—-

Link's PoV

—-

"You see, Link." Impa folded her hands on top of her lap as she explained "Throughout the ages, you have been born and reborn to protect the land we've dubbed Hyrule time and time again. The princess and Y/N were also part of this cycle, and the three of you banished evil from Hyrule more times than what has been recorded in any history book. Unfortunately, reincarnation only happens once every 10,000 years, so when Y/N was vanquished the Goddess knew she couldn't leave you to fight Ganon alone. So she searched for a solution... A solution for her to be reborn in a world far different from ours, and then brought back here to fight the Calamity by your side once again."

I stared at Impa wide eyed. Y/N, from another world?! That's completely ludicrous!

But then I remembered our conversation from yesterday.

—-

I gave Y/N a blank stare "You must be from really far away."

"Probably." She shrugged "Where I'm from, we don't have pig monsters, shrines, ghosts you can hold a conversation with, Calamity Ganons, orr weirdos that take 100 year long naps."

"Hey!"

"Well, 'less of course this is a whole other world from my own."

Y/N and I stared at each other for a moment, before snorting at the ridiculous thought.

—-

That, plus the fact she makes all these weird references about Sherlock Holmes and Cars and other stuff that's completely foreign to me (even though everything is foreign to me with my mind wiped clean of memories), made me come to the realisation that it made sense. In its weird, no-sense-making way...

Wait...

"Y/N said she wanted to get home as soon as possible," I murmured "How can she do that if 'home' is in different world from this one?"

Impa's face fell, which had me fearing her answer.

"The only way she can go home is when Calamity Ganon is defeated. Until then... she will remain trapped here."

I didn't stop the gasp that escaped my throat in time. My fists clenched at my sides; as snarky as she was, Y/N didn't deserve to be trapped in an unfamiliar world. Especially a corrupted world that she suddenly had to save even if she didn't know it existed not long ago... The chance of her returning home was very slim. She may never see those she holds dear again.

She was... just like me.

"I'll defeat Ganon," I declared, my eyes once again fixed on the door "I'll save Hyrule, and I'll free Y/N."

It's my duty as a hero.

Impa said nothing, but I could tell she was pleased by my words of dedication as I opened the doors to exit. I was ready to take on this threat, I was ready to save—

Whoosh!!!

I straightened in shock when something shot just above my head, wedging itself into the doorframe I had just walked through. Slowly, I looked up to see an arrow, that could've easily shot right through my skull if the aim was just a little lower... My eyes traveled down to the bottom of the staircase, where two people stood staring up at me with wide eyes. One of them lowered the bow they previously had raised, someone I already knew. Y/N. The other person was a Shiekah boy who had his hand outstretched as if to stop her.

And then—

"He/She did it!!!!"

Both of them pointed an accusing finger at each other, not taking their eyes off me as I slowly eased up. With a breath of air, I descended down the stairs until I was right in front of Y/N. She gave me a nervous smile.

"Uhhh, hey Limp noodle... Those new clothes?"

I didn't answer, and instead reached down to gently take the bow with her while maintaining eye contact. Her breath hitched when my fingers brushed against hers, but made no move to stop me.

"Is this yours?" I asked when finally tearing my gaze from her, instead focusing on the male next to her.

"Uhh, yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck "Sorry about that, I was giving Y/N some target practice. She's pretty good for a beginner, it's just you came out just as she knocked the arrow... Oh, I'm Damia by the way."

"Link." I responded and held his bow out to him "Sorry, but can I steal her away from you for a bit? There's something we need to talk about in private."

He nodded in understanding "Of course, dude! I totally understand, I—" he cut himself off when he noticed my Shiekah Slate, and his eyes widened slightly. He glanced at me, then at Y/N, and then back at the Slate before gasping loudly "Oh my Hylia, why didn't I realise sooner?! Paya!!"

"What?"

"I've been standing next to the Warrior of the goddesses, and you didn't tell me?!"

The girl turned away from the statue she was praying to, only to get extremely flustered when seeing me. However, she did compose herself to give Damia a bored expression. "Must've slipped my mind."

