Summary: Purah and Robbie work to create a Tab rune that mimics a Sheikah Tower shrine activation signal. Monsters attack Hyrule from some Sheikah shrines.

It was a rainy morning at the Royal Ancient Lab near Hyrule Castle the day after Mipha and Link returned from Eventide Island. Intermittent gusts of wind splashed rain against the lab windows, but Purah was paying no attention to it. Robbie watched as Purah moved from one pile of papers to another, flipping through them, then muttering to herself and moving on to the next. Finally, Robbie spoke up.

"What are you looking for, Dr. Purah?"

"Have you seen the Sheikah Tower plans?" Purah asked as she continued to look. "I could have sworn I put them on this side of the lab."

"Give me a moment," said Robbie, getting up. "I think you moved them over to this side. You should try to be better organized, Dr. Purah."

Robbie handed Purah a stack of papers.

"Yes, I know I should," said Purah, shaking her head. "It's just that I have so many ideas in my head at the same time. Help me go over what process the Sheikah Towers use to activate shrines. We want to duplicate that so Link can enter them."

"If I remember right, I think it's toward the back," said Robbie. "It's a special signal."

Purah found what she was looking for.

"Yes, I found it now, thanks," said Purah as she held a page. "This should do the trick. It shows the nature of the signal that the towers transmit to the shrines. We should see if we can recreate that same signal in the lab here first and then reproduce it in the field. No doubt, whatever we come up with won't have the strength or range of a Sheikah Tower, so it will only work locally. It will have to be used while standing near the shrine itself."

Purah and Robbie started looking over the information.

"It doesn't look too difficult," said Robbie as he read the plans over her shoulder. "I think I can develop this pretty quickly. I'm handy with this kind of work. Remember, I built a Tab from scratch? And we can combine the Sheikah Tower activation feature with the Sheikah Slate functionality to unlock the shrine once activated. That way, Link can enter at once."

"You sound very confident," said Purah.

"It shouldn't take me more than a day or two to get this to work. If you don't interrupt me to look for things, that is," said Robbie, and Purah gave him a face.

"That's a bit optimistic, though, isn't it?" said Purah. "You thought your last project would only take a week, and it took three."

"Fine, three days tops," said Robbie. "Let me get to work."

Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Lapha was floating near Midon in Mikau Lake and relaxing, enjoying the rain. Midon had been quiet and kept staring at his Tab.

"What are you doing, Midon?" said Lapha finally. "You haven't taken your eyes off your Tab since we ate breakfast."

"Sorry, Laff," said Midon, putting his Tab aside. "I'm watching the view from the top of Eventide Island."

"Hyrule Security at the Castle monitors those cameras," said Lapha. "You needn't check them."

"I'm not looking at it for security," said Midon. "I enjoy the view. You can see so much of the southern Hyrule coastline from there. Don't you ever access remote cameras to enjoy the view?"

"Sometimes, but rarely," said Lapha. "When I do, I prefer the views from the tops of the Sheikah Towers."

"Yes, those are impressive views, too," said Midon. "Are you taking time off from work now or what?"

"You could say I'm working in waves," said Lapha. "Right now, Dr. Purah and Dr. Robbie don't need my help. What about you?"

"I'm taking today off," said Midon. "Larena and I are leaving for Castle Town soon to meet her sister for lunch."

They both relaxed in the water and let the rain wash over them.

"You know, speaking of the top of Eventide Island, I overheard Mom and Dad talking there, and they are so sweet to each other," said Midon. "I mean, it's not what they say, but how they say it, their tone. The way they kid around with each other, it's got this undercurrent of affection. And it's like they never grew up."

"That's funny coming from someone else our big sister says never grew up," laughed Lapha. "It's called being in love, Midon, and it's ageless. Why are you so surprised? Besides, neither of them is that old. What are you thinking?"

"I don't know, probably not thinking at all," laughed Midon. "Or stating the obvious, which I know you scientists hate. Anyway, It's time I should go. Enjoy the rain!"

"Enjoy Castle Town," said Lapha.

Midon left to meet Larena on the Domain's lower level, and Lapha resumed soaking, closing her eyes.

