Story by  AxiomTF

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Nestled within the sprawling realm of Hyrule, beneath the shadow of imposing cliffs and forgotten ruins, lay a drab and sombre cave. Its entrance was unassuming - a mere crevice in the rock that led to a world of stone and danger. Inside, the air was thick with a musty dampness, carrying the faint scent of earth and age.

The Hawkmoths had ventured into this place hoping to recover some treasure and artefacts that could prove to be useful in their adventures across the multiverse - that, and the act of exploring a cave within the land of Hyrule could be a rather fun experience! Four members of the team had entered the depths of the cave together, some hours ago - Zeydaan, Alvis, Lilith, and Zachary, and the trip had proved to be a challenging one. It seemed as if this particular dimension had some kind of aura that was suppressing most of the technology that the squad had brought along, not to mention that the cave's interior offered little respite from the monotony of its surroundings. The walls were rough, lacking the intricate formations that often graced more majestic caverns. Stalactites and stalagmites, though present, were plain, and lacked any kind of grandeur, with bumpy brown walls that seemed to stretch on endlessly into the distance.

As the explorers ventured through the cave, they couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation and detachment from the world above - one which they had not explored outside of the world of video games. Leading deeper into the heart of the cave, subdued footsteps, light breathing, and the soft drops of water served as the only eerie sounds that could be heard. The passage they travelled down was narrow and winding, occasionally opening into small chambers where torches were haphazardly affxed on the walls, casting a dim and flickering light that did little to dispel the gloom and darkness. The flames of the torches that the Hawkmoths had to use, in lieu of the flashlights they’d brought along with them, struggled against the dampness in the air.

They could swear that ominous shadows clung to the corners… and thanks to the darkness, and Zeydaan’s overcautiousness, they soon found themselves lagging behind the rest of the group.

Zeydaan, having stopped for a moment to secure their utility belt which had been hanging a little loose, found they’d been quietly separated from the rest of their group. They called out, their voice getting absorbed by the cave walls; their cries for help don’t travel far, and consequently, fall on deaf ears. They move forward, following the path ahead of them with a careful jog, making sure to not strip over any steps, holes, or cracks in the treacherous flooring beneath their feet - the cold stone underfoot seemed to absorb any warmth from the air, leaving a chill that permeated the senses.

They panicked - how on earth could they get themselves out of this? They’d come into the cave with seemingly useless tech, with almost all of the crew’s equipment being carried in Lilith’s backpack, thanks to her strength. They began speeding up, hoping that they’d be able to catch up with their friends, though alas, these hopes were soon dashed when they came into a small opening in the cave. Three equally sized pathways lay before them, either one holding no kind of indication as to which way the others had gone. Thanks to the darkness and muting effects of this place, it seems as if they’d not yet noticed Zeydaan had been isolated, and with nowhere else to go,

Zeydaan decided to travel down the pathway that was the closest to being directly ahead of the way they’d come in. Zeydaan reasoned that this was the most logical option to pick, as they kept on moving forth… surrounded by hidden alcoves and forgotten passages leading further into the earth around them. An occasional gust of air rustled through from behind, carrying with it what sounded like faint whispers and gargled shrieks… perhaps these were noises coming from chambers beyond? Zeydaan could only guess at this stage.

The wolf’s flickering torchlight was ineffective, though it did illuminate things just well enough so that they could see details upon the drab rock walls around them, revealing patches of moss and algae that clung to the stone. Sickly greens and faded greys added a touch of muted colour to the otherwise monotonous landscape... one that seemed to be opening up a little now. Drops of water fell from the ceiling with an irregular rhythm, the steady drip echoing, though other sounds could now be made out in the distance…

Lost in the labyrinthian depths of an uncharted cave, Zeydaan's senses seemed to have been sharpened in this place… the smallest noises got amplified thanks to echo caused by the cave walls, though as Zeydaan kept progressing, a specific rustling sound caught their attention. Their head snapped in the direction of the noise, and their torchlight illuminated a group of bokoblins emerging from the shadows, just below them behind a small slope in the rock. These creatures, though diminutive in stature, didn’t look like they were to be trifled with. All carried clubs and makeshift weapons - none of which looked deadly, per say, but could certainly cause some damage. Zeydaan squatted behind a small boulder, trying to remain concealed… they hoped that these bokoblins were likely just as lost and confused as they were - perhaps they too were just lost down here? Maybe they could be reasoned with?

