located at such a high altitude, even compared to the Wind Temple."

"Are you suggesting that the creature responsible for clogging up the water and turning it into thick, hard-to-swim-in mud is now spreading its influence across the island?" inquired Revali.

"Basically, it's designed to incapacitate the Zora people so that monsters, which can move freely through the mud, can dispose of them. It can be easily countered with a splash of water, but finding uncontaminated water is already difficult enough."

Revali asked, "Are we going to confront this monstrous creature? And if so, where can we find clean, uncontaminated water?"

Link responded, "That's where Don comes in. He has the remarkable ability to purify and generate water from water molecules in the atmosphere." Link gestured toward Don, and they proceeded to another waterfall.

Mipha expressed her admiration, "That is quite impressive; it reminds me of my ability." Don glanced at her and nodded in agreement.

"Our abilities are similar, but yours is more focused on healing, while mine envelops me protectively and is unleashed when I'm ready to attack," Don explained.

"I find that quite convenient," Mipha nodded, her eyes narrowing as she observed the situation. "However, something does strike me as rather odd," she suddenly pointed out, her curiosity piqued.

"What is it?" Don asked, leaning in to hear Mipha's observation.

"Observing the mud falling off the Island's Edge, I can't help but wonder where it all ends up. I've never seen any of this substance down in the Zora domain," she remarked. This observation prompted Revali to acknowledge that she had a valid point. There had never been any mud like this present in the kingdom below.

"Well, there is a forcefield around the islands that prevents the mud from reaching the Kingdom in its solid form," Link explained.

"Could you elaborate on that?" Mipha inquired, expressing her concern.

Link gestured towards the horizon, saying, "Think about it this way. Since we're so high up, the water from up here either turns into rain or mist down below, right?" Mipha nodded in agreement. "Well, when the water mixes with the mud, it breaks down into smaller particles that can contaminate the water. Although it may not be immediately noticeable and may not drastically affect the water down below, it does make it... toxic, in a manner of speaking."

"Toxic? Does that mean my people have been poisoned?" Mipha exclaimed, her expression filled with concern.

"Wait, wait, wait, not quite like that... well, in a way," Don exclaimed, causing Mipha to turn and inquire for further clarification. "Over countless millennia, all species, such as us Zora, animals, and even monsters, have had the opportunity to acclimate to the pollutants in the water surrounding us. We have evolved to coexist with these elements, and our immune systems have developed antibodies to combat any potential illnesses or adverse effects caused by the impurities in our water."

"What?!" Mipha exclaimed, "Are you suggesting that my people have been incorporating these contaminants into our systems for millions of years?"

"Um... Technically, yes," Link stammered, casting his eyes downward, trying to avoid her piercing gaze.

"How can we put an end to this? I cannot bear to see my people endure such suffering," Mipha exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the island looming above, relentlessly spewing out torrents of mud.

"No, no, you're not listening. The Zora people are not in any immediate danger and are unlikely to face any repercussions unless they discontinue using the purified water from the lower part of the ocean or the water under the kingdom. The water they are using is of high quality and poses no threat to their well-being. As long as they continue to use this water source, there is no reason to worry about any negative impact on their community. Your people can rest assured that there is no imminent threat to their health or safety."

"Have we considered the impact of this on the Hylians, Rito, Gerudo, and Gorons? They frequent our kingdom daily. Are you suggesting they are also immune to this peculiar mud?" Mipha asked with a glare.

Don started, hesitating, "Well, no, but..."

"Then this must be stopped. This is jeopardizing the health of the entire Hyrule Kingdom. Is this the plan all along?" Mipha asked with concern.

"That's what we are trying to do now," Link explained. "We're committed to taking action, but our first priority is reaching the top of that final island." He gestured upwards as he spoke. "Once we reach the summit, we can stop the air and water pollution. Additionally, we'll be able to provide you with the answers you're searching for – about us, the kingdom, and everything you desire. At the very least, we'll bring you one step closer to that knowledge," Link assured her.

Mipha nodded as she gazed at the majestic waterfall before her. The water cascading down was slightly cloudy, but she was unfazed as she gracefully leaped through it and continued her journey. Behind her, Revali and Link were the last to soar upwards.

"Will my Village encounter similar conditions?" Revali inquired as they paused, waiting for Don and Mipha to ascend further so that Link could follow after them.

Link asked, "What do you mean?" before bravely leaping into the cascading waterfall, glancing at Revali.

