Link finished unpacking his belongings and looked around the Divine Beast of Death Mountain, Vah Rudania. They had spent most of the day trying to sneak their things into the Divine Beast without being detected. Yonobo ensured everything was in perfect order and all features inside were functioning correctly before they entered Death Mountain. The atmosphere was tense, and everyone felt anxious about what lay ahead.
As they were about to set off, Yonobo voiced his concerns. "Are you sure everything's okay?" he asked, looking worried. "What if we can't go any deeper than a couple of meters, or what if the entrance is blocked?"
Link smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry," he said. I previously checked everything using the Purah pad and the Divine Beast's movement history. If everything is the same and nothing has changed, then we should be able to descend to the depths of the Lava without any issues."
Yonobo hesitated before bringing up the issue that was on his mind. "I also wanted to ask about what happened with..." he began uncertainly.
Link could sense his unease and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it," he reassured him before walking to the control panel. "Sidon and I are working through it."
Yonobo needed more convincing. He knew that Sidon had been upset with himself after snapping at Link, and he couldn't help but wonder whether they were okay. He thought about the dynamic within their group of five. He and Riju had always been close, drawn together by their shared even-temperedness and calm demeanors. On the other hand, Link, Sidon, and Tunin were much closer to each other, bonded by their daring and bravery. Yonobo couldn't help but feel like an outsider sometimes, especially considering the three of them tended to be more reckless in their actions and words.
Yonobo trusted Link's words despite his doubts and let the matter drop.
Yonobo appeared hesitant as he approached Link near the control panel. "There is something I wanted to talk to you about," he said, his voice low and unsure. "But it can wait if that's okay."
Link looked up at him, concerned. "What is it?" he asked, sensing his friend's apprehension. "Are you feeling nervous about the mission? Don't worry, we've done this before. We defeated the Gohma and the Fireblight, remember? We've got this."
Yonobo shook his head. "It's not about that," he said, eyes darting nervously. "It's about what Sidon said."
Link's brow furrowed in confusion. "What did Sidon say?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Yonobo hesitated, then spoke in a low voice. "He said that...well, he said some things that made me feel uncomfortable about your fight with him."
Link sighed, his frustration palpable. "Can we just talk about this later?" he said, returning his attention to the control panel. "He's honestly being overbearing, and I don't want his words to distract us from the mission."
Yonobo stood quietly, watching as Link completed the task at hand. With urgency, the Divine Beast began closing all available openings, plunging the room into complete darkness. The only thing visible was a control panel with an outward camera, allowing them to see their surroundings.
Rodonia made her way up Death Mountain, and the duo remained silent. They knew that the Gorons would be worried and attempt to investigate, but it was too late. The Divine Beast had sealed itself off, and no one, not even Daruk, could enter.
As they continued their descent, they were surrounded by Lava. Link, who was used to such conditions, barely broke a sweat. The Divine Beast navigated through the narrow volcano entrance, seeking more space to move around. It took the machine about an hour or two to find enough room to maneuver.
After that, they continued their journey, inching closer and closer to the volcano's center. The heat was intense, and the Lava flowed all around them. However, the Divine Beast was made to withstand such environments.
After a couple of hours, they finally emerged from the Lava, and the outward camera allowed them to see their surroundings in the volcano's depths. They had reached their destination.
They stood in silence as the divine beast descended to the ground again. The deafening silence was broken by water droplets evaporating on contact with the overheated rocks while the molten Lava pushed its way out of the volcano's entrance. Undeterred, they navigated through the darkness of the underground depths of Hyrule, guided by the coordinates inside the Divine Beast.
As they walked, the glowing Lava illuminated the path, leading them to the Temple of Fire. It was a magnificent sight, and they hurried towards it, leaving the Divine Beast at the entrance. They made sure to close it entirely in case any of the monsters lurking in the depths of Rudonia decided to venture out. Despite the increased Lava, they were determined to proceed and avoid any risks.
Upon entering the temple, they activated it and confirmed their readiness to face the temple again to each other. They quickly devised a plan to overcome the puzzles without wasting any time... like last time.
Link and Yonobo were about to enter the first room with a lock to unlock the fire temple. As they approached the entrance, LinkLinkLink turned to Yonobo and said, "Alright, same as last time. I'll cover you from behind while you open the locks."
Yonobo appeared nervous and hesitant, his voice low and almost inaudible as he spoke. "Please don't get mad like last time," he muttered.
Link let out a deep sigh, his face showing a hint of frustration. "I wasn't mad, Yonobo, just a bit frustrated. But let's leave that in the past and not bring it up again. Trust me, I've learned from it," he reassured him in a calm and playful tone.
As they approached the entrance, Yonobo couldn't help but mention the past. "Do you remember when we spent three long days trying to unlock the second lock?It was because you wanted to do it in a challenging way. You insisted on doing it from-" He trailed off, his words hesitant and uncertain as Link interrupted him. About
Link interrupted Yonobo, his voice firm but reassuring, "That's in the past, Yonobo. Let's focus on the present." Yonobo smiled nervously, his heart pounding with excitement and apprehension. He hoped they wouldn't have to spend another three days in the fire temple, braving its treacherous traps and unpredictable flames.
As they stepped inside the temple, the air was thick with smoke, and the heat was almost unbearable. Link kept his promise and covered Yonobo from behind while Yonobo shot himself up to the locks to unlock them with his fire powers. Finally, after opening several locks, they made it to the last wave.
Link and Yonobo were on their way to unlock the final lock in the fire temple. Link had been struggling with directing Yonobo to the lock but refused to give up on his original plan for quite some time. He wanted to spend at least an hour trying to open the lock, but Yonobo was getting impatient. He reminded Link that they had already done this before and needed to move on.
Feeling frustrated, Link begrudgingly gave up on his plan and decided to try again later. Yonobo couldn't help but roll his eyes and laugh at his friend's stubbornness. Finally, they went to the temple's first floor, ready to face the Gohma.
