The familiar clip-clop of Epona's hooves hitting the dirt path fill the otherwise quiet air. It seems like the entirety of Hyrule is asleep at this time.

Everyone, expect for Link.

The former champion is on his way back to Lookout Landing after leaving Zora’s Domain. The situation there has been dealt with, and now all he has to do is report back to Purah that it was a success.

And everything should be fine, right? This was the last of the four villages he needed to free. He had found all the sages, including the fifth one. He had found the Master Sword.

So, why does his heart fill so empty? Why does his chest tighten when he passes by one of their spots?

The oak tree where they sit and he would listen to her talk for hours.

The small flower field just outside of the castle grounds where he would teach her how to make the flower crowns from his childhood.

The lake where she had first asked him to cut her hair because she claimed it was too long and in her face all of the time (Link thought it was beautiful just the way it was, though).

Why did she… have to leave him?

He felt the familiar burn of tears filling in the corner of his eyes as he guided Epona towards the opened gates of Lookout Landing, but he blinked them back rapidly.

He would not cry. Not here, not now.