Chapter 71 - Making Connections

Summary: In the Calamity Timeline, Fallon sits for the Royal Guard exam. The page from Mila's book in the Victory Timeline reaches Granté and Jerrin. Purah ponders where Astra's Tab could have originated.

"I know it's tough, Fallon, but try not to be too nervous," Torin reassured his friend. "I've never seen anyone study as hard as you have for an exam. You even skipped meals to get in extra preparation."

It was evening at the Hyrule Castle barracks, and Fallon was winding down for the night. The highly anticipated Royal Guard exam was tomorrow, and he had done everything he could to prepare. His friend and partner, Torin, stopped by to wish him good luck.

"Thanks for the encouragement, but I still feel a lot of pressure," sighed Fallon. "Passing this exam would be a huge stepping stone in my career. But more importantly, I want to prove my worth to Princess Astra and Queen Zelda. Maybe 'worth' is too strong a word - I'll never feel worthy of being with Astra. She's extraordinary, Torin. It's like she walked right out of a dream… I hope passing this exam will improve my standing in their eyes."

"I'm sure it will," said Torin. "But speaking of the Princess, I noticed you haven't spent much time with Her Highness recently. I hope there hasn't been any disagreement between you two."

"No, nothing like that, Torin," Fallon explained. "Astra told me she wants me to focus all my free time on preparing for the exam and doesn't want to distract me. We talked about it briefly."

"Tell me more," prodded Torin. "Maybe talking about it will help calm your nerves."

"Well, we were returning from dinner at that new seafood restaurant in Castle Town called Fish Feast. A Zora couple runs it, and they have specials this month in honor of their new King Sidon and Queen Tona. Astra loves all kinds of fish! Did I ever mention that?"

"You did. And speaking of Zoras, you're floating off course, as a Zora might say," laughed Torin. "You really are nervous, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I guess so," chuckled Fallon. "Anyway, after dinner, I walked Astra to the castle entrance to say goodnight."

"Now remember," she said. "Put all your free time to good use and focus on studying for the exam. So I think it's best if we don't see each other until then."

"I understand, but I still won't be able to stop thinking about you."

"Then whenever you think of me, imagine how great it would be if you were my permanent guard and didn't have any other duties," Astra suggested, her voice full of hope. "You could spend every day with me instead of doing other things … oh, like going off to the Gerudo Desert for sparring practice with Vai."

"That would be my dream job," I admitted, smiling as I squeezed her hand. "And please forget about Gerudo Vai. They mean nothing to me".

"And when it comes to combat, remember everything I've taught you," Astra reminded him. "That should serve you well."

"I will."

"Then we kissed goodnight and parted ways," concluded Fallon. "That was just over two weeks ago, and I haven't seen her since."

"That's tough to be apart so long," said Torin, shaking his head. "But do your best, and then you can't fault yourself no matter what happens. So, I'll wish you goodnight and good luck tomorrow."

Fallon nodded, appreciating his friend's support. "Thanks, Torin."

Torin then patted Fallon on the back and left, after which Fallon settled into his bunk, trying to quiet his mind. He closed his eyes, but sleep eluded him. The weight of tomorrow's exam pressed heavily on his thoughts. Hours passed, and Fallon tossed and turned, his mind racing through everything he'd studied. Combat techniques, castle protocols, royal etiquette—it all swirled together in a dizzying mix.

Finally, before the first light of dawn began to creep through the barracks window, Fallon drifted into a fitful sleep. His dreams were a jumble of sword fights and picnics, with Princess Astra's face appearing throughout, sometimes smiling encouragingly, other times looking disappointed.

He awoke with a start as the morning bell rang, signaling the beginning of the day. Fallon quickly dressed in his freshly pressed uniform, his hands slightly shaking as he fastened each button. He just had enough time to grab a quick breakfast from the mess hall before heading toward the examination room, his stomach churning with nervous energy. He took deep breaths, trying to compose himself, as he knew he was close to being late and didn't even want to consider what the conversation would be like if he had to confess to Astra that he had failed due to tardiness.

