Faron stepped into the room, the shallow water splashing around her feet. Her sword was tightly gripped in one hand, her eyes sweeping about before coming to rest on the main terminal. Glassless arched windows gazed down upon the quiet scene, bathing the room in light. Whispers echoed across the room, Faron unconsciously reaching for the sound.

She could almost feel Mipha's presence.

If I'm going to survive this fight, I can't let anything distract me, she thought, forcing down her grief.

If she let herself think for even a moment about the unseen presence that had followed her through Vah Ruta's interior, her heartbreak would inevitably paralyze her.

She ventured further into the room, her unease growing as the silence weighed heavier.

Where are you, fiend?

Her nerve broke and she launched into a run, making for the terminal. Reaching it, she spun about so her back was facing it, her sword at the ready, breathing heavy, eyes scanning her surroundings. The only sound was the quiet lapping of water at her boots.

There was nothing, no sign of the blight whatsoever. Faron slowly lowered her blade, feeling confounded. Had the creature abandoned Vah Ruta once Faron and Sidon had overcome its defenses? Was it really so cowardly despite its victory a hundred years ago?

Faron turned to face the terminal, her hand moving to the Sheikah slate at her hip. She gazed about at the wonder of architecture she stood in.

Vah Ruta would finally be restored.

Faron detached the slate from her belt and held it up to the terminal, activating it.

Then all hell seemed to break loose.

A dark cloud of malice erupted from the terminal, Faron leaping back in surprise. The cloud swelled, threatening to envelop the terminal completely. Then a sliver of blue light appeared, accompanied by another, and another. They streaked past Faron, melding into a swirling sphere. A mechanical arm stretched forth, a hooked spear snapping out from its end. Another arm potruded from the opposite side of the sphere, formed of malice and sporting a clawed hand. A disproportionate body and elongated head followed, a single glowing eye locking onto Faron. The blight released a piercing shriek, Faron resisting the urge to cover her ears. She eyed the lengthy spear, her stomach twisting.

That's a long reach...

Whispers drifted through the room once more, seeming to crescendo. In a split second of clarity, Faron could hear the words, still bordering on incomprehensible, but somehow unmistakable.

"I have faith in you."

Tears burned in Faron's eyes, guilt and gratitude mingling together in an emotion so overwhelming that it threatened to suffocate her. She gripped the Master Sword with trembling hands, forcing herself to focus on the blight, turning her emotions to single-minded wrath. In that moment, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she wouldn't leave this room until her enemy was dead, or she was.

She stilled her shaking hands, raising her sword in challenge.

"Come at me!" she screamed.

The blight drew back its arm, its spear shining coldly. Faron waited, knowing this duel would be a matter of speed and timing. The blight paused, seconds seeming to stretch into years. A bead of sweat ran down Faron's cheek. Then the spear snapped out, almost impossibly fast. Faron flung herself out of the way, feeling the wind of it as it passed within inches of her. She could feel the blood draining from her face but she pushed herself back to her feet regardless, sheathing her sword and grabbing hold of the spear before it could be withdrawn. The blight cocked its head in confusion, giving the weapon a shake. Faron gritted her teeth and hung on, starting to inch herself up its length. The blight's confusion soon turned to rage and it gave the spear a vicious swing. Faron's hold slipped but she kept her legs locked around the spear, stopping herself from flying off. The blight shrieked, throwing itself into a dizzying spin. They went around and around, gaining speed with each rotation.

If I don't let go, I'll get smashed against these walls like a broken puppet.

Faron bit back a scream of frustration, releasing her hold. One second, she was flying through the air. Then the floor rushed up to meet her, sending a shattering pain lancing through her body. Faron screamed, accidentally swallowing a mouthful of water as it splashed against her. She broke into a violent fit of coughing, each spasm sending another wave of pain coursing through her. She barely had enough time to register the blight's spear descending on her and dodge aside.

How do I get close enough to land a hit?!

She desperately wished now that her bow hadn't snapped during the battle against Ruta's defenses. Even if her archery skills were far from the best, they could've offered at least some measure of usefulness in this moment. She still had a few shock arrows left in her quiver, but without a bow, they were equally useless as her sword in this instance.

She needed a long-range weapon.