Slowly peeking their head over their hiding spot, Zeydaan lowered their torch to the ground. They knocked over a few pebbles beside them, this mistake alerting the group beside them as they all turned to face the wolf with angry scowls. Not wanting to escalate the situation, Zeydaan lowered their torch and raised their hands - the gesture was meant to convey peace, and that they posed no immediate threat. The bokoblins, intrigued by this unexpected display, exchanged glances before cautiously lowering their own makeshift weapons, seemingly mirroring Zeydaan's gesture.

“H-Hey… I’m just lost down here, okay? I don’t mean you any harm… have you seen anyone else come through this way?”

Zeydaan asked, breaking into a nervous sweat as they watched the group scurry up the rocks to get closer. With caution, Zeydaan extended a hand toward the nearest bokoblin, again, trying to indicate that they were not a threat to them. After a moment's hesitation, the nearby bokoblin reached out slowly, their eyes darting back and forth between the wolf’s hand and face. Just as it seemed they were about to take their hand and shake it…

WHAM!

A small, navy blue bokoblin struck Zeydaan with a thin, wooden plank on their ankle. The group erupted into a mischievous laughter, jumping up and down with glee as they formed a circle around the dazed wolf, who was now holding their bruised ankle - their pride also similarly bruised.

“H-Hey, what the hell? That hurt!”
Zeydaan exclaimed, as the jeering crowd continued to snicker at them. Then, they all jolted forth, taking small sticks and their claused fists to beat upon Zeydaan, as they shielded themselves in response. The cruel laughter of the creatures filled the cave opening, echoing around and amplifying the noise as Zeydaan took their leave hastily. They scurried down the side of the rocks, running down a small pathway. It didn’t take too long until darkness consumed them, as they realised that they’d left their torch behind. Nevertheless, they kept running forth into the blackness in a desperate attempt to evade those foul creatures… until they took a step with no flooring beneath them to land upon. Zeydaan fell - hard. Doing somersaults down mossy, wet rock, they spun until reaching a lower level of the cave system in an undignified heap. They picked themselves up, looking around their surroundings whilst gritting their teeth to alleviate the pain coming from their ankles… as if getting hit there wasn’t bad enough, it seemed as if they’d also managed to sprain it during their tumble. At the very least, the area was illuminated here, with a couple of torches lit upon the walls, emitting a soft orange glow. This area also seemed to house some kind of old ruin, too. A fortification was erected before Zeydaan, overrun with moss and subterranean plantlife; they assumed it must have been years since it was last occupied.

Zeydaan winced as they stood, trying to put most of their body weight onto their good leg as they hobbled towards the entrance of the stone building. The air down here was dank and thick, with a strong musty smell permeating their lungs as Zeydaan breathed in and out.

As they crossed through an archway, Zeydaan spotted a small, wooden chest sitting at the base of the fort’s front wall. Its spruce wood was covered in rot, with the steel fixings adorning it having been overcome with rust; its lock hung open, offering no security. Pushing through the pain, Zeydaan dragged themselves toward the chest. With their hands trembling from a mix of anticipation and discomfort, they managed to pry open the chest's lid, which had become stiff with age. Inside, nestled on a bed of soft moss and mushrooms, lay a vial of shimmering red liquid and a device adorned with intricate engravings. Thanks to its colouration, Zeydaan had a pretty good idea what the vial could be… it contained a health potion! An elixir known to heal injuries and restore vitality. Zeydaan felt a wave of relief wash over them, as without hesitation, they uncorked the vial with a pop and drank its contents. A warm sensation spread throughout their body, easing their pain and tending to their sprained ankle. They pushed their foot down on the ground, giving it a little wiggle to confirm that it had indeed healed them.

