Summary: The enemy's plan is discovered and reveals a surprising target, but Link's final encounter with her does not end as planned.

When Mipha and Link arrived at Hyrule Castle, they were greeted by the guards who had been told to expect them. Then they were escorted directly to the room where Zelda and Rudin were working.

"Mipha and Link," said Zelda rushing over to them and hugging them both. "Thank you for coming and sorry it is under such terrible circumstances."

"Hello Mipha and cousin," said Rudin shaking Link's hand. "It's been a long time."

"Yes, it has," said Link. "You look well."

"And you look too young!" laughed Rudin. "But Zelda told me all about Purah's rune."

"I had the usual guest room prepared for you whenever you wish to rest. Have you eaten? Are you hungry?" said Zelda.

"Well, you know me," said Link. "I could use a bite to eat."

"Certainly," laughed Zelda. "And it's nice to see some things haven't changed. We can discuss what we know while we eat an early dinner."

Zelda signaled one of the guards and asked him to request meals be brought in for everyone.

"So, you were mistaken about the host?" said Link.

"Well, I'm not sure 'mistaken' is quite the right word," said Zelda. "I am certain this person was the host, but somehow this being has moved on from him without his being able to recall anything that happened with her. She somehow erased his memory."

"So, it seems this being has left the person you suspected and moved on to someone else. Is there any way to narrow down who that might be?" said Link.

"No, it's impossible to say," said Zelda. "His name is Lanon by the way, and he has been on guard duty at the castle entrance for the past two nights. Many people passed by him during that time, and any one of them could potentially be the new host. We really need a way to determine where this being is. And by the way, did you hear about the Great Fairy at Kakariko Village?"

"No, what about her?" said Mipha.

"This evil creature turned her into a pumpkin for no apparent reason," said Zelda. "Just for her own pleasure, I presume."

"Terrible," said Link. "But back to the matter at hand. I think it is safe to assume this being is still here at the castle. And I would think you are its ultimate target, Zelda. This reminds me of that time with the masks. Someone in the castle is not who they appear to be."

"For that matter, how do we know all of us in this room are who we appear to be?" said Rudin.

"I can prove I am not a host," said Link drawing the sword that seals the darkness. "I believe no evil creature can wield this blade and the sword could tell if I was taken over. And, Zelda, let me pass you the sword. You are also permitted to hold the sacred blade by virtue of your bloodline. And your daughter as well I imagine."

Link handed the sword to Zelda who held it briefly, then returned it to Link.

"Unfortunately, no one else is permitted to take the sword so we cannot use it as a test," said Link. "Not that I would want to do that. In the presence of this being, I want to have the sword safely in my own hands."

"So, all we can do is be vigilant about guarding key people," said Zelda.

Just then one of the guards appeared and said the Royal Historian, Hanlon, needed to speak with Zelda. The history scholars believe they have deciphered the message on the stone slab that had sealed the tomb in North Hyrule.

"Your Majesty, we believe we have translated the message on the stone," said Hanlon. "The script is quite an old and unusual one. In fact, it dates back to ..."

"I'm sorry, Hanlon," said Zelda interrupting him. "I would be interested in learning about the scholarship aspects later. But for now, it is more important to learn what the message says."

"Of course, I'm sorry, Your Majesty," said Hanlon. "Let me read our translation to you. It may be a little inaccurate, but this is the best we can do based on the picture of the stone slab we were provided."

May the blood of the goddess in the seal of the Triforce protect us from this greatest enemy of all time.

"Thank you, Hanlon," said Zelda. "I appreciate all the hard work and time you and your scholars have put into this. When matters are less pressing, I would be eager to discuss how you were able to decipher the message, but for now, we need to deal with some urgent concerns."

"Of course, Your Majesty," said Hanlon as he bowed and left.

"The blood of the goddess mixed with the seal of the Triforce," said Link. "It sounds like your blood, Zelda, mixed into a Triforce symbol."