As they opened the door, they were hit with intense heat. Yonobo felt uncomfortable and could see that Link struggled to keep his cool, considering he was just a Hylian. Despite the added challenge of the increased temperature, they were determined to complete their mission and defeat the Gohma once and for all.
As they entered the center of the room, they knew that the Gohma would soon appear. They prepared themselves for battle, getting into a stance ready to fight. When the Gohma finally showed up, they were surprised that it was much faster than before, making it more challenging to fight against.
Link tried to shoot arrows at the Gohma, but it quickly dodged most of them. Yonobo also wanted to attack it, but the Gohma was too fast to be hit. Link muttered to himself, expressing his frustration, "I thought defeating it the first time was tough, but it's even more annoying this time. Why does it have to be this difficult?"
The Gohma kept sending bombs to them, making fighting even harder. The bombs exploded more randomly now and then instead of the usual timed explosion, which made it even more challenging to dodge them. Link and Yonobo had to be extra careful and alert to avoid the bombs and fight against the Gohma simultaneously.
In a swift move, Yonobo devised a clever plan to take down the menacing Gohma. He noticed that the creature was supported by three legs and realized that this was its weak spot. Without wasting any time, he approached the Gohma and, with a single strike, he took out the two legs holding the creature up.
As the Gohma fell from the ceiling, Yonobo landed next to Link, who was waiting for the perfect opportunity. Link quickly jumped on top of the Gohma and aimed for the eyes, which were its most vulnerable spot. With each hit, the Gohma became weaker and weaker until it finally collapsed.
Just as Link prepared to deliver the final blow to Gohma, the monstrous creature suddenly sprang up, surprising him. Link cursed under his breath as he quickly leaped into the air, entering bullet time, and fired his arrows at Gohma. Despite his best efforts, Gohma could dodge all of Link's arrows and quickly rebuilt its damaged legs. It then let out a roar and moved erratically around the room, making it difficult for Link and Yonobo to predict its movements.
Link and Yonobo tried their best to avoid the bombs that Gohma left behind in its path. As they moved around, Gohma continued to walk all over the room, causing debris to fall from the ceiling. Link turned around to check the door and saw that 6 to 8 bombs were placed strategically near it. He shouted a warning to Yonobo, but it was too late. The bombs exploded, sending a powerful shockwave throughout the room and blasting the door outward.
The scene briefly paused as Link and Yonobo assessed their situation. Suddenly, Link saw an opportunity to block the door and quickly ran towards it. However, Gohma was already charging toward him. Link lifted his sword and prepared to strike, but the monster was quick and agile. It climbed over him and escaped through the door.
Link and Yonobo watched as the Gohma exited the fire temple. They saw the monster roar of frustration as it realized that Lova had blocked off the volcano entrance, preventing it from reaching the surface. The Gohma was filled with anger and rage, showing in its every move.
Link wasted no time and immediately ran after the Gohma. He directed Yonobo to attack one of its legs, hoping to slow it down. However, their efforts were in vain, as the Gohma quickly turned around and faced them. It looked at them with its glowing red eye and then ran away into the darkness, disappearing from their sight.
Link, with frustration in his voice, muttered, "Damn it, I'm not going to chase you all over the depths" as he tried to follow the Gohma. Yonobo, his companion, kept following him and shot himself at the legs of the dogma. However, it avoided Yonobo's attacks by jumping to high parts of the depths or hiding under roots, making it challenging to catch.
Despite the difficulty, they continued to chase the Gohma for miles, leaving the Akkala Highlands area of the depths until they reached the entrance of the Rist Mine. The Gohma rushed into the Rist Mine without hesitation, not bothering to look back. Link, who had been running after the Gohma, finally realized where they were. At that moment, a look of realization appeared as he realized the ordeal of finding and catching the Gohma in the narrow mine.
Link and Yonobo were standing at the entrance of the Rist Mine, staring at the colossal, mechanical Gohma in the distance. Link turned to Yonobo and said, "Yonobo, stay here and direct Rudania. I have a plan."
Yonobo looked at Link with concern and asked, "But, Link, are you going to face it alone?" Link handed him his Purah Pad to command the divine beast and replied confidently, "I'm just going to distract it. All you have to do is get the divine beast here and fire at it with its weapons."
Without waiting for Yonobo's response, Link rushed off towards the Gohma. As he disappeared into the illuminated mine entrance, Yonobo only hoped that Link would be safe. He took a deep breath and waited for Link or the divine beast to arrive. He knew he had to be ready to fire at the Gohma as soon as Rudania arrived. He couldn't let Link down.
------------
Link continued running down the path of the Rist mine, his heart pounding in his chest as he searched for the Gohma. The creature had been causing destruction and chaos throughout the mine and depths, and Link knew he had to stop it before it caused any more damage and found a way to the surface.
Finally, he spotted the Gohma. The creature stood at a dead end, looking around for a way out. Link quickly raised his bow, taking the Gohma. He fired an arrow, hitting the creature's back, causing it to turn around.
But just as the Gohma turned, it caught sight of Link for a split second before jumping into the ceiling. Link watched in amazement as the creature roared in frustration, realizing it was trapped.
Suddenly, the Gohma began dropping bombs all over the mine. Link stood his ground, his eyes fixed on the creature as it moved towards him. He knew he had to act fast. He shot an arrow toward the Gohma with a steady hand, blocking its exit point.
The Gohma glared at him, looking angry and frustrated. But then, Something caught its attention, and it looked past Link, its eyes widening in shock.
Link raised his bow again, ready to fire at the Gohma again. But then he heard a sound from behind him. He turned around and cursed under his breath as he saw the Frox hiding in the mine. It was ready to unleash a powerful gust of wind that would suck Link into its stomach. He knew he had to act fast if he wanted to survive.
Link found himself in a dead-end with the Gohma, and to his horror, the Frox jumped in, ready to absorb everything in its path. He watched as the Gohma scrambled onto the wall, clinging to the ceiling and fighting the wind with all its might. Link quickly reacted by using one of his swords as a stake to prevent the Frox from pulling him into its grasp.