Now feeling better, their curiosity turned to the enigmatic device which still lay inside of the chest. Zeydaan picked it up, feeling the cool metal against their fur. As they examined the runic patterns etched into the surface, they felt as if information previously unknown to them was being beamed directly into their mind… it was fuzzy, but they recalled tales of magic devices that could pierce through darkness and reveal hidden truths. Intrigued, they pressed a small button on the device, and it came to life with a soft, ethereal glow. It projected the light ahead of them… revealing itself to be some kind of magic-powered flashlight! The cave fort also seemed to transform under the magical light. Shadows danced and twisted, revealing passages and tunnels that had been hidden from Zeydaan's eyes. They marvelled at the intricate formations that adorned the cave walls, illuminated now in a mesmerising display of beauty.

“Wow, this place is incredible… I’ll have to tell the others about this when I find them! I bet there’s plenty here that we could use, too… though for now, maybe some of the stuff in here can help me escape… I think I’ve had my fill of caves for now.”
Zeydaan muttered to themselves softly, as with their ankle mended and the magic flashlight guiding their way, they set off down one of the previously hidden pathways.

The cave, formerly a place of darkness and uncertainty, felt somewhat more hospitable now… or maybe it was just because Zeydaan felt a little better equipped to deal with it? With each step they took, they navigated the cave's twists and turns with newfound confidence. As they ventured deeper down the pathway, guided by the magic flashlight's glow, the walls seemed to improve… foliage and weeds began to become less common, whilst the stone bricks it was constructed out of showed less signs of weathering and damage. Though on their trek, Zeydaan started to undergo changes that did not register in their mind.

Unbeknownst to them, their fur began softening and transforming, taking on a new texture. The patterns shifted, colours subtly altering as it began to recede slowly in patches, gradually revealing pale, human skin underneath. The transition was so gradual that Zeydaan, lost in their own thoughts as they ventured forth, didn't notice these changes taking place.

Their paws… so accustomed to having that padding, Zeydaan was, that when it began silently receding away, they felt it right away. The ground beneath them felt much more rough as their soles became more sensitive, giving way for human skin that lacked the protection paws provided. Though so focused on exploration, Zeydaan was, that they didn’t stop to consider it. They just assumed that the ground had gotten much more rough - after all, a ruin such as this was bound to have jagged, uneven surfaces, right?

Their soles, soft and hairless, shrank in size slightly as their toes also morphed whilst they walked. Their claws weakened into nails, shrinking down whilst each one of their toes diminished a touch in length. Around the forehead, a thin bandana wrapped around them - matching the colour of their uniform. It was only a small thing, though as it occurred, Zeydaan felt a slight tingle within their mind…

Zeydaan noted that the torches upon the walls seemed to be getting more plentiful now, enough being provided to fully illuminate the path ahead, rather than providing just enough light to see. As they noticed this, their old shoes started to twist and morph… before, they had fully exposed the front half of their feet, with Zeydaan’s paws requiring no need for cushioning, though of course, this had since changed. The purple fabric extended down further, wrapping around their toes to seal them inside, as their shoes started to thicken quickly. The fabric aged, showing signs of vigorous usage whilst still looking to be in serviceable condition. The soles became more chunky with a simple striped tread on their underside forming, as Zeydaan began to leave behind bootprints instead of pawprints upon the dusty stone floor.

What would now be better described as boots now encased Zeydaan’s Hylian feet, as a pair of off-white woollen socks weaved themselves into being underneath the leather. The original purple hue they’d once had gave way to a rich orange-brown one, as this new colouration washed over from top to bottom - the boot’s toecaps seemed to almost inflate shortly after, giving the footwear a rather cartoonish appearance. They felt ever so comfortable - one might easily forget that they were striding through an abandoned underground fort in such plush boots, as small brass buckles formed on the boot’s tongue, with a tan cuff going around its top. Their bandana grew upwards, the fabric reaching up over their head to cover it, forming a thin beanie which snuggly clung to their changing scalp.

Suddenly, the pathway ahead of Zeydaan opened up once more, thankfully without any meddlesome creatures to attend with this time. They seemed to have entered some kind of storage bay, filled with wooden crates, terracotta vases and glass bottles… and a lot of cobwebs. Looking around, Zeydaan felt a rather strange, intrusive thought entering their mind…

No one else was here… these didn’t belong to anyone… maybe they could… ‘dispose’ of them?

