Guess who's back at it! Been a rough few months, hope you like this chapter.

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Hyrule is eerily still. The sun is blazing down as our heroes trot along in silence, uneasy by the subtle lack of wildlife. When they reach the Dueling Peaks, they board their borrowed horses at the Stable and decide to continue on foot to Hateno Village, where they can pick up supplies. They decide to take the southern route to Link's house, as the dense forest easily lends itself for cover.

"Take this." Link hands her his Forest Dweller's Bow. "Just in case."

Her eyes light up at this. "Just in case," she repeats.

There's an absence of squirrels scurrying through the trees, and Link can't remember the last time he's seen a deer. At every crack of a tree branch, he squats down, and Zelda does the same. "Did you hear that?" "Yes." They listen for a moment, hear nothing more, then carry on.

Zelda walks up to the cliff overlooking Hateno Tower and the surrounding area. The monster's camps that Link had previously wiped out are thriving once again. Clearly, whatever controls the Blood Moon has yet to be defeated. It adds to her ever-present feeling of dread. She's unable to imagine a world where Ganon returns, where her efforts the past hundred years would be reduced to nothing but busy work. "I'm glad we went this way." She squints, trying to make out the spots where smoke rises from the trees.

"Are you saying you couldn't take them?" Link teases.

"I'd get a few good hits in!" She punches his shoulder. "I'm sure you would fare just fine, huh."

He chuckles and waves her off, turning down the path again. "I don't mind avoiding them. They're not hurting anyone, anyway."

"Not yet," Zelda points out. When he doesn't respond, she continues. "Don't you think it's a bit foolish to put your faith in incarnations of evil?" Her tone is playful, but when Link looks back to reply, she can tell he's not in the joking mood.

"You know that's not what I mean." He looks past her, searching for the right words. "It is strange, but it seems they may be… Like, sometimes I see them sit together to share stories or a meal. At night… I've even seen them dancing around the fire together." He motions to be quiet as they crouch behind a nearby tree, nodding toward a lone Bokoblin, standing idly at his post. Behind him, a few others rest around a campsite.

Zelda readies her bow. "Now I can show you my skills!" She whispers.

Upon seeing her wielded bow and arrow, he stifles a laugh. "I don't -"

Her jaw drops but she smiles, pouting as she lowers her weapon. "You have gone soft on me, haven't you!"

He shakes his head, leading them the long way behind the hill. Zelda follows, narrowing her eyes at his tactics. She watches as he keeps his attention on the course ahead, constantly scanning the area. "I have to say, your compassion surprises me. I didn't know you thought about that sort of thing."

Link smirks. "Was I quite blood-thirsty before?"

She laughs. "No, I just -"

As they round the bend to Hateno Village, Zelda is interrupted by the sight of a series of yellow tents set up in the outskirts, topped with bright orange pennants. The stillness of the forest is forgotten as Gerudo soldiers circle bonfires, chatting happily to each other as they make supper. The smell of roast chicken travels up the hillside to them, the whole scene dimly lit by the setting sun. She throws Link a quizzical look, but he seems just as shocked.

"Hey!" They spot Riju, the young Gerudo Chief, waving from the bottom of the hill, her smile spreading from ear to ear. They walk down to her tent where she sits upon a kind of throne, less extravagant than the one in Gerudo Town, but still pointedly luxurious compared to the conservative architecture of Hateno Village. Her tent is framed by lamps and plates of Gerudo delicacies; durian tarts, voltfruit pie, and various roasted birds.

"Ah… thank goodness you made it here safely!" She hugs Link. "Buliara and I were worried sick!" They look to Buliara, her ever-stoic personal guard, who gives them a simple nod as she towers over them. "Princess Zelda! It is an honor to finally be in your presence." She bows politely. "I am so thankful to know you are now safe."

Zelda's face gets hot as she bows in return. "Chief Riju, thank you. I believe I owe you my sincerest apologies for -"

"Nonsense!" She sits down again, gesturing as if more than the four of them are present. "The Yiga will pay for this, I can promise you that. My people have been terrorized for far too long. I can only imagine what you have endured." She closes her eyes for a moment, taking a breath. Buliara gives her an encouraging. "I am determined to do everything in my power to keep my people safe." She sits down.