The exam was an all-day event, split into two parts with a lunch break in between. There was a written test in the morning, while the afternoon focused on archery and combat training. The scenarios presented tested the candidates' abilities to protect the royal family and make quick decisions. Fallon was slightly more confident about the afternoon portion, having trained extensively with Astra. So, he felt more nervous about the upcoming morning session.

As Fallon approached the entrance to the room, he saw a line of approximately forty candidates going through the admission process. He recognized a few local soldiers among them, but many also bore the insignia of the Akkala Citadel or were soldiers stationed at various outposts. Fallon knew that only about five candidates would typically be chosen for membership in the Royal Guard each year, making competition fierce.

As he prepared to join the back of the line, his attention was suddenly caught by a Sheikah woman. At first, she had blended into the shadows along the wall, dressed in a warrior stealth outfit with her head covered by a grey hood and her face concealed by a mask that revealed only her eyes. But then, to his surprise, she called out his name in a muffled voice.

"Guard Fallon," she whispered, "I have an urgent message from Her Highness. It won't take long. Follow me."

Curious and slightly wary, Fallon followed her until they were in a secluded area away from the entrance. There, the Sheikah woman pulled back her hood and removed her mask, revealing Astra's smiling face.

"Astra!" Fallon exclaimed in surprise while trying to keep his voice down. "You certainly know how to disguise yourself."

"I wanted to give you a kiss for good luck without causing a scene," Astra said with a mischievous grin.

"It feels so good to see you. I've missed you so very much," he said.

"I missed you, too."

They shared a few quick kisses before Astra reminded him to focus on the task at hand.

"Now, you better go," she laughed. "Let's save the rest of our kisses for afterward. I know you will do well!"

Fallon squeezed her hand and felt better after the confidence she expressed in him. After Astra resumed her disguise and left, he returned to his spot at the end of the line. His heart raced with anticipation as he listened in on bits of conversation from the other candidates while he waited.

"I heard they're going to make us fight blindfolded," one soldier whispered nervously.

"Don't be ridiculous," another scoffed.

Fallon tried to tune out the chatter, focusing instead on steadying his breathing. Before he knew it, he was at the front of the line. A stern-faced examiner checked his credentials and ushered him into the examination room. The space was larger than Fallon had expected, with rows of desks facing a raised platform at the front. He found his assigned seat and sat down, hands slightly trembling as he arranged his writing materials.

General Regan, leader of the Royal Guard, appeared on the platform, and Colonel Lorton, head of Hyrule Castle security, was also there. The General's intense gaze scanned the room, immediately ending any lingering conversations.

"Candidates," he began, projecting his voice to reach all corners, "today you will be evaluated on your knowledge and ability to prove yourself worthy of joining the most prestigious branch of the Hyrule Army, the elite Royal Guards. While it is true that in years past, only a select few usually pass, there is no set limit on the number of successful candidates. If you excel in all aspects of the examination process today, you will be chosen. So give it your all. And now we will begin the exam administration."

As General Regan stepped aside, a group of Royal Guard officers began distributing thick packets of parchment to each candidate. Fallon's heart raced as he received his exam, the weight of the paper seeming to match the gravity of the moment.

"You have four hours to complete the written portion," announced one of the officers. "Begin now."

The room filled with the sound of rustling papers and scratching writing as the candidates dove into their exams. Fallon took a deep breath, steadying his hand as he opened the packet. The first question caught him off guard:

"What is the Royal Guard's role, if any, in assuring food prepared for the Royal Family is safe to consume?"

Fallon's mind raced back to his studies. With growing confidence, he began to write.

