The sun began its ascent into the sky after a night of rest. The shadows of the trees and hills were stretched long over hazy mists and the green grass. Little dew droplets rested on each individual blade making the ground appear as glass. The air smelled like it always did after a night of rain: clean and fresh.

As the sun rose higher into the sky, the mist faded away and the dew vanished from the grass. Birds began their songs and all sorts of bugs began flying around. In the distance were faint clangs and bangs from the castle reconstruction.

In the village to the east surrounded by hills was a monument. A monument that didn't used to be there. It sat to the right of the entrance to the biggest house in the village and was made of smooth gray stone. It was a giant headstone, about as tall as the average Hylian. On top lay a straw hat with a Sheikah eye on it. The stone read:

Lady Impa

Elder of Kakariko Village

Mother, Sister, Friend

Leader

It had been one month since she had passed away.

The village still felt the loss of their wise friend. Almost everyone would stop by daily at the monument. Some would just stand and stare, others would cry, others would pray. Even so, the people were ready for new direction. When that direction would come, no one knew.

Shortly after Impa's funeral, Paya was named the new leader. She immediately ran into the house and locked the doors. No one had seen her since. She never came out, and no one was allowed in.

All except Sheik.

Link and Zelda would try their best to have her open the doors, but she never even acknowledged them. Then, Sheik would walk up, teleport inside, then teleport out. Link would inquire of him every time he saw him appear outside the doors, but he never explained.

"Truth is given in time," Sheik had said.

Link and Zelda continued to stay in the village per Impa's command. Link had gone back to the burnt house to retrieve anything that had survived the fire. He had found a guardian sword and shield, an extra hylian shield, an eightfold blade, various other weapons and some bows. He also recovered some of their clothing.

They continued to sleep at the inn, but in separate beds. Neither of them had brought up the first night they stayed together. But they both thought the same thing:

After all this I'll tell him.

I have to tell her when this is all over.

Everyone in the village, but mostly Link and Zelda, were extremely worried for when the Yiga would strike next. A whole month had passed and nothing had happened. They just waited. And waited.

During one afternoon, Zelda sat with Pikango, the painter, where the Lanka Rokee Shrine used to be. They overlooked the entire village. She asked about all the places he had traveled to while Link practiced with the master sword. She observed him slash the air around him with grace and beauty. His skill was truly art. There was thought in every move and stroke he made, much like Pikango and his canvas. Him and the sword were one.

Zelda watched a little longer before getting up from the grass and walking towards him. Link took one more slash before turning his attention to her.

"Teach me."

Link raised his eyebrows as if to say, "What?"

She pointed to the sword. "I want to learn how to use a sword." she stated.

Link continued to stare at her. Then he smiled.

"Go grab the eightfold blade from the inn. That one will suit you better."

Then, for the rest of the afternoon, Link taught Zelda the basics of swordplay. He started with how to hold the sword. He took her hands and placed them where they needed to be. He held her hands on the sword as he looked at her.

"We'll start with two hands. I find it easier to start that way."

She nodded as he stepped back. He then showed her how to stand. He demonstrated by doing it himself, then let Zelda figure it out on her own. She was pretty close to correct. Link had to move her leg just one time. He then explained where to look. She got that down, too.

For the next couple of weeks Link showed her how to swing, attack and defend. What surprised Zelda the most was how professional Link carried himself when he explained and demonstrated. Multiple times he had to move her body to show exactly how it should be done, but never once did he linger longer than he should. It was never weird. And it made sense. It's what Link lived for. He showed enormous respect for the craft and couldn't be bothered by silly awkwardness. He knew exactly what he was doing and how it needed to be done.

After a few more lessons, Zelda even asked to do archery. Link happily agreed and taught her the basics of that as well.

During one lesson he was demonstrating an upward slash. Zelda tried to copy what he did, bringing the sword low then up over her head. Link showed her again when all of a sudden he heard a voice.

"......"

He dropped the sword in his hand out of shock. He turned towards Zelda.

"Did-"

"...in......h...."

Link swung around and looked into the woods behind them.

"Link, are you ok?"

He turned to Zelda and pointed to his head, to see if she was trying to telepathically speak to him.

She shook her head. "No. Do you hear something?"

He turned around. "Maybe. Probably just the wind. Ok. Show me again."