Meanwhile, Mipha, Link, and Sidon were meeting with King Dorephan. Mipha and Link had explained their trip to Eventide Island, what they had done there, and Link's concerns.

"So, I suspect there is something wrong with the shrine at the top of the island," said Link as he finished his comments. "I hope Dr. Purah can figure out what to do next."

"I don't know," said King Dorephan, shaking his head. "Some of these things like time travel anomalies and Sheikah Shrines that shouldn't be there are getting too complicated for me. You both remain uneasy, though?"

"Yes, Father," said Link. "I recommend we keep our security at a high alert level."

"I agree," said Mipha.

"I will do as you both recommend and double the guards," said Sidon. "It means longer shifts for everyone, but they will understand. I just wish I knew what we were guarding ourselves against."

"Yes, that's the question that we're all asking ourselves," said Link.

The meeting ended shortly afterward.

"I think Sidon and I will need to give Father another pep talk soon," said Mipha as she and Link walked home together. "Whenever something complex comes up, he acts like he's too old to cope with it. But it's not true, and I know he's smarter than he pretends. He just needs things explained to him the right way."

"You can add my voice to that pep talk message if it helps," said Link. "I agree with you. He is astute. He let me marry his daughter, after all."

"Very funny," said Mipha. "It shows nobody is infallible."

"Now who's being funny?" laughed Link as he took her hand. "But seriously, I know Father is quite smart. I think he understands perfectly everything we just told him."

A week later, Purah called Link with good news about the rune she and Robbie had developed while Link was sitting with Mipha at home.

"We can push it to your Tab automatically in a minute," said Purah. "This should allow your Tab to activate a shrine and as well as open it. You can test it on the shrine right there in the Domain if you like. Let me see. I have the list of all the shrines you gave us. It's the Ne'ez Yohma Shrine."

"Yes, I'll do that right after I receive the rune," said Link.

"We didn't attempt to implement the Shrine travel gate feature as that would have delayed us even longer," said Purah, casting a sidelong glance at Robbie, who was ignoring her, pretending to be busy.

"That's fine. There aren't any other activated shrines to fast travel to, anyway. I'll let you know if I run into any problems," said Link as they ended the call.

Mipha overheard the conversation, and a moment later, a new rune appeared on Link's Tab. Link stood up to go.

"Shall we go?" said Link.

"You're going to try it right now?" Mipha asked.

"Yes, why not?" said Link. "I don't have to complete the shrine, just activate it and enter it, then I'll return."

They walked to the shrine in the lower level of the Domain, and Link pressed the rune and watched the shrine and the pedestal just outside it glow orange. Then he pressed his Tab against the pedestal, turning it blue, and the doors to the shrine swung open.

"It works just the way I remember it," said Link. "Let me enter it, and I'll be right back."

"Please don't do anything risky," said Mipha. "I won't be able to help you inside there."

"I won't, I promise," said Link as he kissed her. "Though, come to think of it, since they intended these shrines to train the hero, I'm not sure I would actually die if I was killed inside one."

"Not that I plan to test that, of course," Link added quickly, seeing the look on Mipha's face.

Link entered the shrine, and then he recalled you would need Stasis and Cryonis to solve this shrine the way they intended it. He returned the way he had entered.

"I'll let Purah know the rune works," said Link. "Perhaps we should plan another trip to Eventide Island. I'm eager to learn what's in that mysterious shrine there."

But before Link could return to Eventide Island, events overtook Hyrule.

It was three days later, and Queen Zelda was having breakfast alone with Astra. Her sleep had been troubled again last night, and it gave her a headache the next day.

"Are you okay, Mom?" said Astra finally. "You're so quiet, and you keep rubbing your head."

"I'm fine, sweetheart," said Zelda. "Well, not entirely. I have another one of those headaches I get after not sleeping well. Would you mind staying nearby today, in the Castle?"

"Okay, but is something wrong?" Astra asked. "I could help."

"No, nothing's wrong that I know of, but I'd just feel better knowing you were home and safe. I messaged your sister, asking her to do the same thing," said Zelda.

"Fine, then I'll go visit her," said Astra. "Horwell talks more now, Mom, and he's so cute!"

"I know, I spend time with him too," said Zelda, smiling. "But that's a perfect plan, sweetheart."

