[Act III - Power] Chapter 21: Demons get bored

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POV Link

Purah's lab is crowded. By pure chance — although I question if that really exists — everyone was in Hateno today. Tauro was passing through during one of his expeditions. Paya and Impa, who rarely left Kakariko, were visiting Purah. Along with them came Cado and Dorian, to escort them along the way. Robbie and his new wife had come to fetch some parts from the Sheikah structures that had been dismantled and stored here in the village. The leaders or representatives of the other tribes — Teba, Riju (and consequently Buliara), Sidon, and Yunobo (of the Gorons, inhabitants of the Eldin volcano) — had come to see the school that was built, to try and replicate the idea in their respective cities.

So, when the Blood Moon appeared a few hours ago, everyone's first reaction was to head straight to Purah's house. Zelda and I were the last to arrive — after all, dinner had just been ready — and everyone was in the midst of heated discussions. Amidst the cacophony, it was impossible to distinguish who was saying what.

"Could Ganon attack again?"

"Didn't Zelda seal him?"

"We need to ensure the forests are safe — the children have gotten used to playing there!"

"How are Zelda and Link's preparations for the so-called 'rebirth' we were warned about?"

"Should we implement better security policies regarding all these tourists coming to the Hyrule region?"

"Purah, is there anything decent to eat? It's been hours since I had that rock roast. Your foods are too mushy."

"How is the training in combat and defense skills for the volunteers going?"

"I'm sure Link and Zelda will be able to resolve this!"

As we close the door behind us, an ominous silence falls. Everyone stops talking immediately, hands frozen in gestures they were making to illustrate their arguments, and looks at us. After a few awkward seconds, Sidon shouts, with a cheerfulness unfitting the current situation.

"LINK, ZELDA! IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU, MY FRIENDS!" he exclaims, happily, ignoring the glares from some in the room.

"Hi, Sidon," Zelda greets him, disconcerted. "We didn't expect everyone to be here."

"And where else should we go, Princess?" says Buliara, rudely. "How are your efforts to deal with the situation?"

Zelda recoils at Buliara's hostility. I know she's just worried about her tribe and Riju, but I find her tone unnecessary and it irritates me.

"We're progressing at the pace we should be," I retort, sharply.

"Really? Or are we going to have to wait for another tragedy and 100 years before we solve this problem?" she counters, acidic, unfazed by my fury.

"Everyone, let's calm down," Impa interrupts, serene.

Immediately, everyone falls silent. There isn't a single person in the kingdom who doesn't respect her. All attention turns to her, though Buliara and I still exchange hostile looks. I squeeze Zelda's hand, reinforcing that I am here by her side. She glances at me quickly, grateful.

"We all saw the Blood Moon rise today, at midnight, as it used to happen at the height of the Calamity. We were all warned that the return of a threat to the peace in Hyrule was imminent. We are all on the same page about what happened. What we need now is not to point fingers at each other to find blame or responsibility — but to define what the next steps will be. Now, more than ever before, we need to unite and support each other to prevent a new disaster."

Impa turns to me.

"Link, the time has come for you to recover the last memory," she says seriously. "You must do this as soon as possible. And you, Zelda," she continues, addressing her. "You must make the pilgrimage to the top of Mount Lanayru to visit the Sacred Spring of Wisdom. It is imperative that Link accompanies you on this journey. I know you fear this visit, given what happened the last time you went there," she adds, referring to the day the Calamity struck (on Zelda's birthday) over a century ago. "But no matter what happens, you will not be alone."

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