The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule's Hope

Chapter 13: Divine Beast Vah Ruta, Part 1

"Rhiannon?"

She turned around to see Dori, her best friend since childhood, standing between the crowd. "Dori?" Rhiannon gasped as tears ran down both women's faces. Dori clapped her hands to her mouth, she could not believe that her best friend was standing there after 25 years. They both ran towards each other's arms, exchanging a warm hug. "It's you!" Dori sobbed, "I can't believe it's you! After so long!"

"I'm back," Rhiannon said, "I'm here to make things right! I need to talk to Lady Paya."

"What are we waiting for?" Dori took her by the wrist, "Let's go to the temple!"

As they headed there, Rhiannon looked around. The more she looked at her surroundings, the more she seemed to remember. "Is that the Sheikah Slate?!" Dori gasped, pointing at the Sheikah Slate hanging from Rhiannon's waist. "Um, yeah!" Rhiannon replied. "Have you figured out what it can do?" Dori asked. "Not yet," Rhiannon answered, "I was hoping you could tell me what it does."

"Talk to Lady Paya first, then we'll talk," Dori said as they walked up the stairs of the temple. "Lady Paya!" she called, "Look who's back!"

Rhiannon entered the temple shyly. Lady Paya lifted her head, softly gasping upon seeing the princess. "It's Princess Rhiannon!" Dori said, "She's finally awakened after 25 years!"

"Lady Paya, I seek your help," Rhiannon kneeled before her, "my parents wrote a letter for me telling me to come to speak to you. What has been of Hyrule ever since my fate?"

"25 years..." Lady Paya sighed, "25 years since Calamity Ganon returned. Hyrule began tearing itself apart from the very first day. After your parents had to leave you at the Shrine of Resurrection, nothing but chaos ensued. Villages would blame each other for the new age of disaster, starting a civil war, the North against the South."

"Zora's Domain, Rito Village, Goron City, Gerudo Town, and Kakariko Village opted to stay out," Dori added, "we have enough problems of our own to be dealing with a civil war. We've declared ourselves neutral ground."

"Oh, Hylia..." Rhiannon gasped, "W-What about the Divine Beasts?"

"The Divine Beasts are once again under Ganon's control," Lady Paya said gloomily, "for what we know, they are out there wreaking havoc."

"We haven't heard of the others in quite some time," Dori added, "but I know that they'll be needing your help, Rhia."

Rhiannon's eyes then fell on the tapestry behind Lady Paya. The tapestry recounted the story of her parents. "Are those...my parents?!" she gasped. "Those are them, no doubt," Lady Paya nodded, "this tapestry has belonged to our family for generations, it recounts the story of the brave hero tasked with defeating an ancient evil with the help of the princess."

"W-Where am I?" Rhiannon asked, "Am I not part of this?"

"Maybe," Dori replied, "this is just part of it. Nobody knows where the rest is."

"Dori, why don't you show Rhiannon what was salvaged from Hyrule Castle?" Lady Paya asked. "Oh! With pleasure, aunt!" Dori said, "Rhia, I'm super excited to say that we managed to save some stuff from Hyrule Castle!"

"What? Really?" Rhiannon gasped. "After dropping you at the Shrine of Resurrection," Dori explained, "your parents asked us to infiltrate Hyrule Castle and save as many valuable items as possible."

She reached for a rectangular box and handed it to Rhiannon. "Open it!" she said. Rhiannon opened the box slowly, revealing a golden tiara decorated with diamonds and sapphires. "M-My tiara!" she gasped. "Oh! And also this!" Dori pulled a large trunk towards her, "Some clothes we managed to collect! Your father's, mother's, and yours!"