Chapter 74 - Revelations

Summary: Astra meets with Purah in the Calamity Timeline, and secrets are shared.

The sky above Hyrule Castle was heavy with dark clouds as raindrops pelted against Astra's office windows, filling the air with a steady background noise. A warm fire crackled in the fireplace, chasing away the chill of the late afternoon and keeping the office cozy. Despite the dreary weather, Astra remained unperturbed as she went about her busy day of meetings and reviewing reports.

"I can assure you the funds will be available, Minister Lambert, so you can begin work as soon as possible," said Astra as she stamped a document with her seal and then rose from her chair.

"Thank you. The castle drainage system will be much more reliable once the work is completed," said Lambert, the Minister of Public Works, also rising. "I will bid you good afternoon, Highness, and thank you for the tea."

As soon as the minister departed, Myra came to the door and poked her head into the room.

"That was your final minister meeting today, Your Highness," Myra informed her. "The Queen has already departed for the day."

"Oh?"

"She went to visit her late husband's grave," Myra continued. "It's their wedding anniversary and the third one since his passing."

"I had no idea!" Astra exclaimed. "If only I had known, I could have offered my companionship and support."

"Many, including myself, have offered to join her during her previous two visits, Your Highness. However, she insists on going alone. 'That way, I can take my time without imposing on anyone and have some quiet moments,' Her Majesty told me. Afterwards, she usually retires to her room with a light dinner sent by the staff."

"Thank you for informing me, Myra. I will remember this date in the future," Astra said as she mentally made a note to enter it into her Tab later.

"Anyway, back to matters at hand, Highness. Dr. Purah must be running a bit late. She's not here yet," Myra explained.

"Probably due to the rain," said Astra.

"Yes, the roads can get muddy and make travel difficult," Myra agreed.

"It's not just muddy roads. Purah told me during one of our travels together that she dreads traveling in the rain, even without the presence of lightning."

"Well, at least we know there's no lightning expected, as our storm-predicting cat Mia wasn't hiding in my desk," said Myra with a slight smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"Good to know," Astra replied with a chuckle. "If you're not too busy, will you join me for some tea?"

"Thank you, Highness, I would like that. A hot cup of tea is always welcome on a cold, rainy day," Myra replied gratefully as she entered the room and sat at the conference table.

The aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted through the air as Astra poured two cups from the kettle that hung by the fireplace and joined Myra at the table.

"I'll tell you how I learned about Dr. Purah and her aversion to travel in the rain," Astra said after each took a sip of tea, feeling comforted by the warm liquid.

She leaned back in her chair and began to tell Myra the story.

Purah and I were riding together on one of our journeys when gray clouds started rolling in from the sea, and we felt the wind picking up.

"If it starts to rain, would you mind if we waited it out at the nearest stable?" Purah asked, concern in her voice.

"No, I don't mind at all," I replied. "Is it because you suspect lightning? Or do you feel I'm still too inexperienced a rider to travel in the rain?"

"No, it's not because of lightning or you - it's me," Purah admitted. "Traveling in the rain brings back some bad memories, which can lead to nightmares later."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"It dates back to the day of the Calamity. The sky turned a deep, foreboding shade of purple and grey as the Calamity struck, and a dark rain fell as Robbie and I fled for our lives from the Royal Ancient Tech Lab. Our footsteps splashed through puddles on muddy roads with two horses alongside us weighed down with Guidance Stones strapped to their backs. Around us, the sound of crumbling buildings and shrieking victims filled the air as the malice-infected Guardians relentlessly destroyed everything in their path. The fear of being caught by one of those machines haunted me for weeks after that day."

"That must have been a horrible experience," I said.

"And then there were the times when an unexpected rainstorm would suddenly extinguish a torch while carrying the precious blue flame from the Ancient Furnace near Zelkoa Pond to re-light the furnace at the Hateno lab. It was incredibly frustrating! Anyway, it may not be scientific, but I am not fond of traveling in the rain after all these experiences."

"Interesting," said Myra. "Seeing Dr. Purah as a young woman, one forgets she lived through those terrible times so long ago."

After taking a sip of tea, they paused before Myra broke the silence.

