...Zelda’s P.O.V... I stepped up to the podium, looking out at the peaceful faces of Kakariko Village. The beautiful tribute from Link and the Sages gave me the strength to speak."Impa was more than just a wise advisor to the royal family," I began, my voice carrying softly through the quiet square. "To me, and to so many of us, she was family. She carried the weight of Hyrule’s history on her shoulders, yet she always greeted us with warmth, kindness, and unwavering hope. She taught us that even in the darkest times, light will always find a way. We honor her today not with tears of despair, but by promising to protect the peace she fought so hard to preserve."A gentle murmur of agreement went through the crowd. Paya wiped her eyes, looking incredibly proud. It was a perfect, peaceful moment.But just as I closed my eyes to take a final, respectful breath, a sharp thwack! echoed through the square. ...Link’s P.O.V... My hand went to my sword instantly.A single, iron Yiga arrow had shot out from the high wooden arches above the village entrance. It didn't strike anyone—instead, it thudded firmly into the wooden side of the podium, right next to Zelda’s hand. Tied to the end of the arrow was a small, rolled-up piece of parchment.Up on the archway, a single Yiga Footsoldier stood balancing on one foot, taunting us. He did a dramatic flip, dropped a smoky Mighty Banana peel to the ground, and vanished into a tiny puff of red smoke before any of the Sages could even strike.They weren't trying to fight this time. It was a message.I stepped up to the podium, gently pulling the arrow out of the wood. I unrolled the parchment and showed it to Zelda. ...Zelda’s P.O.V... carefully unrolled the parchment, holding it so only the two of us could see it. Written in sharp, red ink was a brief, cryptic riddle:“Where the giant’s bones block the desert sun, your new toy will belong to the master who won.”I frowned, trying to piece together the meaning. They were clearly targeting the Secret Stone Link had used during the battle, but where were they trying to lure us?Before I could even speak, a hand gently reached over my shoulder and took the note. It was Riju. She scanned the words, her eyes narrowing as a confident smile played on her lips. It took her less than a second to solve it."They aren't as clever as they think," Riju whispered, her voice low so the grieving villagers wouldn't hear and panic. She pointed out toward the distant horizons. "The giant's bones blocking the desert sun... they are talking about the massive Gerudo Great Skeleton in the farthest corner of the desert. They want us to walk right into an ambush."Link looked at Riju and gave a sharp, determined nod. He didn't need to say a word. The Yiga Clan thought they were being mysterious, but thanks to Riju, we already knew exactly where our next mission would take us.
...Riju’s P.O.V... I didn't waste another moment. "We have no time to lose. Link, use the pad."Link nodded sharply, pulling out the Purah Pad. Sidon stepped in close, placing a heavy, supportive hand on both of our shoulders. Link tapped the glowing blue screen, selecting the travel gate for Gerudo Town. In an instant, a swirl of blue data-light wrapped around the three of us, pulling us out of Kakariko Village and whisking us across the sky.When the light faded, the cool mountain air was replaced by the dry, baking heat of the desert. We materialized right at the entrance of Gerudo Town."Sav'otta, Chief Riju!" a booming voice called out.Stepping forward from the shadow of the throne room was Buliara, my most trusted guard and captain of the forces. Her armor gleamed in the harsh sunlight, and she stood tall with her claymore strapped to her back. She looked at Link, then at Sidon, her eyes widening slightly at our sudden, high-profile strike team."Buliara," I said, my voice commanding and urgent. "The Yiga Clan has left us a challenge. They are staging an ambush at the Gerudo Great Skeleton. I need you to gather a squad of sand seals and prepare our perimeter defenses. Link, Sidon, and I are heading out to spring their trap."Buliara pounded her fist against her chest armor in a salute. "Understood, Chief! The Yiga will regret crossing into our sands. Your sand seals will be ready at the northwest gate immediately!" ...Sidon’s P.O.V... I adjusted the grip on my tridents, feeling the intense desert heat radiating off the stone buildings. It was a stark contrast to the refreshing waters of Zora's Domain, but the fire of battle in my chest kept me perfectly cool."An excellent plan, Riju!" I said, offering a wide, encouraging smile that caught the bright desert sun. "With Buliara securing the town and our strike team moving swiftly, the Yiga Clan won't know what hit them!"Link stepped up beside us, checking the straps on his shield. He patted the pocket where the Secret Stone rested, ensuring it was secure. He caught my eye and gave a confident, silent nod.We rushed toward the northwest gate where the sand seals were waiting, ready to ride out into the dunes and face whatever the Yiga Clan had waiting for us at the giant bones. ...Riju’s P.O.V... We leaped onto our sand seals, gripping the reins tightly as the beasts surged forward. The desert wind whipped against my face, carrying a spray of golden sand. Beside me, Link and Sidon glided effortlessly across the dunes. Within minutes, the towering, bleached ribs of the Gerudo Great Skeleton loomed out of the heat haze like a ghost from the past.The moment our seals skidded to a halt beneath the massive stone skull, the shadows erupted."Get the stone! Eliminate the hero!" a Yiga Blademaster bellowed from atop a ridge.Instantly, a dozen Yiga Footsoldiers materialized from thin air, sickles raised, rushing forward in a coordinated strike. They had planned this perfectly—or so they thought. Their eyes went wide with pure shock as they realized Link wasn't alone. ...Sidon’s P.O.V... "Ha-ha! You thought you could catch our friend undefended?!" I roared, leaping off my sand seal with a spectacular flip.The Yiga Footsoldiers panicked, completely throwing off their formation. They had prepared a trap strictly for a lone swordsman, not a heavy-hitting Prince of the Zora and the Chief of the Gerudo!I spun my tridents, creating a localized shield of swirling water that knocked three charging Footsoldiers completely off balance. Before they could recover, Riju sliced through the air with her scimitars, her movements a blur of desert agility. She didn't need to strike them directly; she swept her blades low, kicking up a massive blinding wave of sand that sent another group of Yiga tumbling backward into the dirt, entirely disoriented. ...Link’s P.O.V... With the Yiga completely overwhelmed and scrambling in confusion, I moved in to finish it.I drew the Master Sword and dashed straight toward the Blademaster who had ordered the attack. He tried to draw his windcleaver, but he was shaking so badly from the surprise guest stars that his weapon slipped right out of his hands.I didn't even need to swing my blade. I ran past him, using the flat side of my shield to shove him hard into a giant skeletal rib bone. He bounced off it and landed flat on his back in the sand, completely groggy.Seeing their leader defeated in seconds without a single drop of blood spilled, the remaining Footsoldiers grabbed their groaning boss. With a flurry of frantic, terrified snaps, a massive cloud of red smoke covered the skeleton. When it cleared, the Yiga were gone, leaving nothing behind but their dropped weapons and total defeat.
