Aylin landed on unsteady feet, the paraglider flickering with blue light before returned to her bracelet. She stumbled forward, her breath coming fast as she steadied herself. The city before her was eerily silent. Buildings of pale stone stretched high into the sky, their surfaces cracked and worn with time. Vines curled around abandoned structures, roots splitting the cobblestone roads beneath her. She swallowed, gripping the Purah Pad tighter.
Where is everyone? She wondered. There were no voices, no distant chatter of people, no footsteps echoing through the streets. Just the soft whisper of the wind weaving through the empty city. It was like walking through a memory—one that had been abandoned long ago. The blinking signal on the screen pulsed steadily, pointing her forward. She hesitated before stepping toward it. Every footstep felt too loud, as if she were disturbing something ancient.
Papa always told me stories about great cities filled with people… But this place… It's like a ghost town. Aylin recalled. As she followed the signal, her fingers brushed against the Deku seed necklace hanging around her neck. The weight of the secret stones felt heavier than before. Mama had left them for her. Had she known Aylin would end up here? Was this place important? The thought made her shiver. She came to a massive building at the city's heart, its entrance flanked by towering columns. Words were carved above the archway in a language she couldn't read, their edges smoothed by time.
Was this a temple? A castle? Aylin wondered. She pressed a small hand against the heavy doors. They groaned as they swung open, revealing darkness beyond. Dust swirled in the air, caught in beams of light from broken windows. She stepped inside, her breath catching in her throat.
A library? I wasn't expecting that. Mama would love it here… Aylin thought wistfully. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched into the shadows, their contents untouched for what had to be years. Scattered scrolls and fallen tomes lay across the floor, as if someone had been searching for something and never finished. The smell of old parchment and faded ink filled the air. Aylin hugged herself.
Did the people just… leave? Aylin thought fearfully.
"Hello?" she called, her voice barely more than a whisper. Her own echo was the only reply. The silence pressed around her. She shuffled forward, kicking up dust as she walked between the empty shelves.
This place is lonely… Aylin thought to herself, and yet, something is here. I can feel it. A sudden warmth pulsed against her chest. The Deku seed necklace glowed gently. The ground rumbled beneath her feet. Aylin gasped, stumbling back as the stone tiles at the center of the library shifted. Slowly, with a deep mechanical groan, a pedestal rose from the floor. It looked old, older than anything she had ever seen, but untouched by time. Symbols flickered faintly along its base, glowing like embers in the dark. Her heart pounded.
Maybe this place isn't empty after all… Aylin thought to herself. The Purah Pad pulsed faster in her hand, reacting to whatever this was. Aylin swallowed and stepped closer. Hesitantly, she reached out a trembling hand and placed it against the cool surface of the pedestal. A soft chime echoed through the air. The entire library shuddered. The floor beneath her shimmered, tiles rearranging themselves like a massive puzzle coming to life. Large, interlocking pieces twisted and spun, forming a circular pattern she didn't understand. Aylin took a shaky breath.
"What is this?" Aylin wondered aloud. She reached out, running her fingers along the shifting pieces. They clicked into place beneath her touch, responding to her movements.
This is some kind of puzzle like the ones Mama showed me. Aylin noticed, I'll figure this out.
CHAPTER NINETEEN: THE WILL TO ENDURE
The wind rushed past them as Zym soared over the vast Xadian landscape, the afternoon sun casting golden light over the trees below. Woody sat rigidly on the dragon's back, Corvus and Ezran behind him. His connection to the earth was weak, but something familiar pulsed at the edges of his senses.
"She's close," he murmured.
"How close?" Ezran asked. Woody shook his head.
"Not sure. But I can feel her," Woody insisted. Zym suddenly flared his nostrils, sniffing the air. His ears twitched, and he let out a low growl before tipping his wings.
"I smell smoke and fire," Zym announced, looking down, "Down below!" Ezran followed his gaze and saw a thin wisp of smoke curling through the trees.
"A campfire?" Corvus noted from behind them, already focusing in, "That could be her."