The Gohma, still clinging to the ceiling, found an opening when the Frox stopped inhaling air. It jumped down and attacked the Frox from underneath, momentarily stunning it and allowing the Gohma to make a run for it. Link followed, hoping Yonobo could get the divine beast to their location in time. Meanwhile, the Frox was disoriented and confused, unable to determine where its prey had gone.
Link saw the Gohma running further into the mine's depths as they reached the entrance. He was about to shoot an explosive arrow when suddenly a blue beam of light materialized, destroying the Gohma's three legs and leaving it immobile. Link and the Gohma turned to see that Yonobo had taken control of Rudania and was using its powers to blast the Gohma.
Link cried joy as the Gohma roared in defeat and exploded after one last shot of the divine beast's laser. Link rushed towards Rudania, and Yonobo opened the main gate for him, allowing him to board the divine beast. Just as the door closed, the Frox emerged from the mine and saw Rudania. It quickly retreated into the depths, realizing it was no match for such a powerful being.
Yonobo approached Link with a broad smile and embraced him tightly. "We did it, Link!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with happiness. The strength of the hug took Link aback, but he hugged Yonobo back and shared in the moment of celebration. They had just defeated the Gogma, and it was a momentous occasion.
Link noticed it was hard to see ahead of them as they returned to the surface. Even with the lights from the Divine Beast, the darkness was too thick. "I should have activated the light routes when I was down here before," he said, disappointed in himself.
"Don't worry about it now. We can always do it later," Yonobo reassured him, his smile never faltering. "Let's just enjoy the moment and celebrate our victory over the Gohma."
Yonobo suddenly fell silent and looked at Link with concern. "You know what Sidon was talking about, right?" he asked.
The Link needs to be confusing, and I asked Yonobo to explain. Yonobo rolled his eyes and said, "He's just being overdramatic. But for now, let's just focus on our victory."
Yonobo asked Link a question that made him pause. "If he overreacted, why did it affect you so much?" he asked. Link was unsure how to respond, so he remained silent and let Yonobo continue.
Yonobo reminisced about their Time in Goron City. "You know," he said, "back in Goron City, I was really struggling with my shyness and cowardice. But the only reason I was able to overcome those feelings was because of you. You helped me in ways that you probably don't even realize. But, at the same time, you weren't the only one who helped me."
Link was surprised to hear that he had played an essential role in Yonobo's life. He tried to downplay his impact, saying, "You overcame that by yourself. You didn't need me to help you with anything. You honestly did that on your own."
Despite Link's modesty, Yonobo was insistent. "No, Link," he said. "You really did make a difference. And I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you did for me."
Yonobo interrupted Link as they journeyed towards the lava-infested depths of the Divine Beast. "I didn't," he said, responding to something Link noted earlier. "Do you remember when you first came? I was so jumpy about everything. I didn't learn to open up on my own. It was because of you and how you presented yourself to me and everyone in the village. You were fearless and didn't care about anything, and that motivated me to open myself up."
Link looked at Yonobo, nodding in understanding. "I'm glad I could help," he said.
"But that wasn't enough," Yonobo continued. "I remember all the Gorons back home. I remember Bludo helping me whenever I was having a hard time. And not physically, you know? Sometimes, there are things that weigh us down so much that we can't see the full truth of our actions. Sometimes, all we need is someone to listen to us."
Link listened intently, wondering what Yonobo was trying to say.
"I know that if Bludo and the rest of the Gorons hadn't pushed me to reveal some of my hardships, I would have never opened up about anything," Yonobo said. "I would still be the shy Young Goron you first met so many years ago."
Link smiled, glad that Yonobo was able to open up and become the strong leader he is today.
Link was taken aback by the statement and furrowed his brows in confusion. "But what does this have to do with me?" he asked, trying to make sense of the other Yonobo's words.
Yonobo replied, "For me, it was my shyness that held me back, but for you, it could be any unresolved trauma that's weighing you down and preventing you from moving forward."
The Link quickly dismissed the idea, his tone laced with frustration. "I don't have any trauma," he said with a hint of irritation. "And I don't care what Sidon said. He's always been overdramatic and overprotective."
Suddenly, Yonobo interjected with a piercing question, his voice barely above a whisper. "Then it's not the fact that you let Zelda fall?" Link's eyes widened as he froze, trying to process the question. "Or that the kingdom fell 100 years ago because you weren't strong enough?" Yonobo continued, his eyes fixed on the ground as if he were ashamed to say such things. "Because, honestly, that's not your fault."
Link struggled to respond, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of Yonobo's words. "I don't know what you're talking about," he finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Have you been feeling guilty about letting Zelda fall and accidentally time-travel into the past? It's okay, Link, I know it wasn't your fault. But I can understand why you might be blaming yourself. Besides that, you also feel guilty about what happened a hundred years ago, even though you don't have all your memories relating to what happened to your family or anything else. That's a heavy burden to carry, my dear friend. And I know that you may also feel guilty about involving us to save the KKingdom but let me tell you Something - we're here because we want to be. We believe in you, and we believe in the cause. It's not just Sidon who's noticed this issue; Riju and Tulin have also mentioned it. They're both young and may not fully comprehend the depth of emotions you might be going through, so Sidon feels it's necessary to call you out on these things to reassure them that you're also suffering like they are. But Link, I want you to know that you have a lot of things going on in your head. It's okay to talk about them, even if it's just with yourself. You don't have to keep it all bottled up inside. You're not alone, and you don't have to bear the weight of these feelings all by yourself. We're here for you, always."
"I don't need this talk," Link mumbled.
"I understand that you may not think you do, but I believe that you do. You're one of my closest friends, and you've motivated me to become the amazing person I am today. I need to make sure that you're okay and that you're not torturing yourself from the inside out with things that were out of your control." Yonobo pointed out, " you also have to remember we are young but we also understand trauma and loss, you weren't the only one that lost Zelda that day Zelda was one of our closest friends too but we know that that wasn't your fault either."