"Is there anything else you need from me, Highness? I'm all caught up with my other work."

"Yes, there is one thing, but we still have some time, so there is no need to do it today. Can you please verify the correct pronunciation of the new members being inducted into the Royal Guard? Her Majesty wants me to perform the ceremony this year, and I want to make sure I get everyone's name right."

"Of course, Your Highness."

A sudden gust of wind blew rain hard against the nearby window, prompting them both to look up for a moment.

"Speaking of names at award ceremonies, Her Majesty once told me a funny story," Astra continued after another sip of tea. "My father won the swordsmanship contest when he was just a boy, and Her Majesty was still a young princess. They had never met before, and when she asked his name before presenting him with the medal, he was so nervous that he accidentally introduced himself as 'Lnk' instead of Link. She still remembers it fondly."

"I can imagine he must have been nervous meeting the princess for the first time," chuckled Myra. "But I'll make sure to double-check the pronunciation of every name for you. Although, I think you'll have no trouble with at least one name."

"Yes, Fallon is rather easy to pronounce," Astra laughed. "Saying it like 'fall on' doesn't sound right. He pronounces it more like 'fail on.'"

Another gust of wind rattled the windows as they finished their tea.

"Myra, if as you said you're done with your work, please go and relax," said Astra. "I'll be fine here alone."

"Are you sure, Highness?"

"Yes. In fact, I shall make that a royal command," Astra chuckled. "You work far too hard, Myra."

"As you wish, Your Highness, and thank you," Myra said with a bow and left.

Astra could hear her packing up and leaving a few moments later, then she got up and shut her office door to avoid distractions.

She began reviewing the procedures of the Royal Guard ceremony once more. It would take place in the Sacred Grounds, weather permitting. Otherwise, it would be held in the Sanctum. The six inductees would recite the oath together, and then she would call each person up individually and present them with their new insignia.

It was well over an hour later when a soft knock came at the door. Astra rose to answer it, revealing Dr. Purah standing in the hallway, her clothes damp from the weather.

"Dr. Purah, welcome!" Astra greeted warmly. "I'm glad you made it safely through the rain."

Purah's face broke into a wry smile as she entered the office. "Thank you, Your Highness. I must admit, I almost turned back twice on my way here. But some matters are too important to let rain interfere."

Astra nodded, gesturing for Purah to sit at the conference table. "Would you like some tea to warm up?"

"That would be lovely, thank you," Purah replied, settling into a chair.

As Astra poured a fresh cup of tea, Purah reached into her satchel and removed a piece of paper she placed upside down on the table.

"Now, what was so important you needed to see me urgently and even travel through the rain to do so?" said Astra as she sat across from her.

After taking a sip of tea, Purah's voice cut through the sound of the raindrops and the crackling of wood in the fireplace.

"I have something interesting to share," she said, holding the paper. "This was found on the shores of the Akkala Sea and given to Granté, who brought it to me. And I believe you, above all people, will find it most intriguing."

Purah turned the page over and handed it to Astra, who began to read.

"Wait! I know this page!" Astra exclaimed. "It's from a book in the other timeline. I have a rune version of this book on my Tab. But how did a page from it end up here?"

"That's the intriguing part," said Purah. "Just to be sure, is there any chance this page came from you?"

"No, I did not bring a printed copy of the book with me, though quite a number of copies were printed and widely distributed. As I said, I only have a copy on my Tab."

Purah paused for another sip of tea while Astra's thoughts raced ahead.

"But this is incredible! It means at least two things, maybe more!" Astra exclaimed.

"What do you have in mind?"

"For one, it means there is a way for a physical object from my former timeline to reach this one. And perhaps vice versa."

"Yes, exactly. That much is clear. But what's the other thing?" Purah asked.

"It means my father's fears were groundless."

"You're speaking in riddles, Highness," said Purah as the rain continued to patter against the windows. "I think you know more about these matters than you have let on. Isn't it time to share what you know?"

"Perhaps it is," said Astra. "But let me join you in a cup of tea to help calm me down."

After refilling Purah's cup and pouring a cup for herself, Astra sat back down.

