The Jewel of Ages

II

Link dropped to his knees in front of the empty robes, now crumpled on the ground, and let out a sigh of relief. Cora limped to the Hero with a pained smile, her face mask ripped off and one arm hanging by her side. Link regained his composure, his eyes going wide at the sight of Cora as he shot back up and moved to her side, supporting her with his arm. "Cora, I'm sorry, I should have aimed my throw better, we could have killed him much quicker-"
Cora silenced the Hero's apologetic ramblings with a finger to his lips.
"I'm fine, Hero, just winded," she said with a small grin.
"I guess you managed to learn a thing or two from the Grandmasters after all," a soft chuckle escaped her full lips, followed by a sharp inhale of pain.
"Perhaps I have a broken arm as well..."
Link nodded and reached into his pack, procuring a small red vial and handing it to Cora.
"A simple health potion, it should get rid of the pain and swelling at least until we get back to the village. You need more healing magic than I know how to use..."
His voice trailed off as his eyes wandered to the staff on the ground.
"Speaking of magic..." bending down, the Hero plucked the deep red gem from the end of the late Keeper's staff; energies still gently swirled within it, but it's power seemed dormant now that it's wielder was deceased.
"We got what we came for. Let's get back to the village," Cora said, starting down the path. The Hero took one last glance at the robes laying on the grass, specks of sand still clinging to it, before nodding and following beside his partner, supporting her with his arm as she needed.
—
"You did very well, Cora, Link."
The Sheikah Elder clapped the shoulders of both young warriors proudly.
"Defeating the Keeper is no easy task, yet you two managed to do so and retrieve the Jewel of Ages. I am incredibly proud of you both, young warriors."
The aged Sheikah bowed his head, as Link and Cora did the same, thanking the Elder in unison.
"The true energies stored in the Jewel can only be tapped into by the sages here in the village, as only Sheikah magic can purify it. The village shall be kept safe and hidden once more."
The Elder then turned to Link.
"Young Hylian, we understand the tension at my people amongst yours was not intended to be directed at us, but towards our corrupt, fallen brethren. Take this message to your King, that if the Fallen Brotherhood is to rear their heads again, the Sheikah will lend their aid in sending them back to their holes."
Link's face swelled with a barely contained smile, and he bowed again in great thanks.
"Many thanks, Elder. And if the Sheikah are ever in need of help, my sword will be at your service. I'm sure the King will feel the same way," he added with a small chuckle.
Before the conversation could continue, Link started back to his hut to change his garb.
Cora turned to the Elder with a sad glint in her eyes, and the Elder sighed and shook his head.
"He has his own path he must follow, young one, and it is a dangerous one at that. I understand your feelings, but if you force the hand of destiny, it very well might end in despair for the both of you, my child..."
Cora bit her lip, clenching her fists and trying to hold back tears that suddenly pooled in her eyes.
"But Elder...father, how will I know whether or not our destinies are meant to intertwine if I don't try? If I don't start down the path with him? I'm not powerless, father..."
The Elder laid a comforting hand on his daughter's shoulder, looking her in the eyes and cracking a small smile.
"You have much fire and yearning in your soul, my child..."
After a pause, he sighed again, his smile widening before he turned away to return to his hut.
"Do not forget your whetstone, and the cloak your mother made you. I have bread stored in my room you can take as well."
Cora's eyes widened and a single tear escaped before she leapt to embrace her father from behind.
"Thank you, father..!" she murmured into his cloak before releasing him and darting into the hut to retrieve her belongings. The Elder chuckled softly to himself, fondly remembering decades ago when he, too, yearned so deeply for adventure.
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