As the hours passed, Fallon diligently worked through inquiries about Hyrulean history, military tactics, and castle safety protocols. Some questions were straightforward, while others required critical thinking and problem-solving skills. One in particular seemed to have multiple possible valid answers, asking in a hypothetical scenario if only one member of the Royal Family could be saved, which should it be and why. By the end of the morning session, Fallon felt reasonably content with his performance. After a quick breakfast, he was grateful for the hour-long lunch break and hearty meal provided to candidates before the afternoon session began.

During lunch, he found a seat with two unfamiliar soldiers from the Akkala Citadel who could not stop talking about a terrible storm that had occurred near them a couple of weeks ago.

"I've seen my fair share of storms," one said. "I grew up near Lake Floria, where we had frequent thunderstorms due to my parents working at Lakeside Stable. But this one was unlike any other I can recall. The lightning and wind were unbearable."

"I could see it from atop the citadel," added the other soldier. "Looking out over the Akkala Sea, it seemed like there was a strange vortex at one point that just went on forever and disappeared into the vast beyond. I'm sure it could swallow you whole. Absolutely terrifying!"

"I hope nobody was hurt," said Fallon.

"No, we were inland enough, and the storm gave enough of a warning that fishermen had long since returned to port."

The delicious meal and engaging conversation proved to be a welcome distraction from thoughts about the exam ahead.

As the afternoon session began, Fallon felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. The combat portion of the exam would test not just his physical skills but also his ability to think quickly and strategically under pressure.

The candidates were led to the castle's training grounds, a vast open area surrounded by high stone walls. Various obstacles and structures were scattered throughout, creating a complex environment for the challenges ahead.

Colonel Lorton stepped forward, his voice carrying across the grounds.

"For this portion of the exam, you will face a series of combat scenarios. You will be evaluated on your combat prowess, decision-making skills, and ability to protect the royal family. Remember, a Royal Guard must be prepared for anything."

The first challenge involved archery. Targets were set up at various distances and heights, some stationary and others moving. Fallon took a deep breath, remembering Astra's advice about maintaining a steady hand and a clear mind. He nocked an arrow, drew back the bowstring, and released. The arrow flew true, striking near the center of the first target. With growing confidence, he continued, and his arrows found their marks with impressive accuracy.

Next came sword combat. The candidates were paired off for duels with examiners.

Fallon's first opponent was a burly soldier, his muscles rippling as he hefted his broadsword. Fallon gripped his own sword tightly, recalling Astra's lessons on footwork and balance. As the duel began, Fallon found himself on the defensive, parrying his opponent's powerful strikes. But he remained patient, looking for an opening.

It came when the soldier overextended on a thrust. Fallon sidestepped nimbly, raising his sword in a swift arc that caught his opponent off-guard. With a series of quick, precise strikes, Fallon drove the larger man back, finally disarming him with a deft twist of his blade.

"Well done," nodded the examiner, making notes on a slate.

After a short rest, Fallon's next opponent was a tall, muscular soldier, thinner than his first. As they circled each other, Fallon recalled Astra's teachings about reading an opponent's movements. He noticed a slight favoring of his opponent's left leg, possibly from an old injury.

The duel began, and Fallon's opponent came at him with powerful, sweeping strikes. Fallon parried and dodged, waiting for an opening. It came when his opponent swung and limped slightly to his left. Fallon saw his chance. He sidestepped and struck with precision. The match ended quickly, with Fallon's blade at his opponent's throat.

"Excellent swordsmanship," nodded the examiner, making notes on a clipboard.

The final challenge was the most intense. The candidates were divided into small teams and tasked with protecting a "royal family member" (played by an actor) through a simulated attack on the castle. Fallon found himself leading a team of four through the obstacle-filled training grounds.

As they escorted their charge, chaos erupted around them. Dummy enemies popped up from behind walls and barrels while archers fired blunt arrows in their direction.

Fallon's mind raced as he assessed the situation. "Form a defensive perimeter!" he shouted to his team. "Kiran, take point. Jace, cover our rear. Lana, stay close to our charge."

