When the sun went down, we headed out. Riding by the bright light of the full moon that had only just peeked up above the horizon, we made good time with me on my own mare and Link on his. Certainly, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

At night in Hateno, all was quiet, all was still, and all was calm. On clear nights I would sit outside on a bench in my garden, surrounded by the pleasant floral notes of summery buds and the cool, salty wind that was brought in from the sea.

I would gaze up at the sky on those nights, and if bright enough by the grace of the moon, I would read - usually old tales, those I had no need to read (or reread, rather), because I had them memorized front to back, but I would do so anyway for the nostalgia of it all, for the comfort a familiar story could have.

Those stories of valiant heroes, of gallant knights and of daring fights, of battles hard-won and victories long-awaited... They were inspiring, truly. To know that someone, a no one, could fight, could be bigger than oneself, could make a true, tangible difference in Hyrule...

Often, it was such heroes that those stories centered on. Those nameless, faceless beings of courage incarnate would brave the storms, take to the skies, traverse time itself to protect our fair land...

Or so the stories go.

If I were at home tonight, reading those stories with a cup of warm tea beside me and only the sounds of the sea to accompany me would likely be how I spent my time until I curled up on that bench to fall asleep or until I heaved myself up to get myself to bed.

But not tonight. No, not tonight. If I turned in the saddle, I could pretend I could still see Hateno, I could - but I didn't dare to. Why pretend to still be so close, when in reality we were so far? I could not see the rolling hills of Hateno nor the fields preceding it, nor the stony clifftops that lined the beaches and the fort that protected us a century ago.

No, we were in the shadows of the Dueling Peaks, far from Hateno and yet I knew we had just barely started crossing the whole of Hyrule.

But we weren't going that far. I was getting ahead of myself. We had only one destination in mind before turning back and... bringing me home. Back to Hateno.

Honestly, how much longer did I think I could fool myself by saying that? How could I possibly think I would keep falling for that? To go home... That damned village of the normal.

...At any rate, we needed to backtrack a bit to get back on the road that headed ever towards Kakariko. After leaving Fort Hateno, at a crossroad we turned left, in a southward direction to reach the stable, though the way to Kakariko was north. So, back towards that crossroad we went, and when the time came, we continued straight, crossing the Kakariko Bridge as we officially entered that domain - the land of the Sheikah.

Rocky beaches were to our right, and stony cliff faces were to our immediate left as we traversed a winding road at a comfortable trot. Certainly, my Stormy Sky had calmed considerably, and was seemingly well-suited for a saddled ride through such a pretty area. In a companionable quiet, Link and I rode along next to each other, the horses pacing themselves nicely and ensuring Link and I had plenty of time to admire the views about us.

The moonlight gleamed prettily across the rushing water of the nearby river, a river rushing by in the opposite direction we were going. If I had read the map properly, there was a waterfall a considerable hike from the main road but that was where the river was rushing from: the Phalian Highlands. These waters rushed on towards Lake Siela, seated at the foot of these winding, sloping canyons.

Trees here were sparse, and the road rocky and uneven the further up we went. As rocky walls closed in, I wondered for a moment what this area looked like so many thousands of years ago before the water carved out these walls, and even during - for now they were dry, the only water meeting them now being that of the rain.

It was something I would never see, never experience, but all the same I wanted to see it. Much like I so wanted to be an adventurer, a traveler, a hero... but similarly, I feared I would never experience it, nor see a time where that might come to fruition.

Dammit, where was my head all of a sudden? I had to focus. Honestly, was thinking about how my life was before and what I wanted it to be, thereby distracting from the current moment, really going to do much more for me than become a lingering regret for the future? Not appreciating this while I had it - that's what I would regret. I would regret not living this moment to the fullest, to taking in each and every single detail from the largest down to the most minute.

So, I focused up.

First, on what I could see: the moonlit faces of rock that flowed and ebbed as though the water was still here, rushing through. I could see the full moon, and the thousands of stars visible in the patterned streak of sky far above our heads. I could see Keese far above, flitting about in groups of two or three, calling to each other as they embarked on their nightly hunts.