Revali thought shortly before answering, "The beast that invaded the Wind Temple... They didn't have the same lasting impact on my village here."

"Kind of..." Link nodded thoughtfully. "When facing the monster, I'm curious, how challenging was it for you to soar through the skies?" Link inquired.

"...It was quite challenging, I must say. The wind wasn't exactly in our favor, I can confess to that," Revali admitted with a hint of frustration.

"the monster's objective was to disorient the wind around them. That wind wasn't natural. The wind currents created during the fight with the Colgera were created by the monster itself, its wings, and its body. It also didn't help that because of the cold temperature that the monster produces, the snow kept falling and confusing even more. And I'm sure you noticed that the way the monster was built created some sort of sound wave that disoriented some of your warriors," Link explained to Revali.

Link's explanation shed light on the intricacies of the battle with the Colgera and the unique abilities of the monster they faced. Understanding the monster's tactics and environmental influence was crucial for devising a strategic plan to defeat it. As Link delved into the details, Revali listened intently, considering how to counteract the monster's disruptive elements and protect their warriors in the next encounter just in case.

Revali admitted, "I did notice something was amiss, but I disregarded it as a figment of my imagination," without meeting his gaze.

As they stood at the edge of the water, Link nodded. He took a deep breath and plunged into the muddy, cold water, feeling the current rush as he swam toward the base of the towering waterfall. Revali soared gracefully above, leading the way with effortless elegance.

Struggling against the powerful cascade, Link strained his muscles as he clambered up the slick, moss-covered rocks, his boots slipping on the wet surface. With a final push, he hoisted himself onto the platform at the top, water streaming from his clothes and hair.

Meanwhile, Don swiftly dispatched a pair of constructs, their mechanical limbs clattering to the ground as he made his way up to join Link on the next platform. The air crackled with tension.

Mipha's voice was tinged with concern as she questioned, "How are we supposed to get to the other side?" She considered Revali's ability to carry them but expressed doubt about his wings being fully dry. "I did see him struggle earlier," she added.

Revali was surprised that his wings were not yet dry, saying, "I'm surprised my wings aren't dry yet; it's been almost an entire day."

Don explained that Revali's wings did not dry due to the atmosphere and the moisture in the vicinity. He reassured the group, saying, "There is no need to worry. Link here will help us through this," as Link instructed them to get close to the bubble floating toward them.

Mipha felt a tinge of unease as she observed the bubble in front of her bursting, only to be replaced by another one behind it. Just as she was about to voice her confusion, Don placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gestured for her to enter the bubble before it vanished. Meanwhile, Link raised his hand, and the entire bubble took on a shimmering yellow hue. Revali, standing nearby, shot Link a questioning look, but before he could speak, the bubbles began to backtrack in the direction they had come from.

With unwavering focus, Link guided the bubble back to its original location, transporting Mipha and Don to the next platform. Revali, still puzzled, shot a sideways glance at Link before soaring over to Don to seek an explanation. Seizing the opportunity, Link leaped into one of the bubbles and manipulated time, allowing it to ferry him to their destination.

Revali grew increasingly frustrated as he continued asking questions without receiving any answers. "What exactly was that?" he inquired.

Don casually responded, "He has the ability to momentarily stop time for one object and reverse it."

Feeling incredulous, Revali asked, "And this is completely normal? We're just going to walk right past this?" As Link strolled past him to the island's center, Revali muttered, "Okay, noted. Got you. Okay, whatever."

"Seriously, how do you expect us to get past this obstacle without me having to carry everyone?" Revali persisted.

"I get the feeling that you'll find fault with everything I do, so you might as well take charge now," Link retorted. He employed his Ultra hand to meld two doors together, creating a makeshift ramp for the approaching bubble to leap over, enabling them to reach the next island by swimming.

Revali snapped with frustration, "All of these abilities and yet I'm finding out about this now."

"It's not like I was keeping it a secret," Link replied with a hint of defensiveness and playfulness.

Don landed on the other side and walked past them, adding, "Yes, you were."

Link responded sarcastically, saying, "You're being helpful."

"All right, how is your mystical little power going to help us jump over that cliff?" Revali asked as soon as he flew over. They turned around and saw a ginormous Cliffside. It was too low for them to jump over, and no machines created bubbles for them to jump over. There were only a couple of bird-like objects, big fans, and what looked like the bottom of the carts. The cliff stretched far and wide, casting a daunting shadow over the group.