With a gleeful grin and swift movement, they brought down a clenched first upon one of the delicate vases, sending it crashing into a flurry of ceramic shards. Rupees, the currency of the realm, spilled out from the wreckage, twinkling like scattered stardust on the ground. Zeydaan took note of this, bending down to pick one of them up and inspect more closely. It shimmered, being slightly translucent whilst holding a wonderful green colouration. They dropped it into a small leather purse which was tied to their waistband… which had always been there… maybe?

Still emboldened by the sight of the glittering rupees, Zeydaan's fervour intensified. They pounced from crate to crate, vase to vase, whacking them with their legs and hands, sometimes using a wooden plank they’d found here as an instrument of destruction. The room was filled with the rhythmic beat of their vandalism. Some crates yielded nothing upon being blasted apart, while others revealed more rupees tucked inside. Zeydaan did wonder why these random containers would be housing gemstones… though it didn’t stop the wolf from collecting more and stashing them. As the rupees multiplied around them, they relished the feeling of each shatter and the delight of discovering hidden rewards. Some hid small health potions, whilst others contained small little treats to nibble on!

Before long, the room lay in ruins… splintered wood and shattered ceramic shards coated the flooring, as Zeydaan took a moment to adjust the growing beanie slipping off of their head. The material had begun to lighten, shifting to a vivid green as the end of it hung down slightly… though Zeydaan assumed it had always looked this way.

Their belt has become red leather, a small purse affxed to it that seemingly was able to house an impossible amount of rupees within it. Their Hawkmoths outfit had shrunken at the sleeves, their shins and forearms now being exposed whilst a pair of brown leather fingerless gloves cradled their hands… hands which had lost much of their old fur. Now, they felt a tad more dexterous - used to the touch of a bow, and the weight of a sword.

Having used up the fullest potential of this room, they carried on to the next down another hidden pathway - one which was revealed by their newest source of light. The torches flickered along the walls, casting elongated shadows that danced and wavered, painting the passage with an almost ethereal appearance. The intrusive moss and plant life was no longer present here, as with each step, the echoes of their footfalls bounced back to them.

Zeydaan’s Hawkmoths uniform continued to shrink, exposing their elbows now as their fur receded back into their skin, exposing new human flesh underneath. Their form became much more lean, thanks to them being no stranger to rock climbing, sparring, and being on the move all day most of the time… though their memories of doing this seem to be somewhat incomplete. Zeydaan stopped for a moment, adjusting their lengthening beanie and tightening their boots whilst they thought back. They could recall entering this cave in the hopes of finding something, though what that was eluded them. Maybe it was rupees to fund a new Hawkmoth excursion? Or had the inhabitants of that nearby Rito village asked Zeydaan for help clearing out this cave?

If it were the latter, they weren’t quite sure if they were up to such a task. Whilst they

were no stranger to handling a bow and sword, they were very ill-equipped at the moment, holding only a simple dagger upon their waist belt. Zeydaan wonders for a moment why they’d ventured into this place without the proper gear, though it wasn’t a problem, as they assure themselves that there must be something within this fort that they could use and find.

Zeydaan’s eyes stung for a moment, as the colour of their irises shifted to a cyan blue colour, resembling the clear ocean on a summer’s day. Their long hair began to shorten a bit, each follicle getting dyed at its roots to become blonde, as this new colouration spread slowly upwards - it was as if it was being regrown in real-time. After their hair had been converted into its new blonde look, the wolf’s canine ears began to migrate down towards the side of their head, their size diminishing simultaneously.

However, the points at the end of their ears remained, sticking out to the side slightly whilst their new hair cascaded down around them.

Coming into a new room within the fort, a pressure-sensitive floor lay before them - a grid of tiles, adorned with intricate symbols. A sense of trepidation filled the air, for it seemed as if they’d entered into some kind of booby-trapped room. To provide credence to this hypothesis, a large, ornate chest sat upon a pedestal at the far side of the chamber, with an exit pathway positioned behind it under an archway. It was logical to assume that this trove would be protected, somehow. Zeydaan collected themselves for a moment, thinking on how to best tackle the situation before them… they’d done this sort of thing many times before whilst in service of the royal family.