Next, on what I could feel. I could feel the muscles of my horse shift with each movement, feel the rhythm she set that my body naturally followed. I could feel the smooth leather of a new set of reins attached to a new bridle, and the stiff leather of the new saddle below me. As was necessary, I felt the squeeze of my legs against the horse, but more pleasant than that, the cool breeze meeting my skin and flowing through my hair.

Finally, what I could hear. I could hear the thunderous pounding of the horses' hooves against the rocky terrain below their feet, hear those Keese call to each other, hear the whistling of the wind rushing through the canyon. And...

Ah, how could I forget?

I could see Link beside me, his profile outlined in a particularly pretty way in this light, his blue eyes almost ethereally so; I could feel warmth fill my chest at the sight of him, and I could hear his... gentle humming.

I didn't want to break the moment, I didn't, and so I did not speak. But he must have felt the weight of my gaze on his profile, because his humming faltered, his eyes widened, and he looked over at me. "Is something the matter?"

"No," I answered, "not at all."

I couldn't ignore the heat rising up my neck and spreading towards my ears with embarrassment that I'd been caught, and I'm sure there was no way he could ignore it either, or at least not notice it. Still, I smiled, because I'd already been caught, so what point was there in really being embarrassed?

"I was just looking around," I told him honestly, "and you seem really in your element here. You look like you're having a good time."

"I am," he admitted rather sheepishly, lifting one hand to scratch the back of his neck. His eyes drifted away, focusing on the road ahead of us, which was a good idea, so I turned to look that way, too, though I trusted the horses wouldn't lead us astray. "I like nighttime rides. They're usually really calm."

"Calm and quiet," I mused. "It is nice."

We fell into a comfortable sort of silence as we appreciated the calm, and the quiet, and I drew a deep breath in, filling my lungs with crisp, cool air before letting it all out slowly, cherishing just being here to experience this alongside him.

I heard Link chuckle, and this time, it was me that caught him looking my way. "What?"

"You seem to be having a good time, too," he noted with a smile, not shying away from my sudden gaze.

"Yes, well," I considered, looking forward and closing my eyes briefly as a particularly pleasant breeze brushed by my face, pushing the hair from my shoulder and bringing with it the pleasant wafting of natural scents: water, grass, rock, all of it, and all at once, in a uniquely perfect way only Hylia herself could bring. "I like it, too."

It was obvious by now, but this road led to one destination, and one destination only: Kakariko Village. Soon, the road would slope upwards, finally meeting with the top of these cliffs and there would sit the village, the homeland of my mother and the place they now found their own home. And after that... I would return to my own.

I had no idea as of right now how I would possibly make it through the village or linger there while Link went about his business without my parents chancing upon me, but I would figure it out. Probably. I'd manage somehow.

...Probably.

Trees in this area were sparse, but there was plenty of shrubbery to each side of the road, though considerably more so on our right, closer to the river that we now veered away from. This road would peek at it sometime soon once more, but for right now, we were enclosed by rocky walls, and so we would remain, tucked out of sight and out of mind from all save for those traveling the same road.

And tonight, those that traveled this road were anything less than... pleasant.

As we were hidden from the view of the rest of Hyrule within this canyon, a band of monsters was hidden just out of view from us, hiding in the growing shadows and remaining still and silent as we passed. We weren't chatting, nor were we even particularly lost in our thoughts when we passed - there had just been nothing to detect, so we had not detected them.

That was, until I felt we were being watched, and spoke up about it. "Link," I said rather naively, "being out on the road like this... do you ever get used to the feeling that you're being watched?"

"...What?"

"It's just kinda foreign to me still," I admitted, shrugging it off and suddenly feeling a little sheepish for saying something that was probably so silly to him.

"(Y/n), is that how you feel right now?"

"Hm? Yeah, but-"

"It's not paranoia," Link said, pulling back on his reins to slow Epona to a walk. At those words, I slowed my own charge as all the hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and I came to terms with the fact that I had tried so stupidly to push my instinct aside, to trivialize what was supposed to protect me...

"Link," I said quietly, panic bubbling up in my belly. I had nothing to say after it, it was little more than a quiet, nearly silent plea - and even that was too loud. Link hushed me gently, turning in his saddle to peer over his shoulder and check behind us. His eyes narrowed and he leaned forward, and I swore I saw his pointed ear twitch when-

"Get down!"