"Don't piss him off," Don warned Link, a sense of urgency in his voice. Link just shrugged his shoulders, his eyes searching the surroundings for a solution. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He concentrated, channeling his power through his Ultra hand, and manipulated the objects scattered around them.

Link used his Ultra hand to fuse all of the objects together, crafting a little flying cart that could carry them to the other side. The fans whirred to life, propelling the makeshift cart forward. With a collective sigh of relief, they soared over the imposing cliff, their hearts pounding with exhilaration and gratitude for Link's extraordinary abilities.

Revali's voice dripped with frustration as he muttered, "You could have done this the entire time." Despite his irritation, a small smile tugged at the corner of his beak.

Link responded with a soft smile, "I mean, it's easier than having you carry all of us to the next island, isn't it?"

"Don't get snappy with me. I'm still angry with you... And you're hiding all of these hidden abilities—the audacity," Revali retorted as he gracefully took flight to the next island, waiting for them with an irritated look."

"Stop pissing him off," Don chuckled softly as he observed the expression on Link's face.

"It's not my fault he has a short fuse and started it," Link insisted, his tone hinting at frustration and defensiveness.

"I don't care. You're the adult here; remember how old you are," Don replied with a smile concealed beneath his mask. He hadn't witnessed Link's behavior like this in a long time and was trying to diffuse the situation with light-heartedness.

Link was about to continue, but Don simply walked away, his actions speaking volumes. "He started it, though," Link attempted to explain, but his words trailed off as Don's figure receded in the distance.

As they ascended the steps, they were suddenly confronted by a menacing construct. The moment the construct laid eyes on them, it swiftly grabbed its weapon and fused it with a nearby laser. Revali took to the skies, unleashing a flurry of arrows, but the construct remained unyielding. Meanwhile, Link unsheathed his sword and launched a fierce assault on the relentless foe. Don joined the fray, wielding his Trident, and Mipha followed suit. They fought unison, guarding each other's flanks to avoid stumbling into the treacherous mud below.

After a prolonged struggle, they emerged victorious. It was a hard-won triumph, marked by their relentless efforts to topple the island's construct. Despite the challenges, Link deemed it a victory nonetheless.

"Let's just go, you're being childish," Don muttered. "And stop competing with each other; this is serious."

Mipha felt her stress levels soaring as she took in the expanse of mud covering the island. However, a giggle escaped her as she watched Revali's uncharacteristically childish behavior. Seeing him let go of his mature facade was a rare sight. Most of the time, everyone seemed to forget Revali's actual age, but moments like this served as a poignant reminder that he was, after all, still a teenager.

"It's not my fault I'm better and the reason we won," Revali snapped, his feathers ruffling in agitation.

"Well, if it wasn't for me, it would have never jumped off," Link said, a smug grin on his face.

"If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here," Revali growled, his eyes narrowing at Link.

"Well, it's not my fault," Link snapped, his voice tinged with defensiveness.

"Both of you, let's go!" Don snapped, his voice rising with frustration under his mask. "The both of you are acting like children; stop it."

"But he started it," Revali and Link shouted simultaneously.

"But I'm ending it. Both of you, up that waterfall now," Don snapped as he pointed sternly to the cascading water. Revali huffed in defiance and puffed out his wings before taking flight, gracefully soaring up the rushing cascade. Meanwhile, Link paused momentarily, glancing down at the ground disappointed and leaping into the water, determined to climb up and beat Revali.

Mipha could not stifle a giggle as she trailed behind Link, casting a warm smile in Don's direction. On the other hand, Don remained momentarily frozen by his sister's expression. She exuded a sense of pride in him. He had stepped up and assumed control of the situation, a feat he would never have been capable of in his younger years.

As they finally arrived at the waterfall, Revali stood frozen in place, with Link standing behind him, wearing a look of deep sadness as they gazed ahead. Mipha stood nearby, her hand covering her mouth in shock as she watched the mud spewing from the island's center. The filthy mud bubbled and popped, spreading its disgusting presence throughout the area, polluting the air and water as it fell down to the kingdom and broke into small particles into the water that would later turn to rain.

"Oh my goddesses," Mipha sobbed as she slowly approached the island's center, with the three men following behind her. "This is what is polluting my air, my people's air, and my people's water. How do we turn this off?" Mipha asked.