After finishing breakfast, Astra left to visit her sister's living quarters. Then Zelda returned to her office and called the Commander of the Army, General Haston.

"Your Majesty?" said General Haston by Tab.

"Have there been any reports of unusual activity anywhere, especially from Eventide Island?" said Zelda.

"No, Your Majesty, nothing," said Haston. "I gave orders to be notified at once should anything unusual be observed."

"Very well, thank you, General," said Zelda, ending the call.

She paced up and down, still feeling uneasy. When she felt like this, there was only one person she liked to speak with, and that was Link.

"Zelda?" said Link as he answered her call.

"You have a moment?" said Zelda.

"Always for you, of course," said Link. "What's wrong?"

"That's what's on my mind," said Zelda. "I've been getting strange dreams at night these days. But now I'm not sure if they're a bad omen or a side effect of Dr. Purah's age reduction process, maybe stirring up memories of my past. Did you have any bad memory reactions when you used Dr. Purah's rune?"

"No, not that I recall, though that was twenty years ago now, Zelda," said Link. "And besides, the shrine already injured my mind. So, I'm probably not a suitable test case."

"Yes, I suppose that's true, too," Zelda sighed. "Anyway, I feel uneasy, and I asked Astra and Zelda to stay home today. Please keep your blade by your side, Link."

"I always do, Zelda," said Link. "Well, as often as I can."

"All right, I won't keep you any longer, Link," said Zelda. "My love to the family."

She ended the call, then stared out the window.

But nothing happened until that evening.

It was a calm late night as two Zora guards were patrolling the Inogo Bridge and chatting. The only other sounds were the splash of rushing water from the Zora River and night insects' chirping.

"I know it's harder on all of us," said Jandon. "But double guard duty does have some advantages. It's less lonely, for one thing."

"True," laughed Landa. "But, I miss the lost time with my family."

Just then, they heard a noise coming from the direction of the shrine on the hill above them.

"Did you hear that?" said Jandon.

"Yes, coming from up there," said Landa as she pointed up the hill toward the shrine. "It sounded like a hiss. Call it in, and then let's investigate."

Jandon messaged their commander that they had heard something suspicious near the Inogo Bridge, then they both climbed up the small cliff toward it.

And then they saw something they had learned about but had never seen in person. A Lizalfos was standing there, looking about, seemingly unsure of its surroundings. It hissed and spat as it saw the guards. Then it lunged at the closest guard, which was Jandon, swinging its tail and knocking him to the ground with a sharp blow. Then it gave its attention to the other guard.

Jandon was injured, not killed, and so he called in the attack as he lay on the ground in pain.

"Send help! Lizalfos attack at the Inogo Bridge shrine!" Jandon messaged. He tried to stand but could not, as his leg was apparently broken.

The Lizalfos had a spear, and so did Landa. They fought spear to spear, the Lizalfos hopping back and forth and hissing. Landa was holding her own until another Lizalfos emerged from the shrine, struck Landa with the handle of its spear, sending her flying into the Zora River, the current carrying her swiftly downstream. Just then, a third Lizalfos appeared. The three Lizalfos began making their way down and across the Inogo Bridge as Jandon lay still to avoid their attention.

Meanwhile, the commander had received Jandon's message, ordered guards to go at once to assist, and immediately alerted Prince Sidon. The blaring of his Tab, an emergency alert, awakened Sidon.

"We're under attack!" said the Commander. "Lizalfos are emerging from the shrine near the Inogo Bridge. I already sent reinforcements."

"Lizalfos? From inside the shrine?" said Sidon. "Send guards to secure the other shrine as well, the one under the slumber pools."

Two guards were sent to the shrine at the center of the Domain, but so far, there was no sign of activity there.

There was no other nearby shrine, as there was no Shrine at Veiled Falls since Link had never completed the Ceremonial Song quest in this timeline.

Tab alarms had also gone off for Mipha and Link, and they both quickly rose from their slumber pool. They both glanced at their Tabs and read that the Domain was under attack by Lizalfos. Link threw on his clothes and picked up his sword, shield, and bow while Mipha picked up her Trident and bow.

"I'll let Mila know, and she can tell the others," said Link as he ran to Mila's room.

