Paya led them over the wooden bridge, mist from the nearby waterfall passing over Farrow in a cool wave. Two children ran past them, slowed, and turned to stare at them with wide, curious eyes. Three men who'd been speaking in a nearby garden fell silent as they caught sight of Farrow and Link.
Farrow figured outsiders were pretty easy to spot, considering everyone in the village seemed to have white hair, red eyes, and strange, intricate clothes. Farrow with her brown hair, green eyes, and simple tunic stood out like a zora in the desert. It didn't help that Link, with his gold hair, walked next to her.
By the time they approached Impa's home, Farrow's spine had turned to steel and her mouth into a thin line. She was okay with attention. But the attention of entire village of warriors was something else.
Paya led them up the wooden stairs, their boots thunking against the steps. When they reached the door, Paya gripped the handle and turned to them. "Welcome to my grandmother's house." She swung the door open.
Inside, the floor was laid with dark wood that matched the walls, and beams of the ceiling. Tapestries decorated the walls, and across from them sat an old woman. She rested on a tower of cushions, her feet tucked under her and a broad woven hat balanced on her head.
She looked up as they entered, the metal beads hanging from the brim of her hat clattering. "Ahh," she said in a voice that made Farrow think of the whisper of paper, "I'm glad to see you have arrived, Link." The woman turned her gaze to Farrow. "And I presume you're Farrow?"
Farrow nodded.
"I'm Impa," the woman said. "Please, have a seat."
Farrow picked one of the cushions scattered before Impa's cushion throne. Link settled onto one beside her. Paya, who'd closed the front doors, sat at her grandmother's side.
"I'm glad to see you made it here unharmed. Purah informed me of your rather difficult journey. Now, I'm sure you both have questions, but first I'd like to tell you a bit of history, which I think will answer a few of them."
Link and Farrow exchanged a puzzled look, but turned their attention back to Impa. Farrow figured if Link was from the past, a bit of history would be in order, but she wasn't expecting a full blown lecture.
Impa took a deep breath. "The history of Hyrule is also the history of Calamity Ganon."
At the woman's solemn tone Farrow felt a shiver run up her spine. What did she mean they were the same? The Calamity hadn't existed until a hundred years ago, right?
Impa continued. "The history of Hyrule is long, winding, and at times fractured. The Sheikah have recorded and guarded this history for longer than any others. Even so, there are times that are dark to us. But we do know the cycle of the goddess."
In the corner or Farrow's vision, Link's shoulder's tensed. Farrow cast a glance his way, but his expression was more puzzled than alarmed as he watched Impa. Had he remembered something?
"The cycle of the goddess is a loop that has repeated for all recorded time, and usually takes place over a hundred years, depending on the events that follow. It has echoed again and again over thousands of years. The second most recent cycle was one thousand years ago."
"The cycle can be simplified into three parts. Three souls that are reborn over the ages. The first soul, was one corrupted by the darkness in its pursuit of power. It is Calamity Ganon."
Farrow grimaced. She felt she should be more surprised, or disturbed, but found she couldn't summon the feelings. After all the surprises of the past few days, hearing that the Calamity was some evil cycle made a twisted kind of sense. But if Calamity Ganon had surfaced so many times, and the cycle had been known, why hadn't Hyrule prepared?
Impa continued. "The two other souls stand against Calamity Ganon. Both are blessed by the goddess Hylia, but one is a fragment of the goddess herself."
Impa must have seen Farrow's confused look and gave a soft chuckle. "Yes I know it sounds strange. Some theories say this soul is a human form of the goddess herself, but more recent theories suggest this soul is more of Hylia's daughter. Throughout time, she's been reincarnated, always of the royal line. She will always have the sacred powers of Hylia, and with it, only she has the power to banish Ganon."
That must have been the princess then, from the legend of Fort Hateno. If she had Goddess-powers, then the legend of her killing every guardian in that field made sense. But if she was that powerful, why hadn't she fought more? Farrow itched to ask her questions, but didn't want to interrupt.
Impa's eyes drifted to Link. "The second soul is the Hero of Time. He's also been gifted powers from Hylia, but not as closely tied. He stands as the princess's partner or knight. Link, you are the most recent incarnation of the Hero of Time."
Link's expression was set in determined focus, but Farrow noticed the worried furrow between his eyebrows.
