Summary: After one month spent developing the Divine Beast Travel Gate feature, Mipha and Link travel to Eventide Island after staying overnight in Hateno Village. Link realizes there is something odd about the Sheikah Shrine there and consults with Dr. Purah.

"You feel okay, Mom?" asked Lapha as she and Mipha stood by the Travel Gate portal near the entrance to Divine Beast Vah Ruta in the middle of East Reservoir Lake.

Mipha had just materialized using the new Travel Gate feature.

"Yes, it feels instantaneous now," said Mipha. "It's smoother than the earlier version."

"Great! That's what we expected," said Lapha.

A month had gone by, and they had just tested what they expected to be the final version of the Divine Beast pilot Travel Gate rune. This feature allowed a registered pilot to teleport to their Divine Beast using their Tab. However, it was entirely a one-way trip. They could not teleport back to wherever they came from, nor anywhere else for that matter.

"Pending the results of similar tests at the other Divine Beasts, I think it's safe to say we're finished then," said Lapha. "I'll submit my report to Dr. Purah."

"It's wonderful that all of you could perfect this in only one month's time," said Mipha.

"It helped to have access to the construction plans we found for Naboris," said Lapha. "The Travel Gate integration with the Divine Beast controls turns out to be similar across all four Divine Beasts. And Midon was a big help with the Tab coding aspect."

"What about the two North Hyrule Divine Beasts?" said Mipha.

"We can't touch those," said Lapha. "Only the North Hyrule Sheikah are permitted to tinker with them, and they said they would implement this feature on their own. I think that's one reason Tila and her family have been going back to North Hyrule so often."

"If you're satisfied, we can go, sweetheart," said Mipha. "And how about a hug to show how proud I am of you!"

Lapha smiled, and they embraced.

"Thanks, Mom," said Lapha. "A hug always feels good."

"No matter how old you are, you'll always be my dear littlest girl," said Mipha as they held each other.

"I know," said Lapha. "And you're the best mother in Hyrule."

After they finished their hug, Mipha sealed Ruta shut. Then they both dove into the lake and headed for home. Link was there awaiting their return.

"How did it go?" Link asked.

"It worked perfectly," said Lapha.

"Great!" said Link. "I'm sure Zelda will be pleased. And I think that means we can finally plan on visiting Eventide Island soon."

Though Zelda had said it was not a rush, Link had assumed at first that Zelda wished Mipha and him to visit Eventide Island sooner rather than later. But that turned out not to be so. Zelda preferred that the Divine Beast pilot Travel Gate feature be implemented first before any pilots wandered too far afield.

So, it was not until a few days later that Mipha and Link stood with Mila at the Spool Bight pier, waiting for the ferry to Hateno Village. They planned to spend the night there, then travel to Eventide Island the following morning.

"Take care of each other," said Mila as they saw the ferry approaching from the north. "I know that goes without saying, but I like to say it, anyway."

"And that's fine, we will, sweetheart," said Link.

"Yes, don't worry, sweetheart," said Mipha as the ferry arrived.

They exchanged hugs, then Mipha and Link boarded. After taking their seats and waving goodbye to Mila, they sat back and put their arms around each other as the ferry proceeded southbound on the Lanayru Sea, quickly picking up speed. They both gazed at the shoreline to the west.

"Do you remember our first trip together to Hateno Village?" Link asked finally. "It was not too long after we married."

"How could I forget it?" said Mipha. "We were riding horses back then, and some Yiga Clan warriors ambushed us near the Fir River. Father was furious, thinking Zelda hadn't guarded us well enough. He sent some Zora guards to take over as our escort. But we calmed everyone down in the end."

"Yes, it was quite the trip," said Link, and then he leaned toward her, and they smiled and kissed.

They returned to staring at the coastline as the ferry passed Mount Lanayru and then turned west after rounding Mapla Point. It was late morning as the ferry slowed and pulled into the Hateno Village pier on the western shore of Hateno Bay. Since it was a long hike from there to the village, most passengers opted for public transportation.

"Feel like walking or riding?" Link asked as the other passengers boarded the PAT that would take them to the center of the village.