"Well, I am willing to donate some blood to try anything," said Zelda. "Can we create a Triforce symbol and put some of my blood in it? We can position it at the entrance to this room and put one outside each of our bedrooms as well. That may protect us from this being. I wonder how much blood is needed?"

"I wouldn't think very much," said Link.

"Alright, let's make four for now," said Zelda. "One for our daughter's bedroom, one for this room, one for Rudin and my bedroom and one for the guest room you and Mipha are staying in. Perhaps we can all sleep more soundly knowing we have some protection. Better call the Royal Physician to draw some of my blood and start building Triforce symbols."

The meeting was adjourned so the Triforce symbols could be prepared and since it was getting late in any case.

While Zelda and the others had been meeting, a lieutenant of the Royal Guards named Kalia was on duty inspecting the family residence level of the castle along with her colleague, a fellow lieutenant named Trendon. They got along well with each other. Kalia's memory was a bit harder to explore than Lanon's, but Vera had learned enough to get by. Studying Kalia's mind helped her become familiar with the castle layout and what her responsibilities were. She learned that guarding Queen Zelda, Prince Rudin, and their daughter was their top priority. It was amusing how worried everyone was about those three. That suited her perfectly. Zelda's daughter had actually passed right by her on her way to her tutor that morning, and she got the strong feeling she would not want to possess her. Her blood was disgusting, tainted by the goddess, and that made her too repulsive even to be close to, never mind be inside of. That was undoubtedly true of her mother also. But they still hadn't grasped her plan. And if they knew of her own mother and her mother's history, they would know she was following the same plan her mother had used so successfully. Her mother had taken control of the Oracle of Ages and gone back in time to change things to the way she wanted them. Her mother had even helped Twinrova to bring Ganon back. So, while the Royal Guard were worried about Zelda and family, she was going after the person she had read about who knew enough about the Temple of Time to help her use it. And the irony was that she learned all about that in one of Link's own memoirs, the story of his villainous life, that she had come across when inside Princess Tiray and she was learning Hyrule's history. Purah was her target, and Vera doubted Purah would be as well-defended as Zelda and her family. She just needed the right opportunity. And once she gained access to the Temple of Time, she would make everything right again. Hyrule was way too boring now with no evil anywhere. All she needed now was a little patience until the opportunity presented itself. And this would be the last step of her plan so she needn't worry about Kalia. She just needed to take over Purah, give Purah some time to put her Sheikah Slate in order, and get to the Temple of Time. Then she would have what she wanted.

Mipha and Link retired to their room in the evening, the Triforce symbol containing some of Zelda's blood hanging on their door.

"Do you think that symbol on the door will really protect us?" said Mipha.

"I don't know," said Link. "It may. For the stone slab, they must have mixed the blood into the material of the stone. Anyway, there is no harm in it. I'm pretty tired and looking forward to a good night's rest. We haven't slept here in quite a while. I have happy memories of our trips here."

"Yes, it's been quite a while, and I loved the shopping afterward, picking out gifts for our young children. I'll miss the water tonight. But you're probably happy to be sleeping in a bed for a change."

"I think living with you has ruined me," laughed Link. "I'm actually more comfortable sleeping in the water now. I never realized floating in the water was so restful. Maybe they'll invent something to turn me into a Zora someday."

"I'm not sure I'd like that," said Mipha. "I'm pretty used to the way you are now. But it would have some advantages. We could enjoy time together in deep water like normal couples. And you could stop ruining fish by burning them. I'll have to think about it some more. It might be an interesting dream: Master Link as a Zora."

"Well, let me know how your dream turns out," laughed Link. "Good night, sweetheart. I love you."

"Good night and I love you too," said Mipha as they kissed. They both soon fell asleep. But Link's sleep was troubled by a dream.

Master, I cannot help you much with the evil we face but must point out that, as is often the case, your reasoning is illogical.

Fi? What do you mean?

You need to think of who can hold me and why, and the message on the stone. I cannot predict what will happen or say what you should do. I do not have enough data.

That was the end of his dream.

