Tears of His Kingdom

An Ancient Power.

Link shouldered his broadsword and forged on into the cave he had been exploring for the past hour. Gloom was starting to seep into the cave system, making him sputter and raise his Champion's Leathers over his mouth. He also donned his signature cape and Hylian trousers, fitting snugly onto his slender build. The sword that seals the darkness glowed in its hilt. He stole a glance upward and yelped in surprise, barely managing to dodge backward before a lance wielded by a Horriblin swung powerfully where his chest would have been. One well-place arrow left the beast morphing into purple mist before him, and so he forged on.

At long last the mouth of the cave greeted him, and he shielded his eyes from the bright white light that shone above him. He took stock of his surroundings; guessing his location to be near to Hyrule Field due to the rocky hills he had entered the cave in being much softer and less steep. He checked the Purah Pad and confirmed his predictions. A deep breath took him, and a rest was sorely in order. he collapsed backwards , sitting against the side of the hill, dropping his gear all around him. His eyelids drooped, and he succumbed to sleep as the sun set on a beautiful blue sky.

The he was back in the present, having dozed off at a table while Paya and Zelda were conversing. He felt a soft, yet cold hand resting his head. Zelda's he presumed. The two women were talking over his head: he was glad they let him sleep for however long they had been talking. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't slept for a few days because of his duties. the hand rubbed his head and he grunted, sitting up and shaking his head.

"Master Link, you're awake. We were just talking about you," Paya gleefully chimed. That was unusual of her, Link thought. She was usually very shy and quiet, choosing to speak delicately and softly instead of exclaiming. He looked to Zelda for a clue as to what was going on. Zelda beamed at him, as if she had some incredible news to impart. Indeed she did. She took Link's hands in hers and a blush rose to her cheeks. He could hear Paya moving behind him and getting a box of some kind. He didn't think to ask what it was and instead kept his eyes trained on the princess.

"Link. A few days ago, while you were exploring a cave in Hyrule Field, I awakened a new power."

Link cocked his head, as if to ask what it was. Paya giggled behind him.

"I brought a bird back from the dead."

Link's eyes widened. He was shocked. He smiled too, in all of his weird and wonderful expression.

"Zelda, that's amazing!" link said, his voice a bit hoarse from a lack of use. Paya's giggling turned to fruitful laughter, as if she was keeping a secret. Link was straining himself not to turn around. Zelda moved her hands up to Link's face.

"Link...Paya and I think we could... bring back one of the four Champions. The box behind you... it's where you'll cement your choice."

________________________________________________________________________________

Mipha jolted awake, her back arching from pain that didn't exist. She yelped out and started upward, flinging herself straight into a wall, and thus landing her back on the floor once again. She turned to her side and tried to make sense of where she was, her senses on high alert and her heart pounding in her chest. Air was gulped as if it were finite. She shakily stood, and took in the unfamiliar walls before her.

Instead of the dusty black and beige Sheikah walls, she was surrounded by glorious marble, a room stretching many meters up. Mipha noted the pedestal she woke up on and the large Goddess Hylia statue behind her. A giant door, adorned in what seemed to be copper rings, was also situated behind her. 

"Hello, Miss Mipha," A voice sprung from behind. Mipha jumped and spun around to defend herself, realizing mid-turn that there was no trident in her hands. A robot-like creature stood before her, seemingly nonthreatening and very confused.

"I am a Zonai Steward Construct. I was designed for your reintegration into today's world by Princess Zelda."

Mipha cocked her head in surprise. Princess Zelda? And to think she was in a life or death situation just moments ago.

"Zelda wanted me to give you this."

The construct pulled out one of its ribs as if it were a drawer and took out a small tablet from inside. She looked at the sleek design and large flat screen. It looked oddly similar to the Sheikah slate she had seen the Princess carry around all the time.

"This is a Purah Pad. It has some pre-recorded messages for you to read."

Mipha gingerly took it from the construct's hands and turned it over her own. It's cool to the touch, and she found herself rubbing her hands across it to cool them down. The screen flashed to life and made her jump. The steward construct was unmoved.

"Hello Mipha. This is a pre-recorded message from Zelda. You're probably wondering where you are right now, and all will be explained. You will need to go through the door in front of you, and go to the altar out there. Someone will be waiting for you."

And with that, the Purah Pad deactivated. It's lights and sounds abruptly stopped and faded into nothing. The Steward construct floated away, down the stairs and through another door, that one promptly shutting behind it.

Mipha shrugged and turned back to the door she was supposed to leave from. It had a strange hand shaped symbol on it, so she placed one there. Immediately the door lit up green, and swung open to blinding sunlight. A beautiful stone path led down to a large circular floating island, with a triangular altar in its center. Mipha apprehensively took small steps forward, desperate to avoid looking down below lest she become scared and lose her footing. Eventually, she made it to the altar, looking around to see where this person was. She took a seat on the coarse marble and yawned, her arms stretching into the air. A grumble and then a shuffle could be heard from behind the altar. Mipha jumped to her feet.

"Hello? Who's there?"

The unnamed voice yawned too, and stood to its full height, its back turned to her. He seemed to be wearing some sort of hooded cape that covered his back, and some normal peasant's trousers. A gust flung the cape eastward, exposing a very familiar sword's sheath and a blue tunic as he stretched. Before she even clocked what the sword was, she recognized the blue shirt. Why wouldn't she? It was the one she desperately wanted to see in her final moments, before all of this. The man picked up his sword, the legendary gleam ever-present, and sheathed it.

"Oh my god..." Mipha whispered.

Link turned around and sported a toothy grin.

"Link...I-Vah Ruta- I have to-"

Link vaulted over the altar, standing in front of her with a smile that could've made all her worries melt away had she not been in a near death experience right before this. He took her hands in his and put his forehead to hers.

"You won't even believe how long it's been."

Mipha felt tears start to form in her eyelids. Her breath hitched in her throat and her knees felt weak. Link sank to the floor as she did, and held her close while she sobbed.