"It's a beautiful day," said Mipha. "Let's hike."

They held hands and chatted during the pleasant but brisk two-hour walk up the grassy winding path through the hills and then past some farms to Hateno Village itself. Despite all the technological progress, much of Hateno Village kept its farming roots.

Their first stop was the Great Ton Pu Inn to register. Link had reserved the private room behind the dining room on the first floor so they would have it to themselves.

"Hungry?" Link asked as they left the inn, and he noticed the cooking pots outside.

"That usually means you are," laughed Mipha as she squeezed his hand. "But yes, I am. Let me catch us some fish."

Mipha caught a pair of Armored Carp in the waters just south of Zelkoa Pond, and Link cooked his fish at one of the pots outside the inn. Then they sat outside and ate.

"Fresh fish is always better than runed," said Mipha. "I'm surprised you can't taste the difference."

"I think cooking conceals some differences," said Link. "But I prefer fresh fish, too. It may be a lasting Zora effect on me."

"One can only hope, sweetheart," laughed Mipha. "I soaked in Zelkoa Pond last time. I might get in some water time before we sleep at the inn. But a stroll around town sounds good."

"Yes, I'd like that too," said Link. "I haven't been here in some time. No pun intended."

They took their time and made their way through the main street, stopping to look at the shops.

"I could get my armor dyed here to match your skin color," said Link.

Mipha made a face.

"Just joking," said Link. "I love it the way you made it. But I would like to visit where my house used to be in my other timeline. It's not far."

They made their way up the hill, and there were more new houses here now. Someone was living in a new home where his old house would have been.

"That's where I used to live," said Link, pointing to the house. "It was comfortable if a bit lonely."

"This is a nice quiet spot, with a cute little pond I could have rested in," said Mipha. "I imagine you chose it to get away."

"Yes, to get away from Hyrule Castle and all its distractions," said Link. "I wanted time to think, to work on my memory and my journal. I remember this story started with me waking up to a thunderstorm at home here. Anyway, it's getting late, and we're getting up early tomorrow. And you want to soak first. I'll keep you company in the water."

They held hands as they returned to Zelkoa Pond and floated in the water together. You could see where a furnace of ancient energy burned blue just west of there. For Link, it brought back memories of carrying a blue flame from there to the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab on top of the hill and praying it wouldn't rain. He realized that most of his memories of Hateno Village were from after he awoke from the Shrine of Resurrection in his first timeline. After an hour, Mipha declared she had soaked enough, so they made their way back to the inn and cuddled together, quickly falling asleep.

The next morning dawned sunny, and after a quick breakfast, they headed back to Hateno Beach, where Link had reserved a small motorized watercraft suitable for two passengers. The sea was a beautiful blue in the morning sun and the water calm. They hopped aboard the craft.

"Mind if I drive?" Link asked.

"I prefer it," laughed Mipha. "I can see how much fun you get out of it."

Link laughed, then powered up the boat, and they were soon speeding across the water, skimming and bouncing over the waves as Mipha held on and laughed. Eventide Island loomed closer and closer, and there was no sign that anything was wrong.

As they neared the coast, Link shut off the propulsion system and grew serious as they coasted onto the shore. They both hopped out, and Link secured the boat to a nearby palm tree toward the southwestern end of the island. It was time for some exploration.

"You know, after I learned of that story from Lapha, I felt bad that we took Astra here," said Link. "I just assumed it was safe."

"And it turned out to be safe and may still be," said Mipha. "We would have protected her. Besides, she's good at protecting herself."

"Very true," said Link. "Anyway, we should be quieter from now on and explore carefully. Let's put our Tabs on mental only alert mode. We also need to decide where to place the three cameras Zelda asked us to leave behind. We can start by going north along Toronbo Beach."

Rainstorms were frequent here, and the fact they did not notice any footprints as they walked along the beach was unsurprising. Link kept glancing at the forest to their right but saw nothing other than vegetation. Two Razorclaw crabs scurried away as they approached, and sea birds flew about hunting for food.

