The Legend of Zelda: The Desert Heroes

VIII

Link and Ganon were approaching the Gerudo Canyon and the stable that resided there. Night was fast approaching and the desert was becoming colder. Link looked at his thermometer to find the temperature had dropped from an average 122°F to a somewhat chilly 61°F.

The boy put on his Gerudo sweater over his current clothes. According to old records, the Gerudo Desert could be as hot as 130°F and as cold as 10°F. But in the past 2,000 years, temperatures have become a more tolerable 45°F to 120°F.

Link's theory was that it was because of the Urbotam River, which flowed straight the middle of the desert between Gerudo Town and Kara Kara Bazaar. It ran alongside Gerudo Settlement, which was a popular location due to the Knight Academy.

Alas, the Gerudo Canyon Stable came into view. They walked up to the front counter and the stable owner walked up.

"What's your business here?" he asked.

"Two beds for the night." Ganondorf requested.

"That'll be 40 rupees." the man held out his hand.

Link took out two red rupees and handed them to the owner. They walked into the stable quietly to find most people asleep. They climbed into their beds and fell asleep.

-----

Link woke up to find that he was in a dark, pitch black void. There was nothing around him except for pure darkness. When he turned around, there was a boy standing there.

The boy had pale skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. He looked to be around Link's own age. Maybe 18-21 years old.

"Hello, young one." the boy spoke aloud.

"Uh, hi. Who are you?" Link asked.

Their surroundings changed from darkness to a field in front of an enormous castle. It looked like Hyrule Castle, except with more... light somehow. It seemed to be glowing.

"I am the Hyrule Warrior. I'm in my 20-year-old form right now, as I was when I fought Valoria." the boy informed Link.

He gasped. "You are a hero! Why do you keep calling me a young or future hero?" he asked curiously.

"Because you are the next hero. However, I have trusted your current king with my words to tell you." the Hyrule Warrior explained calmly.

He looked at the distant castle. "So I am meant to save Hyrule once again. And if I go to the castle, that is the start of it all?" he inquired hopefully.

"If? You haven't much of a choice. Valoria's seal is in danger of breaking. Unless you hear out King Lindor, Hyrule will fall to Valoria." the hero looked out to the castle as well. He sighed.

"So me, Ganon, and... whoever else. We are supposed to save Hyrule?" he asked the hero.

"The queen of Hyrule helped me seal Valoria two millennia ago. I have no doubt that your final golden triangle lies within the princess of Hyrule. She is most likely of Hylia's descent unless the royal family was replaced previously. But I sensed a great power from the girl, so I haven't a doubt it's her." the warrior explained with a note of thought.

"I see." Link simply answered.

The Hyrule Warrior bowed his head to Link. "May you be victorious. I must go now. I wish upon you great luck while saving your kingdom." he offered.

"Of course. Thank you, Hyrule Warrior." he responded with a returned bow.

And with that, the hero was gone and the world faded to darkness.

-----

Link woke up for real this time. It was around 6:30am. He had to wake up Ganon to get on the road. They should reach Hyrule Castle in around two or three days.

That also meant Link would be approaching his life purpose. He was still dazed from the dream last night. Why was the Goddess Hylia choosing him to be the next hero? How could he be a hero when he was 19? What is going to happen for a new hero to be called upon?

Wait, Link remembered. He mentioned Valoria.

Was Valoria's seal going to break? If Valoria managed to purge his seal, Hyrule would be in all sorts of trouble.

The Legend of the Hyrule Warrior mentioned that Valoria was sealed near Goponga Village, which was freshly rebuilt following the Calamity. Maybe Valoria would rise from there.

"No," the Hyrule Warrior said. "Valoria was sealed outside of Goponga Village, but that is not where he will rise."

So that answered his question. Link shook Ganon awake. "Ganon, come on. Wake up, we have to go."

"Mm, go away. Five more minutes." he groaned grumpily.

"No, Ganon. Come on." Link yanked Ganondorf out of bed, causing him to wake up with a yelp.

"Hey! Unnecessary!" he shrieked. Luckily, everyone had already woken up.

"I did say let's go. Now pack up your things." Link walked out of the stable with his friend hurrying to catch up.

And as Link looked atop the cliff by the Gerudo Canyon Stable, he could have sworn he saw a young boy with blonde hair and blue eyes up there.