Destiny

I didn't get very much sleep last night. And, guessing by the looks of it, not very many people didn't.

Wild and Flora looked the worst. They had gotten to share a tent because apparently, they are both very active sleepers when it comes to limbs in your side and bodies on top of you.

Which is strange considering I heard Wild slept in trees for a good while.

After breakfast–which, I've decided, is better than the castle cook's–we mounted our unnamed horses and started the few hour journey to the fate of Hyrule.

The battle had waged on through the night.

A storm gathered, washing out all sunlight, but failing to extinguish the fires in and around the famous Hyrulean battalion.

We let the horses go just before we entered the Citadel's boundaries. They turned heel and booked it away from the Citadel as soon as we let them go. They didn't seem bothered by the torrential rainfall turning the once stable dirt under their hooves into mud that can steal your footing in one fell swoop.

We continued along the large bridge spanning a deadly drop. A deep valley with a thin bridge meant to stave off attackers.

But it obviously didn't deter the Guardians.

I remember when Father brought me to the Citadel when I was a young, naive little girl.

It hadn't been too long after Mother's death and he was trying to cheer me up, knowing how interested I had always been in Akkala's only line of defense.

He had shown me around the Citadel, introduced me to a few captains, and spent the whole day with me. No meetings, no urgent matters. Just him and his little girl.

Oh, how I miss girl.

How I miss Papa.

But today, the Citadel looked nothing like it had when Papa had taken me.

Now, Guardians swarmed it, fires lit up the dark clouds above. The only things I could hear, were the sounds of the storm, no longer as soothing as they usually were, the crackling of fires that seemed to feed off the rain instead of dying from it, the cries of dying men and women, the footsteps of my group, the clanking of metal machines that I, once upon a time, had looked upon with wonder and not horror, and the sound of my own heartbeat, like a drum echoing around my head.

It was all I could do to keep from tripping on my ripped and tattered Prayer Dress. Once the color of the pure and divine, but now covered in blood and grime.

A red beam broke through our group and focused on Link (or Calamity, I guess).

Cal, hearing the beeping sound, turned around, ready to fight the Guardian. But before he could, a blast of ice hit the machine, causing it to fly into a wall and self-destruct.

A mechanical and all too familiar cry towered above the sounds that had previously haunted my every breath.

We turned to the source. A giant mechanical beast stood in the middle of the river, water running down it, its blue lights almost blinding in this darkness. It raised its trunk either in a way of greeting, or as a battle cry.

The faint, faraway silhouettes of a Zora Prince and Princess stood atop it.

I relaxed as the heroes and former Princess cheered at its arrival.

Impa put a hand on my shoulder. I smiled back at the Sheikah. "C'mon Princess, we're not alone."

I exhaled, standing up straight. I nodded. "Yes."

"Enemies! Even within the Citadel!"

I cried out. I knew I was simply stating the obvious, but sometimes I need logic and bluntness to be able to fully process what I'm seeing. "Everyone, we must hurry!"

Ice rained down on Guardians. They sparked and whirred before self-destruction. A measure so the enemy won't get their hands on the machines.

How well did that work out for them?

But Mipha and Sidon couldn't clear all the Guardians. We still had to handle more Guardians than I wanted to.

I stuck to Cal like a parasite. The rain and my nerves made the kunai Impa had given me slip and slide in my grip.

The Master Sword gleamed in the darkness of night, even though it couldn't be too long after noon.

Cal fought fluidly. As if the Master Sword was merely another extension of his arm. And then… watching him fight like that… for Hyrule… It wasn't a far off guess that he was Hylia's Chosen Hero.

I, however, tripped and stumbled over every bit of debris from the ruined Citadel and my Prayer Dress. Once the color of purity and the divine… now ripped and covered in grime and my own blood. It was also draftier than it was a week ago, at the Spring of Courage.

I could barely hold the Sheikah kunai, let alone wield it.

The only weapon I've been trained in was the bow, the weapon of the Goddess. Even though I mastered the weapon beautifully, as my master described, I was never allowed a bow of my own.

Only promised that I would get one when the time comes.

The torrential rainfall plastered my dress to my already thin frame, burning as my body moved, rubbing against the fabric. Rain and my hair both blinded me. I felt locks of my hair tie themselves to my body.

I could feel all the wear and tear inflicted on my sandals from all the constant running.

My grip on the kunai shook and I prayed it wasn't visible through my run. Nor that I would have to use the kunai.

"I refuse to abandon them." Even I could hear my voice shake as lightning crashed down not too far from us. "We will aid them."