Or she needed to make one.

She would never get close enough to attack the blight directly, but if she could get close enough to throw her sword and ensure a strike—

No, she thought, If I land a hit, I'll only be leaving myself without a weapon. A single strike won't be enough to kill it.

Then it struck her.

The arrows...

She reached for her quiver, only to find it gone. The knot in her stomach twisted tighter as she realized it must have gone flying when she did. She glanced around hastily, spotting it near the edge of the room. It was cracked open, its leather strap torn, the shock arrows electrifying the water around it. Faron drew a shaky breath, turning her attention back to the blight as it wound its arm back again. She readied herself, trying to shake off the lingering pain. Her ribs felt painfully bruised on the side which she'd landed on, her arm half numb. She flexed her fingers just to make sure they still worked.

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I'm not done yet.

The spear catapulted forward, Faron twisting away at the last second. It passed so closely this time that she was almost convinced it had hit her. She clambered to her feet, stumbling a little. Then she was running for the arrows, thanking the goddesses for her leather boots as she toed the quiver into an upright position. In a blink, she had her sword out, slicing a piece of the strap off before reaching for a single quarrel. With shaking fingers, she tied it to the steel of her blade, careful not to electrocute herself in the process. Then that spear was arcing down toward her again. She lunged, holding her sword high so it wouldn't end up in the water.

This time the slash of the spear across her skin wasn't just her imagination.

A scream poured from her mouth as fiery pain lanced through her back. She had no idea how deep the wound was, but she didn't have time to think about it. She forced herself up, then forward. The feeling of hot, thick blood trickled down her back, her body silently screaming protest with each stride. The blight raised its spear again as Faron barrelled toward it, undeterred.

Closer.

Somehow, she found her second wind. She started to gain speed.

Almost.

The spear reached its peak, its hooked end looking down on its prey.

NOW!

Faron raised the Master Sword and threw it as hard as she could, the blade cutting through the air and straight into the blight's exposed chest. Its body contorted as electricity poured through it, its subsequent shriek battering Faron's eardrums. But she still ran forward, grabbing hold of her sword as the creature doubled over and pulling it free, only to plunge it back in again and again before the blight had any hope of recovery. Screams of pain mingled with Faron's own shouts of fury. She rained unrelenting strikes even as her mind carried her back in time a hundred years.

She pictured Mipha standing alone, fighting alone.

Dying alone.

Faron lunged at the blight's mechanical arm, rending it with one fell swoop of the Master Sword. The creature's spear fell uselessly to the ground. But Ganon's puppet evidently wasn't finished. With the sting of electricity no longer holding it victim, it slashed its claws at Faron, catching her uninjured side. The pain only fueled Faron's rage, and she descended on the blight once more, hacking its other arm free before circling around to its head. She stabbed into its shoulder, staring it straight in the eye as it writhed helplessly.

This is for destroying the chance to keep my promise, you bastard.

She wrenched the Master Sword free, raising it high above her head.

This is for Mipha.

She slashed down, carving straight into that glowing eye. The creature convulsed once, then went still, its body slowly dissipating as malice poured out of it like blood.

It was over.

Faron's legs instantly gave out, the pain she had unconsciously repressed now rushing back in an overwhelming flood. Her vision momentarily darkened, causing her to wonder if she might pass out.

Stay awake, she told herself, You still have one last thing to do.

Carefully discarding the shock arrow attached to it, Faron sheathed her sword and slowly, painstakingly began making her way back to the terminal. The blight had prevented her attempted activation from succeeding before, but there was nothing to stop it now. She held up the Sheikah slate, feeling a swell of relief as she heard that familiar sound of confirmation.

Vah Ruta was free.

"Faron."

Faron didn't believe her ears at first. The voice was too clear, too present. For a moment, she felt frozen, unable to turn, to see the truth.

But she did.

The shock and relief that followed were too much for her to bear. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, her legs very nearly giving out again.

"You're here," she sobbed, "Mipha..."

Some of her luster had been lost, replaced by a ghostly opaqueness. But it was her; if not in body, then in spirit.

"I'm—" Faron struggled, "I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you. I broke my promise."

Her voice cracked as she spoke the last words, her gaze falling as a fresh wave of tears descended.