Next morning Mipha and Link awoke at the same time.

"Oh, you're still a Hylian?" said Mipha.

"You really did dream about me being a Zora?" said Link.

"No, I'm just teasing you," laughed Mipha. "My sleep was pretty sound."

"But I had a message from the sword," said Link. "Fi thinks we are being illogical somehow."

He told Mipha about his dream, and later at their breakfast meeting with Zelda and Rudin, he repeated the story for both of them.

"This is the first time the sword spoke to you about this?" said Zelda.

"Yes," said Link. "But what it means is unclear to me. Fi said we, or I, are not being logical in our efforts. She can be exasperating! She is too cryptic sometimes and other times states the obvious."

"Not being logical?" said Zelda. "Well, let's think about what we are doing. A who, why and how thought experiment. Some aspect must not be logical."

"Well, start with 'who,'" said Link. "We are trying to protect you, Zelda. And 'why' is because we fear this being will take you over and thus control the ruler of Hyrule. This being seems to have as its goal getting closer to you here in Hyrule Castle. Is there anything illogical about that?"

"But remember Fi said something about who could handle the sacred blade," said Mipha. "That's only you, Link, and Zelda, and maybe Zelda's daughter. So, having said that, what does it mean?"

"Wait," said Link. "Does it mean I am the target since I can wield the blade and if it controls me there is no one to fight it?"

"That's a possibility I didn't think of," said Zelda. "But if you are its target why is the being here in Hyrule Castle and not Zora's Domain? It was already in the body of a Zora once, and that would have been the time to try to take you over. So, I don't think you are its target, Link."

"Then who else?" said Rudin. "So, you can pick up the sword without harm, Zelda. What does that mean?"

"I think I said if someone could pick up the sword then they could not be the host of this being," said Link.

"And Fi said to remember the message on the stone as well," said Mipha. "We are missing something obvious here, but I don't know what."

"We talked about 'who' and 'why' but not about 'how,'" said Zelda.

"The message on the stone says something about the blood of the Goddess and the Triforce symbol protecting them," said Rudin. "So, the 'how' is using the Triforce and Zelda's blood to protect us, right?"

"Yes, that is what it says," said Link.

"But if Zelda's blood can protect us then how can she be taken over?" said Mipha.

"Wait, I think that's it, Mipha," said Zelda. "You are trying to protect me, but my blood is protecting you. Maybe that is what Fi meant when she said we were not being logical."

"You may be right," said Link. "That makes sense. So, your blood automatically protects you. But then if you are not the target and I am not the target, and presumably there is no reason to believe Rudin would be a target, then who is the target here?"

No one had any ideas at that point.

"It's almost lunchtime, and I think we need to recharge," said Zelda. "Let's have some food brought in and break for a meal. Afterward, we can continue our discussion. I think we are making progress."

Food was served, and there was some small talk about families and children. Her mother spoke about her daughter, Princess Zelda, and that she had been learning how to access some of her powers. She had already prayed at the Springs of Power and Courage. When she reached age seventeen, she would visit the Spring of Wisdom and complete her training. Her mother had been anxious to begin her training as soon as possible, remembering her own struggle without a mother to guide her. When lunch was over it was time for further discussion.

"Let's pick up from where we left off," said Mipha, "We have not discussed the later part of the stone's message. It mentions protecting them from the greatest enemy of all time. Does that mean she is the most powerful evil they ever knew?"

"Perhaps," said Zelda. "But I wonder how accurate our translation is. The difference of a word could change the whole meaning."

"Perhaps we should consult with our historian again," said Rudin. "He may be able to explain where there is any ambiguity in the translation."

"There seems to be no harm in that," said Zelda. She asked one of the guards to bring Hanlon back, and they waited for his arrival.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" said Hanlon.

"Thank you, Hanlon, we are struggling to understand the meaning of the words on the stone and wondered where there might be some uncertainty in the translation. Perhaps we could go through it carefully," said Zelda.

