A Minor Test of Strength

Smoke

I was choking on red and black smoke. It surrounded me, and I couldn't get out. I ran and waved my arms but there was no way out. It was choking me. I stumbled. Calamity smoke went on forever. Then a flash of blue struck down in from of me. Guardian weapons flashed all around, aimed at me. I ducked and jumped and rolled and dogged, but the spears and swords were relentless. I tripped. I rolled over, draining every last bit of fight in me to stand up. Gasping, I felt a stab of pain in my chest. A slow, thick liquid feeling began to spread from my chest, snaking through my veins towards my limbs. I dropped to my knees. Blackness clouded my vision and screams echoed through my head. Familiar screams. My friends' screams. I needed to reach them. Clawing my fingers, I crawled against the greater will. I thought I would give out. Choke. Die. What I actually found was much worse. The smoke cleared and I saw Hyrule destroyed, bodies scattered. I saw Revali, Urbosa, and Daruk among them.

"No."

I tried to move towards them but stumbled on something right beneath my feet. Link, with the Master Sword plunged deep in his chest. Many arrows were lodged in his body, some bleeding fresh and some old and scabbed over. Blood collected beneath him, and for the first time, I noticed his expression. He had died crying.

Clammy and hot, I woke up sobbing. I had drenched the sheets with sweat. I needed to find my friends. As I grabbed a jacket to cover up my pajamas, I saw today's date circled on my calendar. Today was trial day.

                                  ***

The gate closed behind me. I had one hour to get through this shrine. There were three challenges, and that was all I knew. I surveyed the first room. Tables lined the perimeter, covered in every ingredient imaginable. A lit cooking pot sat in the center. Obviously, I needed to make the right dish or elixir. The hard part was figuring out which one to make, and remembering the ingredients. I checked the pot, but there were no clues inscribed in the metal. The walls were bare. I even tried to push or brush off suspicious places to see any hidden instructions. Nothing. What could I do? I had no idea what to make.

I stood puzzled. A scent drifted through the air. Smoke. Fear struck me like a stampede. What if my dream was coming true and I was trapped in this chamber alone? There was an orange flash and all four walls were ablaze. It was a fire! I knew what I had to do. The flames were spreading fast. Some of the ingredients ignited. I raced to grab a Smotherwing Butterfly and an Octorok tentacle. The smoke started to descend. Crouching low by the pot, I threw in the ingredients and added some water. After furious stirring, I ladled the hot liquid into a cup. Please dear Hylia, please make this work. I downed the elixir in one gulp, and waited for the tingling and cooling sensation. The flames were at my feet. Taking my last deep breath, I ducked my head and charged towards the flaming door.