Link woke up 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 tormented him even while he was awake. He could still feel the echo of his own voice screaming her name, a cry that had been swallowed by the void.

He clenched his fists, his prosthetic arm emitting a faint glow as he did so. His loss wasn't just physical; the emptiness in his chest was far harder to ignore. Since that day in the underground, he had done nothing but search for her, following every clue, every rumor, every lead that might bring him to her.

But it was useless. The guilt weighed on him like a stone. He kept repeating over and over to himself: I should have protected her better.

As he adjusted the straps on his gear, his mind betrayed him, taking him back to the small moments he had shared with Zelda. He remembered her soft laugh when she joked with him, the determination in her eyes when she spoke about her vision for Hyrule, and the way her face would light up with the small victories they shared on their journey. Now, all of that seemed so distant, as if it were a dream that faded with the dawn.

Are you out there, Zelda? he thought. Are you thinking of me, as I am of you?

When he returned to the Lookout Landing, Purah, the leader of the fort, greeted him with her usual energy, but Link could barely look her in the eye. Each time he recounted what had happened, he felt the wound open again. This Sheikah scientist, known for her eccentricities, had managed to rejuvenate herself through one of her inventions, but then reversed the effect. Now, despite her 120 years, she appeared as a young woman in her twenties.

Purah listened attentively to Link's account of the fall, the celestial island, and the golem that had given him a Sheikah tablet, claiming to have spoken with her ten thousand years ago. The scientist was fascinated and gave him two main missions: to find Zelda and unravel the strange events that had started to plague Hyrule since her disappearance. She also mentioned sightings of a strangely dressed Zelda exhibiting unsettling behavior.

Over the following months, Link investigated the anomalies in the main regions of Hyrule. In each one, he revived memories of the friendships he had forged in his past battle against the Calamity.

During his investigation, Link faced not only the strange occurrences ravaging each territory but also the growing mystery 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 War of Banishment. Each of these spirits named a present-day sage, bestowing upon them a secret stone symbolizing their connection to the ancestral power. Mineru, the sage of the spirit, manifested as the fifth to join the group, bringing wisdom and determination.

The Hebra region, with its eternally snow-covered mountains, was home to the Orni, a race of winged humanoids skilled in archery. There, Link renewed bonds with Teba, the patriarch, and his son Tulin, who had been crucial in their fight against the Divine Beast Vah Medoh. With the awakening of the ancestral power, Tulin was named the Sage of Wind, assuming a vital role in the upcoming battle.

In Eldin, Link reconnected with the Gorons, sturdy rock men whose warmth and insatiable appetites made them unique. Although Yunobo was not the leader of Goron City, he was the proud descendant of Daruk, the legendary warrior who had fought alongside the Champions. His heritage made him stand out, and with the awakening of the sages, Yunobo was chosen as the Sage of Fire, bearer of immense strength.

In the desert, the Gerudo, relentless warriors, lived under the guidance of Riju, the young matriarch. Despite the strict rules prohibiting the entry of men, Link had been accepted after proving his worth in battle against Vah Naboris. Riju, with her determination and connection to lightning, was named the Sage of Thunder, bearer of power capable of unleashing storms on the battlefield.

Finally, in Lanayru, stood the dazzling Zora's Domain, an architectural marvel built over a crystal-clear lake. Majestic waterfalls cascaded in multiple levels, feeding the region with pure waters that wound their way to the most distant springs. Curved bridges, carved with intricate aquatic motifs, connected the spiraling terraces of the city. Under the sunlight, the bluish and silvery structures shone like jewels, giving the impression that the city was a natural extension of the lake itself. Its ruler, Sidon, a close friend of Link, was chosen as the Sage of Water, channeling the strength of the Zora through his ancestral stone.

However, the mysteries only grew. During his travels, Link discovered figures of Zelda before the gates of the sacred temples, but these turned out to be illusions created by malice. The testimonies of the ancient sages 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 sages of the present must join Link in the fight against the Demon King, the adversary who even the warriors of the past could not defeat.

