"Commander, you're dismissed."

"Ma'am." After Impa assured Cobn that she would handle the matter personally, he saluted, gave Bato a brisk nod, and left. The was only Impa, Bato and Link in the room now. She pulled out another chair andsat opposite him. While all of this was happening, Link was soundly asleep.

"I knew there was something. Ever since we met back at the Temple of Time." Bato said nothing in response. "I sensed great power from within. Familiar, and yet strange. You had an odd reverence for the pedestal and the door. You left quickly when confronted."

"I'm sure you have questions about that day," Bato said coolly. "Nevertheless, that's not why you're here. So, why don't we just get started, shall we?" And so, Bato began regaling his story about how he met Link. How he found him in the woods after a wolfos attack. How Epona guided him to the boy. How he dressed and bandaged his wounds, clothed, bathed and healed him. How he disappeared only to be found on the brink of death in the Kokiri Forest. Impa wanted clarification on a few parts but remained silent. During this time, she gauged him, trying to detect any sort of dishonesty.

At the end of it, Bato was emotionally drained. When coming into this world, he never expected himself to be wrapped in such a mess. He made it specifically clear to the goddesses that all he wanted was a quiet and peaceful life. Yet, fate had presented him with opportunities that contradicted that want. He was frustrated. He was forced into a position that he had no business being in.

Just like an unfortunate hero that he knew.

"Let me first say: thank you for protecting Link all this time." Impa gave a solemn bow. "Your actions made all the difference between life and death."

"I couldn't leave him by himself. He needed aid."

"Aid that you provided without any consideration to your person. Without hesitation and recompense."

"I sense a 'but' coming along."

Impa chuckled. "Some logic in your story alludes tome. How do you know the story of the Kokiri? How did you manage to find Link in the Kokiri forest? How did you get from the Lost Woods to Castle Town in such a short amount of time?" He could tell her. Telling her about him being from another world. That the goddesses sent him to Hyrule to live the life of a farmer. But he didn't know whether she would believe it.

But lying wouldn't work either. He knew she was intuitive and, like Baza, would catch on in any lie. "You wouldn't believe me if I explained it to you."

"Try me." She crossed her arms and waited. He shook his head and breathed deeply. "I… I am a soul from another world."

"Excuse me?" Impa looked incredulous. Then, she had a look of annoyance. "Is this supposed to be a joke? Because it's not a funny one."

"Good because I'm not joking."

Bato's serious face gave her pause. Then her eye started to twitch. "Why don't I lay out what's at stake here." She had a pointing finger. "You have one of the Royal Family's hidden treasures. A young boy who happens to be a friend to the princess who is critically injured. A man, who just arrived four months ago causing discord and chaos within Hyrule's economy and now claims that he's from another world?"

"I know, I know. It sounds crazy because it is. I have nothing else apart from my words. Wait." He took out the oval stone. "I do have this. Hylia did give it to me."

"Let me see that." But before Impa could take it, the stone started to heat rapidly in his hand. Cursing in pain, Bato released the stone, and it bounced off the ground. The stone began to shine brighter and brighter. Impa reacted almost immediately, readied her sword and targeted Bato. "Is this supposed to be a flash bomb? Because if you're trying to escape, I promise you won't leave this city alive."

"I don't even know what's happening!" He held his hands up. "And, for the record, I wasn't going to go anywhere." The entire room was filled with light. Hylia appeared before them, as radiant as before.

"The Goddess Hylia?! Here?!" Impa dropped her sword on the floor, with a face plastered in awe. She immediately knelt before her, looking towards the ground. "My lady." The goddess just smiled at her.

"Hylia." Bato acknowledged and she smiled at him too. But, instantly, Impa had a furious stare towards the farmer.

"Impudence! Know your place! You are in th-"

"Peace, Impa." Hylia calmed her, and she returned to looking at the floor again. "I have granted Bato this dispensation. There's no offence."

"Yes, my lady."

"Bet the knee's starting to hurt." Again, she glared at Bato who had a funny grin. Hylia bade her to rise.

"I will attest to Bato's claims." Impa nodded as the goddess continued to speak. "He is from another world. Not only that, but he also has knowledge of past and future events."

Bato stared at Hylia; he directed his anger inwards. "Why would you tell her that?"

Impa nodded weakly. "So, it's true. Not only that, but you also have knowledge of the past and future?"

"Of your true calling, the world, and the secrets of various individuals that would play a pivotal role in this young hero's destiny."

The Sheilkah looked fiercely at Bato. "You would keep these secrets in our time of need and not aid us?!" Bato couldn't say anything. Hylia raised her hand in silence. Impa took a step back and stood down. "Forgive me, my Lady. I lost my composure there for a moment."

"Events have already happened, and the future has already been changed."

"Events have happened already?" Impa started to pace around. "Things have already changed. So, are you saying we staved off the worst-case scenario?"

"You would have to ask Bato that." He didn't know why, but it looked like Hylia was having too much fun seeing him squirm. "There are two things you should know: one, his innovations have and already changed the realm." Coercion, the soup kitchen, and the replicas of modern conveniences. "His actions, active or impassive, will continue to move the realm to a new age."