The team moved swiftly, with Fallon constantly scanning for threats. As they rounded a corner, a group of "assassins" burst from a hidden door. Fallon reacted instantly, pushing their charge behind a low wall for cover.

"Protect the royal!" he yelled, engaging the nearest attacker with his sword. His teammates responded quickly, forming a tight circle around their charge.

Fallon parried a blow and countered with a swift strike, disarming his opponent. He spun to face another, ducking under a wild swing and sweeping the attacker's legs from under him.

"Archer on the rampart!" Kira warned.

Without hesitation, Fallon raised his shield in time to deflect an arrow aimed at their charge.

"Lana, get them to the safe room!" Fallon commanded. "We'll cover you!"

Lana expertly guided the "royal" through the maze of corridors and into the designated safe room. Meanwhile, the other three members of the team fought off enemy attacks, successfully completing their mission. As an examiner watched from a nearby observation booth, he scribbled notes about their performance in his notepad.

After everyone had finished their sessions, Colonel Lorton's voice boomed over the grounds, signaling the end of the examination. He thanked each participant for their dedication and said that results would be delivered within one week.

"I'm exhausted!" Fallon muttered to himself as he made his way to the barracks for a much-needed shower. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't help but feel hopeful about his performance.

Meanwhile, earlier that day, as the warm rays of the morning sun shone down on the East Akkala Stable, Granté strolled down the hill from the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab, whistling as he went. The vibrant green trees to his right swayed gently in the breeze, and the distant call of sea birds filled the air. Granté had arranged with the stable owner to purchase supplies whenever a traveling merchant came to restock the stable's provisions, saving him time and travel.

"The usual, Sir?" asked the merchant once Granté arrived. "We have a half-price special on Endura Shrooms this week."

"Oh, in that case, give me a double order of Endura Shrooms along with the usual Hylian Rice, Bird Eggs, and Fresh Milk," said Granté.

Satisfied with his purchases, Granté heaved a sack over his shoulder and turned to leave when the stable owner called him back. Granté approached, noticing that the man held a piece of paper in his hand.

"Good day, Granté," the owner greeted him. "Our son found this strange paper floating near the beach. We thought it must have come from the lab. In any case, we have no use for it."

The man handed Granté the paper, who quickly scanned it before his Sheikah instinct took over and made him suppress a gasp of surprise.

Granté was actually only half Sheikah. He was Hylian on his mother Jerrin's side and Sheikah on his father Robbie's side. But his mother knew Sheikah customs well, having trained under Dr. Purah for a time before joining Robbie. Both parents, but especially his father, had spent many years living in danger with the ever-present threat of Yiga Clan spies and assassins. Both had learned the importance of secrecy and discretion and had passed that instinct toward caution onto their son. So, Granté maintained a calm expression and did not reveal his shock.

"This doesn't look familiar to me," Granté replied, shaking his head. "However, my mother is more well-versed in these matters. I'll show it to her for her opinion. Thank you, and please extend my gratitude to your son for finding this. I should be on my way now."

After bidding farewell, Granté began his walk back up the hill towards the lab. When he arrived, he found his mother asleep in her chair, an open book cradled in her lap. So he quietly restocked their shelves and waited for her to awaken. At 97 years old, daily naps were invaluable for his mother's health. Unlike his father, who lived to the ripe old age of 130, she was not likely to live quite so long. But who could tell? While waiting for his mother to awaken, Granté reread the page and pondered its meaning.

About an hour later, Jerrin yawned and woke up.

"Oh dear, I must have dozed off," she said, closing the book on her lap and rubbing her eyes.

"Naps are good for you, Mother. I'll start making lunch now. In the meantime, please look at this paper: the stable boy found it washed up on the beach. Do you think it's real?"

Granté handed Jerrin the paper, and upon reading it, she gave a surprised exclamation.

