Chapter Text
A sudden flash of lightning and a resounding thunderclap jolted Link awake, immediately followed by the rhythm of heavy rain drumming against the window above his bed. Although the thunder was unwelcome, the soothing pitter-patter of raindrops brought a sense of tranquility. Ever since he was a child, Link had cherished the sounds of water, be it the majestic roar of a waterfall or the gentle patter of rain against a stable rooftop. As he glanced up at the window, he could see the first light of dawn beginning to seep into the sky.
"Too early to get up," Link muttered to himself.
So, he took a deep breath, rolled over in his bed, and closed his eyes again: not to sleep but to think.
Today held particular significance for him as he had an important meeting scheduled later that morning with Dr. Purah at the nearby Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. And despite the soothing sound of the rain, he didn't think he could fall back asleep: he had too much on his mind. So, Link lay there, his thoughts wandering.
For one thing, he needed to mentally prepare himself for the upcoming encounter. Dr. Purah was a brilliant but eccentric Sheikah scientist whose actions were often unpredictable. Even those who knew her best, like her younger sister Impa or her research colleague Dr. Robbie, were frequently caught off guard by her surprises.
What initially sparked the thoughts he wished to discuss with Dr. Purah?
His curiosity was piqued after reading one of the ten Zora monuments dispersed throughout the land surrounding Zora's Domain. This particular monument was located in the Zodobon Highlands, just a short distance northwest of where the imposing Divine Beast Vah Ruta stood sentinel atop a plateau. He recalled it happened one sunny afternoon while hiking with his old Big Bad Bazz Brigade friend Rivan.
"Whew! Made it!" said Rivan as he struggled to catch his breath. "Why couldn't you choose swimming instead of hiking today, Link?"
"Because I wanted to visit this monument," laughed Link. "I'm grateful for your company, Rivan. But things are safer now, and I can manage on my own. You didn't have to come with me."
"Tell that to King Dorephan," laughed Rivan. "All of us guards have standing orders to report if you're seen. And Captain Bazz has standing orders to assign someone to look after you. King Dorephan thinks of you as a member of the family, Link. And I volunteered to go when Bazz asked for one. I'm happy to spend time with my old friend, even if he's forgotten all we did as kids."
"Thanks, Rivan, and I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. I'm glad you're here, and your company certainly makes the trip more cheerful. King Dorephan has been wonderful to me, treating me like family," Link agreed, nodding. "But now that we're here, let's read the monument."
They both turned to read the inscription concerning the famous Zora Princess Ruto.
History of the Zora, Part Five
The Sage Princess Ruto
As told by King Dorephan
Long, long ago... In a past more distant than even the Great Calamity or the creation of the Divine Beast, Vah Ruta... There was a Zora princess named Ruto. We know that she was an attendant to the Zora patron deity and that she was a fair and lively girl, beloved to all. Around that same time, an evil man with designs on ruling the world appeared, bringing disaster upon Zora's Domain. It is said that Ruto then awoke as a sage, facing this foe alongside the princess of Hyrule and the hero of legend. Her achievements are remembered not only by the Zora, they are also forever etched into the history of Hyrule. The Divine Beast Vah Ruta, built ages later to face off against Calamity Ganon, was named in honor of Ruto. That the Zora princess—my sweet daughter Mipha —was chosen to pilot Ruta is surely the work of fate.
"Somehow, fate was all too cruel, wasn't it?" Link muttered after he finished reading.
"Yes, it was," said Rivan quietly.
"Maybe I should learn more about Princess Ruto," said Link after another moment. "Do you know any more about her?"
"Only a little more, what we learned in class," said Rivan. "Ironically, it is said that Princess Ruto developed feelings for the Hylian hero of the time and gave him the long-lost Zora Sapphire as an engagement gift. But perhaps the Hyrule Castle library has more information."
"Yes, good thought. And that was what Mipha was referring to in her diary when she wrote, 'According to the old legend, long ago a Zora princess fell in love with a Hylian swordsman. Perhaps there is hope. This will be a rare occasion that Link is not accompanying the princess. We should have some time to ourselves. Oh, I have an idea! At sunset, I shall ride upon Ruta with Link. Zora princess of the past...please lend me your courage!'"
"You memorized Mipha's diary?"
"King Dorephan gave me permission, and I've read it so many times I know it by heart," Link admitted. "But not only hers. I've also read and re-read the other Champions' diaries too. They gave me some insight into what they were thinking and doing back then. And my empty mind certainly has plenty of room to fill in."
"I guess that's true," laughed Rivan.
"Anyway, if you're rested, we can head back. I don't want to keep you away from your family for too long. How's your daughter, Dunma?"
"She's fine and enjoys following in her family's wake and serving as a guard," said Rivan. "By the way, whenever your name comes up, she jokes about when you two first met, how you asked if she was a female and how old she was. But I remind her that your memory was lost back then, and you didn't recall anything about Zoras."
