The Legend of Zelda - Tears of Light and Darkness

"Well…" Sidon said, clearing his throat and trying to keep a serious expression, "where were we? Oh, yes, at the point where Link had to choose between turning into a zombie or resisting a tasty bite."

Everyone burst into laughter again, but this time, Link stayed focused.

"Back to the important matter," Link said, working to stifle one last chuckle. He straightened up and looked at Yunobo seriously. "When I arrived at Goron City and saw everyone consumed by the marbled rock roasts, I knew something was very wrong. I quickly spotted Bludo, the elder Goron Chief, accompanied by Yunobo and two children. I was surprised by Yunobo's attire and overall behavior—it didn't match what I knew of him."

The memory brought a bitter expression to Yunobo's face, and he lowered his gaze, speaking softly.

"What I did is unforgivable… I was consumed by ambition, and in the end, I hurt those I care about most. Bludo and the others were only trying to protect us. But I…"

Sidon stepped forward, his voice warm but firm. "Don't blame yourself too much, Yunobo. We've all made mistakes."

"Sidon is right," Link added. "What I saw that day made it clear you weren't yourself. The mask, the Demon King's influence... It was all meant to deceive us. The children mentioned Zelda—or at least a version of her. That's when I knew something was off. If Zelda had returned, why wouldn't I have known?"

The group fell silent, absorbing Link's words. The weight of the situation pressed down on them again, but a spark of understanding lit up Riju's face, and she broke the tension with a smile. "Well, if that 'Zelda' tries anything again, we'll make sure she fails. This time, we're ready."

Link gave a grateful smile. Humor, however fleeting, was exactly what they needed to lighten their burden.

"Following Yunobo to YunoboCo headquarters, I saw her," Link said, with a mixture of sadness and amazement in his voice. "Her back was to me, talking to him. Her figure was unmistakable, but even though something didn't fit, the hope of seeing her again blinded me. I ran towards her" Link was silent for a few seconds without realizing it ,'she was so beautiful in that dress, the same one I later saw in the dragon memories' he muttered to himself "I had so many questions..." he continued "until, as I got closer, her form disappeared like a mirage, just like in the Temple of Time."

Link paused, his expression darkening. "And then Yunobo turned to us, with the mask glowing, saturated with malice, and I knew what I had to do first. With the help of the children accompanying him, we tried reasoning with him, convincing him to remove the mask, but it only enraged him further…"

Yunobo nodded, his voice low and tinged with shame. "That wasn't me… Ambition consumed me. And when Link tried to stop me, all I felt was rage. I charged at him, rolling with all my might."

"Luckily, I have quick reflexes," Link added with a weak smile that failed to hide the gravity of the moment. "I dodged, and Yunobo crashed into the wall, shattering the mask. Then, he was himself again."

"It… it was an extremely awkward moment," Yunobo admitted, lowering his hands from his face with a heavy sigh before continuing. "I didn't understand what had happened. Suddenly, all that ambition… it just disappeared. But the worst part was realizing all I'd done while wearing that mask. I remember Link standing before me, offering his hand. I was on the ground, and the first thing I did was apologize. I couldn't even explain what I'd said or why, but… I felt horrible."

A heavy silence fell over the group until Tureli spoke, his voice curious but concerned for his friend. "Where did that mask even come from, Yunobo?"

"It was given to me by Zelda… or, rather, the Demon King's puppet," Yunobo said, ashamed. "When Hyrule Castle rose into the sky, a dense red mist started pouring out of Death Mountain's crater. Intrigued, I decided to investigate. Just before entering the crater, I encountered her. We talked about various things, and I mentioned starting an excavation business but not knowing where to begin. That's when she mentioned the marbled rock roast cave and took me to see one nearby. It seemed promising, though something felt off."

Yunobo sighed heavily before continuing. "Before I could voice my doubts, she pulled out a flashy, modern outfit and insisted I try it on. 'A great entrepreneur must look the part,' she said with a smile. And, like a fool, I put on the mask… And, well, the rest you know."