Cal sent me a look over his shoulder. I understood it fully. We will not abandon them.

The heroes and Flora had broken off to do their own thing. Most likely to take back the outposts and help the Hylian Captains. Impa was never far from me.

Mipha went wherever she was needed.

The magic allowing all of us to communicate was never more useful until today.

Sidon helped cull the Guardian numbers, which was a huge help. Although sometimes we had to look out for the volleys of ice. Lest they hit us.

There were three main outposts at the Citadel. All of them spread out around the battalion.

One was right in front of the bridge. A second one was north of it, along a curved path. The last one was the furthest, at the end of a long road, guarding the exercise yard.

Cal and I were in the first one.

Mipha had helped both captains at the other outposts and was heading toward us with the heroes and Flora at her side.

Cal fought off the Silver Bokoblins and outpost captain as I helped the injured soldiers out of the way.

I felt guilty that I couldn't do any more. But there's nothing I really can do to help.

But it all makes me feel useless.

The Bokoblins turned tail when Cal defeated the outpost captain. Leaving us Hylians alone in a destroyed and burning keep. The storm washing away everything but the fires and the distant sounds of warfare. Which has haunted my ears ever since the Calamity rose.

Mipha and the others arrived not long after.

The Zora Princess and Hero of Hyrule tended to the soldiers. The soft glow of their powers a calming distraction from the fire.

The only source of light in this world of night.

"Hold on…" Mipha said softly. Turning to the Captain, with blood dripping from his mouth and pooling around his hand from his gut. "I will treat your injuries."

"Wow!" The Captain marveled. "My body's knitting itself back together!"

The blood didn't disappear, it just stopped coming. The Captain would have to wait for the rain to wash the all-too-familiar shade of crimson away.

"No, don't move." Mipha said. "Your body still needs to rest."

"Thank you, I will." The Captain said, sitting back down fully. "And please, if you could help my fellow soldiers in the Citadel…"

"Of course." I stepped in. "We'd never leave them."

The Captain ordered his men to join us as he recovered. They followed his will without question.

We left the keep and came out onto the bridge. Now infested with monsters. A Fire Guardian was waiting for us on the other side of the bridge.

I waited for Sidon to shoot it as we started our approach. But he didn't. Guess he has bigger problems to deal with.

"Guardians in front of the CItadel." I deadpanned. "Let's join forces and break through!"

We ran across the bridge, avoiding electric projectiles from the Lizalfos as we crossed. They would most certainly burn in this rain.

Legend whipped out his ice rod and fired it at the Guardian.

It froze in its place. Steam rising from the Citadel's newest ice sculpture.

The eye still pulsed blue. Watching us from its prison. I couldn't tell if it was full of hatred or remorse.

There I go again. Giving personality to inanimate objects who killed my father. Who are impartial killers.

The Links made quick work of the legs before Time fluidly cut his head off since it wasn't melting nearly as fast as we had feared.

Sparks flew from the severed wires. Malice sloshed to the ground, causing us to watch our feet. Lest we step in the corrosive element of pure Evil

Wild, his arm glowing the eerie color of the dead, stepped up to the closed gate and walked right through it.

The others seemed pretty surprised as well. Although Flora didn't flinch. I guess because she had been there when he had learned to harness his new powers.

The gate started rising, with Wild pulling at the rope on the other side.

We walked in as he tied it off, keeping the gate open. Which will be useful for us, and also the enemy.

Another Captain was in a battle with a Silver Moblin.

We dispatched it simply, with the element of surprise and numbers.

Mipha now helped this Captain. I felt guilty that I didn't know any of their names.

Any of the men and women fighting to save this kingdom to their dying breath. And others who already took it, who we will only realize are gone if and when we beat back this wave.

"What a relief–" The Captain sighed. "we can move freely! We'll clear away that rubble for you."

Just as he promised, he and his men cleared the debris blocking the way forward.

"Everyone, please protect the Citadel entrance!" Mipha turned to us. "I will venture in and do what I can."

"We're not splitting up that easily." Impa said. "Some of us will stay here, the rest of us will go with you. Got it?"

Mipha agreed.

Mipha, Cal, Time, Legend, Warriors, Sky, and I will go save the remaining Captains. The others will stay here and guard the Citadel.

We ran down the now-clear corridor. We emerged in a room full of Silver Bokoblins and a FIre Wizzrobe.

I felt sick and refused to look at the dead bodies–turned Bokoblin food as we continued up to the loft and down that corridor. A Korok watching us as they hid inside a barrel.