"I blush to think how silly I must have sounded to her," laughed Link. "I hope she's not upset at me."
"No, no, not at all. She understands," said Rivan. "She just thinks it was amusing. Anyway, I'm ready to hike back."
And so, upon his next visit to Hyrule Castle, Link consulted what information was available in the restored Castle Library. There, the story became even more interesting, and started giving him ideas. The Link of that period was referred to as the Hero of Time, and he was called that because he traveled back and forth in time for seven years. He and the Sages battled Ganondorf in his original timeline and finally destroyed him.
But that wasn't the end of the story.
Link and Zelda's actions afterward created another timeline. And in that timeline, the hero's knowledge enabled him to warn the young Princess Zelda of Ganondorf's treachery. Ganondorf was caught before he could accomplish his evil intent. He was arrested, imprisoned, and when he could not be executed, he was banished to the Twilight Realm. He eventually returned to cause havoc, as told in the stories about the Hero of Twilight.
But that wasn't the point. The point was that the Link of that era had changed things for the better for a Hyrule timeline through time travel. The obvious question was: could it be done again? Of course, there was still a Temple of Time, but could anyone make it serve its original purpose? Could he go back in time and prevent Ganon's destruction just like the Hero of Time had?
The only one who might know about such things was Dr. Purah, which led to Link making an appointment with her later this morning.
In the two years since Calamity Ganon's defeat, much had changed. For one thing, monsters were now a rarity, with the few remaining taking refuge in remote corners of Hyrule. With the cessation of Blood Moons reviving the terrible creatures, their elimination became a feasible task, one of the first undertakings. People now traveled without fear. Although the Yiga Clan could still stir up trouble, Ganon's fall had apparently dampened their spirits. They had retreated into the shadows, at least for the time being.
Rebuilding Hyrule remained the primary focus. However, Link couldn't help but smile at the success of Bolson Construction. The company was thriving, with numerous workers and many projects. But thankfully, there were other construction companies now to give them a healthy dose of competition. Much to his relief, they no longer had the time to loiter around his house!
Speaking of his house, Link had chosen to live in the serene farming community of Hateno Village to escape the constant activity surrounding Hyrule Castle. Here, people gave him space, and his cozy hillside home provided a sanctuary for relaxation and reflection when he wasn't journeying. Within these walls, he attempted to chronicle everything he could recall in a journal he was keeping — a task more challenging than it seemed, given his nearly complete memory loss. His mind was blank when he emerged from the Shrine of Resurrection just over two years prior.
Initially, he spent weeks recovering fragments of memories from the images preserved in Zelda's Sheikah Slate. However, these only captured moments shared with Zelda. Next, he regained some additional memories by visiting major villages in Hyrule and conversing with their inhabitants. These interactions helped him remember a little about Urbosa, Revali, Daruk, and Mipha, his fellow Champions. And that traveling bard, Kass, had told him tales of the times Zelda recruited each of the Champions, which helped him see more of their personality. Sometime later, Kass found that group picture Mipha requested at Hyrule Castle, and it triggered a memory of that occasion.
Thanks to taking notes in his journal, he had sorted out all those memories and put them in order of their occurrence. And he realized the last memory he had of all of them together was that fateful moment by the East Gate of Lanayru Road when Ganon attacked, and each of the Champions raced back to their Divine Beast. They had placed their faith in ancient technology from ten millennia past, only for Ganon to outwit them all. After that, he never saw the Champions again, save as spirits.
And right after Zelda and his triumph over Calamity Ganon, the four Champion spirits departed Hyrule, their mission fulfilled. It was then he lost their unique abilities. Urbosa's Fury, Daruk's Protection, Revali's Gale, and Mipha's Grace had all vanished, leaving him with a sense of sorrow. Those powers had made him feel like they were still by his side.
Still, he did have a few things to remind him of his fellow Champions.
Displayed on the surrounding walls were the rewards given to him by village leaders for liberating the Divine Beasts. There was Revali's Great Eagle Bow, Daruk's Boulder Breaker, Urbosa's Scimitar of the Seven and Daybreaker Shield, and most precious of all, Mipha's Lightscale Trident. At least he had those keepsakes to remember them by, tangible items they had once touched in life.
And he had that one image of them all, though their expressions were not what you might expect. Hanging on his wall was the group picture of Zelda, the Champions, and himself that was taken by Purah just after the Champions' Inauguration ceremony with King Rhoam. Mipha had suggested the photo, and he was grateful she had. He remembered Mipha's endearing attempt to look her best for the picture, sidling closer to him and taking deep breaths. Then, the jovial Daruk had "brought them all together" with a giant squeeze. They all laughed afterward. Well, except for Revali, who was annoyed his dignified pose had been ruined and asked when Daruk would finally grow up. Anyway, Link occasionally looked at the picture to remember them, but it evoked bittersweet emotions. That moment of happiness and unity had been all too fleeting. Now, Zelda was the only one left; the others were gone.