Impa shifted on her cushion. "Now, we can address more recent history. One hundred years ago, we thought we were prepared for the Calamity. Our records listed in detail how the Calamity was defeated the last time it surfaced. An army of machines, and four Divine Beasts, had been crafted to support the Hero and the Princess in their fight against the Calamity and end it swiftly. We sought to replicate that scenario. We excavated the guardians."
Farrow's shoulders stiffened and Impa's expression darkened. "Yes. They were under Hyrule's control. We didn't quite understand how they functioned, but we knew how to work them, and so we assembled the army in preparation for the day of Calamity. Likewise, we resurrected the Divine Beasts and found a pilot for each from across the land."
Her gaze drifted to Link and Impa sighed. "You and the Princess travelled across Hyrule, training and assembling the pilots. I won't lie. There were some difficulties, ones that matter little now, but we thought we were ready." Impa's voice fell to one heavy with the past. "We were wrong. The Calamity awoke in the center of Hyrule, and in an instant it had turned our own technology against us. The army of guardians assembled in Hyrule turned against the town. The pilots ran to their Divine Beasts and fell silent. It happened in an instant. There was no fight, only a desperate evacuation. The city fell within hours."
Farrow stared at the wooden floorboards and tried to imagine it. She couldn't. The Calamity was terrifying enough now, but to have it appear one day, with no warning and with no chance of escape. No wonder the fall had been so devastating.
Impa had fallen silent, but took a deep breath. "Luckily, the Princess and Link were away at the time. It gave them the chance to escape. If they had been in the castle the Calamity would have killed them first, and there wouldn't be a soul left alive in Hyrule today. Instead they made their stand at Fort Hateno."
"Link," Impa faced Link, "you defended Zelda until she mustered the strength to slay the guardians. However, you were gravely injured in the fight. Zelda ordered you to be taken to the Shrine of Resurrection. That is where you awoke. She left to the castle to fight the Calamity. She'd still there now, waiting for you."
Farrow jumped. "What? But how? It's been a hundred years."
Impa nodded. "The divine power of the Goddess gives her strength beyond our understanding. But her fight is the reason the Calamity itself cannot leave the castle, and instead must let its power seep out in cracks to take the form of monsters. Link, has Zelda contacted you?"
Link frowned, looking down as he thought. He gave a sharp nod.
"Good," Impa sighed in relief. "That means she has some strength left. But even so, the Calamity will win, if she is forced to continue for much longer." Farrow felt a chill run down her back. Impa shook her head. "But first, Link, your memory is missing? Everything before the shrine?"
Link's lips thinned to a line as he nodded.
Impa sighed. "Then I ask you stay here in Hateno, and think about what you want to do."
"What do you mean?" Farrow asked.
Impa gave her a sad smile. "I want to ask Link to take up the sword once again and go to Zelda's side. But Link," she turned her gaze to him, "this is not a task you can do without courage. So please stay here, prepare or think, and decide if you want to do this."
Surprise washed over Link's face, but after a moment he nodded.
"Paya," Impa said. The girl let out a squeak as he grandmother turned to her. "Would you escort Link to the inn? I'd like to have a word with miss Farrow."
Paya rose. "O-of course. Please follow me, Master Link."
Link shot Farrow a concerned look, but she waved him away with her good arm. "Go ahead, I'll catch up."
He nodded and rose to follow Paya. The door shut behind them, leaving Farrow alone with the leader of the Sheikah. When had her life gotten so strange?
"How is your injury, Farrow?" Impa asked.
Farrows mouth twisted. "Healing. Not great, but I'm alive so, not complaining."
Impa nodded. "I'm glad for it. Now, my sister asked you to escort Link, didn't she?"
"She did."
"Then I will say this; please consider for yourself if you wish to travel with Link. If I were truthful, I think it would be better if you did not go." Farrow's eyes narrowed and Impa raised a hand, warding off her protests. "As you have seen, this journey will be dangerous, and while you may have the skills to defend yourself against the average thief or bokoblin, the enemies you will face will be far stronger. That Yiga scout was one of the lowest rank within the Yiga, and she nearly killed you. If you encounter a Blademaster, or are overwhelmed by numbers, you would be killed." Impa fell silent, presumably to let Farrow think.
Farrow drummed her fingers against her knee. "I've already considered this. The Yiga were always going to be a problem for me, and as you've said, the Calamity is a threat to everyone. I'd rather fight than hide. I'll admit I have my worries, but I think I'd feel more nervous if I tried to go back to daily life, at this point. And I plan on practicing my fighting skills. I won't hold Link back."
