Mipha: A Champion Rises

Chapter 17 - Hyrule Castle

Summary: Mipha makes her way to Hyrule Castle to confront Calamity Ganon, reuniting with Link after a century apart.

Mipha awoke as the sun rose over Pico Pond, but she had slept surprisingly well and felt fully rested. Today was her day of reckoning, but for some reason, she was not as nervous as she expected. Was this the sword's influence, giving her some boost of confidence? She ate a fish as she floated in the pond and watched the activity at Woodland Stable.

She could see people going about their usual business, feeding and grooming the horses, cleaning the ground, cooking a meal. And things must be the same back home, she thought. The children in the domain were no doubt playing by the fountain this morning, splashing each other and laughing. To almost everyone, today was nothing special, just another day in their lives. Only a few realized what she did. Today was not just any other day. Today would decide Hyrule's future.

If she, the Princess, and Link were victorious, Hyrule would be free of Ganon's evil and finally have peace. There would be a chance to rebuild, to slowly recover from a century of Ganon's destruction. Everyone would have a future, including her.

But if they failed, Hyrule was doomed. Not immediately or all at once, of course. But eventually, Calamity Ganon would extend its power and destruction to all of Hyrule. The Royal Family would be finished for good, and Ganon's victory would then be utter and complete.

As she thought about today while eating her fish, she realized it must have been much like this a century ago on the day of the Great Calamity. She could no longer remember that day, but she knew she had lived through it. And she was sure that no one waking up that morning knew that would be the day of Ganon's attack. But now she hoped Ganon would be the one surprised by an attack.

She finished her fish, and it was time to go. She activated the Sheikah Slate and materialized outside the Akkala Ancient Tech Lab. She entered, and Robbie greeted her warmly.

"Mipha! My dear Mipha! We have done well, you and I, have we not?" said Robbie rubbing his hands together. "I can tell you have appeased all four Divine Beasts. And you carry the sword that seals the darkness now too. It is time to take on the Calamity once and for all, and I am here to help."

"Yes, and you have already helped greatly," said Mipha. "I could not have prevailed without the Ancient weaponry you developed."

Robbie beamed with pleasure and seemed quite pleased with himself. Mipha approached the Ancient Oven and acquired twenty Ancient Arrows, an Ancient Bow and an Ancient Shield, which used up most of the ancient materials she had collected. But there was no point in saving them now. There would be no next time for her after this.

"You should be well equipped to deal with anything at the Castle now," said Robbie. "Just be on your guard, and don't try to take on too much at once."

"Yes, be careful," said Jerrin. "But I know you can do this."

"I won't take any chances," said Mipha. "My goal is to avoid unnecessary combat, and I think I know a way into the Castle that will achieve that. But thank you, Dr. Robbie and Jerrin. Hyrule and I both owe you a great debt of gratitude. Now I will be off."

Mipha used the Sheikah Slate to return to the shine by Woodland Stable, the location from which she would begin her journey. Mipha collected Sandy from the stable, gave her an apple, and then patted her on the neck.

"I'm going to ride you to Helmhead Bridge, Sandy, then leave you to graze in Hyrule Forest Park while I swim the rest of the way. You'll be safe there. Guardians don't attack horses. And if I survive, perhaps we will meet again. You're a good horse, Sandy, and have taken the best care of me. Let's ride now!"