A few hours later, the entire Triforce was gathered between Princess Zelda, Ganondorf, and Link. And now, the Hyrule Warrior stood in front of him holding a blue shield with the Triforce and a red bird on it.
"What is that?" Link asked.
"The Hylian Shield. It has been passed down for several thousand years between heroes. It was obtained by the Hero of the Skies from the Thunder Dragon Lanayru as a reward for completing a trial. Now it is yours to use in your fight against Valoria." The ancient hero gave the shield to Link who strapped it to his belt without hesitation.
"So what now?" Ganon asked.
"Your second set of trials is in the same location, but it is not in the same time. You will pass through Gates of Time in each of the temples that protect the sacred springs. From there, you will go to the towns in each region. Lurelin Village, Zora's Domain, and Goron City. There are people in these cities that can pass along your next mission to you." The ancient hero explained with an extremely straight face. He didn't seem to ever show emotion if he could help it.
"We will head out then. Ready for another week-long trip, everyone?" Zelda asked exasperatedly.
Demise snorted. "Forget that. We will send you to your locations immediately."
Before anyone could say anything, Link was teleported straight to the Temple of Courage. And in front of him, a dark wall made of a strange substance rose from the ground in front of him.
"Use a beam from your sword to activate the Gate of Time. You should be warned that this will take you back to a time immediately after my death. Anyone you talk to will probably say something about the hero's death. You should find the Lurelin Village elder, Trevian." the ancient hero said worriedly, perhaps allowing a note of anxiety in his voice.
I'll be alert. It will be interesting to see the past, though. Link responded curiously.
He charged up the Master Sword and sent the beam at the wall. It began to glow before shattering into several cubes and swirling around.
They started to come together before assembling into a gear-shaped wall of cubes. Finally, it smoothed out into an actual gear that was being rotated by two smaller gears. The portal was made out of a light blue material and was imprinted with several signs relating to Din, Nayru, Farore, Hylia, and the Triforce.
He tapped the portal and the center collapsed into a pitch black center. It was then filled with a bunch of rotating gears creating a tunnel.
He hesitated. Should I?
"Just step through. It will not do anything to your body except transport you to a whole other time period." the hero informed Link.
Alright. the Gerudo boy answered.
He stepped through the portal. He looked behind him and saw the temple slowly become more distant as he walked further and further.
Suddenly, he collapsed onto the ground. He was still in the temple but it seemed... young. It wasn't overgrown or cracked. It looked like it had been recently built.
He walked through the temple. He saw the statues and the entrance to the Temple of Courage. And then he really saw it.
The temple really was recently built. It was made of a fresh, white stone. The door was lined with gold with emeralds stamped into the gold. He walked down the river and eventually found the main path that went through the Faron region.
"Feel free to explore this new world. But I will let you know that no matter where you look, you will not find Zelda or Ganondorf here since, one; this is far before they were even born so they don't exist yet. Two; they did not enter the same Gate of Time as you." the Hyrule Warrior explained with a note of amusement.
Well, that brought down the excitement a little bit.
He walked towards the direction of Lake Hylia. He at least wanted to see Central Hyrule and what it was like in this time. And he did plan to go to Gerudo Town to explore his home.
He eventually reached the Great Bridge only to be surprised and want to turn back.
There was no settlement here.
"Well, of course not. The Great Bridge settlement did not come around until a thousand years after my death." the Hyrule Warrior explained.
What about Gerudo Town? Link asked.
"Ha. I'll let you figure that out on your own." the ancient hero scoffed.
Link walked across the bridge and into the Central Hyrule region. Now this felt more familiar. He was in Gateway Town and the East Post. But this was a very busy version of the town.
It was hard to believe that he was nearly two thousand years in the past.
He continued walking alongside the Great Plateau towards the Gerudo Canyon and the desert he grew- or will grow up in.
-----
Two days passed since Link had arrived in the past. It was the month following the death of the Hyrule Warrior. Many people did not know or even so much as have the idea that another hero from the future was in their presence.