"Do you remember what I said when we first met outside your lab to convince you I was worth speaking to?"Astra asked.

"Yes," said Purah. "You said, 'Because I know a great deal that you don't, Dr. Purah.' You appealed to my instinctive curiosity."

"Exactly. However, my father warned me not to share too much information with you too soon," said Astra. "For one thing, he feared it would distract you from our primary goal, eliminating the Yiga Clan. But there was another thing he feared. He was also concerned about who might be the ruler of a certain power, someone not benign in her intentions toward Hyrule. But this excerpt from Mila's book confirms that fear was baseless. So, I feel safer now sharing what I know."

"You are still speaking in riddles, Highness," said Purah.

"I'll speak plainly now," said Astra after taking another sip of tea. "My story begins around ten thousand years ago when, after the Calamity of that time was defeated, the king of Hyrule and his subjects began to fear the awesome power of Sheikah technology. The king forbade its use."

"All Sheikah know that history quite well," said Purah. "Those who refused to obey the king's command were persecuted, and much technology was destroyed or buried. Most Sheikah obeyed the king's commands and chose to live a simple life in peace. Others became the Yiga Clan and devoted themselves to dark magic and overthrowing the kingdom of Hyrule."

"Yes, all that is true - as far as it goes," Astra nodded. "But what seems to have been lost from memory is that a third group of Sheikah chose neither option. Instead, they chose exile and fled to the north, keeping the technology and knowledge they could bring. There, they founded a settlement and agreed to live in peace under the rule of the Zora, who had already lived there and were descendants of Sea Zora. We call that land North Hyrule, and it became their new home. It was from these descendants of the exiled Sheikah that my Tab originated. Over time, they also shared other aspects of their advanced technology with Hyrule. The book Mila wrote is a history of their land. However, what is important is that her book was written after an untrustworthy North Hyrule ruler named Sopha was removed from power. Hence, I know it is safe now to speak of that land."

"I knew it!" said Purah, slapping her knee. "As you know, I carefully examined that device you call a Tab, and its technology is quite extraordinary. So much so that I was convinced it was not invented in Hyrule - unless I'm a genius in that other timeline,"

"I think you're just as smart in both timelines," laughed Astra.

Purah took another sip of tea, then shook her head.

"I should have listened to Robbie," Purah sighed.

"Now you're the one talking in riddles," said Astra.

"I'll tell you the story," said Purah.

"It was about seven years after the Calamity, and I had aged to about thirteen by then when I decided I had better pay Robbie and Jerrin a visit at the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. Jerrin had written to me that Robbie's health had deteriorated, and I wanted to see him before things worsened. I don't think we had seen each other since we sent Link off into the past at the Temple of Time."

I knocked on the lab door when I arrived and was told to enter. Then Robbie and I stared at each other for a moment.

"You still look like a child, albeit an older one," said Robbie, shaking his head. "The fruits of reckless experimentation!"

"And you look like an even older man. But you can see at least my anti-aging rune works, Robbie. I urge you to let me use it on you … before it's too late."

"No, thank you," Robbie replied, shaking his head. "I don't trust your experiments. Jerrin and I have already discussed the matter. I'm ready for my spirit to depart when my time comes."

"I stayed for dinner, and afterward, Robbie and I spoke. He sensed his time was drawing to a close and wanted to pass on to me everything he could about his research before the end. He described things he had worked on and where his notes were kept. I asked a lot of questions and took a great deal of notes myself. Anyway, to get back to the point, Robbie brought up the land to the north at one point in our conversation."

"There's something suspicious about the land north of here," Robbie explained. "I've trained my telescope on it many times, and each time I do, I'm more convinced something is wrong."

"You see something suspicious?" I asked.

"In a way. What's suspicious is I see nothing suspicious," Robbie explained. "The land never changes at all. It's as if I'm looking at a painting, an artist's rendition of a land frozen in time. I believe something is preventing us from seeing what's really there. And whoever can do that must be a highly advanced civilization."

"Has no one ever tried to journey there?"

"I heard some adventurous fishermen from Lurelin Village once tried exploring the waters northwest of Lomei Labyrinth Island. But they said something prevented them from going further. It grew foggy, and both the winds and current turned against them. They eventually gave up."

