The courage to find me - The fate of us: Part I

Chapter 10: Yah-ha-ha!

POV Zelda

I stare at Purah, unable to formulate a response.

"You know, Zelda, your powers are part of who you are. It makes no sense to keep ignoring them, especially now that they've reawakened. It could be useful to understand more about how they work," she insists.

"Purah," I plead, exhausted. "You've seen how much I've tried to understand them. It's been years of persistence. Why would it be different now? I have so many other things to do... We're finishing dismantling the Sheikah structures... we completed the Divine Beasts a few weeks ago, and almost 70% of the Guardians—at least those we found. Many years have passed, and it seems like everything is finally returning to normal. Why waste time insisting on this? We don't need my powers anymore."

Purah sighs and then raises her hand to start listing reasons.

"First: we haven't found more of Ganon's demons, but you know the Yiga are still at large, though strangely quiet. Second, you yourself told me that the woman who ambushed you years ago said 'He' would return—that's reason enough to be as prepared as possible, just in case. And third, I'll repeat what I've already said because it's the most important reason: it's part of you. If you don't know yourself, who will, Zelda?"

I remain silent for a few minutes, unsure how to argue against such eloquence.

"So, what do you suggest, Purah?"

"Well... I wanted to test a theory. You said that when your powers were first unlocked, you started hearing the 'voice inside the Master Sword,' right?"

"I know it sounds strange, but yes. It spoke to me when Link fell in battle and warned me he could still be saved. If not for that, we would have lost him that day."

"So, my theory is: could you hear it again?"

I ponder her suggestion.

"Maybe," I admit. "Of all the things I can do with my powers, talking to it required the least effort."

"Then it's decided. Where did Link store the sword? He left it here in Hyrule, didn't he?"

"Yes, in the Lost Woods."

"Do you know how to get there?"

"I've been there a few times, but I think I remember the directions. There were some ways to find the path inside. We can try. The worst that can happen is we don't make it through the forest and have to return to the starting point."

"Great, we leave in the morning then—it's a long journey. It's on the other side of the kingdom, leaving from Gerudo."

I pause for a moment, making another last-minute decision.

"Okay. But not too early... I want to do something first."

- - -

We are standing in front of the entrance to the Lost Woods. Riju, Buliara, and Paya insisted on joining Purah and me on this expedition. It took us a few days to get here, but the journey was smooth. The mist here is dense and forms a white wall around us. A cold wind passes by, and I feel a chill on my neck.

"Your hair looks amazing, Zelda," says Riju.

I run my hands through the now short strands. My hair has always been long, reaching past my waist. But embracing this new phase of self-discovery, I decided to cut it before leaving Gerudo—they are great with hairstyles.

"Thank you... it seemed easier to take care of. One less thing to worry about."

"Right, how do we proceed?" asks Buliara, pragmatically.