—————

Link made his way out of the inn wearing his champion's tunic and hylian hood towards the hill where he was going to teach Zelda. Today was going to be their third day of archery. He walked by Paya's house and Impa's monument.

"Li..."

He stopped in his tracks. He tried to cancel out all the noise from the wild and focus on the voice. This was the third time it had happened.

"Link."

It was Impa's voice. It sounded slightly different, but it was definitely Impa.

He turned to the monument.

"Impa?" he asked, walking toward it.

"In the house."

He looked at the house. "What do you mean?"

"Go in."

"Paya locked the doors. Nobody-"

"In the house, Link."

He looked at the monument for a while longer. Did Impa have more work for him to do?

"What are you waiting for, Hero? Go!"

Impa's stern voice was enough to get him moving. In an instant Link bolted up the wooden stairs. Sheik was sitting at the top resting against the wall. He had his harp out and was playing a particularly joyful tune. His eyes were closed and had a peaceful expression.

"Hi, hero," he said without looking up. "This is the Sun's Song. It's said to bring sunshine whenever played." He continued to strum the strings.

Link cleared his throat which made Sheik open his eyes. Link then pointed to the door.

Sheik stopped playing and looked up. "Why?"

"Just let me in. Please."

Sheik stood up. "I can try, but she'll probably say no. Like always." In a puff of smoke he disappeared. About 15 seconds later Sheik returned in front of him. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry. She is resting." Sheik sat back down and continued to play.

"From what?" Link asked.

"Hero, she doesn't want me to say. She's given me orders to say nothing. In time you will know. I have no doubt."

Link was getting annoyed. He had to get in.

He took a few steps back to the edge of the stairs, then ran with full force into the door and slammed it with his shoulder. It didn't budge.

Sheik shot up again. "Link! What on earth-"

Link ran into it again. This time the door gave a little. He was making progress.

He walked back to try again but Sheik grabbed his body before he could hit it.

"Link! What are you doing?"

Link grunted and broke free. He slammed into the door again.

"Paya! Please-"

Sheik grabbed Link again and pulled him away.

"You're acting crazy! Surely it can't be that-"

Link stomped on Sheik's foot, causing him to yelp in pain and release him. He ran into it again.

"I heard Imp-"

Sheik yanked Link from the door and pinned him on the wall.

"Stop," he commanded.

"Sheik, please," Link pleaded.

"What is going on here?"

They both turned to see Zelda walking up the stairs with her traveler's bow in her hand. Link had totally forgotten about their lesson.

Sheik let go of Link.

"Link is trying to break into the house."

"What?" she asked in disbelief.

"That's not entirely true," Link quickly corrected. "That voice was real, Zelda." He pointed to the top of the hill. "That time I thought I heard wind? It was a voice." He walked up to her. "It was Impa. She spoke to me."

"What did she say?" asked a very tired voice.

All three of them spun to the door that was creaking open. It slowly opened to reveal Paya. She was dressed like she normally was: dark blue shirt, cream pants and robe. But her face was extremely tired. Bags formed under her eyes and they were slightly bloodshot. Her white hair was let down, traveling down her back. Behind her on the floor were papers scattered all around with scepters and swords lining the ground.

"What did she say?" Paya repeated.

Link cautiously walked up to her.

"She said I need to go in there," he answered, gesturing inside.

She looked behind herself, almost surveying the mess that was on the floor. She turned around and nodded.

"Ok. Come in."

They all walked in carefully trying not to step on anything. Link went into the middle of the room and waited.

Zelda walked close to Paya.

"What have you been doing?" the princess asked.

"I'll tell you later," she said, her attention on Link. "Did she say why you needed to come in?"

He shook his head. Standing completely still he exerted all his energy into listening. He closed his eyes and focused.

Focus.

Slowly, he felt as if his mind left mortality and entered another space. He opened his eyes and looked at Zelda, Paya, and Sheik. He could see Zelda's lips moving, but could barely hear her. They were all muffled. He staggered back towards Impa's old bed. Zelda walked up to him to see if he was alright, but then he heard her.

"Good job getting in. My granddaughter certainly likes her privacy."

Link put a hand up to stop Zelda from coming closer. He pointed to his pointy ears, signaling that he could hear Impa. She stopped and watched.

"Link, please move my old cushions off the rug."

He turned around and stared at the red pillows stacked on top of each other. He reached his hand out, then hesitated. He felt it wrong to touch the same cushions as where the old Sheikah Elder had passed away.