"Report!" The disembodied voice of a Captain rang through my head. "The southern gate has been infiltrated!"

We came into what was probably once the dining room but was now full of Bokoblins and a Black Hinox.

"C'mon!" Legend cried. "How in Hylia's name could that fit in here?!"

We didn't have time to speculate as it threw a pillar at us. Causing us to scatter and the way out to be blocked.

"Well that's gonna be a problem." Sky grumbled, unsheathing his Master Sword.

The differences between Sky and Cal's swords were striking, to be sure.

Sky's sword was pure and unblemished. It–sorry, she–shone much brighter than Cal's. The power of the original Master Sword was much stronger than the millennium-years-old sword which Cal wielded so proudly.

Cal's sword had niches and scratches in the blade. Paint was flaking off of the wings and handle. One of the wings was just about ready to snap off. And, her glow was barely brighter than a flickering candle in comparison to the brilliant glow of Sky's beloved friend.

Despite the circumstances, I loved watching the two Chosen Heroes fight.

I loved comparing the both of their fighting styles.

Cal's stiff and calculated moves from years of formal training.

Sky's swift and unpredictable fighting from an age gone past.

And yet they fought together like they haven't not fought side-by-side. It was surreal, how well they fought together, despite being taught in different ways, by different teachers. Because experience might have had something to do with Sky's speed.

I had to remind myself that I was also in this fight.

I knew my measly kunai wouldn't be able to do anything to the Hinox. I knew my dress and lack of training certainly wouldn't either.

So I just did my best to keep the Bokoblins out of everyone's way. Embarrassed that I couldn't do anything more.

A roar echoed through the dining hall, distracting me.

The Bokoblin took that as a chance to strike. Even though it only wielded a club, it still had me gasping for air.

A blue flash and the Bokoblin went down.

Cal knelt before me, hand outstretched as his eyes scanned me for injuries. I took his hand gratefully, pulling myself up even as I massaged the developing bruise on my stomach.

I turned to find that the roar had been of the dying Hinox.

Mipha came up to me. "Are you alright Princess?" She asked in that whisper-soft voice of hers.

I nodded. "I am, don't worry about me. There are other people who need your assistance more."

Mipha nodded, leaving Cal and I to go check on the Hylian Captain.

I suddenly became hyper-aware of Cal's prolonged hold on my hand. I turned my face away, praying he didn't see the fire I now felt as I gently took my hand out of his own. Even though I knew he only had eyes for Princess Mipha of the Zora.

I only caught the end of what the Hylian Captain said.

"Come to think of it… Master Robbie was on a higher floor. I hope he's still okay." The Captain mused.

There's a room for any Sheikah Researchers and visitors (though the Sheikah are more common) in the very center of the Citadel. In the middle of a spiral. So anyone trying to reach them, would have to fight through everyone to get to the researchers.

I told them of the layout and how much we still had to fight through.

Time nodded. "Lead the way, Princess."

"I am not loving these numbers…" Sidon's voice came, blurred with lightning striking in the background. "I shall hold down the reinforcements! The remaining foes are yours!"

The next Captain was in a battle with a Silver Moblin. In a small room that seemed to be a sort of common room, for soldiers to lounge about and talk and laugh when they're not on duty.

But there was no laughter today.

A Silver Moblin was admittedly simple after all we've fought. Even I could volunteer in the fight, landing a good few slashes into the Moblin's fur.

"Thank you for protecting the Citadel." Mipha said when the job was done, kneeling before a Captain of her own people. "Here, I can mend you."

"Thank you Lady Mipha!" the Zora Captain said, nodding. "I will turn to defending the square. May Lady Nayru be with you all." The Zora nodded.

The final Captain was locked in a battle with an Ice Moblin. Quickly defeated by a spiral of flame from Warriors' own Fire Rod.

"Yeah, I am never giving this back." Warriors said, admiring the weapon.

"Fine, but if you break it, you buy it!" Legend snarked. Warriors looked confused. "You can buy Fire Rods?"

"When it comes to Ravio, you can."

"Ah."

"Thanks, I owe you one!" The Captain said to Mipha, her healing glow dying off. "Now I can head to the Citadel's southern defense line!"

The Captain took his men and marched out of the keep, to continue the fight on their own terms.

Mipha all but collapsed to the ground. I noticed the cold sweat along her brow, and she was panting heavily.

"Mipha!" I said, running up to her, ignoring the pang still in my stomach. "Are you alright?"

Mipha nodded. "Phew…"

I knew she was using her power too much. It was taking its toll on her, her magic reservoir having been emptied almost to the bottom. If it's fully drained, it could kill her.

