Dawn

Link woke with a start, gasping as if he had just escaped a nightmare. But there was no escape. The image of Zelda falling into the abyss haunted him even while awake. He could still hear the echo of his own voice screaming her name, a cry swallowed by the void.

He clenched his fists, his prosthetic arm emitting a faint glow as he did so. His loss was not only physical; the emptiness in his chest was far more difficult to ignore. Since that day in the depths, he had done nothing but search for her, following every clue, every rumor, every possible lead that could bring him back to her.

But it was useless. The guilt weighed on him like a stone on his shoulders. He repeated the same thought over and over: I should have protected her better.

As he tightened the straps of his gear, his mind betrayed him, dragging him back to the little moments he had shared with Zelda. He remembered her soft laughter when she joked with him, the determination in her eyes when she spoke of her vision for Hyrule, and the way her face lit up with the small victories they had shared on their journey. Now, all of that seemed so far away, like a dream fading with the dawn.

Are you out there, Zelda? Thinking of me, as I think of you?

When Link returned to Lookout Landing, Purah, the leader of the stronghold, greeted him with her usual energy. The Sheikah scientist, known for her eccentricities and brilliance, had become a key figure in Hyrule's resistance. Despite her one hundred twenty years, she looked like a young woman in her twenties thanks to one of her inventions: a rejuvenation potion that, although initially unstable, had eventually been perfected.

However, Link could barely meet her gaze. Every time he recounted what had happened in the depths, it felt as though the wound reopened, raw and painful.

Purah listened attentively, her eyes shining with a mix of awe and concern as Link described the events: Zelda's fall into the void, the celestial island where he had awakened, and the golem that had given him a Sheikah tablet, claiming to have spoken with her ten thousand years ago.

Purah's fascination quickly transformed her serious expression into a mix of scientific enthusiasm and resolve. Without hesitation, she entrusted him with two crucial missions: to find Zelda and to unravel the strange events that had begun to shake Hyrule since her disappearance.

Before letting him leave, she also spoke of unsettling sightings: a Zelda dressed in peculiar clothing, with an unsettling demeanor, who had been seen in various parts of the kingdom. Although the stories were vague and confusing, Purah couldn't help but share her concern.

"I know it sounds strange, Link, but something doesn't add up. Find her, and perhaps all of this will start to make sense."

Over the following months, Link investigated the anomalies in Hyrule's main regions. In each one, he relived memories of the friendships he had forged during his past struggle against the Calamity.

During his investigations, Link not only confronted the strange occurrences plaguing each territory but also the growing enigma surrounding Zelda's behavior. Alongside his allies, he managed to awaken the spirits of the ancient sages, legendary figures who had once fought in the Imprisoning War. Each of these spirits named a present sage, granting them a secret stone that symbolized their connection to the ancestral power.

First, he traveled to Eldin, where he reunited with the Gorons, robust rock-men whose warmth and insatiable appetite made them unique. There, he met with Yunobo, the proud descendant of Daruk, the legendary warrior. Although he was not the leader of Goron City, Yunobo bore the heritage of his lineage with pride. His immense strength and generous heart distinguished him, and when the awakening of the sages arrived, he was chosen as the Sage of Fire. The power of the volcano seemed to flow through him, channeling the primordial force of the mountain.

The Hebra region, with its eternally snow-capped mountains, was home to the Rito, a proud, winged race skilled in archery. There, Link rekindled ties with Teba, the patriarch, and his son Tulin, who had been crucial in their battle against the divine beast Vah Medoh. With the awakening of the ancestral power, Tulin was named Sage of Wind. The young Rito, though initially insecure, embraced his role with a determination that reflected the indomitable spirit of his people.