Link's voice trembled with sorrow and confusion as he spoke, "What do you want me to do?" He took a deep breath and continued, "You say it's not my fault? But every time I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror or any reflective surface, I'm reminded that I'm still here, but...I don't even know who I am anymore." Tears welled up in his eyes as he stared into the distance.
Yonobo's heart sank at the sight of Link's pain. He looked at him with deep concern and asked, "What do you mean?" His gentle voice, hoping to understand what Link was going through.
Link sat on the ground with a distant gaze as he spoke, his voice filled with pain. "I spent weeks observing the Link of this timeline, watching him go about his daily routine and interact with everyone. But it was clear that his life revolved around protecting the crown. He had no other interests or relationships. And when I look back on my own memories, I realize that I have never had a true friend. Mipha was only an acquaintance because of my father's connections with the Zora Kingdom. I didn't even know I had a father until I found some old documents hidden in the castle. I have no idea who I am or where I came from."
As he continued, Link's voice grew more agitated, and his pain became palpable. "Zelda had faith that I would rescue her and waited in that castle for almost a century, hoping that I would come and save her. But when I finally woke up, I had no memory of who I was or who she was. And when my memories returned, I discovered that I was an empty shell, devoid of emotions or connections. The Link of the past was just as hollow as I am now, with nothing to anchor him to this world except his loyalty to the crown. And even that loyalty failed him." Yonobo tried to reassure him, but Link's anger continued to simmer beneath the surface, his heart heavy with the weight of his emptiness and lack of purpose.
"Link, please remember that you are not a mere shell. You are a unique and valuable being, just like every other individual in this world. The events 100 years ago were tragic, but it was a destined fate that no one could have prevented. Your research has revealed that Calamity Ganon's manifestation was inevitable, as the accumulation of dark energy and matter had made it an unstoppable force." Yonobo began to speak, hoping to provide some comfort and reassurance.
Link's frustration was palpable as he snapped, "I was the one destined to destroy it, and I failed."
Yonobo, listening to Link's outburst, snapped back, finally making eye contact with Link. "You were not destined to defeat it," he said firmly. "You were just a boy who was chosen by a sword. That's all you were. You didn't have to follow a destiny. You were just a boy, and the KKingdomtook advantage of that. You were cheated out of a childhood and trained to believe it was your destiny to save the KKingdom But in reality, you were nothing but a boy controlled into doing grown folk business," Yonobo stated, his voice filled with empathy.
Link looked at Yonobo, confused. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.
"How can they expect a 14-year-old boy to go through something like the Calamity Cannon?" Yonobo continued. "At that point, you didn't even know about Ganondorf. Were you also destined to destroy Ganondorf when there was no one to defeat him in the first place? Calamity Ganon, the first one, was created because of the Dark Matter under the KKingdom Dark matter that nobody can control except for Ganondorf, who somehow regained enough control over that matter to create Calamity Ganon. You were just a pawn in a much larger game, Link," Yonobo told him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
" but what happened with Zelda was---"
"But what happened with Zelda was not your fault either. How were you supposed to know that the ground she was standing on was about to collapse? And how were you supposed to know that Gandalf was sealed under the castle? You are not to blame for this; neither is Zelda or anyone else outside Ganondorf. That's why we have to defeat him, and that's what we have to work together for.
You think you must do this alone just because the sword chose you. Excuse me if I repeat precisely what Sidon said. You don't have to. If you look back, how many heroes have failed? The first hero failed to get rid of Calamity Ganon permanently. He was far from defeating Ganondorf.
Then, what happened during our timeline when we defeated Ganon? You almost died. We only had a clear chance to win it all when we showed up to aid you in the battle against Ganondorf. I won't take the credit for it because I don't believe I deserve that credit either. But it would help if you remembered that you are not alone and have us with you. We are with you."
They walked silently for a while, the guilt weighing heavily on them. Yonobo had told Link Something he didn't want to hear but knew was necessary. As they made their way through the depths towards the depths under Death Mountain, they remained silent, lost in their thoughts.
Finally, Yonobo broke the silence. "You can't walk away from this conversation forever, you know. At some point, the young ones are going to figure it out too. They're not as naive as you think. I'm sure they know more than they let on, and I'm also sure that they know more than Sidon and I do. But just know that we're here for you."
Suddenly, Link was hugging Yonobo tightly, his body shaking with sobs. Yonobo was taken aback, but he hugged Link back as tightly, feeling tears prick at the corners of his eyes. This was a breakthrough - Yonobo knew that Link was finally starting to open up.
"I'll listen to you, no matter what... we all will," Yonobo whispered, holding Link close. He knew that whatever had happened, he was there to support him.
----------
As the surroundings cleared, an echo filled the air, and everyone's vision became clearer. They could see a tiny droplet falling into a water source, causing ripples that eventually revealed a beautiful temple-like structure. The temple was surrounded by lush trees that provided a serene and relaxing atmosphere, and the ocean view from the temple was breathtaking.
As the memory progressed, everyone observed the temple getting closer until it reached the part of the temple that hung over a cliff edge with waterfalls cascading down from the side of the walls. They could see a woman standing in front of a table, and as the memory zoomed in, they could see that it was a young woman with short blonde hair wearing ancient attire. The woman appeared deep in thought, looking off into the distance, and her expression was contemplation. Her gaze was fixed on the horizon as if waiting for Something or someone to arrive. The intricate details of the temple's architecture were also visible, with its elaborate carvings and unique design. The whole scene was incredibly peaceful and mystical, leaving everyone in awe.
She closed her eyes for a second as they suddenly got a vision of a corpse that looked very much mummified with red malice coming from it while a glowing blue-green hand lay over its heart. The next memory was shown, and it revealed that the mummy was facing them and was suddenly cut on the cheek by Something Sharp.
"With that, the sword that seals the darkness? A blade that shudders so easily against my power cannot save you from me," they all heard the corpse say as it slowly started to arrive and move no longer with the hand on its chest.
The memory suddenly shifted, returning me to the old Deku Tree in the forest. This time, the same woman stood before it with a man with blonde hair who looked just like Link.