"Only one way to find out," Ezran agreed. Zym circled before descending, his claws digging into the soft earth as he landed. The embers of the campfire flickered, but it was the figure beside it that caught their attention. A man, badly wounded. His right arm lay limp, his leg hastily splinted. His bandages were soaked with blood. Corvus was the first to dismount, his instincts taking over as he studied the man's wounds.
"He's in bad shape," he muttered, kneeling beside him, "If we don't get him proper care, he won't last." Woody's eyes widened as he stepped closer. His breath caught.
"No way…" he whispered.
"You know him?" Ezran asked.
"That's Link. The King of Hyrule," Woody said with hesitation. Ezran's expression became one of bewilderment.
"What? The King of Hyrule?" Ezran asked, "But how did he get here?" Before he could process it, Link stirred, his eyelids fluttering weakly.
"…Aylin…" he rasped, "Where is... she?" His breath hitched, and he fell unconscious again. Corvus cursed under his breath as he took stock of Link's condition.
"Your Majesty, we need to stabilize him. He's already lost a lot of blood," Corvus insisted as he got to work changing the man's bandages. Woody wasn't listening. His gaze was scanning the campsite, his senses stretching outward. Zym sniffed the air again, then turned sharply.
"Ezran! Over here! I see tracks," the dragon said, "These look like they belong to someone with little feet." Ezran followed his line of sight. Small footprints trailed away from the campsite, leading into the forest.
"Maybe she tried to go for help?" Ezran realized.
"She's little, even for a human. We have to find her," Woody insisted. Ezran turned to Corvus.
"Corvus, stay with him. Make sure he doesn't slip away on us," Ezran ordered, "Zym, Woody, let's see where these tracks go." Corvus stood, his eyes narrowing.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, are you sure this is wise? If you take off, I can't protect you," Corvus cautioned, "Please, let me take care of this man first." Ezran met his gaze evenly.
"I appreciate your concern, but time is not on our side Corvus. If we wait, we might lose her," Ezran said.
"...Very well but please be careful," Corvus sighed. Ezran gave him a small nod before climbing onto Zym's back again. Woody followed. With a powerful flap, Zym lifted them back into the air. With his keen eyes, they followed the footprints until they reached a cliffside. Ezran's stomach tightened at the sight below. The ruins of a massive city stretched across the valley, its golden spires long since crumbled, its streets empty yet foreboding.
"Where is this?" Woody frowned.
"Lux Aurea," he said grimly, "Please tell me she didn't go there."
The warm air of Kakariko Village felt like a balm on their tired feet as the group arrived at the peaceful village, finally free from the weight of constant pursuit. Purah, Robbie, and Tauro were waiting for them, and the relief on their faces was palpable. When they saw Bowen and Elara, their eyes brightened, and they rushed to embrace the duo. There were no words at first, only the tight hug and the shared comfort of being safe.
"It's a miracle you made it," Purah said, voice trembling, "We thought we'd lost everyone."
"We're here now," Elara sighed with relief. Robbie and Tauro nodded, though the concern in their eyes was evident. Once the initial greetings had passed, Purah led the group into Paya's home. They sat down, the weight of their journey pressing down on them as they began to catch up. Purah took a deep breath, and the words spilled out.
"…The attack on Hyrule Castle came out of nowhere. We barely had time to react. And the Korok Forest... it was completely destroyed. There was nothing we could do. When we knew we couldn't win, I grabbed Robbie and Tauro and made a run for it," Purah reported. Elara's face tightened at Purah's words. Bowen gave a frustrated sigh.
"That couldn't have been an easy call to make. Not that we're ones to talk. Kohan of the Yiga Clan tried to strike a deal with us on the Great Plateau. He knew that Rasha was coming, that she had plans for the Drakolith. He thought if he helped us, if we helped him... he could get rid of her. He offered us information, though it didn't come cheap," Bowen remarked. Purah and Robbie exchanged a look.
"What was the cost?" Purah asked, voice soft with concern. Bowen nodded solemnly.