"This is very strange. We need to show this to Dr. Purah," said Jerrin. "The paper and its texture are different from what I am used to and certainly seem authentic. But the contents are … surprising, to say the least. Do you understand what this could mean?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Mother," replied Granté as he cooked some rice with salted fish and vegetables for their lunch.

"Unless Astra brought this with her and lost it at sea while returning to Hateno Village with Purah by boat, I cannot imagine how it ended up here. It shouldn't be possible. Purah may need to consult with Astra about this."

"I'll bring it to Dr. Purah first thing I'm able," said Granté. "And I'll return with more of that special tea you enjoy. Dr. Purah always keeps extra on hand."

Jerrin nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "Yes, that would be lovely. But more importantly, we must get to the bottom of this mystery."

As Granté served their lunch, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The paper found was perplexing, nonchalantly referring to people who shouldn't exist in this timeline. He couldn't shake the feeling that it was somehow connected to Princess Astra's arrival here.

Meanwhile, at the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab, the sun streamed through the afternoon windows, casting a warm glow over the array of old gadgets, books, and papers strewn about. Purah sat at a rustic wooden table, her fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of Kakariko Tea. The rich, earthy flavor of the tea was comforting, yet her mind was far from at ease.

Her thoughts were consumed by Astra and the astonishing Tab device that had left her both intrigued and perplexed.

"Where did that device come from?" she pondered aloud, her voice barely above a whisper as if speaking it could summon an answer from the air around her.

The look of the device was still sharp in her memory, its sleek design and intricate miniature workings, unlike anything she had encountered before. As she stared into her cup, Purah frowned. "Astra obviously must know," she murmured, her brow furrowing deeper. "But why keep it secret? Is there danger lurking in that knowledge?" she asked herself before taking another sip of tea.

"I need to think of this logically," she muttered to herself, leaning forward and placing her cup on the table with a soft thud of porcelain against wood. "Either the device was invented in Hyrule, or it was not. She began to pace slowly around the room, her mind racing as she considered each possibility carefully.

"Let's consider the first possibility. Astra grew up in a Hyrule eighty-four years younger than ours when innovation was still finding its footing. So they could not have advanced with technology very far on their own," she continued, chewing on the edge of her lip thoughtfully. "Of course," she added with a wave of her hand, "someone unknown from elsewhere might have brought it to them. But then it wasn't invented in Hyurule." She picked up the cup and took another invigorating sip of tea, relishing its warmth as it coursed through her body.

"So only the second possibility makes sense, that it came from elsewhere, " she concluded firmly as she settled back into her seat. "But where could it have come from?"

The question hung heavy in the air as she absently traced patterns on the table's surface with her fingertips. "There were four compass directions to consider," she mused aloud, glancing toward the window where a bright blue sky stretched infinitely outward. "And up and down, of course." Her eyes narrowed as she thought of possibilities. "Could it have come from an alien civilization?"

A chuckle escaped her lips at that thought—wild and fantastical. "Possible," she admitted begrudgingly, "but very unlikely. Why would aliens have devices intended for our use and with Sheikah-like runes on them?"

Purah sat back with a heavy sigh. "It seems unlikely that it came from up," she sighed again, "and as for down… well, the only thing buried deep below us could be ancient Sheikah technology. But after all these years, the most advanced things we've found are the Sheikah Slate and the Divine Beasts." Her voice lowered to a whisper. "Plus, if this Tab device prototype was found buried underground, why would Astra keep its origin such a secret? And according to her, many people had one in her timeline. So how did they manage to replicate the original on a vast scale?"

She trailed off, lost in thought again. "That leaves…" she paused. "An advanced civilization in one of the cardinal directions. But which one?"

As far as she knew, no one had dared venture beyond Hyrule, making it impossible to rule out any direction as a potential location for an advanced civilization. But this possibility at least explained Astra's caution. When an advanced society encounters a less developed one, the latter often becomes vulnerable and at the mercy of the former. So, maybe that was why she was so circumspect about matters.

"I think another conversation with Astra is in order," said Purah.