Held Onto By A Thread

Chapter Fifteen

With each letter stamped with his royal signature, they traveled great distance across the land, entering their respective regions and into the hands of their intended reader. A somber aura was brought to their face as they read the contents of the message, containing the cry of help from the King of the Zora. The Champions each quickly sought out to make a gift for their dear friend. Apart from one.
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In what was left of Hyrule Castle, there the Hylian Princess sat in the tarnished room of what was the great library. Hundreds upon hundreds of records and knowledge from the past perfectly preserved, each stored in between two leather coverings. All were kept and organized by its particular category that it specialized in resting on wooden shelves that decorated both the lower and upper part of the grand room. However that aspect was no longer true. Books were now scattered and miscellaneous pages still scurried about the floor due to the often lone gust of wind that paid visit through the broken walls. On top of that the rubble that lay from Ganon's destructive power.

She had to be escorted by two guards almost everywhere now thanks to her father's worrisome. Zelda looked around of what had become of her beloved sanctuary whenever she was in a state of stress. In fact it was the reason why she found herself here again, seeking solace while scanning the letter she knew was in no way positive. She paused reading the sentences silently expressing how they were painstakingly written on the paper a second time. How badly she felt for one of her closest friends... Mipha had been there for her almost every step of the way with a kind smile and words of reassurance. Hylia without her advice, things could have taken a much more devastating turn.

'It helps me... It helps me to think about those who I hold dear', she had said.

When the time inevitably revealed itself, she shakily lifted her hand to her heart.

'Father...my friends... everyone is counting on me...' A golden light shined bright before her very eyes.

Now, Mipha was in need of comfort and Zelda was at a predicament of how to do just that. She too also mourned the loss of her appointed knight and wished she could have grown her newly forming friendship with him. It was not exactly a smooth or rough start as almost not a single word was exchanged between them. Although, Link was quite literally always by her side and got her back up on her feet during her emotional breakdowns. Zelda had not the faintest clue of the two's private relationship, yet she smiled at how well they completed each other. Or at least.. used to.. she did not feel like smiling anymore.

Standing up from her chair she browsed the remainder of books that survived, feeling the thick coat of ash dust her fingertips as she glided them through row after row. The selection was all too familiar despite its vast array as the Princess was capable of losing herself in her path for proficiency to take her mind off from what was troubling her.. Abruptly, she came to a stop in the darkest corner of the room. The bookshelf there was hardly recognizable because of its charred exterior and shelves toppled over the other. Zelda looked down in dismay, crouching down to examine what she could salvage in the pile. She pulled burnt surfaces of books by the dozen until all that was left was a perfectly circular ball of ash.

How could that be?

She grazed her hand over it to find nothing more than her own reflection staring back at her.

Giving a small tug, the round shape refused to comply. It appeared to be attached to the wall. Pulling it towards her, the wood followed. It was a hidden door. Bewilderment and a rush of newfound excitement quickly replaced her pity. The soldier to her left stepped inside, his spear pointed towards the entrance as the light caved in.

"All clear your Highness.", he said returning to his earlier position.

One step, then another, she approached closer and closer to what unknowingly was on the other side...

To her surprise it looked of a study room, a finely carved desk accompanied by a singular set of shelves highlighting the rather run down space. Its manuscripts were still completely intact, and unable to deny her curiosity she carefully picked up one of the frail parchments. Almost every page was filled with illustrations and concisely written information.

"These are of excellent detail..", she murmured.

Recipes from the past, centuries long traditions, translation of the old Shiekah scriptures.. The Shiekah could undoubtedly benefit from this remarkable discovery! Setting it aside, her bright blue eyes lit with intrigue to the thick notebook sitting just short from her initial find. 'Property of...' The owner's name had been covered with a smear of black ink. There was a few pages torn out, leaving nothing but a jagged line in the book's spine. Nonetheless it did not stop the princess in her examination.

'The structure before me is unlike anything I've ever seen, its ancient design shrouded in mystery.', it read.

'I carefully examined the intricate carvings and symbols that adorn its interior, noting their resemblance to the Sheikah script. Yet, despite my extensive knowledge, I cannot decipher their meaning. This shrine holds secrets that have been lost to time, waiting to be uncovered.'

Shrine? Which shrine was this individual in?

'As I step inside, I am enveloped by a strange, otherworldly energy that seems to pulse within the very walls of the shrine.'

"How strange..", she mumbled.

'In the center of the chamber, I find a strange, cocoon-like structure that emanates a soft, ethereal glow. It is unlike anything I have ever encountered in my studies, and I am filled with determination to find its purpose.'

"This crosses out most of the shrines.. leaving the answer to be.. but the one I know of never glowed.."

'A strange platform stands beneath it, reaching a hand towards, I feel a surge of energy course through my veins. I realize then that this shrine holds the key to something far beyond my understanding. A power that could change the course of history itself.'

Zelda surveyed the next few pages, piecing together what she could read as the sections became more unclear to the eye.

'My team and I have conducted multiple experiments and discovered that this very shrine holds the ability to replenish the strength of those weak, even bringing the living near death back in full recovery.'

"Truly remarkable..", the princess read in awe.

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'We've made a grave mistake, in our continuation to use the shrine to its fullest, its power has greatly weakened. Our people have grown accustomed to relying on it in their noticeably recurring mishaps. They've become inattentive. Careless. Sloppy. The glow of the structure is now much more dim leaving my group and I in search for a secondhand source that possesses similar healing properties to fuel what we have named, The Shrine of Resurrection.' 
__\~>|€_______{____—...—...—-/-..—.-/—. -/

Fair_es have b.come d—cult to find. Their /opulation reduced to near zero. Few kept away fr0m p.blic.

'_ope is dwindling. Drastic m-asures are being taken. Peop/e advised to stay low. Frequent re_orts of our townspeople going missing. They carry the same weapons as our farmers and are masters of disguise. Trust no one around you.'
-... . .-- .- .-. . / ..-. --- --- .-.. / - .... . / . -.-- . / --- ..-. / - .... . / -.-- .. --. .- .-.-.-

'It is true that power corrupts. We were successful in fending off the attacks of the foreign force. In draining the Shrine of Resurrection for our own benefit it has led to the ultimate consequence. We've personally taken it upon our part to preserve what is left for the future generation. Unfortunately with what remains, it could take years or even a century for the healing of the body to complete without fairies now. To whom who reads this, may the shrine be used for the right cause.'
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The two guards eyed each other, then the princess
as she continued to pour over the journal. Zelda suddenly whipped around and their posture stiffened instinctively.

"I will be writing out a letter could one of you fetch me some paper?", she spoke urgently.

"R-right away Princess. Who will it be addressed to?"

She looked up at the both of them, a determined and serious tone took hold in her voice.

"Lady Mipha."