"He wanted Rasha removed from power. He knew a lot about her plans, but he wasn't going to stop. I deemed him untrustworthy," Elara interrupted, "And ordered his death…" Elara's gaze was distant, but her voice was firm as she continued, "I couldn't afford to let him manipulate us, even if it meant losing a potential ally." There was a long, heavy pause before Robbie spoke again.
"So, what did you learn? Did this Kohan tell you anything useful?" Robbie asked.
"We did get something out of him," Bowen said, "We learned about the Drakolith. It's more than just a weapon. He called it a Divine Beast… Somehow, the Yiga Clan has managed to repair it."
"A Divine Beast... restored?" Purah wondered, her face darkening.
"That's what it sounds like," Bowen confirmed, "I fear the Yiga Clan has become a much bigger threat than we can handle on our own."
"Not to mention the rest of what we've learned," Soren interjected, "The Arbiter's Grounds had information about the primal secret stones. We learned one's back in Xadia." Robbie nodded in agreement, though his mind seemed to be racing.
"You've been through quite an ordeal," Tauro noted.
"Yeah. I was kind of hoping to discuss this with Mother and Father," Elara admitted, "Did they make it out?" Purah frowned, her voice serious now.
"…Before all this happened, the King and Queen… When the castle came under attack, your father gave the order to fight. In the event they were going to lose, they had plans to take shelter with the Deku Tree, along with Princess Aylin. It's the safest place they could've gone," Purah said, "But with the state of the Korok Forest now…" Bowen's expression darkened.
"…We've got a difficult choice ahead of us. We don't have much time before Claudia makes a move on the primal secret stones, but we also have the Drakolith to deal with," Callum remarked. There was a heavy silence before Robbie turned to Elara.
"You're the queen now, Elara. You need to decide what happens next," Robbie insisted. The weight of the title felt heavy, and Elara let the words sink in. Her hands were shaking slightly as she folded them in front of her. Bowen gave a solemn sigh.
"Well Sister, what do you think? Do we go after the Drakolith to stop Rasha from using it to subjugate Hyrule? Or do we head to Xadia to get the primal secret stone before she does?" Bowen asked. Elara stood up suddenly, the room feeling too small, the air too thick.
"…I don't know. I need time to think. This... this is a lot," Elara admitted, "I need to rest, digest all this." Sahira, ever perceptive, stood as well.
"I'll go with you. You shouldn't be alone right now," Sahira insisted. Elara gave a silent nod, and the two of them stepped out of the room. The others fell into a quiet conversation, but Elara's absence weighed heavily on them all.
"…We've barely had time to rest let alone process everything that's happened," Callum said, his voice distant as he looked at the others, "Everyone needs a break, even if it's just for a moment."
"Yeah. Let Elara think, but we can't afford to be idle for too long," Soren agreed. The group nodded in agreement, each person lost in their own thoughts about the next step. Tauro looked at Elara's Purah Pad, still resting on the table.
"While you're taking a break, I'd like to look at the pictures you took. If I could look through the murals you photographed, I might find something we missed. It could help us decide on a course to take," Tauro offered.
"Sure. Go ahead," Bowen insisted. Elara's Purah Pad was passed over to him, and he began tapping through the images with a focused expression. Outside, the sun was beginning to dip lower, casting long shadows over the village. It was a quiet moment, but beneath it all, the urgency of the situation remained, waiting for the next move.
As the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the landscape, Ezran's anxiety grew. They had followed Aylin's trail for hours, navigating through the dense woods and tracking the faint scent of her presence. Woody perched anxiously on Ezran's shoulder, his sharp eyes scanning the ground below for any sign of the young princess. Zym, his wings beating steadily, his senses keen to detect any further traces of Aylin's path.
"We're running out of time," Ezran muttered, his eyes narrowing in worry as the light of day began to fade. "If she's really in Lux Aurea... We need to hurry." Woody tilted his head, watching as the dragon's keen senses led them closer.
