The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Dungeon Chapter 17 - The Library of Hyrule

...and that is where our tale meets the present," Endeavor finished. Lifting their hand to show an attentive Link and Zelda. "And I bear the mark of Reechka, Goddess of Secrecy. I am the first to bear this mark, and I hope to be the last."

A small question arising, Link asked, "Wait...shouldn't there be three pieces to the Triforce?"

Something hit his head. He stood dazed for a moment as Endeavor shouted at him, "Respect the Goddesses, Link!" Once his eyes refocused again, Link spied the husk of a Deku Nut lying on the ground. "Particularly in the presence of One."

"It is not technically a part of the Triforce," Hylia clarified, Her voice much kinder than Endeavor's scolding. "While it is easier to call it the Triforce of Secrecy, the true name of it is the Radiant Light, and its potential is not yet reached."

Zelda tipped her head in confusion. "But—Wait. Goddess...how did you and I..."

Hylia smiled, and floating over to Zelda. Hands resting gently on the princess's shoulders, She explained, "We are in a place between time. Here, you are not born, and We are not yet one."

"Does that mean...that..." Zelda glanced at Link, something sheepish in her expression. His brows furrowed in confusion. Mean what?

There was a hint of pink on Hylia's cheeks. "Not precisely. I am not a full Goddess, but I am still immortal, and Demise's curse binds Us together. But not in the same manner as his soul. The feeling is shared, but it is its own in each passing of the Cycle."

Zelda's cheeks gained a bit of color as well as she looked away. Link remained confused on the expressions between the two of Them. When Endeavor offered no help on the matter, Link remembered the reason they had come here and decided to push the conversation on. "Goddess, where is the Master Sword now?"

"Ah, yes, My gift to you so many years ago," Hylia answered, seemingly happy to have the conversation turn. "It is right of you to ask, but now that you know of My eldest Sister, I fear your quest for that blade is not yet over. There is still one more temple you must honor to open the way to reclaiming it."

"Which temple is that?" Zelda asked.

Endeavor's eyes narrowed. "Have you forgotten already the legend I took so long to retell already. The fact that is ended only years before your own lives would should have sparked at least some of your interest."

Hylia sighed, muttering, "You are so much like Her, it's terrifying..." The Goddess cleared Her voice over confronting Endeavor on the point, "Yes, it is Reechka's Temple, the Temple of Secrecy you must visit last before you can claim your blade once more, Link. But such a place is only known by the most secretive people in Hyrule. A people so unseen that the rulers of this land only know they exist purely by trust that they do."

Link looked at Endeavor at this, understanding finally arriving on their final destination. Endeavor inclined their head. "You must come to the home of the Drex if you wish to honor my Goddess. A place that only I know the entrance to."

"But by visiting the Temple, doesn't that mean that...Ganondorf has made his way there too?" Link asked. All the other temples had been corrupted, it stood to reason that this one must have been as well.

"It is true, in a way," Endeavor said rather cryptically. "The Demon Lord's power has made his way into Reechka's Temple. This is the urgency behind my return. My people are hard pressed keeping the creatures at bay. But the fact that he has also managed to put his monsters into this place says Ganondorf's power is increasing."

Hylia bowed Her head. "Evil acts in ways we cannot fathom or track because it will do anything, even those things beyond reason. I fear not for I know you will prevail in the end, but I wish I could see more. My knowledge is as limited as yours though so long as the Cycle endures."

Shaking Her head, Hylia continued, "But these things are of no use. The only thing left now is to deal with the problem at hand. I endure, always willing to help my Hero in his quest. If you ever wish to visit me again, all need be done is stand in front of the fountain where the entrance to this building once stood, and play this ballad."

She reached for something, only to find it was not there. Zelda extended her arms and held her harp up to Hylia. "I believe this is what you're searching for," she said, a small smile on her face.

Taking it out of Zelda's hands, Hylia looked at the harp like one looks at a long-lost childhood gift. She ran Her fingers over the string, and even the simple collection of notes played like a symphony. Then, plucking the strings in a delicate order, Hylia played the song that Endeavor and Zelda had played to enter the temple. Link repeated it on his ocarina.

"You learned the Ballad of the Goddess from the Goddess Hylia, Herself! Its divine melody will bring you back to the Library of Hyrule, where She resides inside Her Temple between Time."

As Link finished, Hylia gestured to the walls behind Her. "This is the Library of Hyrule, for now. It is the greatest collection of knowledge in the world, though it cannot exist in any moment lest it be put in danger. Somewhere among its volumes you may find other divine songs. I believe I have some that may be used to summon my Sisters as well, but you will have to return and look for those yourself when you have more knowledge of Their powers. Though, besides music, there is a great deal of information to be gained. Maybe once this is over, Princess, you may open this back up to the people. This is a great wish of mine, and of Reechka, who blessed its collection."

Hylia handed Zelda Her harp back. Zelda held it carefully, reminded of its value. Hylia turned last to Endeavor. "Well, I believe that is all I can offer you here for now. When you have cleansed Reechka's Temple, perhaps I will have the location of the Master Sword for you."

She lifted Her hand, and a portal opened behind them. There was the sound of water hitting stone and people passing by. Zelda smiled, saying mostly to herself, "It's been a while since I was home."

"Home is a place we need to protect right now, my dear," Hylia replied gently. "It is a fine idea, and most people don't understand how wonderful it is until they've lost it. It is My hope that no one is this land will ever have that pain again."

"Then we best be leaving, to ensure that wish, Goddess," Endeavor stated, heading for the portal without hesitation.

"One last thing, Endeavor," Hylia called, pulling Endeavor's attention back to the chamber. She held out Her closed hand, then opened it. There was a flash of light, and then something appeared in Her hand. She explained, "This is my medallion, and it is the only one not for my Hero. Not at the moment."

Setting the golden item down in Zelda's hand, Link examined it as Zelda did. It looked more like a pendent. Hylia put Her hands on Zelda's shoulders, saying, "When the time is right, you will know what to do with this relic of mine. I fear it has no power like my Sisters', but it may serve a purpose in its time."

The gift awarded, Endeavor left them for the portal. Link and Zelda watched them go, before returned to Hylia for any other guidance She might offer. The Goddess sighed, seemingly nothing left to give. "They are right. It is time you left. Know that your past carries you forward, like the wind in wings."

Zelda walked through the portal before Link. As she vanished through, Link went to follow. He glanced back once at Hylia, to which the Goddess waved. "Farewell, my Hero," Hylia said, a kind smile on Her face. "I wish you the very best in your quest and in your life to come."

Believing that that was his permission to leave, Linkstepped through the open portal...