They took a moment to adjust their clothing - their boots were fastened tight, whilst their belts were too. They pulled their shorts up higher, which now bore a brown look, as their fur-less thighs and knees were also exposed - better that way, as it helped to keep them cooler. Lasty, they made sure that their forest green hat was on tight, as they could have sworn that the thing had been getting longer during their time down here… and it had. Not that Zeydaan would have realised it, but with each centimetre that the cap upon their head grew, one that hadn’t even been there moments prior, more of their mind was changed. As it grew, more of their body and mind shifted into that of a brave Hylian adventurer, with the former Hawkmoth getting slowly expunged away in short bursts.

With attire corrections out of the way, Zeydaan studied the symbols with a keen eye. They recognized certain patterns; hints woven into the design that seemed to offer guidance if one were observant enough. Memories of stories about Link's resourcefulness flitted through their mind, inspiring them to approach the puzzle with a mix of caution and creativity. Zeydaan's foot hovered over the first tile, and they contemplated the symbols it bore. A blooming flower, a crescent moon, and a glistening drop of water formed a sequence. Drawing from their prior experiences, Zeydaan recognized the theme here… it referred to an old Zoran tale of renewal. With a measured breath, they pressed the tile beneath them. A click resonated through the chamber, followed by the sound of grinding gears whirring underneath, working as a part of many hidden mechanisms. The tiles around them shifted, the symbols rearranging themselves whilst Zeydaan stood still, their blue eyes focused on the movement.

With the floor now altered, the next step beckoned to be taken. Zeydaan analysed the changed patterns, noting the new sequence that seemed to suggest a journey from darkness to light. They followed the winding path of symbols, their feet finding the proper tiles one by one. As they progressed, Zeydaan felt a peculiar sense of belonging here… not as in them wanting to reside here, but more like them wanting to explore such places. Adventure seemed to beckon them… the thought made their heart flutter, as a slight smile spread across their muzzle… a muzzle that was in the process of being erased.

As they navigated through the maze of tiles, their wolven mouth and nose shrunk down and separated into something much more human-like. Their formerly keen sense of smell was dulled - their black, damp nose getting replaced with a smooth, small one.

Their teeth flattened themselves, whilst their cheeks became rosy and smooth.

With each correct step, the mechanisms beneath them seemed to grow quieter, as if the dungeon itself had acknowledged their competence. A final series of symbols approached - a sequence which hinted at the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Zeydaan stepped with conviction, and the floor remained steadfast beneath him. The concealed mechanisms fell silent as the last tile clicked into place; a small, stone bridge extended outwards to make a large gap between him and the exit passable.

He’d done it.

Zeydaan strode forth, standing before the chest as they took a brief moment to drink in their triumph. They’d become so enthralled with exploration, that his old comrades had completely slipped his mind now. He placed either one of his gloved hands under the lid of the chest… he could almost picture a triumphant jingle playing to accompany his success in this moment, and with a mighty push, the lid of the chest swung open! Inside lay a trove of rupees, along with a bountiful selection of useful potions, throwing bombs, arrows, and something very useful indeed - a sword and shield.

Zeydaan retrieved the entirety of the contents of the chest, stuffing it all within his trusty purse, with the sword and shield being mounted upon his back. They were only simple in build quality and design, though they were sure to see him through until he was able to return to the surface, and search for superior equipment up there.

Having conquered the trapped room, Zeydaan made his way down the next winding corridor, now weighed down by his plentiful loot. His bushy tail started to retract back into his behind, his tailbone shrinking rapidly until nothing remained above his glutes - only the fabric of his shorts and green tunic. This tunic had grown out to replace the old uniform which Zeydaan sported before it - a uniform that Zeydaan no longer identified with. In fact, he hadn’t the foggiest as to who the Hawkmoths were… certainly not a group originating from these lands, that was for sure.

