Redemption (Link x Reader)

Chapter 31: Ever, Ever After!

Later that day, you found yourself once again on the Great Sky Island, this time with Zelda, Purah, the Sages, the Champions, and Sharpe. You all walked along the newly repaired causeway to the altar behind the Temple of Time, hanging above open air. Mineru led the way, shedding her construct form.

"Quite the view," Sidon muttered more to himself. "You never get tired of it."

Purah agreed. "I still can't believe such an impressive landmass can float in the sky. Just when I thought I'd started to figure the Zonai out..."

You all approached the altar. Mineru stared out over Hyrule for a moment before addressing you. "Everyone, I am glad I was able to bring you all here. I wanted to share this view of Hyrule with all of you."

"Wow, I've never been up this far before, goro," Yunobo said,

"What a sight it is," Riju added. "Zelda, you were roaming the skies all along?"

Zelda nodded. "Yes, although I don't really remember. Brother? Perhaps you have a better memory?"

Ray shrugged. "Unfortunately no, dad probably remembers more about the final fight than mom did." Nearly all of it had fallen from your memory, except for hazy pieces of your fight with Ganondorf.

The Champions approached Mineru, as her spirit began to sparkle. "It's nearly time," Urbosa said.

"Mineru!" Zelda said.

"Do not worry. You have all overcome the burden my era left to you. You have proven yourself and you no longer need me. I know I can move on – join Rauru and the others – and the world will be safe."

"I guess this is goodbye for good," Sharpe said, hugging you. "Unless... you're gonna time travel again?"

"Shhh!" You hissed, seeing both Purah and Zelda perk up. "I'm hoping they forget, you do not want the two of them with unrestricted access to time travel."

He mimed locking his lips. "Take care, okay? And you, Link, if you do anything to hurt him, I'll haunt you so bad it'll make the Demon King look like a Chu Chu."

Link laughed patting Sharpe on the shoulder. "I'd never hurt my princess."

"Farewell everyone," Mipha said, giving Sidon a final hug. "We will always be with you."

"We're leaving Hyrule in good hands," Daruk said.

Revali was quiet for a moment, but even he looked back at all of you. "Take care," he said simply.

Urbosa looked to you with a smile. "Sparrow, as Mineru said, we know the world will be safe with all of you. Lead them all into a new day."

You bowed your head. "I promise."

With that, the spirits began to fade. You took Zelda's hand, giving her a reassuring squeeze as tears formed in her eyes. Mineru saw it too. "Zelda, don't worry. We will always be watching over you.".  "You know," you said quietly to her, "King Rauru and Queen Sonia, Mineru, Sheik, the Sages... everyone throughout time. I think they'd be proud of all of us. We've brought peace to Hyrule, and now with the Demon King gone, we can finally work to their goal of a lasting peace for all time. With the help of our friends, of course. As Rauru told me, Hyrule is not just us, it is everyone."

Zelda wiped her tears, a soft smile growing on her face. "It is certainly something he would say. I miss them so much already. Thank you, brother... but that said, I think if I had any doubts about my decision, you've certainly cleared them away."

"What does she mean by that?" Link asked quietly by your side. You didn't have time to respond.

"Everyone, I have an announcement," Zelda said. You were a bit surprised, though you saw that Purah seemed to know what she was about to say. You did as well, but you hadn't expected her to make the announcement so soon. "After discussing with Princess (Y/n), my best friend, I have decided to renounce my claim to the throne. I believe my work to serve Hyrule is best done through my research and assistance to the people. My friend is the one who helped to unite Hyrule twice now with Link and their son Ray. I believe that Ray will be the king that the people of Hyrule need."