"I think we're getting close. The trail's stronger here," Woody remarked. Zym's ears perked up as he swooped lower, spotting something amidst the tree line ahead. The faintest glow shimmered through the canopy, a flicker that felt as if it belonged to the very heart of Xadia itself.
"I smell... something!" Zym called out, his voice tinged with urgency. He banked sharply, descending toward the spot below. Following the dragon's lead, the trio made their way to the great bookery, the ancient structure looming before them. It was quiet, the area still and seemingly abandoned. Aylin's footprints were clearer now, leading toward the entrance. Ezran landed first, his heart racing as he scanned the area. The golden light from the setting sun cast eerie shadows across the tall, open structure. And there, in the center, stood Aylin, her expression intense, her focus entirely on the puzzle in front of her. The swirling patterns on the floor shifted beneath her touch, each movement deliberate as she aligned the pieces of the puzzle. Woody didn't wait as he ran forward.
"Aylin!" Woody called out. She spun around, eyes wide in alarm.
"Woody?" Aylin asked, recognizing the Korok. Then she spotted Ezran and the dragon. Her posture tensed. Woody held his hands up, trying to reassure her.
"It's okay! These are my friends," Woody assured her.
"I'm Ezran, King of Katolis, and this is Zym," Ezran nodded. Aylin's gaze lingered on the dragon.
"That... That's a dragon?" Aylin stammered nervously. Zym puffed up.
"Yeah, he's a little smaller than the great dragons of Hyrule, but don't let that fool you," Woody grinned, "He's friendly." Aylin let out a breath, tension easing just a little.
"What are you all doing here?" Aylin asked. Ezran took a careful step closer.
"We were looking for you," Ezran replied, "It's not safe here." Aylin hesitated, glancing back at the puzzle.
"I… I can't leave yet. There's something I need to do," Aylin said.
"Princess Aylin, we don't have much time. When the sun sets around here…" Ezran frowned.
"I think this puzzle is important," she interrupted, pointing to a hollow on the podium, "My mother's secret stone… It fits here."
"Little Bird… are you sure that's a good idea?" Woody asked.
"I have to try," she insisted. Before Ezran could stop her, she pulled the glowing stone from her necklace and pressed it into the podium at the center of the puzzle. The moment it clicked into place, the ground trembled. The entire bookery shuddered as a deep rumble echoed across Xadia. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and the walls groaned. Zym's ears flattened.
"Oh, that can't be good," Zym grimaced. Ezran grabbed Aylin's wrist.
"What did you do?!" Ezran demanded. Aylin's face was pale.
"I… I don't know. I just... I thought it would show me something," Aylin replied nervously, pulling her mother's stone from the pedestal. Before anyone could react further, an unearthly growl echoed through the ruins. From the shadows, twisted figures emerged, corrupt beasts with glowing eyes and jagged claws. Zym bared his teeth.
"It's time to go," Zym insisted, "Now!" But it was too late. The creatures lunged. Ezran pulled Aylin behind him, but one of the beasts swiped at them with jagged claws, narrowly missing as they dove out of the way. Woody scrambled onto Ezran's shoulder, his tiny branches gripping tight as the boy rolled to his feet.
"This way!" Ezran shouted, pulling Aylin toward the narrow pathway winding through the ruins. Zym charged ahead, snapping at the nearest beast and driving it back, buying them a few seconds.
"Run!" he yelled before spreading his wings and taking to the air. The group bolted down the crumbling path as the creatures gave chase. Their growls and snarls grew louder, echoing off the ruined walls. One beast leaped onto a broken column and hurled itself forward, landing in front of them with a thunderous crash. Aylin screamed as the creature lunged, but Zym swooped in, raking it with his claws.
"Go! Don't stop!" he roared, spinning to fend off another attacker. Ezran led Aylin through the maze of ruins, dodging fallen stones and debris. Woody glanced back, his eyes wide.
"They're catching up!" Woody called. Ezran risked a glance over his shoulder. The beasts were fast, their glowing eyes fixed on their prey, their bodies moving with horrifying speed and agility. One scaled a nearby pillar, leaping down to cut them off.