I ducked just in time to avoid a whizzing arrow that struck the rock just behind me and fell to the ground with a clatter. A panicked shriek escaped me and I kicked into Sky's sides, urging her into a canter. Right away she obeyed, her own fear taking hold but I realized in that very next moment that Link wasn't following.

"Link!"

"Get going," he shouted, not a request and not a suggestion but a demand. "Don't worry about me! We'll catch up and-"

"Link, look out!"

Out from a dense grouping of shrubbery emerged a trio of Red Bokoblins. Their skin was a sickly sort of pale shade in the ghostly blue light of the moon, but there was no mistaking what they were or what they could do to us.

There was one with that bow, readying another arrow, and the other two, wielding wooden clubs. They were shoddy, makeshift weapons, but they were weapons all the same. I knew, because I lifted and used them before. They could do some damage with enough strength behind the swing and enough weight to the club and judging by the looks of those, they would be enough to knock someone out pretty easily if they managed to get a good swing in.

And Link was charging the three of them. Because he was still on Epona, who was charging forth bravely, they scattered; the two with clubs on one side, the long-range one to the other. I pulled back on the reins, bringing Sky to a stop.

I watched, rather frightened and more than a bit speechless, as Link leapt off Epona's back as she passed the monsters and unsheathed his sword in one swift movement. As soon as the blade was able to even glint with the moonlight, it was pierced through the chest of the monster he'd landed atop and it died within that instant.

As the other Bokoblins began getting up, Link took advantage of the fact that the long-range fighter was scrambling to gather up its arrows from its sudden leap. As it frantically tried gathering its ammunition, Link stood up straight and twirled his sword in his left hand, the movement seamless and fluid and the blade catching the light of the moon brilliantly, making me squint briefly as it shone my way.

Below me, Sky pawed the ground anxiously, her ears pointed back and her head lifted, clearly agitated and itching to leave. But I couldn't, I couldn't, not this time, and not-

Epona, having slowed enough to turn, came bounding towards us, and as Link engaged in battle with the Bokoblin now lifting its club above its head, Epona lowered her head towards the ground as she charged, ducking it beneath the monster still struggling to get its belongings together.

She lifted her head and with incredible strength, tossed the creature far up into the air. With an excited, almost jubilant and mocking whinny from the mare, and a frightened cry from the monster, it landed upon its back and surely all the air left its lungs in a rush, just as the air left my own as I summoned up my courage, replacing all breath with fire, with bravery, with all the nerve I could summon.

I turned my mare to face Link, readying to dash to his side, but as he began to toy with the monster instead of really fighting it in earnest, I saw out of the corner of my eye movement, slow and almost unobtrusive when compared to everything else going on.

The Bokoblin that Epona had tossed was just sitting up, shaking its head before grasping its bow more surely. With how Link was standing, and where the monster had landed, Link had his back to it, and it took one arrow in hand.

Time seemed to slow at that moment.

By then, Epona had reached us.

By then, the monster was nocking the arrow.

By then, Link was parrying a clumsy swing of the monster he was facing.

By then, Sky protested against my request, backing away instead of charging forth.

By then... I slid off her back just as Epona passed and I reached up, grasping the handle of a spear tied to her saddlebags. The loops came undone and the weapon's full weight was in my hands as Epona continued, clearing the way between me and the monster. I dashed forward.

Link sidestepped, thrusting his blade forward - through the monster's heart. The long-range fighter pulled the arrow back, lining up its shot. I sprinted forward, urging my feet to be fast and true, and my courage unwavering.

The horses ran off together towards safety. The monster Link killed disappeared in a puff of smoke. I lunged forward with the spear in hand, holding it surely in both hands, their placement far apart, my control over the weapon shaky but unyielding. A quick movement of my hands and the arrow was knocked off course as soon as it was released.

It flew off somewhere, dropping uselessly to the ground below and suddenly I was standing before a monster, a spear in hand, my movement not yet complete and my hair still flowing, my breath still held, my eyes still narrow and my palms still stinging from the foreign feeling of the rough wood in my hands.

I stood up straight. I wasn't left wondering what to do next for long, because the answer came to me rather immediately. I held the spear in my dominant hand, guiding the spearhead between the bow and its string and I lifted upwards, stealing the bow from the stunned monster's hands before it could even react.

The moment was over, and... I was alright. We... We were alright.