"Slipped Your mind?!"

The two began to bicker shamelessly, which had Y/N and I exchanging 'wtf' glances for a moment until I sighed and took her by the wrist.

"Come on..." I murmured reluctantly "I have to tell you something."

"Okay?" She seemed confused "Bye Paya, Damia!"

"Bye, Y/N! So anyway—!"

She turned back to me "Couldn't we just talk back there?"

"It's... best if we're alone."

"Why?" She suddenly gasped "Did you find a way to get me home?"

My feet stopped moving for a second, which caused her to bump into my back. Gulping down my nerves, I decided to answer "Yeah, I did... But you're not gonna like it."

"How so?"

I cleared my throat to rid of the lump in my throat. I didn't know how she would react, so I had to use my words carefully.

"M...Maybe it's best we sit down for this."

—-

Your PoV

—-

Link and I sat on a few rocks just on the edge of Kakariko, and I listened as he explained what Impa had told him. About the champions, the Divine beasts, how we were to defeat them if we wanted a chance to defeat Ganon. And...

"So..." I muttered, head down "You mean to tell me that I wasn't only teleported to a different place, but a different world entirely?"

"Yeah..."

"And the only way I can get back to my world is when Calamity Ganon is defeated."

"That's what Impa told me," Link confirmed.

My hands clamped together on top of my knees as nervous sweat began to form on my forehead. How long would it take for us to take back the Divine Beasts? How long would it take for us to defeat Ganon, if we defeat Ganon at all?! I couldn't even fight, how could I take on that malice spreading... thing?

A gloved hand was suddenly placed on top of mine, which I hadn't noticed were turning white. I glanced up at Link, who was giving me a completely serious look.

"We'll work this out. I promise." He told me "And if you want to stay here in Kakariko, I'll continue on my ow—"

"No." I pulled my hands out from under his "I was brought here to fulfill a purpose. If you do this without me, I may as well not be here at all. It's my fate."

"I guess, but —"

"So what the hell we waiting for!" I shot up and began marching towards Epona "We're getting your slate upgraded next, right? To Hateno Village!"

"Y/N, wait!"

Link grabbed my arm to stop me, and pulled me back to meet his cerulean eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated as if he wasn't sure on what to say "Just... don't pretend to be okay. Like I said yesterday, I'm here for you..."

I smirked and rolled my eyes "I think you have more important things to worry about than my wellbeing, Limp noodle. But sure, whatever helps you sleep at night. You know, aside from healing shrines."

Link sighed before letting me go and lifting himself onto his equine "You gotta stop reminding me of that. Anyway let's go. If we hurry we can make it to Hateno before nightfall.

"Aye aye, Mr. Her—"

"Ah, remember what happened last time you called me that?"

I instantly shut up and climbed on behind him. Link took off and I gripped his new blue tunic, my head down as I allowed my mask to slip.

Why me? Of all people, why am I the one in this situation?

—-

Throughout our journey to Hateno, Link and I hadn't said a word to each other. I could tell he was just as scared as I was, he showed it through his tense shoulders and the tremor in his voice when he told me of my unfortunate situation.

Come to think of it... our situations weren't all that different. We fell 100 years ago, were brought back with no idea where we were, and then we were told we had to save a kingdom called Hyrule. The only difference is... I have people to go back to when this is done. While Link... he only has Zelda, and her power is fading. Plus... he can't even remember her.

I glanced up at his back. I wonder what he's thinking...

While we were riding, we came across some sort of gate that had been surrounded by a bunch of those dead mechanical things I saw on the Plateau. I think those are the Guardians King Rhoam was talking about... they don't seem as threatening as they sounded in his story. Anyway, Link pressed on...

... before stopping in the middle of the road.

"Link what are you doing?" I asked in confusion and slight irritation.

"There's a girl over there," he nodded towards a traveler who was hunched over as if she was crying "she looks like she's in trouble."

"Maybe she wants you to think that, so she can lure you in and then take your money— hey, where do you think you're going?!"

"To help her!" He yelled back after jumping off Epona to jog towards the girl "Unlike you, I'm not superstitious about everything!"