"We're trapped!" Aylin cried as another beast blocked the path ahead. Ezran's heart pounded as he tried to think.
"Zym!" he yelled. The dragon roared in response, diving down and ramming into the beast ahead, clearing the path.
"Keep moving!" he barked, wings flaring to slow the other attackers. Ezran pulled Aylin forward, but their path was narrowing, and the creatures weren't letting up. One of them pounced, its claws outstretched. Aylin tripped and fell, crying out as the beast closed in. Terror froze her in place, her eyes wide as the monster lunged.
"Aylin!" Ezran shouted, but he was too far to reach her. In her panic, Aylin screamed, and suddenly, a burst of golden light erupted from her body. Ezran, Woody, and Zym shielded their eyes as the radiant energy blasted the creatures back. The nearest beast was flung into a broken column, collapsing in a heap. The others staggered, their snarls faltering as the light spread through the ruins. When the light faded, the beasts stumbled away, their bodies trembling. Their glowing eyes dimmed, and they let out distorted cries before retreating into the shadows.
"That light…! It purged the corruption…" Ezran gasped in shock. Aylin swayed, her breath coming in quick gasps.
"I... I didn't mean to…" Aylin gasped. Ezran grabbed her arm, steadying her.
"It's okay, but we need to go. Now," Ezran insisted. The two humans climbed onto the dragon's back before beating his wings hard against the air. Woody clung to Ezran as they lifted off, leaving the ruins behind.
The wind howled around them as Callum, Rayla, and Soren stood at the edge of the Medoh glider launch platform. Stella chittered nervously as she clung protectively to Rayla. Sneezles rested calmly inside Callum's scarf, snoring and sneezing away quietly. The sky stretched endlessly above them, tinged with the golden hues of the setting sun, but their eyes were drawn downward to the devastation below. The fields that once rolled with green grass were now scorched black, smoldering with lingering embers. The ruins of Hyrule Castle loomed in the distance, its broken spires silhouetted against the darkening sky. Soren let out a slow, heavy breath, gripping the railing tighter.
"This is my fault," he murmured. Rayla turned to him.
"Soren…?" Rayla asked.
"I should've stopped Claudia back at Lake Hylia," he continued, his voice laced with guilt, "I was right there. If I hadn't lost my nerve and tried to reason with her… if I'd just done what needed to be done, the Yiga Clan might never have gotten everything they needed to get that Drakolith thingy off the ground." Rayla shook her head.
"There's no way you could've known that," Rayla remarked. Soren let out a bitter chuckle.
"Maybe. But I still should've done something," Soren sighed, pounding a fist on a nearby tree. Rayla's gaze drifted toward the ruins. A shadow passed over her face.
"Then I'm just as much to blame," Rayla sighed. Callum and Soren looked at her, frowning.
"I had my chance too," she admitted, "When Runaan and I tracked Claudia back in Xadia, I should've been strong enough to finish it. To stop her before she could do any more harm." Callum's hands curled into fists at his sides. He knew this feeling all too well. The weight of past failures pressing down, the relentless ache of what-ifs. He had spent too many nights thinking the same thing about himself.
"You're wrong," he said quietly. Rayla turned, her violet eyes searching his.
"I was the one who wasn't strong enough," Callum said, his voice laced with regret, "Back at Archmage Akiyu's hideaway, when I faced Claudia a year ago... I was unable to stop her because my magic wasn't up to the challenge." His fingers brushed against his scarf, as if grounding himself in the present.
"But she's only gotten worse. And because of that, so has everything else," Callum sighed. For a long moment, none of them spoke. The weight of their failures sat heavy between them.
"Your magic might not have been up to it then, but you've got the sky primal secret stone now. Maybe you could use it to blast the Drakolith out of the sky?" Soren proposed. Callum hesitated, caressing the stone around his neck.
"I don't think it works like that," Callum remarked nervously, "I can barely control its power as is." Rayla's brows furrowed in thought, then a memory sparked in her mind.