"I already told you," Link interjected, "and I'll say it again—you were tricked by the Demon King's puppet. He saw your ambition and your drive and used it to manipulate you."

"But…" Yunobo murmured. Link placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, searching for the right words. Before he could speak, Mineru, who had been observing from the screen, interjected.

"Yunobo, listen to me," her metallic voice carried a hint of emotion. "The Demon King is a master manipulator. Even before he became the Demon King, as Ganondorf, he deceived my brother and Queen Sonia with false oaths. He swayed many to his side in his bid for Hyrule's throne. Koume and Kotake, the powerful Gerudo sorceresses, were the first to fall under his spell and aid in his schemes. Remember, too, those seduced by the Yiga Clan, who have long served his return. We all have moments of weakness, Yunobo. You were taken in by the puppet 'Zelda.' You believed what she said. You were fortunate—you were saved by Link's intervention."

The others nodded quietly. They all understood they had their own vulnerabilities to guard against if they were to face the battles ahead and resist any tricks or temptations their enemy might wield.

Silence settled heavily over the group, laden with the sorrow of Yunobo's ordeal and a broader realization of the harm the Demon King had inflicted on Hyrule. The freezing storm that isolated and starved the Rito, the sandstorm that forced the Gerudo underground, the pollution in the Zora's Domain, and now this—a mass poisoning that used poor Yunobo as a pawn.

The population would eventually heal, but what about Yunobo? Although his appointment as the Sage of Fire had given him a boost of self-esteem, it was clear that he often fell back into despair when he remembered what had happened to him. Link held on to the hope that time would also mend those wounds.

Link broke the tense silence that had gripped the group.

"The important thing is that Yunobo recovered in time and told me everything that had happened to him, including his mysterious encounter with Zelda. We then decided to head to Death Mountain because he wanted to show me the place where he received the mask. When we arrived, there she was again, who we initially thought was Zelda. She mysteriously disappeared again, and we saw her fall into the volcano's crater."

"Exactly," said Yunobo. "I tried to stop her, shouting that she shouldn't go to such a dangerous place. I really still believed it was her, not a shadow."

"Yes," continued Link, reassuring him. At that moment, he had an idea to encourage him. "We followed the Demon King's puppet and decided to jump in ourselves. But when we got there, we were in for a surprise. An incredible monster was waiting for us at the peak. Yunobo, why don't you tell this part? I barely did anything. You were the one who handled almost everything important."

Yunobo paused thoughtfully for a moment before smiling, recalling that encounter. His spirits seemed to lift as he relived the adventure.

"Moragia, yes, I remember that monster," Yunobo murmured to himself. Then, he continued with increasing enthusiasm. Telling the story of helping Link filled him with joy. "We didn't know what to do, but Link is always ready for anything. He spotted a Zonai aircraft lying near the crater, with a nearly endless battery supply. He immediately knew what to do. We both got on it, and he steered it towards the monster. He piloted the vehicle, and every time he aimed at one of the heads, I used my charge ability to destroy them. In just a few minutes, we had cleared the crater and were free to jump in. Honestly, without Link piloting the vehicle, we wouldn't have succeeded—I don't know why you downplay your role."

"Because what you did, Yunobo, was the most important part," interrupted Link with a smile. "I just steered the vehicle, but you kept us on course and took initiative with every charge. Without you, we wouldn't have defeated Moragia. It was your strength and bravery that opened the path."

Yunobo blinked, surprised by Link's words. A warm feeling ignited in his chest, and, for the first time, he truly realized what he had accomplished.

"What we did together was greater than any monster or trap," continued Link, his voice filled with confidence. "And the best part is, now you know that. The Demon King's tricks, the moments when you might have felt lost, don't matter. You are not just the Sage of Fire. You are much more than that. You are someone capable of changing the course of a war, saving lives, and finding light even in the darkest times."

