The Legend of Zelda - Tears of the Kingdom - Tears of Light and Darkness

Leadership

The story came to an end, and a heavy silence fell over the group, abruptly broken by the shouts of Karson, urgently calling for Purah.

Purah, her face filled with worry, stood up immediately, closely followed by Paya and Link. Together with Karson, they entered the makeshift infirmary. There, lying on a bed, was a Hylian man, a member of the extermination squad, covered in blood.

"What happened?" Paya and Purah asked almost in unison.

"He arrived a few moments ago asking for help," Karson replied gravely. "He came from the eastern gate of Lookout Landing. We brought him in quickly, trying to make sure no one noticed."

Purah approached the wounded man.

"Do you have the strength to tell us what happened?" she asked gently.

"I'll try," the man murmured, struggling to stay conscious. "Our patrol... we were attacked... a horde of monsters... stronger than before. The casualties were immediate. My captain... ordered me to flee and warn you. The fort... it needs reinforcement... and also..."

Suddenly, the soldier fell unconscious, overcome by his injuries. Purah, Paya, and Karson exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. The Demon King hadn't stopped sending hordes since his defeat, and the blood moons were occurring with alarming frequency, barely giving their enemies a moment to breathe.

Link felt the weight of the growing concern pressing down on everyone. Purah's gaze was fixed on the horizon, her voice quiet but determined as she spoke.

"The boys should descend into the depths as soon as possible," Karson said, his face grim. "We can't let this keep advancing."

"The problem is that we don't have enough defenders at Lookout Landing," Purah replied, looking toward the nearby depths. "If the Demon King decides to send more monsters, this place won't hold for long."

Link watched in silence, and although he tried to stay calm, a sense of urgency was building in his chest. He knew they needed to make a quick decision, but each option seemed to carry its own risks.

Purah sighed, casting a sideways glance at Paya and Link, then continued in a lower tone:

"We can't wait for Hoz's squad to arrive, but sending the team into the depths without reinforcements would be madness."

Link nodded, crossing his arms as he evaluated the situation quietly. He knew they had to protect the nearby villages, but the fort was also crucial, and many of the patrols were spread too thin across Hyrule to return in time. Thinking it over, he proposed:

"If we manage to relocate the closest patrols to Lookout Landing, we might gather enough forces for a solid defense here. At the same time, if we send swift messengers to the villages, the civilians could seek shelter in the wells stocked with food and clean water."

Paya nodded shyly, approving the plan. Though she didn't take her eyes off Link, a faint blush crept across her face from the weight of the situation and the potential danger.

"It's an option," Paya said thoughtfully. "The truth is, if the Demon King decides to unleash his forces, Kakariko could be the first place affected. But you're right; the wells could serve as shelters. And I know Impa, along with Dorian and Cado, could organize an evacuation quickly."

Link nodded, remembering that Kakariko had a special well, one where Dorian's wife had once hidden, surrounded by pumpkins and supplies. It was a safe place, a natural refuge.

"There are other wells further away that are also clear. I even came across a woman practicing songs down in one of them. If some villages can organize to use the more protected wells, they could buy time to find safety while we confront the depths."

Link was immersed in his plan when a thought suddenly struck him.

"We need to discuss this with Riju and Sidon," he said almost instinctively. "As leaders of their tribes, they should be informed and have a say in this before we make any moves."

Purah seemed hesitant.

"Yes, but if we spend too long debating... we'll lose valuable hours. And there's always the chance that, faced with the danger, they might decide to return to their lands, leaving us without their invaluable skills to face the Demon King. We need both Riju and Sidon here," Purah said with concern. "But, since Sidon has left the Domain in his father's hands along with Muzu, and Riju has Buliara in Gerudo Town, maybe they'll agree to this decision."

Link smiled, scratching his chin as he thought about the unique shelters the Gerudo and Zora had. The ancient Zora palace was a natural fortress, and the Gerudo catacombs were so well-stocked that they even had a small cellar with drinks for times of isolation.

"The last time I was in the catacombs, they'd even improved the Noble Puruit recipes..." Link chuckled, recalling the taste. "Not bad for a refuge."

Purah let out a laugh, momentarily breaking the tension.

"So 'that's' the reason for your 'awkward moments' in Gerudo Town? Now I understand!" she teased, lightening the mood a bit.

Link blushed, and Paya, who was watching him, blushed as well, imagining the scene.

"Purah, this isn't the time." Link said, still amused but with a touch of embarrassment. "We need to focus on sending the messages as soon as possible."

"Of course," Purah replied, giving him a playful pat on the shoulder. "But when this is all over, I owe you a round of Noble Pursuit." She shook her head to refocus on the task at hand. "Now, let's think about our resources for sending messages. The Purah Pad isn't an option, since we didn't think to leave one with each delegate."

Link crossed his arms, pondering how to alert the villages quickly.

"We could use Penn's little birds," he suggested. Purah looked at him, considering the idea.

"You're right. Penn taught me to train them to carry messages to specific places. Sending them to the villages is our best option now."

Purah's face lit up, and she called for Robbie, who, despite looking a bit frustrated at leaving the thrilling tales the adventurers were sharing, approached and quickly grasped the urgency of the situation.

"Robbie, get the lab ready for the messages. We'll be sending our feathered friends with clear instructions," she explained swiftly.

Link and Purah exchanged a look. They both knew it would be a challenge to convince the village leaders to accept temporary refuge in the wells, but it was also the best defense against the imminent threat. With a sigh of both relief and determination, Link turned to Purah, offering a faint smile.

"Once we send the messages, at least we'll gain some time. And when this is over," he added, trying to lighten the mood, "that round of Noble Pursuit is still on."

Purah chuckled.

"I'll take that as a promise! But for now, let's get to work."

They nodded goodbye and Purah headed to her lab to draft the messages to be sent with Penn's birds.

Link, trying to chase away the growing knot of anxiety tightening in his chest, made his way to the pantry. His stomach rumbled, a reminder that breakfast was already a distant memory. He picked up a few fruits, thinking a small, sweet treat might lift everyone's spirits. But as he gathered them, a feeling of unease crept over him, like a shadow looming over each thought.

"What good will any of this do if the Demon King is already two steps ahead?" The question emerged in his mind, a disquieting whisper he struggled to silence. He knew they'd face harsh times ahead, but this simple act of gathering fruit felt almost trivial against the enormity of what awaited them. "Will a bit of fruit really make any difference if the Demon King's forces are already preparing to destroy everything?"

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "I need to stay calm—not just for my friends; I need to keep focused," he reminded himself, yet the thought that the enemy might be tracking their every move sent a chill down his spine. He looked at the fruit in his hands, trying to convince himself that these small gestures were essential for keeping the team together, to keep them grounded, even as the threat seemed to grow with every passing second.

As he left the pantry, a somber determination took hold of him. "We have to be ready for anything... even for what we haven't yet imagined."