The rise of a Hero

Epilogue

Code of Honor for the Appointed Knight

For his lady, he must be ready to give his life.

oOo

The rain fell over all of Hyrule, pounding the earth, turning it, lifting it... Powerful storms accompanied it, striking the ground with such force that the landscape seemed to tremble in agony. Amidst this unleashed fury of the elements, two figures ran desperately to escape the clutches of the pursuing Guardians. Link led the royal priestess on the path to Kakariko, their senses on high alert. He knew they were being followed by a horde of enemies. The two chosen ones were heading towards the Dueling Peaks to reach the Sheikah village and seek refuge there. But with the Guardians behind them...

The Hero darted into a forest, seeking shelter from their gaze and providing Zelda with a brief sense of security. The leaves of the trees shielded them from the rain and wind that battered the plains. The two fugitives drew on their physical and mental strength to reach their ultimate goal... They were exhausted, torn apart by the loss of many loved ones and burdened by the misfortune that had befallen them. Zelda sensed that her legs would no longer support her own weight for much longer... The water flowing over their skin seeped under Link's fingers and led to Zelda's inevitable fall, her hand slipping from his grip. She collapsed in the mud with a mournful whimper, her dress becoming even more stained and soaked than before. The young man abruptly halted his sprint and rushed to assist his lady. However, she lowered her head, refusing the hand he extended.

Understanding that his friend's strength was reaching its limits, Link crouched down to help her up, but Zelda shook her head, her throat dry.

"It's all over..." she whispered, her shoulders slumping further under the weight of grief. "I couldn't do anything all these years, I couldn't even save my people..."

The Hylian princess swallowed hard as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Ganon took everything from us. The Guardians, the Divine Beasts... They were our last weapons to stop him, but... he corrupted them."

She let out a heart-rending sob that twisted Link's stomach, leaving him feeling helpless.

"The other Champions, Urbosa..."

Zelda clutched her stomach and let out a painful cry, her trembling and sobbing intensifying.

"They're gone. And I couldn't... save them... It's all my fault..."

She whispered those last words with so much pain... He, too, felt responsible. Not for a moment did he face Ganon. Link felt like he hadn't fulfilled his duty. And it was unbearable. Zelda looked up, her cheeks red from crying.

"I've... I've lost everything..." she sobbed, locking her tear-filled eyes with his. "My people, my friends, my father... I... I failed in my duty... It's all... all my fault..."

She had whispered those last words with so much sorrow... Link, feeling equally devastated, looked at his friend with sadness and understood her pain all too well. He, too, had been unable to do anything. His sole purpose now was to protect Zelda and lead her safely to Kakariko Village.

"Princess, please..." he began softly.

But Zelda shook her head slowly, clenching her fists to hold back a few tears, in vain.

"There's no princess left, Link," she uttered weakly. "She disappeared along with this kingdom."

Her shoulders suddenly slumped, and she let out a painful cry, falling into Link's arms. Taken aback, Link caught her, placing one hand on her back and another on her shoulder. His eyes stung unpleasantly, but he didn't want to burden his companion further, so he held back tears.