"The sword will only grow stronger if it is infused with sacred power. The stronger the power, the mightier the sword becomes," spoke the Deku Tree. But just as suddenly, the memory shifted once again.
The next memory was of a young woman sitting at a table in the middle of what looked like a pond. She sat across from another woman with longer hair and pointier ears. The two of them were engaged in an intense conversation. "After all," the long-haired woman spoke, "you possess more than just power over time. You have a sacred power that can dispel evil."
Suddenly, the memory changed, and a humanoid creature with a goat or fox-like face appeared. It spoke in a deep, raspy voice, "To swallow a secret stone is to become an immortal dragon... One blessed with eternal life." It was unclear to everyone watching the memory what kind of creature it was, but the words it spoke were captivating.
The memory returned to the young woman listening intently to the creature's words. She was the same woman as before and seemed curious about what the beast had just said. The memory left a sense of intrigue and wonder lingering in the air.
As the memory resurfaced, the scene changed to a woman standing outside a temple. The details were more vivid this time, and they could see her face. The woman looked up at the sky, and a white-blue flame floated beside her. She held a device in her hand and spoke softly, "Mineru... I'm counting on you." The blue flame slowly went inside the device, causing it to glow momentarily.
As the light faded away, a mechanical being approached the young woman, and she greeted it with a nod. The being handed her the device, and she accepted it with both hands. She watched as the thing turned around and floated away with the machine before leaving the area without a word.
The woman's gaze shifted to a table nearby, where they could now see a destroyed Master Sword. Her expression changed from mild to determined as she observed it.
"Link," the woman spoke softly. "I will restore the Master Sword for you," she said as the memory returned to the device carrying the machine handed to it, and everyone watched her speak. "I will care for it until the time comes. I will pour my sacred power into it. It will be the weapon that defeats the Demon King." She spoke as she raised her hand to touch her necklace.
She quickly pulled the Stone attached to the necklace and brought it to her, staring at it intently. As another vision of a memory passed through everyone's head, the humanoid being from before spoke, "To become an immortal dragon is to lose oneself."
They could see their room, which was filled with many books. However, what caught everyone's attention was the being standing beside the woman who was listening to the other speaking. This being was much taller than the other and had long hair that reached the floor, but it still looked like the being that was speaking. Suddenly, they found themselves outside the temple, watching the girls stare down at the Stone in one of their hands.
The woman closed her eyes briefly before slowly opening them again and began to speak again. "You must..." she said before swallowing the Stone she held.
The once-lively area fell into a sudden silence as a bird's chirping stopped and the wind started to pick up, covering the sun's warm rays with dark and gloomy clouds. The atmosphere shifted to one of solace as everyone watched in awe as the scenery around them transformed. Then, their attention was drawn to the woman, who slowly lowered her hands from her mouth and opened her eyes.
Momentarily, nothing happened as she stood up straight, but a sudden gasp escaped her lips, and a brilliant light erupted from her chest. The bright and powerful light illuminated everything around her, casting a warm and comforting glow over the previously darkened area.
Despite the intense pain that she was experiencing, the woman fought through it and slowly made her way over to the table where the once-destroyed Master Sword lay. She reached out for it with trembling hands, her chest still clenched in agony. With every passing moment, the light from her chest grew even brighter and more intense.
"Link!" the woman cried out, her voice filled with pain and excitement.
Finally, with determination, the woman closed her eyes and held onto the Master Sword with all her might, the brilliant light from her chest shining even brighter.
"protect them all!" she shouted. Suddenly, they got a close-up look at her eyes as the white parts turned purple, and her green eyes turned blue and animalistic as light erupted from her chest, getting brighter and brighter until an explosion happened within her. The light covered the entire area, and suddenly, a roar came from the light. A dragon emerged at the top of the morning, flying up into the sky and roaring. The dragon continued to slither out of sight as the light faded, leaving everyone in awe of the pure white dragon with blue crystals on its back.
They watched the memory closely as it showed a close-up look into one of the dragon's eyes. They saw a tear building up, and just as it was about to fall, it broke into a bunch of tears, spreading throughout the skies. Even then, the dragon continued to fly further into the sky, not turning back. They couldn't help but watch with sadness as the dragon disappeared into the dark clouds above.
The sky cleared up as soon as the dragon disappeared, and the sun peeked through the clouds again, illuminating the area with its warmth. However, despite the clear skies, the dragon was nowhere to be seen; no trace lingered. The scenery shifted, and the four individuals stood outside the temple, watching what had happened. From their appearance, they were not Hylian's; each represented a different species - a Zora, a Rito, a Goron, and a Garudo. They stood still, caused by what they had witnessed, and continued to gaze at the sky. Suddenly, the effect from before returned, and they could see the water rippling as the memory faded into nothing, leaving them in awe.
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The memory of what they had just witnessed lingered in their minds, leaving everyone in silence, deep in thought. The vision they had just seen was beyond belief - a woman had transformed into a dragon right before their eyes. It was an impossibility that they couldn't deny, as they had all witnessed the dragon only moments before.
The guards behind the royal family and the champions were equally perplexed and anxious about their next move. They were taken aback by what they had just seen and didn't know what to do next.
In the midst of all this, Princess Zelda's reaction was particularly noteworthy. She was crying, inconsolable, and shaken by what had just happened. Her tears, which flowed uncontrollably, hinted at the immense emotional turmoil she was experiencing. The others looked at her with empathy and concern, realizing how much this event had affected her.
As Zelda watched the memories, she couldn't help but feel perplexed. The location they were in was like nothing she had ever seen before. The temple was ancient and looked even older than some of the Sheikah buildings from ancient times. The structure was similar to the buildings she had seen in the Zonai Ruins but with a unique touch that made it stand out.
However, her primary concern was the woman in the memory. She looked eerily similar to Zelda, but she couldn't place her. She wanted to know more about her, but the memory left her with more questions than answers. She put that thought aside momentarily and focused on the other details in the memory.