Link was camped out at the Gerudo Canyon Stable for the night. He was talking to a woman who was also staying there for the night.
"So where are you from, voe?" the woman asked Link.
"Gerudo Town. Born and raised there." the hero answered.
The Gerudo lady started laughing rather loudly. "You are quite funny. According to my vaba, no voe has been born in the town in over ten thousand years. And no voe are allowed in the town." she informed Link.
What? he wondered.
"Wasn't the Hyrule Warrior living in Gerudo Town before he died?" Link asked.
She cringed slightly. "No. He lived in Gerudo Settlement. He was the only male as well as King Ganondorf and their son Jaylin allowed in the main town." she answered.
Does that mean Ganon really is your descendant? Link wondered.
"Yes and no. Maritally, yes. But by blood, no. He is not my descendant by blood because Ganondorf was the one who found a surrogate mother to carry Jaylin until he was born. I wanted a child that was related to at least one of his parents but I was appalled to even think about doing anything unfaithful to anyone other than Ganondorf." he explained with a tone hinting at possible laughter.
"Well, it is getting late. Sav'otta." Link said politely.
"Sav'saaba, young voe. Don't get into any trouble with the Gerudo, now." she walked away into the stable, leaving Link to his thoughts.
It was weird to grasp that concept. Men were not allowed within Gerudo Town at the time. That could only mean that he would not be seeing his hometown any time soon.
"You know, there IS a way to get in. But that depends on how comfortable you are with wearing women's clothes." the voice of the hero said.
I'm sure I'll live. Tell me your idea. Link requested.
"Out near Gerudo Settlement- I trust you know where that is- there is a merchant that sells Gerudo lady clothing. Go find them." the hero ordered.
Link walked out through the desert gateway and relished the sand beneath his feet. It had been weeks since he had felt the desert again. He walked along the path until he reached Kara Kara Bazaar.
That's when he saw the weirdest thing ever. His eyes widened at the sight.
He could see Gerudo Town and Gerudo Settlement off in the distance. But there wasn't a single trace of the Urbotam River flowing between the bazaar and the main town.
"There was no such thing as bodies of water in the Gerudo Desert in this time. Your alleged river had formed over the last thousand and a half years. Same with the lake you think about a lot. In this time, nothing but sand." the hero informed Link.
So that answered his question about Rujia Lake. It was nothing but sand as well.
Well, let's go see Gerudo Town first. I want to see what happens. the hero thought curiously.
"By all means. But you will not get inside." he responded.
He walked along the path towards the town in the distance. As he approached, the guards readied their spears and narrowed their eyes.
As soon as he got close, they blocked the way with their spears.
"Halt. No voe allowed in town. It is Gerudo law that-" the guard to the left began.
"-that no voe are allowed in town and only vai are permitted entry. I know." Link finished.
"Then why are you here. And how are you this fluent in the Gerudo language?" the guard asked.
"I will be born and raised here in around two thousand years. I'm from the future. I'm also the next hero of Hyrule." he explained calmly.
The guard snorted. "The future, huh? Also, prove to me you are- or will be the next hero."
He pulled out the Master Sword and the Hylian Shield. The guard raised an eyebrow. Link rolled his eyes and showed her his hand. The Triforce of Courage glowed brightly on the back of it, signaling his heroism.
Both of their eyes widened. They stepped aside and allowed him entrance.
"You are granted entrance, future hero. Make your business quick." the guard ordered with awe.
He walked in and went straight to his and Ganon's house. He knocked on the door. It opened and an older looking man answered.
"Yes?" then he saw Link. "A voe? You aren't a child of my descent so who are you?"
"I'm Link. I will be the next hero of Hyrule. I'm from two thousand years in the future." he responded, looking at the old man.
"I'm Jaylin. I'm the son of the Hyrule Warrior and Ganondorf. Well, if you tell the truth of your future life... please, please, come in." Jaylin requested politely.