Impa smiled. "Very well. Then I'd encourage you to speak with Paya. She won't admit it, but I think she'd enjoy the opportunity to spar and talk with someone from outside out village. She could also teach you something, I'm sure."
"Thank you," Farrow said, "I will."
Impa sighed. "Now, why don't you go see the inn. You'll have a bed there for as long as you like. After that, feel free to look around a bit."
Farrow pushed herself up with her one arm. "Thank you. I appreciate the hospitality."
Shutting the doors behind her, Farrow stepped out of the house. A scan of the street revealed a slightly larger building with a straw roof. The sign outside showed a moon, which was usually one of the symbols for an inn. She descended the steps, mist from the waterfalls making her hair damp, and paused at the bottom of the steps. A man leaned back against one of the posts lining the entrance to Impa's house. As she stopped, he raised an eyebrow.
"Hi," Farrow said, her nerves returning at his cool stare, "is that the inn?" She pointed to the building.
He nodded. "It is."
"Thanks," she said before hurrying away.
She reached the inn's door without incident and swung it open. The building was built from a dark wood. Warm light flickered from lamps stationed near beds and desks. A strong, tea-like smell wafted over her. A woman looked up from her desk as Farrow entered and gave her a smile. "You must be Farrow. Go on in, your bed's on the second floor."
Farrow thanked the woman and spotted the stairs. They lead not to a second story, but more of a loft above the main sleeping area. She immediately spotted Link sitting on one bed, with Paya on another across from him. Link's hands flashed from one sign to the next, and when they paused, Paya would reply in a soft, stuttering voice.
Link straightened as he caught sight of her. Farrow sat on the bed on Link's other side with a sigh, the soft mattress dipping under her.
Link signed something. Farrow caught "What?" and "Want," but nothing else.
"What did Impa want?" She guessed.
When Link nodded she spoke. "Pretty much offered me that same thing. I guess she wanted to make sure I really wanted to go on this journey. Oh," Farrow sat up and looked to Paya, "would you mind training me a little? Impa said you might be willing to."
Paya flushed, but a tiny smile formed on her lips. "I-I could do that. I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but I'd be happy to." Her smile fell. "Oh, b-but I have chores to do today so-um . . ."
Farrow waved a hand. "Whenever you have time." She knew Paya likely had work to do. She didn't expect to be a priority.
Paya stood and flashed them a shy smile. "I'll come by later, and we could do it then?"
"That sounds great," Farrow said as Link flashed her a thumbs up.
Paya bowed. "Bye." Link and Farrow waved as Paya descended the steps, her footsteps fading.
Farrow rolled her aching shoulder and glanced at Link. "So, what do you want to do while we're here?"
Link tapped his chin thoughtfully, then snapped his fingers. He stood from the bed and made a follow me gesture, heading for the stairs.
Farrow rose to follow. "Where are we going?"
Link signed something over his shoulder.
"I don't know what that means."
Link looked over his shoulder to flash a grin at her, but gave no explanation.
|||((0))|||
A new sword on his hip, Link led her to a path near the edge of the village. The dusty footpath weaved through the grass, up the hill, and out of sight. They'd stopped by a weapons shop on the way here, and Farrow had helped Link haggle his was to a decent sword. It was obviously Sheikah made, with a curving silver blade and red leather wrap on the hilt.
"Link," Farrow sighed, following him up the path despite her apprehension, "if your surprise ends up being monsters, I will be unhappy."
Link waved her words away, which she hoped meant no monsters were in her future. Minutes later they reached the crest of the hill and as they did a huge figure came into view. At first Farrow thought it was a hut, but she caught sight of the glowing runes and realized it was a shrine. It sat above the village, silent in the evening sun.
"Oh," Farrow said, following Link to the monument, "were you signing 'shrine,' or 'surprise?" She felt a bit of apprehension at the sight of the shrine, brought up by the memories of ruins and guardians, but it didn't seem dangerous and she was curious.
Link pointed to the shrine and made the same sign he'd used in the inn.
"Shrine then?"
He nodded and stepped up onto the platform.
After a moment of hesitation, Farrow did likewise. The sound her boots made against the strange material reminded her of the sound of a glass set down on a wooden counter.