Zelda was amazed and shocked by the dragon and how it came to be. She had never heard of anything like it before. The dragon was majestic and beautiful, but the circumstances surrounding its appearance were strange and mysterious. All these points left her with a lot to think about, and she felt fascinated and perplexed.
Were all the dragons like that? Did they all come from ancient Hylians? And what precisely was with that Stone? The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't help but think about her mother. That woman looked like her mother except a little bit shorter and with shorter hair. She held herself proudly, with a look of Grace in her eye, as she committed to becoming an immortal Dragon and sacrificing herself to someone named Link.
That confused her even more: Was there someone named Link in the past? They are also the wielders of the master sword. And then what happened to the master sword? Why was it destroyed? Zelda couldn't help but wonder as she continued to ponder the memory while everyone watched her. Without realizing it, her eyes started to water the more she thought.
But one thought that remained in the forefront of her mind was... Was that her mother? How did she go back in time, or where was the building where this memory took place? Of course, she first assumed that it was a memory instead of a vision because, from what she could gather from her previous research, the woman was wearing an old Zonai outfit.
Just as she was about to turn around, Link placed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to look at him. He shook his head to let her know to look down, and she broke down crying when she did. She barely found a single silent princess flower in the Kingdom for years. There were hundreds below her feet as she pounded the meaning of this memory or vision.
She broke down to the floor crying as Link crouched beside her, reassuring her that everything was fine in his way. Behind them, the Champions anxiously watched them as they pondered the memories.
It was odd that Zelda was her mother, but everyone else also knew what this could mean. They all knew that that was Zelda. They see her almost every day, and they know her. That woman might not be the Young, naive girl they see now, but she was still the same girl dedicated to saving the KKingdom.
The Champions were confused. At least two of them were, to an extent. Urbosa had figured it out by the young woman's first glance. I should continue to watch the memory she placed you into together. I was intrigued about what she saw, even more so that the Stone the woman ate was almost exactly like hers. Even more, she figured out that the sage of Time was Zelda. And given the name, she figured that Zelda was in that time... In that memory, she had time manipulation abilities.
King Rhoam could only watch his daughter with a look of desperation and pity as she sobbed to the Royal Knight Link. He had also figured out that the woman in the memory or Vision was Zelda. He knew his wife, and he also knew his daughter. He was confused about why his daughter looked so much older in the memory of the past and what caused the master's sword to get destroyed, transforming his daughter into this beastly creature.
Now, he understood his daughter's obsession with the past. He looked over at Urbosa for a second and caught her eye. She nodded to him, and they hesitantly walked to each other.
" you understand this Vision, don't you?" Rhoam asks her.
" I do, but not for the reason you think," Urbosa said. I need to tell you Something, but it should be in private, and Zelda and the rest of the Champions, only us... It would be better that way."
" do you believe that that woman was my wife?" King Rhoam asked.
"no," the woman said," and I also believe that the person she talked about in that vision is the master sword-wielder link." She looked at the crime princess and her royal night, who tried to comfort her in his own Silent Way.
"We will discuss this as soon as we get back to the castle, " King Rhoam said sternly. Urbosa nodded and went to Comfort Zelda and the rest of the Champions, except for one.
Thinking back, he didn't know how he didn't put two and two together, but now it was a little clearer. The Zelda from the Vision was much older, looking to be in her mid-20s at least... Just like the man that Revali talked to back in his village and had gone up to that floating ship in the sky. There was no possible way was there. He kept reassuring himself as he thought back to every encounter he had had with the man and how he felt the man had a feeling of familiarity with him.
Revali couldn't help but look over at Link. He looked at him intently for a couple of seconds as he approached everyone, and finally, a look of realization hit him. How could it be possible? He asked himself
" there's no possible way," he mumbled to himself.
"What are you talking about?" Urbosa asked him, wanting to confirm that he had placed two together and had the same theory as hers, maybe even figuring Something out before she did.
Ravali looked up at her for a second and caught a glimpse of the look in her eye before realizing that she, indeed, also had the same theory that he did.
" you know him?" he asked her quietly. Urbosa just nodded her head before placing a hand on his shoulder.
" who's the discussion we must have in private... I also have some explaining to do, " she said as she placed her hand over the earring hanging from her ear and showing brightly. Revali just nodded his head wide with his eyes as he looked away and toward Link again.
Ravali just continued watching As time passed. After a while, Zelda finally got up from her place on the ground after picking up a single silent princess flower.
They watched as she got back at her horse, and the King ordered everyone to retreat to the Citadel. The way back was silent, nobody mentioning anything about the vision, deciding to keep that until they returned to the Citadel. As they were making their way around, they spotted the stable hand from before making his way down the path that they were going through. When he spotted them, he instantly rushed towards them but was stopped by several gardens.
"My apologies for interrupting you again, my princess, but the man has come back and has given me this letter to return to you. He told me to have you read it as soon as you're done with whatever you were doing," the man said as he held up a letter. One of the guards took the note and handed it to the princess and the King, who were writing their horses together.
Zelda looked up at her father to ask permission to unseal the letter, and when he did, she read aloud.
--dear Zelda---
He might have just discovered the vision I have taken you to. There are 16 more tears or memories, as I like to call them, of the dragon that would hold a vision such as the one you just saw throughout the Kingdom.
I am sure you are confused as to who I am and why I'm helping you when I never approached you about this before, but all I can tell you is that you will get all your answers in due time and that all that I do is for the future of the Kingdom.
But now you must be wondering where you can find the rest of the tears. I will give you the location of every single one of them as long as you wait two weeks for that information. If you decide to wait that long, you will find the information I hold more rewarding.
I understand this is a lot of information for you to process, but I 100% guarantee that I know you can handle it.
---Take care from L----
Zelda read the letter out loud, and everyone looked at the letter and confusion. Why did the man need two weeks for her to start searching for the rest of the memories when they were running out of time? They had to face the Calamity again, so this man wasted their time. Those were the thoughts of many of the guards, but the King had other thoughts.