"A new age?" Impa looked at him and shook her head. "The other matter, my Lady?"

Hylia put her hand on Bato's shoulder. "That this man has the grace of the goddesses. He has the power to destroy and create. He's not the type of person to abuse this, though."

"I appreciate your commendation, goddess." He wondered why Hylia would tell Impa all about him. Now that she knows that he has divine knowledge and if Impa told the king then Hyrule would milk him for what he's worth. "Is there a reason for all this, Hylia? Do you enjoy watching me struggle?"

"Not at all. But you cannot keep your impassivity for long. Like it or not, fate will move you in ways that you could never imagine."

Fate. That word just screamed of martyrdom. "So, the second life thing was just a bonus. You need something from me." Hylia nodded her head. "Regretfully, yes. As you so eloquently put it last time, you too have a part to play."

"As an actor?"

"A starring role. One that changes the fate of one who is destined for hardships and trials." She looked at the sleeping hero and at once Bato knew what she was referring to.

"You're joking."

"No, I am not."

"There should be someone else!" Bato's voice began to sound panicked. "He could be taken into the castle! Taken in by a nobleman! Someone influential! Go back to the forest! Why me, of all people!"

"Why not you?" Impa was looking at this back and forth with fearful fascination. This farmer was speaking in equal terms with the Goddess of Light?

"I…." He shook his head, not believing that this was happening. Hylia wanted him to be Link's guardian. There were plenty ofreasons: he didn't know how to raise children. He lived on a farm, so he'll always be busy. Link's destiny was significant to have someone like him be involved in it. As a matter of fact, he didn't have any business with anyone else apart from him. But the reason he chose was what he felt. What he always felt. "I…I am unworthy."

"How so?"

"The Goddesses must have told you about me. The type of person I am. I do everything in the name of self-preservation. I'm selfish; thinking about my benefit." He raised his hand towards Link. "He deserves better."

"Indeed, he does. Yet, you are the only person in this land who has any idea what he went through. The monsters, the trials, the loneliness, the rejection, the fear. You have seen his life with your own eyes."

Bato didn't dare to say that these experiences weren't real. It was a product of someone else's imagination.

"And for all your bluster about being a selfish person, you may say these things, but your heart says differently. Why else would he have fought the bandits when you could easily run away? Why else would you desperately try to set up a community kitchen when it wasn't your problem to begin with? Why else would you be friends with a forest dweller who was all alone and had no real benefit to you?" She took his hands. "It's fear. The fear of failing. The fear of being hurt. I tell you now, Bato. Show this boy understanding. Show this boy love, and he will show you what courage is."

What could he say to that? She made a compelling argument. Even though the goddesses had their reasons for summoning him, Bato knew that just being there for Link during this time was enough for him. "Dammit. I guess I'll have to be accepting of my fate, won't I?"

Hylia smiled brightly, then turned to Impa. "Impa. I ask you to support this man in whatever he needs. Many are counting on both of their successes."

"Yes, my Lady." Impa bowed solemnly while Hylia looked at Bato again.

She had the same, caring and happy eyes. "Visit us at the temple when you're not busy. Everyone else wishes to speak with you."

"I bet they would." Hylia dissipated into falling orbs of light. The oval stone turned black. It was only the three of them in the room.

Impa slowly sat down and breathed a sigh. "I've been in many battles, on many missions, and not once have I ever felt a fear like this one." She turned to Bato, who seemed starstruck. "I would kill you for your disrespect towards the goddess. But it does seem you have their protection. For now."

"Scary. I'll be sure to remember that."

"See that you do." Impa got up and looked at Link. She gave a smile. "Lady Hylia and the other Goddesses have seen fit to grant you this great honour."

"But the final decision doesn't belong to me."

"What do you mean?"

"… I have to tell Link about all of this. How will he react or accept these arrangements? I am not his keeper. I will let him decide what he wishes to do."

"He is a child. He needs someone to protect him."

"No, he can protect himself. He needs someone to be responsible for him."

"He's in good hands, Bato: yours. Oh." She took out the ocarina and handed it over to him. "You can keep this, for now."

"The Ocarina? But why?"

"The goddess bade me to assist you in any way I can. I have a feeling you're going to need this in the future. I just know it." Impa turned towards the door.

Bato pocketed the Ocarina. "My thanks."

"If you know about me. You know that I am a loyal servant to this kingdom and to the princess. My clan has served Hyrule faithfully for years, and I would rather die than to sully that name. I am not your enemy, Bato. Even though you have knowledge that we can use to secure our realms, I will not force you to give them to us. Know that you have a friend in the castle. I will assign Commander Cobn to act as an intermediary. Tell him what you require, and I will see what I can do."

Giving a curt nod, Impa left and closed the door. Bato thought about what he went through and all the things he was given to do. But Link wouldn't be taking this lying down. He had always done things for himself. No doubt, he would like to keep living that lifestyle. Who was he to say what he can and cannot do for himself? Breathing through his nose, he hesitated for a moment before looking towards the boy. He saw his face.

"Shit."