In the scorching desert of Gerudo, Link arrived at the citadel where the relentless warrior women lived under the guidance of Riju, the young matriarch. Although the laws forbade the entry of men, Link had earned his place among them by proving his worth in the battle against Vah Naboris. Riju, with her firm leadership and ancestral bond with lightning, was named Sage of Thunder. The strength of her connection with the storm was so powerful that she seemed to embody the untamed spirit of the dunes themselves.

Finally, in Lanayru, the dazzling Zora's Domain stood as an architectural marvel built upon a crystalline lake. Majestic waterfalls cascaded across multiple levels, feeding the region with pure waters that wound their way to distant springs. The gracefully curved bridges, intricately carved with aquatic motifs, connected the spiraling terraces of the city. Under the sunlight, the bluish and silver structures shimmered like jewels, giving the impression that the city was a natural extension of the lake itself.

The ruler of this fish-like race, Sidon, a close friend of Link and charismatic leader of the Zora, was chosen as the Sage of Water. With his pact, he channeled the strength of his people into the ancestral stone, binding his fate to that of the hero.

Lastly, Mineru, the Sage of Spirit, joined them, revealing herself as the fifth and final sage. Her existence was a complete surprise to Link, who had not known her role in history until he had gathered the four main sages. It was then that Purah mentioned the possible existence of a fifth sage, a figure shrouded in mystery. Her whereabouts were linked to the fallen ring-shaped ruins scattered around Kakariko after Link and Zelda disappeared into the depths.

Driven by this lead, Link traveled to Kakariko, where he met Tauro and Calip, two renowned archaeologists leading the research in the ruins. Together, they deciphered millennia-old inscriptions that revealed the path to the Thunder Islands. From there, Link embarked on a journey full of challenges that ultimately led him to the Temple of Spirit.

In the heart of the temple, something extraordinary happened. The sage Mineru, whose presence had remained veiled for millennia, emerged from Purah's tablet. Thanks to her unique ability to separate her spirit from her body, she had managed to preserve her essence since the Zonai era. With Mineru's guidance, Link constructed a golem, a mechanical body that would serve as a vessel for her spirit. By integrating into the golem assembled by Link, Mineru sealed the pact of loyalty and completed the circle of sages, uniting their forces to face the impending fate.

However, the mysteries only continued to deepen. Throughout his journey, Link encountered figures of Zelda in front of the sacred temple doors, but these were revealed to be illusions created by malice. The testimonies of the sages of the past confirmed that the real Zelda had interacted with them ten thousand years ago. According to them, Zelda had made a promise: when the time came, the present sages were to unite with Link in the fight against the Demon King, the adversary that even the warriors of the past had failed to defeat.

However, the mysteries only continued to grow. During his journey, Link discovered figures of Zelda standing before the doors of sacred temples, but these turned out to be illusions created by malice. The testimonies of the sages of the past confirmed that the real Zelda had interacted with them ten thousand years ago. According to them, Zelda had made a promise: when the time came, the present sages must join Link in the fight against the Demon King, the adversary that even the warriors of the past could not defeat.

Link, intrigued and confused, could not understand who this Demon King truly was or why he was destined to face him. He vaguely remembered Zelda mentioning something about this enemy during their visit to the depths of Hyrule. But the answers came unexpectedly. During his journey, he encountered Impa, the elder Sheikah leader, who guided him toward an even greater enigma: the geoglyphs. These colossal engravings across the land, hidden throughout Hyrule, held drops of pure, luminous light.

When Link began collecting these drops, each revealed fragments of the past. Piece by piece, the puzzle assembled, providing him with the answers he so desperately needed. Through these visions, he uncovered the events of the Imprisoning War, the sacrifices of the ancient sages, and how Zelda had played an essential role in that millennial conflict.

However, the mystery surrounding Zelda remained unsolved. It was only when he found the fifth sage, Mineru, and reclaimed the Master Sword that the truth struck him like a cold wave. Every Zelda manifestation he had chased was false, mere constructs of malice designed to mislead him. Mineru, though aware of Zelda's intentions, could not offer him answers regarding her exact whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the power of the Demon King, hidden deep within Hyrule's depths, grew stronger with each passing day. Hordes of monsters ravaged the kingdom without respite, and the blood moons, which revived fallen creatures, occurred with alarming frequency. Time was running out.