They worked their way around the northernmost point of the island and then followed the shoreline as it turned south. Mipha halted, pointed to the water, quietly dove in, and returned with two Mighty Porgies.

"For later," Mipha grinned as she put them away.

They resumed their walk through a tropical forest, past a small bog, and some trees laden with Mighty Bananas. Then they heard the distant sound of thunder as a storm was approaching.

"As I said, it rains here a lot," said Link. "We should head for that rocky ledge near an abandoned Bokoblin camp at the northwest foot of Koholit Rock."

"This always seems to happen to us," said Mipha. "I remember we sheltered together there when you were a Zora."

"Yes, and aside from the shrine on the peak, it's the only proper shelter here," said Link.

There was a small clearing ahead and a cliff where, as Link remembered correctly, there was a rocky overhang. They reached it in time before the thunderstorm struck.

"I guess we might as well eat now," said Link as he smiled and lit a fire.

"Nice and cozy," said Mipha.

Mipha passed him one of the Porgies, which Link skewered on a tree branch and cooked it by holding it over the fire. When it was ready, he sat back down with Mipha, leaning against the back of the cliff, and began eating.

"So far, nothing seems out of the ordinary here," said Link between bites, and Mipha nodded as she swallowed a bite of fish.

Heavy rain filled the air now while trees swayed in the powerful gusts of wind. There were frequent flashes of lightning that streaked across the sky, followed at once by booming peals of thunder that shook the ground. Occasionally a bolt of lightning would strike the nearby forest, setting off a small brush fire that the steady rain soon extinguished. They both finished their fish, then sat huddled together to wait out the storm, their arms around each other.

"As you know, I love rain but could do without the lightning," said Mipha as they both stayed dry under the ledge and watched the rain and the forest.

"We both agree on that," said Link. "Oh, I messaged Mila to say we're doing fine and to let the others know."

Mipha smiled at him.

"She always was Daddy's little girl," Mipha said. "I think being the one that inherited my healing power makes her more sensitive to how others feel and their well-being."

"You may be right, and yes, she will always be my little girl no matter how tall she gets," Link said, smiling. "But you know I love them all just as much."

"I know you do, and so do they," said Mipha as she caressed his cheek with her hand. "You kept your word. You lived up to what you told me after we married that you would love any children we had equally. I never doubted that."

Link pulled Mipha closer, and they exchanged a kiss, then returned to watching the storm. There was a bright flash of lightning that struck the forest straight ahead of them, and Link sat up straight, suddenly alert. He stared into the forest, and his hand felt for his sword.

"What is it?" Mipha asked.

"My eyes must be playing tricks on me," said Link, shaking his head. "I thought I saw something that shouldn't have been there. It's gone now."

"What was it?" said Mipha.

"It looked like the head of a Lizalfos," said Link. "But with the lightning and bushes moving about in the wind, it's probably as I said, a chance alignment of shrubbery playing tricks on me."

When the storm finally cleared, it was a bright sunny day again. They waited for the cliff face to dry, then continued up one more level of Koholit Rock to a large flat area. It was here one could see the ruins of an ancient settlement. Only a few fragmented pillars, pieces of stone walls, and part of an archway remained.

"I remember these ruins, but I didn't pay them much attention," said Link. "I was completing a trial, and this had nothing to do with it other than Bokoblins, and a Moblin had made a camp here back then."

They walked around the area, but there was little to see and nothing at all suspicious. Again, the rain would have washed away any footprints. Despite trying to convince himself what he had seen was an illusion, muscle memory kept Link more on edge than before.

"That leaves only the top of the island and the old shrine there," said Link finally. "Ready for a climb? Since it commands such a wide view of the island, I think one camera should definitely go there."

Link helped Mipha climb up the cliff, and when they reached the top, they turned to admire the view much as they had done when they last visited with Astra. Link felt more relaxed now as they were in a wide-open area and not easily taken by surprise. Also, he began to convince himself he was worrying needlessly.

"Let me set up this camera," said Link as he secured it with the self-attaching adhesive on the base of the camera.

