NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: Dawn
The much anticipated day had finally come. Lookout Landing would be the beginning location for Link's impending battle with the Demon King. Link prepared to travel to the stronghold at the crack of dawn, where Purah would be completing the necessary preparations. He would meet there one final time with the sages before the conflict that was about to begin.
They had carefully gone over every aspect of their plan in the weeks before to make sure everything was in order. Delegating tasks had been crucial for Sidon and Riju, the chiefs of their respective tribes, so they could concentrate fully on the difficult battle that lay ahead.
The adventurers' operations center was "Lookout Landing," a magnificent structure built close to the chasm where Link and Zelda had disappeared at the beginning of their journey. At first, the location brought back thoughts of that enigmatic incident, but in light of Link and Master Kohga's recent conflict, it had acquired new meaning. It was in this same abyss that Kohga had inadvertently disclosed the lair of the terrifying Demon King.
Following Master Kohga's revelation, Link and Mineru had resolved to descend through Camobatures lightroot to chart a safe path to the Demon King's lair. The abyssal darkness had been overwhelming, a heavy shroud that seemed to swallow all light and sound. Every step echoed in the silence, and shadows appeared to shift around them, as if danger lurked in every corner.
As Link recalled their incursions into the abyss, his mind shuddered with memories of the dangers that awaited them at the entrance: hordes of monsters and cunning traps designed to thwart any intruder. "I hope we've done enough to prepare." The shadow of doubt always echoed in his mind, a constant unease that never completely disappeared. Anxiety tightened in his chest, reminding him of all that was at stake.
He recalled with frustration how, due to the frequent Blood Moons, the days had turned into an endless cycle. Monsters reappeared every few days, challenging their progress and thwarting their efforts to clear a path to the Demon King's lair. "We can't let them come back," Link thought in exasperation, remembering how, despite his meticulous efforts, the area remained infested with dark creatures.
However, despite these obstacles, after weeks of constant incursions, they had managed to map out the safest path to the Demon King's lair through the catacombs—a route that would allow them to bypass deadly traps and avoid a confrontation with a fearsome Lynel the Demon King had summoned in one of the side chambers. "We must be precise," Mineru had insisted during one of their meetings, her voice steady as she pointed to the route on Purah's pad map.
In parallel, Mineru also collaborated with Purah, Robbie, and Josha, contributing her passion and knowledge of technology to provide the group with an essential advantage. Utilizing the Construct Factory underground, they programmed the builder constructs to produce six additional pads—replicas of the one Link already possessed—in record time: one for each sage, and a sixth, of course, intended for Purah.
After intense debates and studies, the four scientists succeeded in implementing a real-time messaging and video call system. This would facilitate constant communication among all of them, even when they were in their respective tribes or communities, thereby creating a unique communication network across Hyrule.
By employing these enhancements, they met several times to discuss the strategy being implemented, taking into account the unique abilities and powers of each sage, and, above all, the data and maps that Link and Mineru provided, derived from their various expeditions. In this way, they ensured that their strategy would be as efficient as possible.
In their final meeting, Mineru surprised the group by announcing she would join them only later, precisely as they descended along Camobatures lightroot, and that she would remain stationed in the Temple of Spirit. This decision held a critical purpose: with her mastery over technology, she could use the watcher constructs to establish a surveillance system capable of detecting any suspicious movement near the abyss and send alerts to Link and the rest of the team. These signals, synchronized across their tablets, would update the map in real time, revealing the location of enemies and allowing them to adapt their strategy on the spot.
With the unwavering resolve of a protector, Mineru pledged to remain vigilant, fully aware that her expertise and control over technology would be crucial in the strategy that would determine Hyrule's fate.
Link mentally evaluated every detail of the plan and smiled as he contemplated the rigorous efforts that had subsequently been made, guided by Mineru and her knowledge of the events of the Imprisoning War, to strengthen the defenses of Lookout Landing while facing the Demon King. A deep sense of pride began to swell within him as he thought of Purah and Paya. Each of them, in their own unique way, had taken on crucial roles in the organization. "If only Zelda could be here, watching us all work together…" he reflected, feeling a tightness in his chest. The thought that his companion would not see the results of their efforts saddened him, but it also motivated him to fight with greater intensity, reminding himself that the sacrifice made by Zelda to safeguard the power of the Master Sword, the only weapon capable of freeing Hyrule from the Demon King, must not be in vain.
Purah had meticulously planned the fort's defenses, ensuring it would be reinforced by Hoz's arrival, the leader of the largest and most powerful extermination squad, which was still en route. This patrol would stand ready to confront any threat near the abyss. Link felt a small smile form as he thought of it; he had no doubt Purah had anticipated every detail, making certain their efforts were exhaustive.
Meanwhile, Paya had been instrumental in establishing an infirmary that would not only serve the group of sages but also any defender of the fort who might be injured. Alongside Karson, she had overseen the construction of this medical refuge with plans to lead a team of expert healers personally selected by Impa. Link knew the infirmary would be a vital sanctuary amid the conflict, a beacon of hope in uncertain times.
Despite the meticulousness of the preparations, Link could not prevent nervousness and uncertainty from seizing him once again. The unease settled in his mind, presenting the troubling possibility that it might all not be enough. "What if I'm not strong enough?" The thought tormented him. His pride in what they were organizing was overshadowed by the fear that more than one of them, perhaps even himself, could return severely injured… or not return at all.