Link waved a hand, drawing her attention from her boots and to a raised podium set next to the closed door of the shrine. When he saw he had her attention, he took his slate and pressed it to the face of the podium.
Recalling the first time Link had done this, she was prepared when the slats of the shrine door slid back with a groan, knocking years of dust and dirt into the air. After a moment the shrine stilled, as if it had never moved at all. Farrow peered inside the doorway, expecting a tunnel or stairway, but finding a tiny room instead.
She glanced at Link. "Is that it? I thought you said there was something inside these?"
Link nodded, took her good elbow and led her into the tiny space. Once they were inside, he paused to take her by both shoulders and nudge her to the left, staring down at her feet. Farrow followed his gaze to find he'd positioned her near the center of the glowing ring on the floor.
She opened her mouth to ask what he was doing, when he reclaimed his position by her elbow and the floor beneath them gave way with a hum.
Farrow lost her balance and yelped, but Link kept a firm grip on her elbow until she found her footing.
"Okay," Farrow said, clenching her composure between her teeth to keep it from slipping. "This is normal?"
Link nodded as Farrow watched the floor of the shrine rising up around them and the little light they had fading. "Okay," she repeated. Farrow focused on Link's calm presence as she tried to drown the thoughts of being trapped underground in the dark.
It was only a few moments before a bright light bloomed at their feet. Farrow realized their tunnel had ended, but she couldn't understand how the light was so bright if they were underground. After a moment their platform settle on the floor of a room that was the strangest thing Farrow had ever seen.
Blue tinted light glowed from runes curling across every surface of the room. Ahead of them the room opened up into a huge space, easily three times the size of the stable houses, and entirely empty aside from a few strange blue lanterns on posts. She thought she heard a hum in the air, but it was so faint she couldn't be sure.
Link gently towed her off the platform, and the moment his boots hit the ceramic-like floor, a deep voice boomed through the air. Farrow didn't know the language, but the voice sounded old and echoing.
Farrow was still processing the source-less voice when a rumble behind them drew her attention. The platform they'd come in on was rising back to the sealing.
She shook Link's arm. "That'll come back, right?"
He gave a soft laugh and nodded.
"Who was talking, just now?" Farrow asked, sweeping her gaze over the room, but finding no one.
Link frowned and waved a hand to the far side of the room. Farrow scanned the far wall and realized it was less of a wall and more of a screen. She thought she could see something glowing on the other side, but it could have been another lamp.
Link moved away from her. Farrow followed his attention to find a chest, made from the same dark material as the rest of the room. Link tapped the Sheikah slate against the chest and there was a soft click before he threw open the lid. After a moment's hesitation he withdrew a shield.
He turned to toward Farrow. It was painted black, with a gold Sheikah eye staring out from the center. It was narrower than most shields Farrow had seen, but she guessed it was designed to allow for a better offense.
Link glanced from Farrow to the shield before turning it around and holding out to her.
"Hey it's your shrine, so your shield," Farrow said. Taking a step back.
Link shook his head and pushed it toward her.
Farrow smiled. "Okay then. Thanks." She had to admit, the shield was comforting. With her injured arm, she couldn't use her bow, which meant she was limited to her knife, so having some defense was a reassurance.
Link held the shield while she slipped her good arm into the straps. Once it was set, Link let go and pointed behind her. Another chest sat nearby, and Link soon opened it to find a sword.
Farrow snorted. "Well, I guess you have an extra now."
Link held it out to her with a raised eyebrow.
"No. Keep it. I can't do much with my knife right now, let alone a sword."
Link nodded and slipped it into the Sheikah slate.
"So was that it? The treasure?" Farrow asked.
Link shook his head and pointed to the screen wall.
Farrow examined the wall and found a doorway. Bars filled the doorway. "How do you open it?"
Link shrugged and stepped forward. They'd taken no more than three steps when a muffled boom filled the room. Farrow froze and Link reached for his sword as a panel in the floor slid down. Before Farrow could ask what was happening, the panel rose again, and a tiny guardian's eye flared to life.
"Shit!" Farrow raised her shield and glanced at Link. She'd never seen a guardian this small, but she had no doubt it was still dangerous. She was proved right when it's dome head extended from the body and it withdrew a glowing short sword using a thin metal limb.
Link stepped in front of her and raised his sword.
"You got a plan?" Farrow asked, cursing her injured arm hanging useless in its sling.
