Hyrule's Light

Onward

Finally when Link and Zelda separated from their embrace, Link hastily wiped the tears from his face and looked up at Mipha's statue. The morning sun had just begun to rise over the tall mountains surrounding the Domain, casting the statue in a dim milky light.

Zelda watched him for a moment before their eyes connected once more. "You... really care for Mipha... don't you."

Link sighed heavily. "I guess I do." He said weakly, clearing his throat when his voice gave out. "I finally remember everything we did together and how many times she healed me... In most cases I would be happy, but..." He let out a sarcastic snort. "In this case it only hurts."

"You know... I might not have had a connection to Mipha like you, but-"

The loud familiar cry of Vah Ruta cut into Zelda's sentence, causing both of them to whirl around to face a flat topped mountain. The great Divine Beast suddenly rose mightily from behind it, its trunk swinging upwards with a triumphant war cry. It landed heavily onto the mountain, situating itself firmly before shooting a sudden red laser directly at Hyrule Castle days away.

With wide hopeful eyes, Link searched the Divine Beast for any sign of Mipha, and he gasped when a dim figure appeared on top of the elephant. He smiled as he watched the figure stand still for a moment before slowly fading away into blinking green dots, which Link guessed were the flames that encircled the spirits.

"Ruta is attacking Ganon!" Zelda exclaimed in realization, turning to Link with an excited expression. "Do you think it's draining its power? Maybe it's weakening it!"

"I'm sure Mipha is doing everything in her power to buy us time." Link replied with a more reverent tone. "She did promise she was going to do everything she could to assist us."

Zelda nodded. "Well looks like she's certainly keeping her promise."

"Link! Zelda!" Sidon suddenly called out to them, looking down from above the balcony that circled around Mipha's statue. "You did it! You appeased the Divine Beast! We must tell my father the great news!"

Before they knew it, Link and Zelda were standing before King Dorephan, who chuckled deeply once they had finished relaying their success. All of the Zora had also gathered behind them, cheering ecstatically as well before quieting down as the King began to speak.

"Princess Zelda, Hyrule Champion, you did well to survive your trial! The violent downpour has disappeared, as has the threat to Zora's Domain! It is little more than a bad dream now. Thanks to your efforts, there is no longer any danger of a great flood laying waste to Hyrule!" Another cheer rose from the crowd before the King quieted them down again. "You appeased the Divine Beast Vah Ruta and thusly saved Zora's Domain! We are all truly grateful! What you did for us is more than we could have ever expected of you two."

"Link... I must sincerely apologize for my harsh treatment of you as well as the Princess." Muzu said earnestly, nodding his head in satisfaction. "That whole time, you were thinking of Hyrule's and Lady Mipha's well-being, just like the rest of us. All of the members of our council humbly fold our fins back in gratitude, along with the rest of our people. Perhaps the older generation of Zora, myself included, misunderstood Hylians after all. It would seem so. That said, I would be overjoyed if you could find it in your heart to forgive me. If not now, then perhaps one day."

Link and Zelda both smiled and nodded in return, turning their heads towards the King as his loud voice rang out through the throne room once more. "Link, Zelda, I must reward your efforts!" As the King spoke the last word, a young Zora maiden trotted into the throne room, holding something long that was wrapped up in an elegant blue and silver cloth. She stopped in front of the two Hylians, and with a great flourish, unveiled the gift in her hands to be an intricately carved trident with precious jewels dangling from its sides. It was white and woven with pink, blues, and even a hint of orange. The impressive weaponry was both graceful and threatening.