"Of course." Zelda sits and Link does the same. "It is so kind of you to make the trip here, I hope it was not too much trouble."

"Oh not at all! We were able to safely transport your horses as well!" She gestures to the horses in the stable next to Link's house. "Did Link not inform you of our… pending alliance?"

Zelda looks to Link, who raises his eyebrows defensively.

"It is not an issue. I'd much prefer to tell you myself anyway!" She takes a long pause. "It is clear our work with the Divine Beasts, and Calamity Ganon was just the beginning. I want to assure you that the Gerudo people will be behind you every step of the way. Many of our highly skilled soldiers have volunteered to stand on the front lines against whatever comes at you next. Whether that's a… a mechanical menace, or a giant flying lizard, or a beast of malice! It is for the good of all of Hyrule!"

"I am elated to hear you say so. I'm sure your help will be invaluable to us. Though I fear most of the work that needs to be done lies in the mundane; building villages and infrastructure to connect the settlements around Hyrule."

Riju shakes her head up and down as if she understands what that entails.

Link takes a breath in. "So is it safe to say you've settled into the position of Chief rather comfortably?"

She lets out a big sigh, then laughs. "I suppose I am under a bit of pressure. I forget that maybe the only people who can understand my predicament are you two."

Zelda gives her a gracious smile, embodying the recognizable grace that she carries as she reaches out to reassure the girl. "I've heard so much about the work you've done, and it is nothing less than inspiring. I… I knew Champion Urbosa personally, and I want you to know how proud of you she would be."

Riju gives her a soft smile. "Thank you, Zelda. Uh - Princess -"

"Just call me Zelda."

/

It's not long before Riju excuses herself for the night. Luckily they're able to sort through some of the logistics before Buliara quickly ushers Link and Zelda away.

Link watches as Zelda trudges up the hill. "Want to rest? I can go check on Purah and Symin." She gives him a pained look he can't read. "I'll be back soon." Taking a deep breath and nodding, they part at the door to his house.

Walking through Hateno, his heart feels heavy. He didn't realize how much he'd missed the town while he was gone. The town that had welcomed him when he was nobody - at least to him. He looks up to the Ancient Tech Lab to see the blue flame still lit and the lights on inside. That's a good sign.

He makes quick work of climbing to the top of the hill. As he rounds the edge to stand, he hears a crash. Probably just Purah, doing another one of her experiments…

Link opens the door to see that the lab had been completely ransacked, all but abandoned. He quickly checks around Symin's workspace, finding nothing. He goes outside and up the stairs to the room at the top. Purah's notebook is gone, save a few sketches littering the floor. No sign of the scientists.

When he comes back down, there's a lone Yiga clan soldier rifling through some papers. He draws his sword. "What are you doing here?"

The Yiga soldier disappears immediately, reappearing a few feet away with his sickle in hand. Link easily dodges his attack. "Why are you here? Where are -" The soldier disappears and reappears behind him.

"There are more important questions, such as… Where's your little princess?" He hisses, swiping wildly at Link. At mention of her, Link swiftly turns his sword and knocks him in the head with its hilt. He stumbles back. "Not very… clever of you to leave her unattended, don't you think?" And with that, he's vanished, leaving nothing but a banana behind.

Zelda.

Link is already out the door, his heart pounding in his ears as he jumps off the cliff to paraglide down to Hateno Village. His vision is blurry with adrenaline, but he knows the way like the back of his hand. He hits the ground already in a sprint, past the Bolson Construction models and over the creaky bridge that connects to the house over the pond.

He bursts open the door to see Zelda in one of his sweaters, sitting at the table, sleepily enjoying a cup of tea. She perks up at the sight of him. "Is… everything okay? Link?"

Sweat drips down his brow as he catches his breath. "Yes - just - stay here." He leaves again to do a thorough sweep of the area. It was abnormal for a Yiga soldier to be in a heavily populated area, but it seems nothing is out of the question these days. After a few minutes, he heads back inside where Zelda is waiting, a worried expression on her face. "Well?"

He sighs, taking a moment to collect himself. "Sorry if I scared you. There was a Yiga soldier."

"At the tech lab? What happened? Are Purah and Symin okay?"

He shakes his head. "They weren't there."

"Oh." She sets her tea down. He takes a breath and sits next to her, neglecting to disarm himself, in case the Master Sword is needed at a moment's notice.