"This man is preparing us for something much bigger than we are ready for, " Rhoam said suddenly. Everyone looked over at him, even Zelda. " This man says that he does what he does for the safety of this Kingdom, and I believe in him." He said this as they continued to March towards the Citadel.
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Upon reaching the Citadel, the King ordered everyone except Zelda, the Champion, and his guard to leave. The trio was left to contemplate the implications of the vision and the mysterious note that had recently come to light. They were all lost in deep thought, trying to make sense of the situation.
After a few moments of silence, Zelda finally broke the silence. "I'm so confused," she said, voicing her confusion and bewilderment.
Sensing the need for clarity, Urbosa spoke up. "That's Something we'll need to discuss later. For now, let's break down our information and see if we can make sense of it," she suggested, hoping to bring some order to the situation.
Rhoam began to speak seriously, "Before we proceed, I wish to address Something. That Stone that the woman ate caused her to turn into a dragon. Why do you have it?" Urbosa looked up at the King before turning to display her earrings.
She then explained to everyone how a sandstorm had hit her town and how they had discovered a monstrous being hidden under the sand. The man they had just met had allowed them to see this vision, and another Gerudo woman was present, too. After defeating the monster, the woman and the man pleaded with Urbosa to allow them to explain themselves before she took them in.
Rhoam interrupted sternly and asked why Urbosa didn't report this immediately since it was her duty as a champion. Urbosa continued to explain, stating that when they found the monster, they also found a secret stone floating in a shrine. The man and the woman explained that she would get her answers if she approached the rock. So, she did. Urbosa got a vision of an ancient being, one of her old ancestors, who explained what happened millions of years ago, even before the Calamity. The room was filled with gasps as Urbosa continued, "She explained to me who the Demon King was and how sages were chosen to defeat him when he tried to take over the kingdom millions of years ago."
Zelda looked at Urbosa confusedly and asked, "But what does this have to do with you having one of those... secret stones?"
Urbosa took a deep breath and began to explain. She revealed that the sage of Thunder had chosen her as the next stage of lightning after giving her visions of the demon king and the past. Her words shocked everyone, and they stared at her with wide eyes.
After the vision, Urbosa tried to speak to the boy and woman she had seen, but they could only give her short answers. They promised she would receive the rest of her answers later, and it seemed like she finally had.
Rhoam asked King Urbosa if she knew anything else about the vision. She hesitated momentarily before admitting that she had pieced some things together but wasn't entirely sure if they were accurate. However, she did confirm that she wasn't the only sage chosen in that vision.
As she looked at Ravali and the other champions, Urbosa revealed that other sages in the vision would also be chosen. Everyone was stunned by this revelation, and even the champions were taken aback.
"Are you saying we would be considered the sages of our element?" Mipha asked Urbosa
Urbosa nodded in response. "That is indeed what I'm trying to say," she said. "But I cannot confirm it unless the man is here to confirm my theory."
King Rhoam, also in the room, joined the conversation. "Did the man say anything about Zelda when you met him?" he asked Urbosa.
"No," Urbosa replied. She was never mentioned in conversation. We were worrying about other matters at the time. But I may have discovered Something that could aid us in this critical moment," she said, looking directly at the King. "But I must warn you, it's a bit complicated and confusing, at least it was for me." She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts. "The man claimed that he used to work for you as a servant of low rankings. He described himself as a simple commoner who stumbled upon a hidden library under the castle while he was in the dungeons one evening. He was intrigued and convinced friends to investigate this newly discovered area beneath the court. They found many hidden discoveries, some of which the man shared with me."
Urbosa's voice became more animated as she recalled her conversation with the black-haired man. "He mentioned that the library contained ancient books and manuscripts that were previously unknown to the public. He also claimed to have found maps and secret passages that could be useful in this current situation."
She concluded her report, "That's all I know, but I believe it's worth investigating further. There could be valuable information hidden in that library to aid us in these trying times."
The statement caught everyone's attention, particularly the guard beside the King. The guard sought permission to speak before saying, "As far as I know, no one, especially a commoner, is allowed into the dungeons. Not even regular servants are permitted to enter without special consent, and even then, they must be monitored closely."
The King asked, "Did he explain to you how he ended up in the dungeon?"
Urbosa replied, "No, but I have a hunch that he lied about that. However, he did tell me about the hidden portion under the castle. He even provided me with evidence that Something was concealed beneath the castle, although it was insufficient to direct me towards the correct direction to lead you down there. That's what I could gather."
Zelda inquired, her voice laced with interest and curiosity, "I am wondering, what exactly did he show you?"
The woman took a deep breath before responding, "He presented me with some priceless ancient books that revealed the intricate castle structure and its actual depth. However, the pages that contained information about the entrances were either blocked off or ripped out. It was evident that he was hiding Something fundamental about the castle, and he spoke very little truth. His story was convincing only with regards to the part he disclosed."
The King interjected, "Very well then, let's talk about who this woman was," indicating his intention to steer the conversation toward the matter. "This woman has an eerie resemblance to my late wife." Zelda looked down to the ground, her eyes fixated on the floor. She was lost in deep thought, not just about the hidden passageways beneath the castle but also about the woman in the vision who could have been her mother.
Urbosa, with a firm voice, repeated her opinion to the other champions, "I strongly believe that the woman you saw was not your wife, my dear friend." She continued, "The woman I saw in my vision was the Sage of Time. She was the one who asked the Sage of Lightning for help in the future, which ultimately led me to possess the secret Stone."
With a hint of confusion in her voice, Zelda added, "If the rest of the champions receive a secret Stone, there is a chance that we'll get our answers later on. However, what's still unclear to me is why she mentioned Link's name. Do you think that there was a man named Link who tried to save Hyrule in the past but failed?"
"I believe that is a possibility, Your Majesty," Mipha said, breaking the silence. "Only time will tell if it's true. However, I have another concern to address." She got everyone's attention, and Mipha's voice rose above the silence in the room. "While the vision ended, I saw four figures standing on a hill in the distance, watching as the Sage of Time transformed into a dragon. It was a sight that shook me to the core." She paused before continuing. "I believe I saw one of those figures only a few months ago."