"Wait. Back at the Arbiter's Grounds, you had an idea. What was it?" Rayla asked. Callum blinked, then his eyes widened as the realization hit him again.
"I was thinking about how the Zonai trusted these stones to the future for a reason. They're meant to preserve peace," He looked up, determination burning in his eyes, "If Claudia wants to use the Tower of Stars to speed up Aaravos's return… then maybe we can use it to stop him instead." Soren raised an eyebrow.
"You're saying we turn the tower against him?" Soren pressed, "But how?" Callum nodded.
"I got to thinking. If it has the power to bring him back, then maybe it has the power to keep him gone?" Callum proposed. Rayla tapped a finger against her arm, considering.
"So instead of fighting Claudia head-on, we cut off her biggest advantage," Rayla realized, "…It's not the worst plan you've ever come up with except what about Hyrule and the Drakolith?" Callum deflated for a moment before Soren spoke up.
"I… I'm still not sure what we can do," Callum sighed. The Xadians looked at one another, still unsure how to proceed. An uneasy silence followed before Soren spoke up.
"…Let's rejoin the others. Maybe they'll have come up with something by now?" Soren proposed.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," Callum said, leading the way.
In the quiet guest room of Paya's home, the soft light of a lantern illuminated Elara as she lay curled on the bed, her face buried in her hands. Her shoulders shook with the force of her sobs, her tears dampening the pillow beneath her. Sitting beside her, Sahira gently rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles.
"It's okay to cry, Elara," Sahira said softly, "You've lost so much… Anyone would feel overwhelmed." Elara turned her tear-streaked face toward Sahira, her voice trembling.
"But I can't be overwhelmed. Not me. Everyone's looking to me to… to fix this, to make everything right. And I don't even know how," Elara sobbed, burying her face in her hands again, "I'm not ready. I'm not strong enough. What if… What if I fail?" The words hung heavy in the air. Sahira opened her mouth to reply, but before she could speak, the door creaked open. Paya entered the room, her presence quiet but resolute. She carried a tray with a steaming pot of tea and three cups, placing it gently on the bedside table before sitting at the foot of the bed. Her wrinkled hands folded neatly in her lap as her wise eyes fixed on Elara.
"That won't happen," Paya said firmly, her voice cutting through the haze of despair like a blade. Elara sniffled and sat up slightly, clutching the edge of the blanket.
"You've spent the early days of your adult life fooling around, yes. Traveling, laughing, and living as if the weight of Hyrule wasn't bearing down on you. But do you know why?" Paya asked with a small, knowing smile. Elara blinked at her, confused.
"It's because that's exactly what your mother wanted for you," Paya said. Elara's breath hitched, and her gaze dropped to the blanket she clutched.
"What do you mean?" Elara asked. Paya leaned forward, her voice softening.
"I was there when you were born, and I remember the day vividly. When Her Majesty held you for the first time, she looked at you with such love, such hope. And she made a vow that her children would never know the kind of life she endured," Paya explained.
"What kind of life?" Elara frowned, her brow furrowed.
"The life of a girl who was told she could never falter, never stray from her path," Paya explained, "Your mother's entire childhood was consumed by preparing to battle Calamity Ganon. Every day, every moment, was dedicated to her duty. She didn't have the freedom to see Hyrule as it truly was, to live among its people or indulge in simple joys. And even after defeating the Calamity, she faced the immense burden of rebuilding this kingdom. And then…" Paya's voice trailed off, a shadow crossing her face. "Then she had to face Demon King Ganondorf. Her life was a series of battles and sacrifices." Elara's heart clenched. Paya reached out, placing a gentle hand on Elara's knee.
"Your mother didn't want that for you. She knew one of her children would eventually take on the responsibility of leading Hyrule. But she wanted you to understand the people, to know their joys and sorrows, their needs and dreams. She wanted you to have the freedom to explore, to experience life, so that when the time came for you to lead, you would do so not as a distant queen but as someone who truly understood what her people needed," Paya continued. Elara stared at her, her tears slowing as Paya's words sank in.