"Certainly, Your Majesty," said Hanlon. "The inscription reads as follows."

May the blood of the goddess in the seal of the Triforce protect us from this greatest enemy of all time.

"We are very certain about the first part of the sentence that references the blood of the goddess and the seal of the Triforce," said Hanlon. "Now the last part we struggled with a bit as the words as we first translated them did not seem to make sense. We suspected perhaps their writing put words in a different order and we tried to compensate for that."

"What was the difficulty?" said Zelda.

"Well, as we first read the sentence it seemed to say something like 'protect us all from this greatest enemy of time,' but that did not appear to make sense. So, we revised the word order," said Hanlon.

"Thank you again, Hanlon, that is very helpful," said Zelda. "That is all for now."

"Your Majesty," said Hanlon. Then he bowed and left the room.

"This casts a different light on things," said Zelda after Hanlon had left. "The text as written calls this being an enemy of time itself. The fact Hylia's blood is dangerous to this being and Hylia is the Goddess of Time may mean they are natural enemies. What can we conclude from that?"

"That it wants to control time," said Link. "It is looking to change time for its own benefit."

"Then who is its target?" said Mipha.

"Who knows more about time travel here than Purah," said Zelda. "Purah must be its target. We had better get her here as soon as possible. Rudin, have the Royal Guard pick her up for her own safety."

But when the Royal Guard arrived at the research lab where Purah worked, she was gone. Instead, they found an unconscious fellow Royal Guard officer named Kalia slumped on the floor. Dr. Purah was nowhere to be seen. The guard messaged Zelda at once.

Dr. Purah is missing and injured Royal Guard officer found instead.

Zelda read the message and informed the group.

"This is it," said Link. "The Royal Guard officer must have been the host and when the opportunity arose this being took over Purah. She must be headed to the Temple of Time. I need to go there at once with the sword and finish this."

"Take this as well, Link, and go with our prayers," said Zelda. She retrieved the Bow of Light from a chest and a supply of Light Arrows and gave them to Link.

"And I am coming with you," said Mipha. "Let's go."

"Are you ready to ride a motorized cycle with me?" said Link. "You had better hang on. I need to go as fast as possible."

"I'm ready," said Mipha. "I won't let go of you no matter what. Just try not to knock us both over!"

Link obtained a motorized cycle from the castle entrance, and they were on their way. He pushed the cycle to full speed as he navigated the paved road through Mabe Village and the Hyrule Garrison and then onward. As he grew closer to the Temple, he cut across some open fields to reduce distance at the expense of a rougher ride. But time was critical.

"This reminds me of the time just after we were married and I rushed to the Temple of Time to stop a malice infected Zelda from changing time," shouted Link over the noise of the cycle.

"Let's pray we are just as successful," said Mipha. "But this time I am with you, not following after you."

Link was definitely a faster rider than Purah, and he hoped he was catching up. As they approached the Temple of Time, they could see Purah's motorized cycle parked outside the Temple. Secrecy was impossible, so Mipha and Link rushed toward the entrance. As they entered the Temple, they could see Purah standing by the statue of the Goddess, the Sheikah Slate in her hand, apparently working to activate the Temple. There was no time for anything subtle. Link climbed a step then jumped into the air slowing time and allowing him to aim carefully. He shot a Light Arrow into Purah, being careful not to kill her but causing a wound serious enough that she would die if left untreated. Link landed and watched Purah collapse to the ground clutching at her wound.

Vera had no choice but to abandon Purah's dying body. She left Purah and appeared in fairy form, a blue-green creature, the one from Link's dream. Link was about to shoot her with a Light Arrow, but she darted behind Mipha, and he had no shot.

"That was not a very polite way to introduce yourself, Master Link," said Vera. "In fact, it was quite rude. I notice you have some ability to control time, and I admire that in a person. I could grow to like you. We could even work together if you abandoned that nasty goddess sword you carry. But somehow I get the sense you don't like me, and that hurts my feelings."

"What feelings? You're a heartless witch!" said Link.