Zelda abruptly stands. "We'll go to Kakariko Village tomorrow, then."

Link agrees, though it doesn't do much for the pit in his stomach.

/

They get to Kakariko Village around mid-day on horseback. The small town bustles with Sheikah carrying baskets of food and laundry and supplies, stopping to say hello to each other, making polite conversation.

"Why can't I shake this terrible feeling that I have?" Zelda asks as they make their way down to Impa's house.

Link knows it's a rhetorical question, but answers anyway, as he feels the same way. "I don't know."

When they knock on the door, a small Sheikah girl emerges and wraps them both in a hug. "Oh thank Hylia you're here. We tried to get a message to you but you've been just about all over the place, huh! Please come inside, come inside." They follow Purah inside Impa's house, where they're surprised not to see her in her usual seat. Symin and Robbie loiter in the corner with a few Sheikah soldiers, talking in hushed voices.

"Where is she?" Zelda asks, unable to hide the panic in her voice.

Not in her usual fashion, Purah keeps her mouth shut and ushers them to a part of the room that's been partitioned off, where Impa lies asleep in bed. Paya stands dutifully beside her, adjusting and readjusting the blankets just so.

"Is she okay? What's going on?" Zelda questions them.

"Yes, well -" Paya walks toward them, her hands folded politely in front of her. "I mean, she's not suffering. She… she…" Paya's face twists up as she tries to hold back tears.

"She is quite old, Princess," Robbie steps in behind them. "It is a pleasure to see you again, even under the circumstances." He bows slightly to Zelda who gives him a polite nod in return.

"She's been asking to see you - both of you." Paya steps out of the way as they get closer to Impa. Her aged skin hangs loosely on her face with a slightly gray hue.

"Is there nothing that can be done?" Zelda kneels at the bed, taking Impa's hand in hers.

"If Impa had wanted to try the anti-aging rune, maybe -"

"It's surely not the time for that, Purah." Robbie scolds her. She pouts, muttering an apology under her breath. He turns to Zelda and says matter-of-factly, "I don't believe so, unfortunately. But we will do everything we can to make sure she is comfortable."

"Is that my dear Zelda I hear?" Impa opens her eyes, her whole face spreading into a smile.

"Yes, yes it's me, Impa." Zelda leans in closer to her. "What happened? Just a few weeks ago, you were…"

"Ahh… nature is a strange thing, my dear." She tries to sit up, coughs, then closes her eyes. "Link… It is good to see you, too. Unfortunately, I do not have much time."

"Goddesses, I am so sorry. I should have been here, looking after you. I've been - all we've encountered is rejection, loss. And - and - I'm so sorry, Impa," Zelda weeps, wiping her wet face on her sleeve.

"Now stop it with that nonsense." She reaches up to stroke her hair. She's very slow with her words, taking care with each one. "I couldn't be more proud of you." Zelda buries her face in the blankets, sobbing into Impa's arms.

After a moment, Link kneels next to the bed as well. He realizes he's been crying, tears streaming down his face and puddling between his tunic and the leather strap that crosses his chest. "Are you… in any pain?" He asks, though he knows the answer.

"No, no, don't worry. Paya has been taking wonderful care of me."

Paya nods, then frowns. "Excuse me a moment." She rushes off.

"Yes, uh… we all uh…" Robbie stammers, then leaves them be, Purah close behind.

Impa returns her attention to Link and Zelda. "Please… listen now. Both of you." Zelda lifts her head, sniffling. Link leans in. "You two will soon realize how little is certain in this world… if you have not already."

"Do you mean the other Sheikah?"

A flash of familiarity crosses Impa's eyes before she nods solemnly. "Many still harbor resentment to Hyrule for the events of ten-thousand years ago."

"When the Kingdom oppressed the Sheikah after the Great Calamity," Link confirms.

"There is much that is to be revealed… but if nothing else, you will have each other."

There is a long pause. The list of responsibilities has grown between the two, and it weighs on them now more than ever before.

"How are we supposed to do this without you?" Zelda whispers. "There's never… you've never… you've always been there… for me."

"Oh Zelda, dear Zelda…" Impa reaches out to hold her face in her hand. "You don't need me anymore." She looks her in the eyes. "You are everything you need."