"'I'm not superstitious about everything'" I mimicked angrily "Fine! Get robbed, see if I care! She's probably just some attention seeker anyway..."

Letting out a puff of air, I sat back in the saddle and began boredly drumming my fingers against its leather as Link began to talk to the girl. Even from a distance I could tell she was faking it. Link didn't seem so observant, and instead kept talking to her with a smile on his face.

Christ, this boy's as dense as a 5 year old. Actually he basically is a five year old!

Wait, what's she doing?

The girl suddenly did a backflip, which made my eyebrows raise slightly as it was completely out of the blue. And when she landed... she stood as someone else. A person in a red suit and a mask to hide her identity stood hunched over, with a sickle in her hand.

I gasped when she lunged at Link, most likely with the intent to kill. He was just narrowly able to escape her attack. Without thinking I jumped off Epona and charged to his side; luckily for me the woman hadn't noticed me as she was too busy fighting Link. She raised her sickle again, but before she could make a swing at the hero her face met with my fist, causing her to stumble a few steps. The sudden attack made her drop her weapon, which I grabbed before she could.

"Stay back!" I yelled, holding it in one hand while the other shot out in front of me in a halting motion "Or I will use this."

The girl faltered, obviously intimidated as she stared behind her mask. Then, without warning she disappeared in a cloud of smoke and burning paper. I waited for a moment, in case she came back, before snorting and relaxing my stance.

"Jokes on her," I laughed while tossing the sickle in the air "I don't even know how to use this thing—" the handle came in contact with my head "Ow..."

I rubbed my scalp and turned to Link, who's widened eyes were fixed on me as he remained frozen in shock. I rolled my eyes and grabbed his wrist, dragging him towards Epona despite his whine in protest.

"Okay, since you quite obviously lack the common sense needed to survive, I think we should set some rules for this journey. And it's best we start with the simplest rule that even kindergarteners know." I stopped next to our horse and placed my hand on my hip, using the other to point at him in irritation "Don't talk to strangers!"

And with that I retook my place on Epona's saddle, and Link did the same with a pout. He glanced at me and said "You know, I was going to thank you for saving my butt. But..."

I scoffed to silence him "I don't need your gratitude, Limp noodle. I need you to focus on the task at hand. We have a world to save."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine!"

With a loud 'hmph' Link signalled our steed to trot on, and I went back to moping.

And while moping, I came to a rather scary realisation.

Oh no. I'm gonna die with this idiot, aren't I?!

—-

When we entered the our designated village, night had already fallen. Which meant the streets were deserted as people had retreated to their homes. However, that didn't stop the homey vibe this place gave off. I yawned subconsciously.

"Tired?"

"Mm, been a long day..."

Link chuckled and dismounted, leading Epona to a small stable and helping me down. I protested, of course, but my fatigue allowed Link to overpower my struggles and lead me up some stairs.

"Look, here's an inn. We can stay here until morning."

I glanced at the sign with half lidded eyes and nodded, not even caring when Link's arm wrapped around my shoulders to lead me inside. He paid the innkeeper for two beds, and sat me down on one before plonking down on his own. I sighed and fell into my pillow after kicking my shoes off.

"Y/N?"

"What..."

"Do you think we'll actually be able to do this alone...?" Link asked while fiddling with his thumbs. I groaned and buried my face into my pillow.

"Come on, man. I don't need paranoia to prevent me from sleeping..."

"Oh, sorry..."

"Besides," I turned my head only slightly to give him a side glance "It's not like anyone else is gonna do it."

Link's eyebrows pulled downwards "I guess you're right. Besides we were skilled fighters 100 years ago, who says we can't be like that again?"

Sleep was quickly taking over as I rolled over to face away from him "You were a skilled fighter, Link. I'm not the same Y/N that fought by your side... We'll just have to see what fate has decided for us."

I was expecting an answer, but instead all I got was soft snores. I glanced over my shoulder at the sleeping boy and let out a sigh, waiting for sleep to take me too.

But one question remained as I drifted off.

Can we really do this alone?