With all the sages gathered, each carrying the strength of their lineage and their bond with a secret stone, the decisive moment arrived. Link, armed with the restored Master Sword and accompanied by his allies, prepared to descend into the heart of darkness. The final battle against the Demon King was about to begin.

In the preceding weeks, they had meticulously discussed every aspect of the combat, ensuring everything was in order. For Sidon and Riju, leaders of their respective clans, delegating responsibilities had been essential, as they needed to fully focus on the imminent conflict.

Finally, the day had arrived. The showdown between Link and the Demon King would take place that very day, with Lookout Landing serving as the rallying point. With a deep breath, Link rose and prepared to travel to the fortress, where Purah was finalizing preparations and the sages would convene before the battle.

Lookout Landing, standing majestically near the chasm where Link and Zelda had vanished at the start of their odyssey, had become the central hub for adventurers. The place, which initially only evoked memories of that mysterious event, had taken on new significance after Link's latest confrontation with Master Kohga. In a careless moment, Kohga confessed that the very chasm was home to the feared Demon King.

Following Master Kohga's revelation, Link and Mineru decided to descend through the Root of Ba'Tures to chart a safe path to the Demon King's lair. The abyssal darkness had been overwhelming, a heavy veil that seemed to consume all light and sound. Every step echoed in the silence, and the shadows seemed to move around them, as if danger lurked in every corner.

Recalling his incursions into the abyss, Link shuddered at the memory of the dangers that awaited them at the entrance: hordes of monsters and cunning traps designed to thwart any intruder. "I hope we've done enough to prepare," he thought. The shadow of doubt always lingered in his mind, a constant unease that never truly faded. Anxiety gripped his chest, reminding him of what was at stake.

He remembered his frustration at the frequent blood moons, turning days into an endless cycle. Monsters returned every few days, challenging their progress and frustrating their efforts to clear a path to the Demon King's lair. "We can't let them come back," Link thought bitterly, recalling how, despite meticulous efforts, the area remained infested with dark creatures.

Yet, despite these obstacles, weeks of constant incursions had allowed them to map the safest route to the Demon King's lair through the catacombs, avoiding deadly traps and sidestepping a formidable Lynel that the Demon King had summoned to guard a secondary chamber. "We must be precise," Mineru had insisted during one of their meetings, her firm voice emphasizing the chosen path on Purah's tablet map.

Concurrently, Mineru also collaborated with Purah, Rotver, and Josha, contributing her technological expertise to give the group a crucial advantage. Utilizing the golem fabrication center in the depths, they programmed the builder golems to produce six additional tablets—replicas of the one Link already possessed—at record speed: one for each sage and a sixth, naturally, for Purah.

After intense debates and studies, the four scientists successfully implemented a real-time messaging and video-call system. This would allow everyone to remain in constant communication, even when stationed in their respective tribes or communities, creating an unparalleled communication network across Hyrule.

With these improvements in place, they met several times to discuss strategy, taking into account the unique capabilities of each sage, as well as the data and maps Link and Mineru provided from their various expeditions. This ensured their strategy was as efficient as possible.

In their final meeting, Mineru surprised the group by announcing that she would join them later, just as they descended through the Root of Ba'Tures, and remain stationed at the Spirit Temple. This decision was critical: thanks to her mastery of technology, she could utilize the guardian golems to establish a monitoring system that would detect any suspicious movements in the abyss and send alerts to Link and the group. These alerts, synchronized with their tablets, would update in real time on the map, revealing enemy positions and allowing them to adjust their strategy instantly.

With the determination of a true guardian, Mineru vowed to remain vigilant, aware that her experience and control over technology would be key in deciding Hyrule's fate.