"Anyway, it was then that Jerrin interrupted us, insisting it was late and Robbie needed his rest. I stayed overnight in one of the spare rooms upstairs, and we said goodbye the next morning. I learned Robbie passed away a couple of months later. He was clearly on to something about the land to the north, but amidst everything else in my life, I forgot all about it."

Purah paused to take another sip of tea, then continued.

"I imagine Robbie is still alive in your former timeline?"

"Yes, he is. As you know, that timeline is eighty-four years earlier than this one," said Astra. "I traveled from their year 58 to our year 142."

"Eighty-four years earlier and ten thousand years more advanced," said Purah, shaking her head. "But what should we do next?"

"I'm not sure, but I have some ideas. However, at times like this, I tend to follow my father's advice and have something to eat," said Astra, getting up from the table. "It's dinner time, after all, and given the weather, we should remain in the castle. Will you join me in the family dining room?"

"With pleasure," said Purah, also rising. "I had only a light lunch I packed for the trip."

As they made their way to the family dining room, Astra and Purah continued their conversation in hushed tones, mindful of the castle staff they passed in the hallways.

"Your Highness, I'm curious about something," Purah said quietly. "You mentioned your father's concerns about the ruler of North Hyrule. Can you elaborate on that?"

Astra glanced around to ensure they were alone before responding. "In the other timeline, a ruler named Sopha took control of North Hyrule - some suspect after poisoning her father, the king. She grew power-hungry and sought to expand her influence beyond her borders. My father worried that if she existed in this timeline as well, contacting North Hyrule could potentially put Hyrule at risk."

Purah nodded thoughtfully. "I see. And this book page confirms she's no longer in power?"

"Exactly," Astra replied. "Mila's book was written after Sopha's downfall. It's a relief to know that particular threat doesn't exist here."

They arrived at the family dining room, where a waiter took their order. Soon, the aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, and both eagerly enjoyed the meal before resuming their conversation.

"You suggested you had some ideas about what to do next," Purah asked after they had finished their meal.

"Yes," said Astra. "Based on Robbie's observations and the experience of those fishermen you mentioned, I suspect trying to travel to North Hyrule in this timeline is futile. But there is something else I can do. Since I arrived here, I have deliberately turned off my Tab's networking feature, which allows communication between Tabs, for fear of drawing North Hyrule's attention to us. But I think activating it and seeing if I get a signal is safe now."

"Will you do it now? This is all very exciting!" Purah exclaimed.

Astra took out her Tab, pressed one of the runes, and toggled a switch. The Tab beeped, and a small icon appeared in the upper right corner.

"It seems to have connected," said Astra excitedly. "Now, let me try sending a message to my sister. I hope I don't scare her."

Astra_P_H:To: Zelda_P_H:Hey Zel! Are you there?

Astra waited for several moments, but there was no reply.

"Hm, that's disappointing," said Astra. "But perhaps we should give it some time."

"Yes," said Purah, who couldn't help but suppress a yawn.

"You must be tired after a day spent traveling in the rain," said Astra. "I arranged for your usual guest room to be made ready. We can meet for breakfast tomorrow."

"Thank you. I am quite tired despite all the exciting news," said Purah. "Good night, Highness."

Purah left to go to her room as Astra did to hers. On the way, she noticed no light coming from her mother's room, so she must have already gone to bed.

"No point opening a window tonight," Astra said after getting ready for bed as the rain continued splattering against it.

She looked at her Tab one last time before placing it on her end table beside the bed, then closed her eyes. Her thoughts wandered to all the people she wanted to contact in her old timeline. Her other mother, father, sister, sister's husband and young son, Mipha, Mipha's children, as well as Tila and Tara. Then, the sound of the rain helped her drift off to sleep despite the excitement of Purah's visit.

Meanwhile, an alarm had gone off in North Hyrule at the Sheikah underground time portal post.

"Uh oh," said one of the Sheikah on duty. "We have a Tab communication from the other timeline. What are we supposed to do again?"

"Notify Master Saldon," said the other Sheikah. "I'll message him at once. He will know what to do."