"But now they're gone," Elara whispered, her voice cracking, "How can I lead without them? Without their guidance?"
"Your mother believed in you, Elara. She believed that when the time came, you would rise to the occasion. And I believe it too," Paya smiled gently. Sahira nodded, her hand still resting on Elara's back.
"You're not alone in this, Elara. You have us," Sahira insisted. Elara swallowed hard, her chest aching with a mix of grief and a budding sense of determination.
"Take time to think about what I've said," Paya added, her tone kind but firm, "The answers you seek are not easy ones. But remember this: your mother didn't raise you to be her. She raised you to be you. And that is exactly what Hyrule needs." With that, Paya rose, smoothing her robes. She gave Elara one last encouraging look before leaving the room, her steps silent as she disappeared down the hall. Elara sat in silence, her fingers brushing against the blanket. Sahira stayed by her side, her presence a quiet comfort.
"I don't feel ready," Elara murmured, her voice barely audible.
"You don't have to feel ready," Sahira said gently, "You just have to try." Elara closed her eyes, her mother's face flashing in her mind. Her grief was still heavy, but beneath it, a small spark of resolve began to flicker.
"…I guess I can't slack off anymore, can I?" Elara sighed.
"Nope," Sahira agreed, standing up, "That night of lovemaking you owe me will have to wait." Despite herself, Elara couldn't help but snicker at that. She stood up and wiped her tears away.
"Come on. Let's rejoin the others," Elara said, "We've got a world to save."
In the dim light of Robbie's workshop, Bowen leaned heavily on the workbench, staring at the inactive fast-travel terminal embedded in the Purah Pad. His fingers traced the edges of the glowing screen, his thoughts far away.
"Maybe we could just fast travel to the Drakolith," Bowen muttered, half to himself.
"Fast travel to the Drakolith? Ha! If only it were that simple. The main control unit for the system is buried somewhere under what's left of Hyrule Castle. Even if it survived all that chaos, moving it now would be a disaster waiting to happen," Robbie snorted, adjusting his goggles as he rummaged through a cluttered shelf of spare parts. Bowen raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" Bowen asked.
"Because the Yiga Clan would pounce on it faster than you can say banana curry!" Robbie replied, throwing a random tool over his shoulder, "Imagine them using the Drakolith to track the control unit. They could destroy it or worse, hijack it. That would be… well, bad. Very bad." He turned to face Bowen, his expression oddly cheerful despite the dire topic.
"So, yeah, no fast traveling to the Drakolith. Nice idea, though," Robbie said. Bowen sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his gaze falling to the Purah Pad again.
"What would Father have done?" Bowen wondered.
"Oh, you know what your father would've done. He'd have drawn the Master Sword, marched right up to the Drakolith, and tried to take it down single-handedly. No plan. Just guts, glory, and sheer foolishness," Robbie chuckled, the corners of his mouth quirking up in a grin. Bowen managed a weak smile at that, but it quickly faded.
"The Master Sword…" He paused, his voice growing softer. "With all the devastation, it's most likely gone, Robbie. Even if it wasn't, I'm nowhere near strong enough to use it."
"Rubbish!" Robbie said sharply, dropping his tools with a loud clang, "Don't you dare start with that 'I'm not good enough' nonsense. You're a fighter, just like your dad. And you've got something he didn't." Bowen tilted his head.
"What's that?" Bowen asked.
"Me! The smartest researcher in Hyrule. And, might I add, the most handsome," Robbie grinned, stroking his chin. Bowen rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small chuckle.
"But you helped him fight off the Calamity," Bowen recalled, "And didn't you support him during the battle with the Demon King?" The old man fell over in surprise.
"Oh yeah... I guess I did," Robbie grinned sheepishly. Before Robbie could deliver another over-the-top boast, the Purah Pad in Bowen's hands let out a soft ping. Both of them froze, staring as a new icon flickered to life on the map.
"What the…?" Robbie muttered, leaning over to inspect it. Bowen tapped the screen, zooming in on the new marker.