As he stepped into a new opening in the fort, a guttural chorus of growls and laughter could be heard - the telltale noises of bokoblins. Sure enough, as Zeydaan went ahead, they spied a group of them ahead - this party being larger than the one they’d encountered previously, which almost felt like a lifetime ago now. They were gathered around a campfire with their mismatched armour and crude weaponry; Zeydaan drew his sword without hesitation as he emerged from the shadows. The beady eyes of the creatures fixed upon Zeydaan, as they in turn drew out their own crude armaments.

With a fierce battle cry that echoed, Zeydaan lunged into action. His movements were like a dance routine, demonstrating his agility, grace, and power. The bokoblins were quickly met with a raucous flurry of attacks, totally taken off-guard as Zeydaan’s sturdy sword pierced through their armour and broke through their flimsy wooden weaponry. The adventurer evaded the swipes of their foes, who swung their instruments around desperately and without skill. It was in stark contrast to Zeydaan, who’s iron blade struck its targets with precision and force.

Each swing was a testament to their training and experience, as the last of their former fur came loose whilst they bobbed and weaved around the bokoblins. Doing this didn’t even cause Zeydaan to break a sweat, as the clash of metal against wood and flesh rang out - punctuated by the occasional yelp of a defeated bokoblin. One by one they fell before Zeydaan's relentless assault, and as the dust settled, he stood amidst the corpses of the vile creatures. They remained there for a moment, before poofing into a fine cloud of grey dust, leaving nothing behind but small piles of rupees and loot. Sheathing his sword, Zeydaan collected the discarded loot on his way to the next pathway, also making the effort to grab a jug of lon lon milk which had been stashed beside the campfire - a long-time favourite of his. He removed its cap, tossing it aside before taking a long, slow gulp, dowing the entire thing in one go! And whilst he’d taken no damage during that little skirmish, the milk did a wonderful job at replenishing his spirit.

These torch-lit hallways had become a very familiar sight to the Hylian at this stage, though thankfully, Zeydaan was confident that they were nearing the exit of this underground fortification. Whilst he hadn’t been able to collect a bountiful amount of loot, the amount of rupees within these stone walls more than made up for that - perhaps enough to purchase a new stead, or some new boots? His current ones were looking rather tired at this point, after all. And as Zeydaan ponders his options, he comes upon one more opening.

The walls here were adorned with faded murals that seemed to tell a story from a time long past. As they approached one particularly large and intricate painting, a sense of recognition stirred within them. Zeydaan gazed upon the mural, his heart pounding as realisation dawned upon him. The images woven into the artwork depicted a hero holding a sword aloft, gleaming with divine light, and a shield adorned with the emblem of the Triforce. The scenes painted on the walls depicted The Prophecy - the story of the Hero of Hyrule, the one destined to face the evil Ganondorf and restore light to the land. The symbols and the tale they portrayed resonated within him, igniting a connection that seemed to bridge a gap between his past and present. It was as if a hidden piece of themselves had been unveiled… or more accurately, it was writing over what had been there before.

As Zeydaan gazed up, their old sense of self - what was left of it anyways, was fading away. Their life with the Hawkmoths, their life in Mailor… it gave way to their new existence as a Hylian within the Kingdom of Hyrule.

Zeydaan understood now. A realisation took hold like a bolt of lightning… the hero of the prophecy, the one destined to rise against darkness and safeguard the realm of Hyrule… it was none other than themselves. As the truth washed over him, the weight of his destiny bore down upon his shoulders. They were the embodiment of the hero's spirit, the one who would wield the Master Sword, defend the innocent, and stand firm against those who would do them harm.

That was them. They were Link!

With newfound determination and a rush of empowerment, Link stepped away from the mural and towards the end of the chamber. The prophecy had unveiled itself to him now, and it was something that he was ready to embrace. Taking on the mantle of the Hero of Hyrule was his responsibility, as he made his way out of the room, and ascended up a series of stone stairs towards the exit of the cave.

Out of the darkness ahead of him, Link sees three beings stumbling out of the shadows. They’re both figures that were unfamiliar to him, and as they drew closer, their blackened silhouettes faded to bring them into better view for the Hylian. He sheathed his sword, at first fearing they were some kind of creatures guarding the exit of the dungeon, though their docile, and frankly exhausted appearances put him at ease.