Link, intrigued and confused, couldn't fully understand who this Demon King really was or why he had to face him. He vaguely remembered Zelda mentioning something about this enemy during her visit to the depths of Hyrule. But answers came unexpectedly. During his journey, he encountered Impa, the elderly Sheikah leader, who led him toward an even greater enigma: the geoglyphs. These colossal engravings in the earth, hidden all over Hyrule, held drops of pure light—strange and radiant.

As Link began collecting these drops, each one revealed fragments of the past. Gradually, the pieces of the puzzle came together, providing him with the answers he desperately needed. Through these visions, he discovered the events of the War of the Incarceration, the sacrifices of the ancient sages, and how Zelda had played an essential role in that millennial conflict.

However, the mystery of Zelda remained unsolved. It wasn't until he found the fifth sage, Mineru, and recovered the Master Sword that the truth struck him like a cold bucket of water. All the manifestations of Zelda he had pursued were false, mere constructs of malice designed to disorient him. Mineru, though aware of Zelda's intentions, could not provide answers about her exact whereabouts.

Meanwhile, the power of the Demon King, hidden deep within the depths of Hyrule, grew stronger with each passing day. Hordes of monsters relentlessly ravaged the kingdom, and the crimson moons, which revived fallen creatures, followed one after another with alarming frequency. Time was running out.

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

In the weeks leading up to the event, they had discussed the details of the combat at length, ensuring that everything was in order. For Sidon and Riju, leaders of their respective clans, delegating responsibilities had been essential, as they needed to focus entirely on the impending conflict.

Finally, the day had come. The confrontation between Link and the Demon King would take place that very day, and Lookout Landing would be the starting point. With a sigh, Link straightened up and prepared to travel to the stronghold, where Purah would be finalizing preparations and where he and the sages would gather before the battle.

Lookout Landing, the adventurers' operations center, was a magnificent structure built close to the chasm where Link and Zelda had disappeared at the beginning of their journey. At first, the location brought back thoughts of that enigmatic incident, but in light of Link and Master Kohga's recent conflict, it had acquired new meaning. It was in this same abyss that Kohga had inadvertently disclosed the lair of the terrifying Demon King.

Following Master Kohga's revelation, Link and Mineru had resolved to descend through Camobatures lightroot to chart a safe path to the Demon King's lair. The abyssal darkness had been overwhelming, a heavy shroud that seemed to swallow all light and sound. Every step echoed in the silence, and shadows appeared to shift around them, as if danger lurked in every corner.

As Link recalled their incursions into the abyss, his mind shuddered with memories 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." The shadow of doubt always echoed in his mind, a constant unease that never completely disappeared. Anxiety tightened in his chest, reminding him of all that was at stake.

He recalled with frustration how, due to the frequent Blood Moons, the days had turned into an endless cycle. Monsters reappeared every few days, challenging their progress and thwarting their efforts to clear a path to the Demon King's lair. "We can't let them come back," Link thought in exasperation, remembering how, despite his meticulous efforts, the area remained infested with dark creatures.

However, despite these obstacles, after weeks of constant incursions, they had managed to map out the safest path to the Demon King's lair through the catacombs—a route that would allow them to bypass deadly traps and avoid a confrontation with a fearsome Lynel the Demon King had summoned in one of the side chambers. "We must be precise," Mineru had insisted during one of their meetings, her voice steady as she pointed to the route on Purah's pad map.

In parallel, Mineru also collaborated with Purah, Robbie, and Josha, contributing her passion and knowledge of technology to provide the group with an essential advantage. Utilizing the Construct Factory underground, they programmed the builder constructs to produce six additional pads—replicas of the one Link already possessed—in record time: one for each sage, and a sixth, of course, intended for Purah.

After intense debates and studies, the four scientists succeeded in implementing a real-time messaging and video call system. This would facilitate constant communication among all of them, even when they were in their respective tribes or communities, thereby creating a unique communication network across Hyrule.

By employing these enhancements, they met several times to discuss the strategy being implemented, taking into account the unique abilities and powers of each sage, and, above all, the data and maps that Link and Mineru provided, derived from their various expeditions. In this way, they ensured that their strategy would be as efficient as possible.