"All the soldiers are back on their feet." Mipha said, waving away everyone's concerns and climbing to her own feet. "Now to find Robbie."

The Sheikah Researcher was just down the hallway. The door to the lab was closed and locked as a pathetic way of defense against the Guardians with their beams of pure energy.

I rapped my knucles against the large double doors. "Robbie?" I called. "It's Zelda, we're here to help get you out of here."

"Oho, you've come to save me?" Came Robbie's response. It was raked through with fatigue and fear. "Hang on–opening the door."

Metal slid and scraped as Robbie undid the elaborate locks on the doors.

They swung open, revealing Robbie against a backdrop of a laboratory filled with scattered papers and technology and ancient parts. Bags hung from his eyes. His clothes were ripped and dirtied. The researcher seemed to almost sway on his feet as he gave a grin that didn't reach his sunken eyes. "Come in, come in!"

"Whew, you really saved my day!" Robbie gave a sorry excuse for a laugh. "Although… I feel something coming from nearby…"

The room started to shake. Booms from above sounded too much like a Guardian's blast for me to be comfortable.

And then the shaking stopped.

And then the roof caved in.

Well, it didn't 'cave in' per se… but a Guardian did crash through the ceiling, landing in the corner, just clear of where Time was standing.

But it wasn't like your average Guardian. Not even the elementally-infused ones. Because every inch of the machine was covered in Malice.

Malice sloshed off of it and out of its circuitry. I knew instantly that we couldn't touch it and we had to be careful so we didn't get hit by Malice when it inevitably exploded.

"No!" Mipha cried. "How did that get in here? Robbie, stand back!"

Robbie obeyed the Princess without question, hiding in a closet and away from the Malice Guardian.

Cal had me stay behind him as he raised his shield, ready to parry the Guardian's laser. I cowered behind him pathetically. My kunai was rendered useless. There was no way I could risk getting close enough to use the blade that's a mere few inches long.

Cal catapulted the laser back at the Guardian. It reeled back, landing so the glowing blue spot underneath it was exposed.

Time, with his long sword, darted in and plunged his sword into the only part of the Guardian not covered in Pure Evil. Time ripped the Biggoron sword out and backed away, taking cover behind an overturned table.

The rest of us followed his lead. There's no guarantee that our shields will be able to fully protect us from the Malice as it flies across the room And either way, we don't want the shields to bubble and melt under the Malice.

I braced myself as the familiar sound of flying sparks and exploding Guardians came. And then the sound of Malice sloshing onto the walls and sliding to the floor. I winced as I felt something slam into the other side of the table.

We stayed still for another few minutes, just so we don't stand up and get a clump of Malice to the face.

I remember how Wild suffered and how the only way to treat a late-stage Malice burn, was the pure Powers of the Goddess. And I saw how weak Flora's powers were…

"It's okay to come out now, Robbie!" I cried, standing up.

Robbie opened the door a crack, peeking out at the rest of the room. I saw him visibly relax as he came out of the closet. "Oho! You saved my skin! Thank you very much!"

"Of course, Robbie." I said, stepping over a pool of Malice.

"Umm…" Wind came through. I still didn't like how I was dragging a child to war. "There are a lot more monsters on the board…"

"Enemy reinforcements?" I said. C'mon!

"And a barnload o' Guardians." Twilight said. "Waay too many to be comfortable with…"

"Of course you would say 'barnload'."

"Shut up, Vet."

"Wait a minute!" Robbie exclaimed, expertly tuning in to our channel. "If you draw the enemies to the bridge, we'll destroy them with the citadel's cannons!"

"Good idea!' A Captain said. "I'll get the cannons ready!"

"Very well." Mipha said. "I will combat the enemies to the south!"

She nodded at us before turning and leaving to fulfill her promise.

We ran back out through the Citadel, using a different path so it wouldn't take as long to get back around.

We ran into the square and were immediately greeted by a Moblin.

I cried out in surprise, holding my arms up in a futile attempt to block the sword in its grip. But the blow never came.

I opened my eyes curiously, lowering my arms as a metallic object clattered to the tiled floor.

The Moblin had gone stiff and then limp. A sword, coated in black blood, stuck out of its chest. I couldn't help but whimper as the person turned the carcass away before pushing it off their sword.

The person also known as Flora.

She hefte her sword on her shoulder, mindful of the sharp edge but not of the blood, as it dripped off the blade and onto her shoulder.

SHe smiled widely at us. "So you finally decided to join in the party?"

I raised an eyebrow as I looked over her shoulder. A 'party' is not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of what's happening.