"Midon explained how to activate it," said Link as he pressed a rune on his Tab, and the view from the camera appeared on its screen.

Link made a few slight adjustments to the camera angle, then seemed satisfied with the view. Then he paused.

"Midon just messaged me. He received the picture too, and it looks fine," said Link after another moment.

"Great. Just remember we may be on camera now," Mipha laughed. "So, you will need to control your amorous impulses."

"Very funny," laughed Link. "You can help by not stirring them up."

"Nice water expression," laughed Mipha as she gave him her cute smile, and he laughed.

"Oh! Midon just reminded me there is an audio feature as well," said Link. "We had better watch what we say and get back to work."

They turned back and stood together, enjoying the view of the sea. There were distant lands, barely visible, and they both wondered what mysteries they might hold. Then Link realized something and grew puzzled.

"You know, I just thought of something, and it bothers me," said Link finally. "Maybe I should discuss it with Dr. Purah."

"What is it?" Mipha asked.

"Well, I don't think this shrine should be here. It's as if my time travel didn't reach here or something," said Link.

"What do you mean?"

"This shrine arose from underground as my reward for successfully completing the trial here," said Link. "But after I traveled back in time using the Temple of Time, I never did that trial anymore. So, how can this shrine still be here?"

"Good question," said Mipha. "Perhaps you're right, and your time travel event did not extend as far as here. Would that matter or affect anything very much?"

"I don't know, maybe not," said Link. "I'd like to go inside this shrine and investigate, but like all the others, it's not activated."

Link stopped to think again.

"But, you know, that's another odd thing," said Link. "If this island was unaffected by my time travel, then I did complete the trial and the shrine should still glow blue. This is very puzzling. Let's call Dr. Purah and get her thoughts."

Link placed the call, and when Purah answered, he put the call on speaker.

"I'm here on Eventide Island with Mipha," said Link. "We're at the top of Koholit Rock next to the Korgu Chideh Sheikah Shrine. But I don't think the shrine should be here. Or if it is here, it should not be inactive, but be glowing blue."

Link explained his thinking as Purah listened.

"Interesting," said Purah. "I never realized that shrine only arose upon completion of your trial. Let me think for a minute."

Mipha and Link waited quietly.

"Let's proceed logically, and take nothing for granted," said Purah after a moment.

"The first possibility is that it's not a real Sheikah Shrine at all, but something else disguised to look like one," said Purah. "We can come back to that idea later. The other possibility is that the island was outside the range of your time travel, in which case, as you said, the shrine should still glow blue. Unless someone or something took control over it and reset it."

"Someone besides me entered it?" Link asked. "Who could do that? And why?"

"I cannot answer that at once," said Purah. "I need to consider it further."

"What about your first idea?" said Link. "That this isn't a real shrine?"

"It's possible," said Purah, sounding doubtful. "But the more I consider it, the less likely it seems. Why build such a thing and in such a visible location where there is a high risk of it being noticed by fishermen?"

"I have to say the construction and materials seem identical to a real shrine," said Link. "I wish I could get inside it, though!"

"There might be a way to do that, but I need to work on it first. Perhaps you and Mipha should return home until I consider this further," said Purah.

"All right," said Link. "I'm not sure what else we can do now, anyway."

They ended the call, and Link stared at the shrine. He desperately wanted to see what was within it, but he had no way in. Mipha finally interrupted his thoughts.

"Come, sweetheart, let's plant the other two cameras and go," said Mipha, taking his hand. "We should give Dr. Purah time to consider things before acting."

"Yes, you're right," Link sighed.

They made their way back down the cliff. Link left one camera by the ruined settlement and the third one by the shore. He was especially on alert as they made their way through the forest, but nothing happened. When they reached the shore, he looked at the sky, and it was clouding up again. Yes, they should go.

After untying the boat, they left the island and began the journey back to Hateno Beach. Link turned to gaze at the island now and then. He had a feeling he would need to return there.

When they reached Hateno Beach, Link returned the boat, and they waited for the next ferry back to the Domain.

"I told Mila we're on our way home," said Mipha as she took his hand. "And we can cancel muting our Tabs."