King Rhoam's eyes narrowed as he listened to her. "explain what you mean."
Mipha took a deep breath before continuing. "Before I left for this task, I went looking for my brother. I found him at the entrence of the zora domain and as i picked him up i saw him wave at someone behind me near the entrance of the Zora Domain. I was about to take him back when i turned around and I saw a Zora man with a mask that looked like my Divine Beast Vah Ruta but much older and with great detail. It was an eerie sight, and it stayed with me ever since."
" why didn't you mention the sooner?" Zelda asked. She was not only concerned that they might make another discovery as to who the man was and who his accomplices were but also that Mipha didn't tell them that her brother had run off again.
"Because I believe we had bigger things to worry about. My apologies for not speaking up sooner. Also, my father did not believe it would be beneficial for you to involve yourself with family matters such as my brother running away again..." Mipha clarified.
Rhoam acknowledged Mipha's concern and said, "That is something we must look into." He suggested that Mipha and the rest of the Champions investigate what her brother has been doing outside during his free time to solve this mystery. Rhoam even waved off any concern that the other King might have with his involvement in his Kingdom or his own family, affirming that Mipha's father could speak to him if any issue arose.
Mipha expressed her gratitude and said, "I have tried talking to my brother, but unfortunately, it didn't work. I believe he would be more receptive if he had some help." She thanked King Rhoam for agreeing to assist her in this matter."
The atmosphere was tense as the influential figures discussed the recent strange happenings. Daruk spoke up, his voice conveying a hint of concern as he reported that his Divine Beast was missing from its usual position outside Death Mountain.
King Rhoam acknowledged Daruk's words with a solemn nod. "It's highly likely that the same person responsible for this is behind the other odd occurrences. We need to act fast to uncover the truth," he said calmly yet firmly.
Turning to address the group, Kink Rhoam gave them their orders. "Daruk, you should return to your town and investigate the whereabouts of your Divine Beast. The rest of you will head to the Zora domain to investigate the mysterious figure that has been sighted. Additionally, I will dispatch guards throughout the Kingdom to search for the so-called 'tears' that have been mentioned."
He fell silent for a moment, his expression grave. "There is one more matter of concern," he continued. "This man appears to be familiar with my daughter. I urge you all to keep a watchful eye on her and ensure her safety at all times."
With that, the group nodded in agreement and dispersed to carry out their assigned tasks, each feeling the weight of the situation upon them.
As he made this particular statement, it was evident that he wanted to convey the message that his daughter's safety was of utmost importance and that his protectors should be ready to sacrifice their own lives to ensure her protection. Zelda could sense that her father was anxious about her well-being, especially after the recent vision they had just encountered. She knew that he would immediately consult with the prophets and other high-ranking royal family members to determine the best course of action in this situation.
Once everyone left the throne room, they gathered in front of the Citadel.
"I best be off to go look for my Divine Beast... Probably has Something to do with that young Goron that has been spotted around," Daruk stated as he started to walk away.
"Best be safe out there," Mipha said as she nodded at him.
"Safe journeys, and if you come across anything odd, contact us immediately," Urbosa added.
"Safe travels, Daruk," Zelda said as she waved goodbye to him. Daruk waved back and headed towards Death Mountain, leaving the rest behind.
They all decided to go to the Citadel as soon as the next day dawned on them. They were exhausted, especially after witnessing that vision, and had much to think about and discuss together.
The silent individual ascended to the Citadel's top, seeking solace in the starry sky. They sat there alone for what seemed like an endless amount of time until they eventually let out a breath.
"What could this possibly mean?" they pondered aloud, their thoughts jumbling. Revali felt bewildered and vexed by the situation. He tried to piece everything together, hoping his conclusions were incorrect, but the evidence revealed the same outcome.
He had spent considerable time with the man who went by the name Link. He answered to that name as if it was a part of his identity - like it was his birthright. Could this man be the Link he knew, who always seemed to think he was superior to him? Or was he a traveler from the past, sent to prevent some great evil that would soon emerge? This man possessed an in-depth knowledge of the entire Kingdom, its ups and downs, and seemed to navigate any situation easily.
Revali sat silently on the rooftop, deep in thought throughout the night. The day's events had left him puzzled, and he couldn't help but think about the woman they had encountered in the vision. Given her striking resemblance to Zelda, he suspected that she was related to the Royal Family. He wondered what her true intentions were.
As he looked out into the night sky, he was still confused about the destruction of the Master Sword, a subject they didn't touch on when they talked with the King. It was a weapon passed down for generations and was believed to be indestructible. He wondered how it had ended during that time, how they fixed it to be what it is today, and what implications it would have for the Kingdom.
Lost in thought, Revali reminisced about Link's time in his village. He was curious to know more about the man and the adventures he had been on. He addressed Link and said, "It seems like everyone is making their conclusions out of this. I wonder, Link, if that is your name, what stories must you tell me? I am your first friend here."
---
The sun was setting over Rito village as two friends sat in a cozy family restaurant. Speaking as Revali, the dark-haired man admitted that the other man was his first friend in the town. "I don't usually get close to people," he said, "but... I'm glad I can consider you one of my friends."
Revali, embarrassed by the heartfelt words, tried to brush it off with a joke. "Oh, please, you're being such a sap," he said, with a light blush on his cheeks. "You see the greatness that is me and my excellent skills. Of course, we were destined to be friends... Or at least close acquaintances."
The dark-haired man laughed at Revali's attempt to deflect the compliment. "If you're too shy to say it, you can just say that you know," he said. Revali's face turned even redder, the red marks on his cheeks growing slightly bigger.
"Either way," the dark-haired man continued, "I'm glad I can call you my friend. Just know you can always call me, your friend too." The warmth in his words was evident as he smiled at Revali, who couldn't help but smile back. The two friends enjoyed the rest of their meal together, happy to have found a genuine connection in the small village.
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