Before I could even turn myself around, I was turned by a pair of strong hands on my shoulders and soon I was face to face with Link, who noticed the still-alive monster before us and guided me behind him. When he killed the defenseless thing, he turned to face me and this time, our eyes met.

"Link," I breathed out, worry overtaking me, "are you alright?"

"You're asking about me? (Y/n), that was reckless!"

"But are you...?"

"Yes," he answered, a little exasperatedly but a little relieved, too. "And you? You're alright? You didn't hurt yourself getting off Sky, or- or fighting, did you? You're not-"

"Link," I cut in, managing to smile, "I'm..."

I trailed off as we were cloaked in shadow and over his shoulder rose this tall, lumbering beast, one that seemed to get taller, taller, taller still...

Link, cluing into the fact that something was wrong, wheeled around, his sword back in hand, but he was only just able to twist it in hand and catch the blade in his other palm to catch the blow sent our way. A large club with spikes had been slammed down, and Link grunted with the effort to hold it back. The sound had been sickening, an awful scrape of wood against metal but worse still was the strained grunt Link tried to bite back but couldn't.

I stepped around him at that second, the spear dropped to the side for now as I pressed my hands to the sword, ducked just by his chest, adding all my strength into helping Link defend against this Moblin.

"(Y/n)-!"

"Complain later," I said right away, knowing he was going to tell me I was reckless, that I shouldn't be here, that I should be getting to safety. "I'm already here. Just push!"

Together, we pushed the Moblin's weapon up and away from us and when Link told me to get away, I did just that, knowing what was coming next: the shift of weight meant the club slid uselessly along the blade with a shriek of noise that made me wince but I stayed firm, standing off to the side as Link fought the monster in earnest.

Fierce parries, quick thrusts, sidesteps and rolls, and all of it combined kept the Moblin on the defensive - that was, until it remembered I was there.

I was only just able to crouch down and grab the spear before the Moblin leapt to me, swinging towards me. I rolled away in an incredible moment of my instincts taking over, but the monster was fast, and I found myself stumbling as I tried to stand.

The roles were reversed, now. Instead of me standing before the monster who had been able to do nothing more than sit and await its fate, I was the one awaiting my own as the monster lifted its weapon. I made to cry out but my throat was dry. My heart was beating quickly, so quickly.

And... time did not slow.

I braced myself for the blow, but it never came. Instead, Link was there, dropped to one knee before me, his body protecting me. His blade was up, parrying the blow with such strength from such a vulnerable position I could hardly believe it and I was right here to witness it.

With hardly another wasted movement, Link's sword was shoved upwards, through the monster's chin and surely into its brain and in a puff of smoke instant and fleeting, the monster died and disappeared, as did all remnants of the fight just won.

Well, nearly all remnants.

Besides the clubs and arrows and bow left behind, the physical reminders of the fight remained. I was breathing heavily, finally able to catch my breath as relief flooded my system. Link was breathing heavily, sweat covering his brow and he pivoted around, shifting to crouch just in front of me and he was looking at me with so much concern in his gaze it almost physically hurt to bear that it was for me.

The relief in my system was soon replaced by guilt, but... the monsters were dead now. We were safe.

His chest was heaving, his breathing wavering, but his gaze was true and didn't dare to leave my own.

I did not look away. I could not. I would not.

"Link," I began, only for him to blink, as though he'd been lost in thought.

With his eyes now rid of the glaze of unfocus, his eyes traveled over me, looking for any sign of strain, of pain, of injury. He found none, but still didn't seem satisfied. Rather, he huffed, and got to his feet. He did extend his hand towards me, and I took it, stunned speechless, and I remained speechless as he helped me to my feet.

With a whistle, he called the horses, and after a moment, they came trotting towards us, still a bit anxious and a bit nervous but content that the danger had passed, at least for now.

He retrieved the spear, sheathed his sword, and mounted Epona. I pulled myself into the saddle of my own charge, not given time to get comfortable before Link kicked into Epona's sides, guiding us along.

He only uttered the following words: "Come on. It's getting late, and we need to find a place to set up camp."

I followed without a sound. It felt like a storm was brewing, but I had no way to prepare for what was to come as we left the battlefield far behind us, and charged ever further into the canyons of Kakariko.