In their final meeting, Mineru surprised the group by announcing she would join them only later, precisely as they descended along Camobatures lightroot, and that she would remain stationed in the Temple of Spirit. This decision held a critical purpose: with her mastery over technology, she could use the watcher constructs to establish a surveillance system capable of detecting any suspicious movement near the abyss and send alerts to Link and the rest of the team. These signals, synchronized across their tablets, would update the map in real time, revealing the location of enemies and allowing them to adapt their strategy on the spot.

With the unwavering resolve of a protector, Mineru pledged to remain vigilant, fully aware that her expertise and control over technology would be crucial in the strategy that would determine Hyrule's fate.

Link mentally evaluated every detail of the plan and smiled as he contemplated the rigorous efforts that had subsequently been made, guided by Mineru and her knowledge of the events of the Imprisoning War, to strengthen the defenses of Lookout Landing while facing the Demon King. A deep sense of pride began to swell within him as he thought of Purah and Paya. Each of them, in their own unique way, had taken on crucial roles in the organization. "If only Zelda could be here, watching us all work together..." he reflected, feeling a tightness in his chest. The thought that his companion would not see the results of their efforts saddened him, but it also motivated him to fight with greater intensity, reminding himself that the sacrifice made by Zelda to safeguard the power of the Master Sword, the only weapon capable of freeing Hyrule from the Demon King, must not be in vain.

Purah had meticulously planned the fort's defenses, ensuring it would be reinforced by Hoz's arrival, the leader of the largest and most powerful extermination squad, which was still en route. This patrol would stand ready to confront any threat near the abyss. Link felt a small smile form as he thought of it; he had no doubt Purah had anticipated every detail, making certain their efforts were exhaustive.

Meanwhile, Paya had been instrumental in establishing an infirmary that would not only serve the group of sages, but also any defender of the fort who might be injured. Alongside Karson, she had overseen the construction of this medical refuge, with plans to lead a team of expert healers personally selected by Impa. Link knew the infirmary would be a vital sanctuary amid the conflict, a beacon of hope in uncertain times.

Despite the meticulousness of the preparations, Link could not prevent nervousness and uncertainty from seizing him once again. The unease settled in his mind, presenting the troubling possibility that it might all not 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, perhaps even himself, could return severely injured... or not return at all.

Link began adjusting the straps on his belt when a sudden dizziness forced him to stop. He blinked, but the sensation didn't fade; on the contrary, it grew stronger. The room seemed to sway, as if an invisible abyss was trying to consume it.

Suddenly, he was no longer in his home. He found himself in a vast, shadowy plain. The sky above him, a swirling crimson and black, pulsed as if it had a life of its own, oppressive and heavy. A lightning bolt split the air, illuminating monstrous figures writhing on the horizon. And then he saw it: a tall figure, wrapped in shadows that devoured the light. It turned toward him, with red eyes glowing like embers. A gaze that not only pierced him but trapped him.

Link tried to move, but something stopped him. A scream of frustration escaped his throat, but he couldn't free himself. He looked down and saw the ground begin to transform into grotesque, black, slimy hands, each palm adorned with malicious eyes, rising from the earth and clinging to his legs, tightening with unnatural strength. A guttural, inhuman roar echoed around him, deep and resonant, like a beast calling him from the darkness, so close that he felt it thundering in his chest. Desperate, he tried to move his legs, but the weight of the earth and the hands kept him still, his body trapped in the nightmare. An unbearable burning sensation pierced him suddenly, as if something invisible and cold was stabbing him. The Master Sword was in his hand, but its light was barely a whisper, a dying flash that paled against the immense darkness surrounding him.

The figure raised a hand, and the air became unbearable, heavy as though it were crushing him. The ground beneath his feet vanished suddenly, and Link felt himself falling. There was no ground, no end, just a cold, abyssal emptiness that swallowed him into nothingness.

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

In the distance, a deep, primal roar echoed, vibrating the windows. Link placed a hand over his chest. Vision? Warning? He didn't know. But one thing was clear: something had awoken, and he couldn't afford to ignore it.

"This isn't just a dream... Something is awakening."

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