Link mentally evaluated every detail of the plan and smiled as he considered the rigorous efforts made afterward, guided by Mineru and her knowledge of the events of the Imprisoning War, to reinforce the protection of Lookout Landing while they prepared to face the Demon King. A deep sense of pride filled him as he thought of Purah and Paya. Each, in their own unique way, had taken on fundamental roles in the organization. "If only Zelda could be here, watching us all work together..." he reflected, feeling a knot in his chest. The thought that his companion might not see the results of their efforts saddened him, yet it also motivated him to fight harder, remembering that Zelda's sacrifice to safeguard the power of the Master Sword—the only weapon capable of liberating Hyrule from the Demon King—must not be in vain.

Purah had meticulously planned the fortress's defense, ensuring it was reinforced with the arrival of Hozlar, leader of the largest and most powerful extermination patrol, who was still on his way. That patrol would be ready to control any threats near the abyss. Link smiled at the thought; he had no doubt that Purah had anticipated every detail, ensuring their efforts were exhaustive.

On the other hand, Paya had been instrumental in leading the creation of an infirmary that would not only serve the group of sages but also any defender of the fortress who was wounded. Relying on Karad's expertise as a master carpenter, she decided that he would be in charge of constructing this medical refuge while she led a team of expert healers, carefully selected by Impa. Link knew the infirmary would be a vital refuge in the midst of the battle, a bastion of hope in uncertain times.

Despite the meticulous planning and the hard work of his friends, Link couldn't shake the nervousness and uncertainty creeping over him again, wondering if all of this would be enough. What if I'm not strong enough? The thought tormented him. His pride in what they were organizing was overshadowed by the fear that more than one of them, even himself, might return gravely wounded... or not return at all.

Link began adjusting the straps of his belt when a sudden dizziness forced him to stop. He blinked, but the sensation didn't fade; instead, it grew stronger. The room wavered, as if an invisible abyss were trying to swallow it.

Suddenly, he was no longer in his home. He found himself in a vast plain of twilight. The sky above him, a swirling mass of crimson and black, pulsed as if it were alive, oppressive and heavy. A bolt of lightning tore through the air, illuminating monstrous figures writhing on the horizon. And then he saw it: a tall figure, shrouded in shadows that devoured the light. It turned toward him, with glowing red eyes that burned like embers. A gaze that not only pierced him but ensnared him.

Link tried to move, but something held him back. A frustrated cry escaped his throat, but he couldn't break free. He looked down and saw the ground beginning to transform into grotesque black, viscous hands, with malevolent eyes on each palm, emerging from the earth and clinging to his legs, squeezing with unnatural force. A deep, guttural roar resonated around him, as if a beast was calling him from the darkness, so close that he felt it reverberating in his chest. Desperate, he tried to move his legs, but the weight of the earth and the hands kept him immobile, his body trapped in the nightmare. An unbearable burning sensation suddenly coursed through him, as if something invisible and cold was piercing him. The Master Sword was in his hand, but its light was barely a whisper, a dying glimmer that paled in the immense darkness surrounding him.

The figure raised a hand, and the air became unbearable, crushingly heavy. The ground beneath his feet suddenly vanished, and Link felt himself falling. There was no ground, no end, only a cold, abyssal void engulfing him in nothingness.

A thunderclap rumbled. Link gasped and opened his eyes wide. He was in his home, his hands trembling. But something had changed. The sky, clear just moments ago, was now a canvas of swirling dark clouds, tinged red at the edges.

In the distance, a deep, primal roar echoed, rattling the windows. Link placed a hand on his chest. A vision? A warning? He didn't know. But one thing was certain: something had awakened, and he could not afford to ignore it.

"This is not just a dream... Something is awakening."

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself, but the words surfaced in his mind with terrifying clarity: "Whatever is out there... it knows we are coming for it. And now it is coming for us."