But Link knew very well that his life extended beyond the scarce memories reclaimed from the Sheikah Slate and chance encounters. After fulfilling his duty to Hyrule, he yearned to understand more about himself and the significant individuals in his life. Even upon awakening from the shrine and embarking on his quest to save Hyrule, there were hints of other crucial connections—people and places that must have held significant meaning for him.
Zora's Domain proved to be the most enlightening source of information. Numerous residents remembered Link from over a century ago. While some older individuals at first harbored resentment, blaming him for past tragedies, others recognized him as a cherished friend and childhood companion. Conversations revealed that he must have spent considerable time there. As he spoke with King Dorephan and Prince Sidon, it became apparent that someone very special to him had lived in Zora's Domain, and she was the reason for his frequent visits.
Link discovered that Princess Mipha was more than just a fellow Champion. She had been a friend since childhood, caring for him and healing his wounds with her magic. As they grew older, she fell in love with him and crafted an exquisite set of Zora armor, anticipating their marriage. At first, he could scarcely remember Mipha or his feelings for her. His initial memory of her, triggered by her statue, was a sun-drenched afternoon atop Divine Beast Vah Ruta, where she tended to an injury on his arm and vowed to care for him. Rising from his bed, Link approached the group picture and focused on Mipha's image, thinking of her at that moment. Although it wasn't the most flattering picture, it was all he had.
He decided to prepare a vegetable omelet for breakfast and soon found himself eating at his modest dining room table. Although he cherished his cozy home, Link also enjoyed traveling. He would sometimes visit Impa at Kakariko Village, appreciating their conversations and her stories from the past. Impa had been an invaluable ally and guide when he awoke from the Shrine of Resurrection without his memory. She was among the few living Sheikah who remembered him before Calamity Ganon's attack, and she had even preserved his Champion Tunic for a century.
Whenever he visited, Impa greeted him warmly, inquiring about his well-being and the knowledge he gained during his travels. They would occasionally share tea. And though aging, her mind remained sharp. However, she didn't entirely support his attempts to remember his past. Instead, she would shake her head in disappointment, urging him to move forward and leave the past behind.
"When you're as old as I am, Link, you can dwell on your past," scolded Impa as she slapped her hand against her thigh. "A young man like you should be thinking of his future!"
Impa's granddaughter, Paya, still lived with her and was consistently nervous around Link. Even with his limited understanding of women's emotions, he could tell she harbored feelings for him. Impa was undoubtedly aware of this, and he wondered if her insistence on moving on hinted at her desire for him to form a bond with Paya. Paya was a genuinely kind-hearted and devout person whom he liked and respected. Under different circumstances, he would gladly get to know her better. However, he wasn't ready for a relationship, and Paya's discomfort around him was one reason he limited his visits to Impa.
Above all, he enjoyed spending time in Zora's Domain, conversing with King Dorephan, Prince Sidon, and others who remembered Mipha and him from over a century ago. Those discussions aided his recollection or at least helped him learn more about the times they had shared. He wore the Zora Armor almost constantly now. It suited him well, ensuring he maintained his physical fitness. Moreover, swimming up waterfalls often expedited his journeys. He still possessed other armor and his blue Champion's Tunic, which he reserved for the rare instances he attended meetings at Hyrule Castle.
Her Majesty Zelda had become the Queen of Hyrule, of course. Her coronation was a magnificent event, with crowds cheering, overjoyed to witness Hyrule under new leadership after a century of devastation. At seventeen years old, she was young to be crowned ruler, but she embodied hope for a long-suffering populace astonished to see her alive at all. Her survival was deemed miraculous, a sign that the Goddess blessed her and would bless her reign.
Link had attended the ceremony, naturally, and even held a distinguished position in the entourage. However, shortly after, he began to feel less needed. Zelda was now fully protected by the reestablished Royal Guards, and there were far fewer threats to her safety. Additionally, Zelda's duties kept her occupied, and he hesitated to intrude. A few months after the coronation, he requested a private meeting with her, a meeting he remembered vividly.
Link was escorted into a private reception room at Hyrule Castle. After a brief wait, Zelda entered, greeting him with her lovely smile. He promptly knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, thank you for seeing me. I know how busy you are," said Link.
"Link, I'm never too busy to see you. I would hope you knew that by now. And, as I've told you before, when we're alone together, please call me Zelda. I might start fining you a Rupee each time you forget!"
"Of course, uh, Zelda," Link chuckled as he stood up.
"How are you, Link?" asked Zelda. "You look well. You know I'm always happy to see you."