Monsters have invaded the square and had everyone locked in a tight battle. Monster bodies and those of my own peoples were strewn about the square, along with weapons and even some discarded limps.

"By the way…" Flora said, causally ducking under an arrow as if it were no big deal, which then hit another Moblin in the neck. I saw Wild had shot it. "There's a little issue of monsters starting to come over the bridge? If you wouldn't mind dealing with them while Captain Ronald over there and his men finish priming the cannons?"

"Of course." Time nodded.

Flora gave a two-fingered salute as she backed off before fully turning to imbed her sword in the shoulder of a Bokoblin.

"Well?" Warriors said, he and the other heroes not in the least bit affected about my equal's display. "Let's see what monsters she wants us to deal with, shall we?"

We pushed and shoved our way out of the square, dodging swords and flying projectiles and slicing monsters out of our way. Reminds me of a twisted version of Faron Woods.

With all the monkeys throwing fruit and rocks at you.

Finally, we reached the outside world. One not of blood and monsters and fighting.

Well… not in a confined space, that is.

The rain had slowed to a steady drizzle. The clouds starting to break apart and let the moon and stars start to shine through.

"Fuck you Hylia. Fuck you."

I couldn't help but agree with the red-clad hero. Because, heading this way, was a Black Hinox, an Electric Hinox, and more Guardians whose type we couldn't differentiate due to how far away they are.

"Well?" Warriors sighed, adjusting his grip on his sword by spinning it around. "Shall we?"

We launched ourselves into the fight.

I vaguely noticed Robbie's absence as I tore my borrowed kunai into the back of the Black Hinox's knee.

Causing it to cry out and fall to its knees. Allowing Sky to pierce its glowing orange eye. Sky jumped backward as the Hinox collapsed to the ground. Dead.

The sound of panting followed by Sidon's voice. "Who knew piloting a Divine Beast would be such a workout."

"Sidon, are you alright?" Mipha asked, ever the worrier. "We may not be able to rely on Vah Ruta anymore… All clear in the south!"

We moved on to the Electric Hinox. For monsters infused with electricity, we have to fall back on projectile weapons. Because if we get too close, we run the risk of getting electrocuted.

Legend definitely wasn't as good as Wild when it comes to archery, but he was decent. Warriors was slightly better… When he's stationary.

When he's moving, he'd be lucky to hit the edges of the target.

With a good few arrows to the eye, the Hinox went down. The yellow electricity that crackled along the Hinox flickered before dying out. Along with the Hinox as it died.

"The cannons are about ready to fire!" Captain Ronald cried. "Everyone, fall back to the Citadel!"

We heeded his advice, running back across the bridge. So we won't get caught up by the cannons.

We had just made it halfway across, when we heard the tell-tale beeping of a Guardian's targeting system. We didn't look back to see who was being targeted. We just started going faster, taking longer strides, and running in anything but a straight line.

"Sorry for the wait!" Captain Ronald said. "Preparations are complete. Fire the cannons at will! Looks like we got them in our sights! And…FIRE!"

As soon as we got across, booms resounded as the cannons fired. The bridge, with three Malice Guardians, was destroyed. Dust filled the air as the bridge collapsed.

I coughed against the dust, my eyes watered and burned. I knew the Guardians were still alive down there, but definitely not as powerful as they had been.

"The results are astounding!" Robbie said. He had walked out of the Citadel. His goggles were pulled over his eyes, a scrap of fabric his mouth. "They are mere fish food now!" He laughed.

"Time to strike down the remaining enemies!" I tried to say it proudly, like a leader. But I doubt the coughing helped play my intentions along. "Let's glide down from the cliff into the Exercise Yard!"

Cal nodded, taking out his paraglider and jumping off the end of the crumbling bridge. I couldn't do anything against the Malice Guardians with Impa's kunai. So I just walked to the end of the bridge, careful to watch my step, as I watched.

Calamity tossed his paraglider aside and pulled out his shield the same second the three Guardians started targeting him.

Every beep felt like another life.

It was there one second, gone the next. High on the winds of Fate as the Guardian continues through the destruction.

The only living thing for miles.

The familiar sound of the split second before your thread is snipped short.

I held my breath, but Cal managed to parry all three lasers at the same time. Sending them back and causing the Guardians to stagger back and then explode.

Cal hiding behind a boulder.

I saw him hiss something to a Bokoblin who looked appalled before walking off. Like 'I'm done'. It was the best part of my day.

"C'mon up here, Cal!" I called down. "There's still a lot we need to do!"