"Forgive me."

Faron looked up quickly, eyes wide with shock.

"I could not keep my promise to you either," Mipha said, gliding toward her, face downcast, "And my loss almost became yours." She reached for Faron, resting a ghostly hand upon hers. "Please. Let me heal you."

Faron nodded dumbly, vainly trying to stem the flow of tears. Mipha stepped back, holding her hands out in front of her. A circular light appeared, flying forward into Faron. She felt nothing as it connected with her, her body seemingly absorbing it instantly. Then a familiar sensation flooded through her, her aching ribs and painful cuts slowly beginning to vanish. Mipha smiled, Faron's heart squeezing in response.

"My healing powers would be wasted on me," the Zora said, "So...I thought it'd be best for you to have it. It's the only way—" Her smile saddened. "—for me to keep my promise now."

"But I—" A gasping sob escaped Faron. She tried again. "I didn't keep mine. I don't deserve this..."

Mipha placed a hand over her heart, ducking her head shyly. Just seeing that gesture again forced Faron to choke back another sob.

"I've waited so long for this," Mipha said, "To be with you again. And you came. You freed Ruta." She lifted her gaze, her face almost beaming. "You saved me. You kept your promise." Her eyes fell to Faron's tunic, a glimmer of pride in her stunningly bright eyes. "I'm so glad it fits you well. I was worried it wouldn't."

Faron followed Mipha's gaze, her lower lip trembling as she took in the now torn and bloodstained tunic.

"I'm sorry," she breathed, "I ruined it."

"No," Mipha said, cupping Faron's face in immaterial hands, "You've made it...perfect."

Faron bit her lip, trembling from the effort of holding back unuttered cries. Suddenly, Mipha stepped back, gazing off into the distance.

"Ruta and I still have our roles to fulfill," she said as lights began to swarm around Faron.

Faron recognized them instantly.

Teleportation technology?

"No!" she cried, but the lights only multiplied.

"Please tell my father and Sidon I'm sorry I made them worry," Mipha said, the weight of her grief plainly displayed on her face.

"They miss you so much," Faron cried through her tears, "And Sidon...if you could see him now—"

Mipha smiled sadly, "Tell him I'll always be proud of him." Her eyes met Faron's. "I'll always be proud of you both."

"Mipha!" The lights were beginning to obscure Faron's vision. "I need you to know!"

She reached for Mipha, the Zora tentatively reaching back. Faron swallowed hard.

"I loved you," she said, her heart somehow feeling light and heavy at once.

Perhaps it was simply due to the lights swirling about, but in that moment, Mipha looked purely radiant.

"That makes me...so happy."

It was the last thing she said before she vanished from view.

"Will we be seeing you again?"

Faron paused, turning away from the long bridge leading out of Zora's Domain. Sidon waited in nervous anticipation of her answer.

"I will," she assured him, "I've given the Zora tunic to one of your tailors, and I hope to return for it as soon as I can."

"Excellent! I'm sure they'll get it as good as new!" Sidon approved.

Faron's gaze drifted up to the distant clifftop where Vah Ruta now stood, waiting in silent majesty for the time when it could at last fulfill its intended purpose.

The day when Mipha's spirit could finally rest.

"I hope so," she said quietly.

Silence stretched between them.

"I'm glad," Sidon said suddenly, "We have my sister watching over us. And as long as she is here, I'm sure nothing ill can befall the domain again."

Faron smiled, "I'm sure. Especially with you helping keep an eye on things." She paused. "There was one other thing Mipha asked me to tell you. She said she'd always be proud of you."

Despite Sidon's efforts to hide it, Faron could see the sadness in his face.

"Do you think...I might be able to speak to her, as you did?"

"I'm not sure there's any way to get back inside the divine beast. Even approaching it could be dangerous, especially with that energy beam trained on Hyrule Castle ready to fire at any moment."

"But her spirit is one with the divine beast," Sidon said hopefully, "Perhaps if I came as close as I could, she might still hear..."

Faron laid a gentle hand on his arm.

"You should try it," she urged, "And maybe—when all this is over—I'll come with you."

It may be too late by then, but...that's okay. I said what I needed to say.

She drew a deep breath, feeling strangely at peace.

The memories will be enough for me.