Yunobo looked at him intently, feeling the weight of his words. For a moment, the world seemed brighter, and the burden of having been manipulated lightened a bit.

"Thank you, Link... I hadn't thought of it that way," said Yunobo, smiling humbly. "It's true that without your help we wouldn't have succeeded, but now I understand what you're saying. Every time I charged at that monstrosity, I felt like I could really do something great. Thank you for believing in me."

"And together," Link vowed solemnly, this time looking at each of his friends, "we are going to defeat the Demon King. But more importantly, we will make sure Hyrule never forgets the true power of its heroes."

The others nodded, moving closer to the two of them, their faces showing support and encouragement. This gesture reaffirmed to Link the bonds that had formed among them—not just as adventurers, but as comrades in every sense of the word. A bond deeper than any battle, stronger than any challenge.

After their friends' words, Link and Yunobo fell silent, and, with wide smiles, they bumped fists as a symbol of their friendship. A simple gesture, but full of meaning.

The group watched as Link and Yunobo exchanged that gesture of friendship, and a warm feeling of unity spread among them. In the midst of the battles and trials they faced, they knew that there was something more powerful than physical strength: the trust and support they offered one another.

Riju broke the silence with a voice full of determination. "It's true, Link. The fight ahead of us will be tough, but we are in this together. No matter what tricks the Demon King tries; as long as we have this unity, there is no darkness we cannot overcome."

"Yes," Sidon agreed, his eyes shining with hope. "We have seen what each of us is capable of, and we know that in the moments of greatest difficulty, we can count on the strength, courage, and ingenuity of our friends. That is what sets us apart from those who seek only to control and destroy."

Mineru, speaking from her hideout, spoke with a voice full of wisdom. "The Demon King has always underestimated the power of unity, the bond that ties true heroes together. As long as you walk together, you will be an unstoppable force. Remember this at every step of your journey, in every battle you face."

Link looked at his friends, one by one, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. Each of them had faced their own challenges, fallen, and risen again, and they were ready to keep moving forward—not just for Hyrule, but for the friendship that bound them together. There was something sacred in that camaraderie, something that no amount of darkness could shatter.

"Thank you, all of you," Link said, his voice firm but full of emotion. "We will succeed together. And when the time comes, we will not only be the protectors of Hyrule; we will be the ones who restore peace and light for everyone."

With those words, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose. There was a long journey ahead, but as long as they maintained their bond and their will to fight, nothing would be impossible. Link and Yunobo looked at each other again, their fists still joined, and shared a smile that spoke of trust and hope. They were ready to face whatever came their way, knowing they were not alone.

Seeing that Yunobo was finally starting to feel better, Link smiled and continued with his story.

"Once we defeated Moragia, we passed through the crater and landed right at the gates of the Fire Temple, where we saw the Demon King's puppet again. She motioned us towards a chamber. I ran to the nearby Zonai terminal just before entering. The door we were trying to open seemed stuck and closed again."

"Suddenly, I heard a mysterious voice speaking to me," Yunobo said. "It told me we needed to activate a series of terminals scattered throughout the temple. The voice also asked me to place the slate Link carried close to the terminal. I told Link, and at that moment, he was able to download a map of the temple. It showed glowing points marking the location of each terminal. So, we looked at each other and set out to explore the temple."

"To be honest, I have to admit we had a lot of fun," said Link. Yunobo nodded; they had shared an incredible adventure exploring the ancient Fire Temple together.

Link and Yunobo recounted with excitement how they navigated different areas of the temple. There were multiple ways to move around, including using rails to ride minecarts powered by Zonai fans. Yunobo sat at the front and charged at the rail switches whenever needed. There were moments when they opted to climb directly or use Ascend, as parts of the temple, especially the upper sections, had an intricate rail system that made finding some of the more distant terminals quite challenging.

Each time they found a terminal, Yunobo activated it using his charge ability. As in all temples, teamwork was the key to overcoming every obstacle.