“Oh, thank god… hey you! Can you help us? We’ve lost our friend down here… crikey, it must have been hours ago by now…”

Lilith exclaimed, whilst Alvis leaned against her to catch their breath. Link remained stoic, looking at them collecting themselves before Zachery chimed-in.

“Y-Yeah… have you seen them? A wolf - or a fey dragon actually, i-it depends. Wearing… wearing uniforms like ours.”

They explained through deep, laboured breaths, pointing down at their clothing as beads of sweat ran down their forehead and dripped down onto the grassy floor. Link walked closer to the trio, looking them up and down with a rather blank expression upon his face. He did not recall seeing someone fitting that description whilst venturing through the old fort - only a few pests and beasts. Though after having cleared that place out, there was no reason that he couldn’t help these strangers find their lost companion.

Lilith, Zachery, and Alvis looked upon Link - whilst mute, his subtle facial expression seemed to indicate the intention of wanting to help.

“Will you help us? I don’t think we can stay here for much longer…”

Zachery added, worry and hesitation audible in their tone, as they glanced over at their friends. Though with a simple nod and faint smile, Link expressed to them that he was more than up to the task - this wasn’t the first time he’d been asked to find a missing individual, after all.

“Oh… oh thank you so much! I really don’t think that they could have gone too far… if you didn’t find them in that cave, maybe they found a way out? Knowing Zey, I’m guessing they’d try and find some kind of landmark or town to wait for us at.”

Alvis suggested, sighing as they got their composure back. Link nods once more, before making his way past the group and toward the light at the end of the tunnel, his mind already set to the task. The Hawkmoths exchange looks, surprised at the straightforwardness of the Hylian, though all had the highest admiration and thankfulness for his willingness to help them. They watch on as he heads to the cave opening… though not before drawing his sword, and attacking a helpless group of pots which lined the side of the pathway.

“...Huh.”

Lilith remarked, her brow raised as the Hylian resumed walking up the pathway. Now with little else they could do, the group decided to travel back home to Mailor, in order to give their new friend time to search and to gather equipment which could be used to find their friend. Back at the Hawkmoth headquarters, Dr. Rashford had got multiple samples of each member’s DNA and essence, which could be utilised to locate them wherever they were located in the multiverse.

Meanwhile, amber sunlight spilled over the rugged landscape as Link emerged from the mouth of the cave. The scent of earth and moss from the cave still clung to his tunic as he stood at its entrance, a gentle breeze ruling his attire. The land before him stretched out into the distance, with lush rolling hills, dense forests, and murky swaps decorating the land. Link's focus was unwavering, as his thoughts fixed upon his latest quest: finding Zeydaan.

With a hand resting on the hilt of his sword, a blade that had lasted through many encounters and emerged victorious each time, Link surveyed the terrain. His Hylian senses were attuned to every rustle of leaves, every whisper of wind, and every subtle shift in the environment… years of training and countless trials had sharpened his instincts to a keen edge. Even though the journey ahead was unknown and would undoubtedly be fraught with challenges, it wasn’t anything that Link couldn’t handle.

And of course, there was no reason that he couldn’t do some side-quests along the way, whether that be helping an old lady get her sheep back in their pen, or help a hard-working axeman fell some trees - such was the life of the Hero of Hyrule.

Adjusting the straps of his shield and quiver, Link took a deep breath, drawing in the crisp, untamed scent of the wilderness. The world was vast, and his path was yet to be determined. There had been no clues left behind as to the whereabouts of this Zeydaan character… so perhaps the best place to make for was the nearby town of Uncelia - maybe some of the locals had seen or heard something? Quests always had leads Link could utilise to get the job done, after all.

And so, he set off - leaving the cave entrance behind as he travelled down a long, winding gravel pathway, his movements brisk and spontaneous. The shield upon his back glinted in the sunlight, whilst the sound of rupees jostling about in his purse provided a constant, subtle ambience as he ran… this Hylian certainly had quite a bit of stamina in that regard, liking to jog almost everywhere, no matter the occasion. This swiftness was often useful when evading his foes, or just in the simple act of saving time.

Link was ready… ready to face whatever challenges awaited him on his quest to find Zeydaan… whoever that was, anyways.