Restoration

Chapter 19 Part 1: Alone

Authors Note:

Slight TW for this chapter, not much is done or said really, but as someone who also suffers from mental illness such as feelings of suicide. I do believe it's appropriate for my audience to be mentally/spiritually warned in case they may be suffering right now. I know that it can be hard.

If you are suffering from mental illness such as feelings of suicide or anything else, please know that you are loved. You belong. And I promise you, you will get through this.

If you are ever in need to talk to someone, please don't hesitate to ask for help or just to talk to someone.

Call or Text #988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

With that, please enjoy this new chapter.

Zelda's POV:

Curse this Zero-cycle, how does Link manage to stay balanced on this thing? I can't seem to stop swerving around! But, nothing comes without practice!

The Sheikah slate has resumed its beeping, it detects malice somewhere around here. The closer I get to the base of this long hill, the more it rapidly goes off. I start to clench the handles of the Zero-cycle. Steadying myself as I get closer and closer to the wetlands below.

That man, Hagie, said that there was an ancient treasure just below the ruins of the Torin wetlands. Just waiting to be uncovered. I'm not sure if I really believe him but regardless, if there's a possibility that there may be something and malice is nearby, waiting to corrupt its power. I cannot let that happen, nor take the chance to ignore it.

The sky darkens, and a low thunder booms. Letting rain begin to fall and trickle down on me as I finally managed to gain some balance. I look up to where Tarry Town is and think about if Link is still talking to Grante. I know he will probably be worried when he notices that I'm gone. But...when I think about the sheer and absolute pain he was in yesterday, I don't want to burden him when he needs time to heal. Besides, if this is just a small presence, then I can use this to practice honing my powers, and then, I won't be so helpless.

The rain becomes more torrential as I arrive at the wetlands, but...I still haven't learned how to properly brake on this thing. I begin to panic as I try to slow down, and end up skidding on the wet grass, throwing myself off the cycle and face planting into the lush wet grass.

Well...I'm glad no one was around to see that...

I begin patting myself off from the dirt and mud that got splattered on my newly stitched clothes. Taking in the environment around me, there's a sea of trees with noticeable ancient ruins hidden within the area. Along with deactivated guardians that just eerily rest in the earth, unmoving.

I take the Sheikah slate from my hip and look at my current position. The sensor icon for malice is still online, and begins to beep slowly as I make my way more into the wetlands. Which means I must be getting close. I quickly change the runes settings from the Zero cycle, to the Magnesis rune, activating the setting. So far, there's no indication of anything metallic such as a treasure chest being nearby.

It's so hard to see anything in this rain. I'll be down here for hours searching for this treasure. What kind of ancient treasure could be all the way out here in the Akkala region? It doesn't make any sense...I tighten my grip on the Sheikah slate, trying not to let my nerves get the best of me. The realization that Link isn't by my side right now to watch my back. I feel so...alone.

There's a flash of lightning and loud booming of thunder that makes me flinch, dropping the Sheikah slate that has now started to beep more erratically. As I lean down to pick up the slate, I hear...something else.