"It's… a fast travel point. Far to the east," he said, his voice laced with confusion, "And far from Hyrule." Robbie squinted at the faint, flickering icon, adjusting his goggles.
"The connection's weak. Really weak. It's inactive, but… wait." His eyes widened as he traced the map with his finger, "This isn't on any land in Hyrule. If I'm reading this right, it's out at sea." Bowen's brow furrowed as realization struck him.
"What if it's not just out at sea? What if it's… in Xadia?" Bowen wondered. Robbie's breath hitched. He blinked once, twice then let out an excited whoop!
"Xadia?! Now that's a theory I can get behind!" He spun around, grabbing a pile of notes and half-assembled devices from his workbench, "Think about it! If Hyrule had Sheikah technology that reached this far, who's to say there wasn't something similar across the ocean? Or maybe someone activated something over there and it's trying to connect back to us! Oh, I love this!" Bowen watched as Robbie frantically scoured his workbench for anything that might help confirm the theory.
"So… does that mean you can find out if it really is from Xadia?" Bowen asked.
"Oh, you bet I can! It's gonna take some work, but if there's even a chance that's Xadia, we have to find out." Robbie grinned wildly, his hands flying across an old Sheikah console, "Oh, I need more coffee. No, no, too much coffee. Focus, Robbie! Okay, first, we stabilize the signal, then we boost it, and then we find out if our friends across the sea just sent us a magical hello." Bowen folded his arms, shaking his head in amusement.
"You really live for this stuff, don't you?" Bowen asked. Robbie shot him a look.
"Your Highness, this is the adventure of a lifetime. Now, let's get to work!" Robbie insisted.
Just outside Evrkynd's walls, Mukho knelt in the dirt, staring at the small, unassuming seed Woody had given him.
"Well… hope you're not just a regular tree," he muttered as he dug a small hole and dropped the seed in. After patting the soil over it, he leaned back on his heels and waited. Nothing happened. Mukho squinted at the dirt.
"Gonna make me do all the work, huh?" Mukho wondered. He rolled his shoulders and placed his hands on the ground. With a pulse of earth magic, he sent energy into the soil. The dirt trembled. The seed twitched. Then—pop!—a tiny sprout emerged.
"Ah excellent," Mukho grinned. The sprout wobbled, then began to grow almost instantly. The earth mage stumbled back in surprise as the trunk thickened, bark curling and cracking as it stretched upward. Short, stubby branches reached out hesitantly, as if the tree was waking from a long nap. A handful of leaves sprouted at the tips. Then, with a sudden creak, the bark shifted. Two round wooden eyes blinked open, a tiny wooden nose formed, and a mouth smacked as if tasting the air. Mukho blinked. The tree blinked back.
"…Well, that's new." Mukho rubbed the back of his head. The tree smacked its wooden lips again.
"I am… the Great Deku Tree," The sprout said.
"Uh-huh," Mukho said, raising an eyebrow.
"…And yet, I am not the Great Deku Tree," The sprout said to himself. Mukho crouched down, studying the strange little tree.
"Okay, now you're just messing with me," Mukho said. The tree frowned—or at least, its face scrunched up in a way that suggested deep contemplation.
"I possess the knowledge of the Great Deku Tree, but none of its power. I am newly born, yet filled with memories I do not fully understand," the tree sighed. Mukho tilted his head.
"So, you're basically a baby with an old man's brain?" Mukho wondered.
"…In a manner of speaking," The sapling sighed, rustling its tiny leaves, "It is quite… disorienting."
"Well, I dunno what to tell you, friend. I just planted the seed. You're the one who decided to sprout up all talkative," Mukho said.
"Perhaps… my purpose will become clear in time," The tree hummed. Mukho gave him a pat on the side of his tiny trunk.
"Yeah, you keep thinking on that. In the meantime, I'll be close by to make sure no one accidentally steps on you," Mukho assured it. The tree nodded or at least swayed slightly, which Mukho took as agreement. A moment of silence passed before the tree suddenly asked.
"…Also, where am I?"