"Link. It's ok."

He nodded to himself and kneeled. He then reverently removed the cushions and put them on the ground, careful not to interfere with any of the paper that was already there.

"Good. Now remove the rug."

There was a rug that laid under the cushions. Ancient and intricate patterns were woven on it. It looked like it had been passed down for generations. Link gently slid it away and set it by the cushions. He looked back to where the rug used to be. There was a small wooden door on the floor, big enough for one person to fit.

"Ok, adventurer. What do you suppose I want you to do now?"

He internally chuckled to himself. He got up off the ground and approached the door. He looked back at the three others in the room. Zelda said something again, still silent to him, but he could read her lips.

"Be careful," she had said.

He nodded. He turned back to the door and opened it. It loudly creaked as it opened wider. He looked down and saw a long wooden ladder that went on forever into the darkness. He took one more look back at them, then started his descent.

—————

"One month! It's been one month and we've done nothing!"

Shouting echoed deep throughout the Gerudo Highlands. The entire Yiga Clan had gathered in the large opening where the seemingly bottomless pit was. Every single member was there. There had been an outburst from the more vocal members about what Master Kanto was planning, and soon enough, everyone had joined them.

Master Kanto and Dark Link stood at the front of the crowd. Kanto was frantically trying to quiet the crowd down. He tried yelling and yelling but nothing would work. He grew frustrated and snapped his head to Dark Link who looked surprisingly calm.

"Well, don't you look pleased as punch," Kanto yelled to him over the crowd.

Dark Link chuckled. "Relax." He unsheathed his sword and gripped it hard. Malice from his arm started to trickle down and completely covered the sword. He knew that the hero had the ability to shoot light from the master sword, so why couldn't he try shooting malice from his?

He pointed the sword at the cliffside and shot a sharp stream of malice into it. It rumbled the entire cavern, sending some small rocks down. The crowd instantly went silent.

Dark Link began to walk in the crowd, looking at all the people.

"Master Kanto and I value your opinions. After all, we are a united people, right?"

Many of the men and women nodded to each other. Dark continued to walk amongst them.

"The Yiga Clan has the potential to take over Hyrule. That I am certain of." He had reached the back of the crowd. All eyes were on him.

"Our current plan is to wait — wait to see what the Hero will do next. Then, we will act accordingly. If there is anyone here who opposes this plan, please form a single-file line to the side." He motioned off to the right side.

A small number of people shuffled away from the group and to the side. Dark Link looked at the group again and kindly smiled.

"Don't be afraid. There's nothing to fear. We want your voice heard."

After saying that, more than half the crowd walked over to the side. Some husbands argued with their wives on where they should go. Some even parted with their families. There were children that left their parents and siblings. After everyone was done moving, over half the clan was on the side that disagreed with the plan. They all looked at each other in the long line with approval.

"Majority rules!" one of the women shouted.

Dark Link nodded. He glanced at Kanto across the opening and smiled. He then walked up and faced the man in the front of the line.

"You're satisfied with your choice?" Dark asked.

The man looked behind him. "Yes," he said, nodding.

Dark Link glanced at the line, nodded, then pulled out his malice covered sword. He plunged it through the man, then while still in his body, shot a stream of piercing malice though everyone in the line. It went directly through every last person. They all dropped dead onto the sand.

The crowd that was left cried out in fear. The families that had been separated stood shocked. Some of them screamed. Some fell to the floor in sobs. Dark Link faced the crowd.

"Now that the weak are out of the way and we know who will actually follow us, the real work begins!" He shouted. He sheathed his sword and walked back to Master Kanto, who stood confused and angry.

"Why?" He asked. "That's half our people gone!"

"Kanto," he started. "You once told me the story of that boy who opposed your plan and how you got rid of him." He jerked his head back to the pit. "You said he was weak and needed to be gone in order for you to continue our quest for power. I have done the same thing, just simply on a larger scale."

Master Kanto gently touched his arm that had been scarred by Ghrange. He nodded and smiled. "If you say so. You are inspired by Ganon after all."

Dark Link smiled at his response over the continuous cries of the people. "Yes," he said, "and there's still much more to do." He began to walk towards the line of dead bodies.

Master Kanto looked at the people that were still alive. One woman walked up to him with tears streaming down her face.

"I sure hope you know what you're doing."

Master Kanto glanced at Dark, then back to the woman. "So do I."