"I'm fine, Zelda, still traveling a lot," Link replied. "And I enjoy seeing you too. You look wonderful! Everyone I meet speaks highly of your capabilities as a ruler."
"I wonder if they sing my praises to you because they know we're friends?" Zelda laughed. "But I appreciate the compliment. What did you want to see me about?"
"This is difficult for me to say, Zelda, but I need to say it. I think it would be best for me to leave Hyrule Castle and focus on restoring my memory. I've made some progress here and there, but to delve deeper, I need to go out more and meet with the few people who remember me while they still can. Also, I'm not sure I'm needed here. Our task with Calamity Ganon is thankfully over, and you're well protected now. Of course, if you grant me leave, I'll miss the people I've come to know here. And I'll miss you most of all, Zelda," said Link.
He articulated this more eloquently than usual, having practiced beforehand. He nervously observed Zelda's reaction. Zelda smiled tenderly, though her voice was tinged with sadness.
"I'll be very sorry to see you go if that's your wish. Knowing you were here if I needed a friend or wanted to reminisce about my father and others was comforting. I admit my duties as Queen have occupied me, and we haven't had as much time together as I would have liked. I wish it were different. But I understand your desire to recover your past. And I think I know the person you want to remember most," said Zelda.
Link blushed as they both knew she meant Mipha.
"So, not without sorrow, I'll grant your request and relieve you, for now, of your duties here. Please take as much time as you need to recover your memories. But, Link, I hope you know you'll always hold a special place in my heart, and you're welcome to return here whenever you wish. And I hope you will do so frequently."
"Thank you for being so understanding, Zelda," Link said. "You know, if I may be so bold, how special you are to me as well, and I'll always treasure our time together."
With that, he bowed to take his leave, but Zelda stepped forward, stopping him and embracing him with a hug, which he reciprocated. Then, he closed his eyes, fighting back tears as they held each other.
"Oh, Link, I'll miss you so much!" said Zelda. "Please remember, I am your good friend. I wish you success in seeking your memories. But, as a friend, I would also like to see you happy. I hope you can move on with your life. I can imagine how painful your loss is. I, too, have experienced painful losses. But we cannot live forever in the past, Link. I would be happy to see you visit often and let me know how you are. In fact, I think I will make that a royal decree that you do!" Zelda teased him as they separated from their embrace.
"Yes, I will gladly honor your royal decree," laughed Link. "And thank you, Zelda."
Then he bowed and left the room.
That meeting had taken place almost two years ago. He visited Zelda at least once a month as promised and enjoyed seeing her. She always welcomed him warmly and set aside an hour or more of her busy schedule for him. He shared his experiences from his travels around the kingdom, and she discussed her plans for Hyrule's reconstruction. Zelda held a special place in his heart. Most of the life he could remember was the time they spent together. She had transformed from the sixteen-year-old girl her father had tasked him with protecting into a capable ruler. And yes, she was right. If the plan he would discuss with Dr. Purah couldn't work, he would need to move on from the past.
As he cleaned up, he recalled the times he had visited the Divine Beasts after appeasing them and shortly before Ganon's defeat. At each Divine Beast, he entered a virtual world where he could hone his fighting skills by battling once again the terrible blight creatures Ganon had created. It was invaluable training for his ultimate battle. And it also allowed him to hear the Champions' spirits a few more times. Mipha's voice, lamenting his inability to remember their time together and that she would never forget made him choke up each time he thought of it. It was so cruel to lose someone who loved you so deeply.
Despite everyone urging him to move on with his life, for better or worse, he had achieved some success recalling his past life. And given what he had learned about Mipha, he concentrated on Zora's Domain, seeking places to trigger a recollection. Of course, it seldom worked, but sometimes it did. And when it did, it only reinforced his need to learn more about his time with Mipha.
He still remembered just a little, but much more than before. Now, he could recall a time they sat together watching a sunset over the water. They had swum together earlier and were drying off, chatting about what each was doing. Then, that beautiful sunset happened, and they sat quietly, sharing the moment. Or another time, they were sitting with their feet dangling in a pool of water covered with lily pads and laughing when the occasional frog would jump out and startle them. Mipha looked so happy being with him, and he remembered how content and at ease he felt with her.
As he recovered more memories, he also rediscovered more feelings. He realized he was in love with Mipha and wished he could be with her. They had been close friends since childhood, but their relationship grew into something much more as they matured. Now, it was all gone. But he was hopeful that there might be something he could do about it.
Zelda and Impa had often told him that he should move on with his life. But moving on with his life was precisely the problem. What was his life now?
He had fulfilled his duty to Zelda and Hyrule as the hero. Zelda now had a kingdom to govern, but what was he to do? All the combat and survival skills he had trained so hard to master were no longer needed. He felt purposeless now.
It was ironic, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt that his only future lay in the past.