"Dad? What's wrong?" Mila answered upon being awoken.

"Lizalfos are attacking from Inogo Bridge," said Link. "Wake Midon and Lapha, and stay safe here. There will be two guards assigned to protect the house."

"What does this mean?" Mila asked.

"I don't know," said Link. "But Mom and I have to go."

"May Nayru protect you both!" said Mila. "We love you. Return home safe."

"We will, sweetheart," said Link as he kissed her on the forehead.

Then Mipha and Link left to meet Sidon, as they nodded at two guards who passed them on the way to guard their residence. Sidon was standing just outside the throne room.

"Do you have any more information before we go?" Link asked. "You can message us on the way too."

"All we know is that Lizalfos are attacking from the shrine by the Inogo Bridge," said Sidon. "There were two guards patrolling there, Landa and Jandon, but we have heard nothing from them since the alarm. I fear the worst, but we don't know for sure. We already sent two more guards, and they are on the way there. Two more will follow you."

"What about the shrine here?" said Link, looking at it and seeing two guards standing by the entrance. "You're guarding it, right?"

"Yes, but so far, no activity," said Sidon. "We stand ready, though, just in case."

"All right, we're on our way," said Link.

"You can handle this, brother," said Mipha. "You know what to do."

"Yes, I'll stay here and coordinate our defense and keep Father informed," said Sidon. "There may be other attacks from other locations. Stay safe!"

"It's faster to get there by water," said Mipha, taking Link's hand as they rushed to Ruto Lake and then dove in.

Mipha pulled Link along at high speed. As they surged across Ruto Lake, Link tried to think about what was happening. Lizalfos attacking from a shrine was Ganon's doing, and now he berated himself a bit for not believing his eyes at Eventide Island. But why attack the Domain from the shrine by Inogo Bridge? It would seem to make more sense to attack from within the Domain itself.

"I sense two guards behind us now," said Mipha. "There is nothing else besides fish nearby in the water."

Link nodded, keeping his mouth closed to avoid swallowing water. They passed under Ruto's Crossing and then continued onward under the low Oren Bridge, past the Bank of Wishes and over the two waterfalls. As they neared a spot close to where the river curved west, Link jerked Mipha's hand to get her attention. She turned to look, and Link pointed to the shore. Three Lizalfos were making their way along the path.

There was no way to stay concealed, so Mipha and Link both rushed ashore, and the battle was on. Though it really wasn't too much of a battle. Link had feared they might have been armed with shock arrows, but that proved not to be the case. Mipha finished her enemy fairly quickly with a spear thrust. And Link finished one Lizalfos with a flurry rush, as he sidestepped his enemy's spear attack. Then a spin attack took care of the second Lizalfos, who seemed undecided whether to attack him or Mipha. All three fallen Lizalfos disappeared in clouds of purple.

"They must have escaped the notice of the guards sent ahead of us," said Mipha. "The guards would have stayed in the water."

"Maybe we should travel the rest of the way on foot," said Link as he sheathed the sword that seals the darkness. "There may be more. They would probably keep to land and avoid the water here."

Lizalfos were excellent swimmers, but they knew enough not to challenge a Zora in the water. Mipha and Link encountered no more enemies, but when they reached the Inogo Bridge, two Zora guards were standing at the shrine entrance killing Lizalfos one-by-one as they emerged from the shrine.

"Lady Mipha, Jandon is injured over there," shouted one of the guards, pointing to where Jandon lay on the ground holding his leg.

Mipha nodded, then went over to tend to Jandon.

"Thank you, Jandon, for your bravery. Now hold still, and you will be fine in a moment," said Mipha as she used her healing magic on his leg.

"Bless you, Lady Mipha, and thank you," said Jandon. "I should have handled myself better. One Lizalfos struck Landa with its spear, and she floated off down the river. I pray she is all right."

"Don't blame yourself. It was an unexpected foe," said Mipha as she helped him up. "You stay here, and I will search for Landa."

Jandon rushed to join the other two guards.

"I want to look inside the shrine," said Link.

"Is that wise? You know how I feel about that," said Mipha.

"I know," said Link. "But I'm the only one who can investigate."

"Very well," said Mipha. "I trust you will be careful. I need to search for Landa downriver."