Finally, with the last terminal activated, the door where the Demon King's puppet had disappeared was released and opened, allowing Link and Yunobo to proceed. They navigated through several rooms while avoiding lava until they reached the final chamber. There, they faced one of the Demon King's creatures—a Marbled Gohma, a giant stone spider. It turned out to be the easiest enemy to defeat. Yunobo used his power to strike its legs, causing it to lose balance and collapse, giving Link an opening to attack. The Gohma tried to scare them by launching explosive rocks that formed a barrier, but Yunobo destroyed them in time before they could explode.

"Finally," Yunobo said with excitement, "we defeated it. At that moment, a Goron wearing the Rudania mask appeared. He said he was my ancestor from ten thousand years ago and told me about the Imprisoning War, where he fought alongside Princess Zelda. Our Princess Zelda. That confirmed that the vision earlier was indeed a deception. He then gave me the Secret Stone, officially naming me the Sage of Fire, and made me promise to aid Link in the final battle against the Demon King. We sealed that promise shortly afterward in a pact between us. When everything was over, my ancestor vanished, and we returned to Goron City. Once we arrived, we saw that everything had passed. My people were cured, and there was no trace of the marbled rock roasts."

"Yes, it was a very emotional moment to see everyone doing well again. I missed their cheerfulness, though some were devastated. They had lost a lot of money, having to sell at a low price to recover from everything they had spent on buying marbled rock roast."

Link then spent several days with the cheerful Gorons, engaged in various activities, whether helping some elderly Gorons search for the cave where the moon could be seen, or assisting with the construction of the new amusement park called Wagon City. He even raced a couple of times. He also took the opportunity to relax in the famous Marcogoro Hot Springs, known for their magmatic waters, where he learned to cook eggs in the hot water. Meanwhile, Yunobo returned to his duties at YunoboCo.

The silence once again took over the room when they finished telling their story. It was then that they sensed something was wrong outside: a murmur of nervous voices and the hurried coming and going of footsteps echoed through the walls of Purah's laboratory. Someone was running up to the upper floor, where Purah had her telescope always pointing towards Hyrule Castle.

Link and the sages grew uneasy as the ground beneath their feet began to tremble slightly. At first, it was barely perceptible, but gradually the intensity increased, as if an invisible force was drawing nearer with every beat of the earth.

The tremor advanced towards them, resonating in their bones, but no one in the stronghold seemed to know what was causing it. The uncertainty was palpable, and every sound, every step, added weight to the already tense atmosphere.

Link exchanged a tense glance with the sages and headed for the door, driven by the need to see what was happening.

At that moment, the laboratory door suddenly opened. It was Purah, holding several scrolls in her hand, her face twisted with concern.

"What's going on?" Link asked. "What are those messages you're holding?"

"I came to speak to you about this, now that you're all here…" Purah said, pointing to the scrolls. "We've just received messengers from some of the main cities: Tarrey Town and Kakariko. The good news is that they confirm the population is safe and sound, and that the evacuation plan in case of an attack on the wells is organized. But there are other... less good news…"

"Please, Purah, tell us what else has come," Link said, fearing that his nightmare was coming true.

Purah began to pace back and forth, visibly anxious as she searched for the right words. "Well... from the Zora Domain and Goron City, we've been informed that while organizing the evacuation, they were attacked... by the same bosses you faced in the temples. And... apparently, the Zora Domain is once again buried in mud."

"And what about Gerudo Citadel and Orni Village?" Link asked, sensing a dark omen hanging over him. "Any news from Hateno?"

Purah hesitated for a moment before answering, her expression even graver as the tremor continued approaching. In each heart, the feeling grew that time was against them. But before she could continue, two figures hurriedly entered the laboratory. They were Josha and Rotver, who had stayed with her while the sages met. Worry was etched on their faces. Josha, still panting, stepped forward with wide eyes.

"Purah! Link!" she exclaimed, trying to catch her breath. "We've been watching through the telescope... There's something you need to know."