Link nodded.
The guardian scuttled toward them, its three metal legs clanking against the floor. Link waved her back with his free hand and the machine came to a stop just feet from him.
Farrow grit her teeth and glared at the guardian over the rim of her shield. It didn't move though. The same booming voice that had greeted them echoed through the room again.
Farrow watched surprise flicker over Link's features before he shifted his stance. He waited, only feet away from the guardian.
Farrow's confusion finally broke her determination not to distract Link. "Why are you standing there?"
Link didn't move, but the guardian raised its sword. Farrow stepped closer, raising her shield, but Link shook his head.
Blood thundered in Farrow's ears as the blade came down in a blur towards Link's head. When the blade was inches from his skull, and Farrow was sure she was about to watch Link die, he blurred.
It was the same thing he'd done while fighting the Yiga clan member, but this time—without the pain clouding her vision—Farrow could really see what was happening. Link's whole body had blurred, appeared two steps to the left, and struck. The entire motion was much faster than any human could move, but Link had done it.
Link's sword cracked off the casing of the guardian in a flash of blue sparks, leaving a gash in the machine's side. The guardian's eye swiveled to stare at Link. It's sword, still hanging in the air where it tried to strike Link, rotated to face him.
Farrow realized what was about to happen the moment the sword swung again.
With the same blurred, quick motion, Link leapt. He made it look easy, the way he kicked off from the ground in an arching back flip. His boots hit the floor and he lunged forward, past the swinging sword of the guardian and into the opening it left. He slashed across the mechanism connecting the head to the body.
With another flash of sparks and a screech of metal, the guardian fell into pieces. Its eye flashed one last time before fading into black.
Farrow hesitated, then approached, her shield still raised. "You good?"
Link sheathed his sword and nodded.
"How did you do that?" Farrow asked. With the information Impa had given them, she guessed it had something to do with Link's status as the hero of time, but it was still difficult to wrap her head around.
Link stared at his feet and did a little jump to the side. When nothing happened he looked up at her and shrugged.
Farrow grimaced. "Instinct then?"
Link nodded before turning toward the far wall. Farrow followed his gaze to the now open doorway.
"Huh," she said. "Onward?"
Link nodded and together they reached the doorway and passed through. Farrow's steps slowed to a halt, once she saw what was on the other side.
A large alter sat on a raised platform. On it rested a mummified body, sat in a meditative pose, with a wall of blue lights boxing it in.
Farrow looked to Link, already finding him writing in his sketchbook.
'They're the monk of this shrine. Each shrine has one. They made these shrines to help the next hero.'
That must have been what the mini-guardian was; a training session. Farrow stared at the monk, wondering who'd they'd been. It was strange to think that someone who had died so many years ago had thought of and prepared for this moment—had tried to make the world beyond them a better place. Respect rose up in her. She felt honored to be a part of this, even if she was just an observer.
"Now what?" She asked, her voice softer than it had been a moment ago.
Link jerked his head toward the alter and made his way up the steps. Farrow followed.
When they reached the top, Link extended a hand and set it against the wall of blue light. A heartbeat, and the wall shattered into a million spinning shards of blue.
Farrow flinched, but found as they bounced off her arms and chest she didn't feel a thing. She watched in amazement as the shards hung in the air for only a second before fading away.
The booming voice returned, and Farrow realized it must be the voice of the monk. She stared at the long dead figure, a chill running up her spine.
The voice died away, and as it did, an orb of golden light drifted out of the monk's chest. It was small, no bigger than an apple, and left spots in her vision. It drifted toward Link, who watched in with a calm expression as it drifted into his chest and vanished.
Link didn't seem concerned, so she figured she shouldn't be either. Despite this though, she found herself ready to catch him if he fell, or something. Instead of fainting, Link took a deep breath and smiled. He caught her staring and pointed to the monk with a grin.
Farrow watched as a blue ember appeared on the monk's shoulder, then another on their chin, and suddenly their body was covered in growing dots of light. Their voice filled the room again as the glow expanded across the body like embers across paper. Soon the whole body was gone, dissolved into drifting blue motes.
Once the last spark had died away, the room felt a little colder.
Farrow's gaze drifted to Link once again to find him watching her.
"That was the treasure," she said, sure of it. "What did it do?"
Link grinned and flexed his arm. With the other he signed, 'stronger.'