Little beads of sweat began to form on Link’s forehead as he trudged across the scorching desert sands toward Gerudo Town. He was on his way to help tame the Divine Beast Naboris. He had already tamed Rudania and Ruta and had been given the blessings of their respective champions. Naboris was going to be third.

Suddenly, off to the left, Link heard a small cry. When he turned to look, he saw that it was a baby sand seal. “Hey, little guy,” Link murmured, “where’s your mother?” It did not say anything. It just looked at him forlornly with its big black eyes. After looking around without seeing any adult sand seals, Link picked up the baby seal and went back the way he’d come to Kara Kara Bazaar. It was no use continuing toward Gerudo Town, anyway, since their rules did not allow men to enter the city. He had been going there to find out if there were any way around the rule. While some people were perverts who wanted to sneak into Gerudo Town for no good reason, Link had no choice! He had to save Zelda!

Zelda— Link thought back on the memory he had just recovered at the Bazaar. He remembered valiantly protecting Zelda from the Yiga, enemies of Hyrule. The fear, the adrenaline, and the love he had felt for Zelda were all emotions that came surging back, and it only deepened his resolve. He would do anything to see her smile again.

Out of nowhere, Link was struck from behind, causing him to drop the baby onto the soft sand. Drawing the Master Sword, he turned to face an incoming lizalfos. Once it was dispatched, he put his sword away and picked up the baby sand seal again. It was not injured and nestled into Link’s arms, feeling safe and secure.

Back at the bazaar, Link brought the baby seal into the Kara Kara Inn. “Savaq. Welcome back, Link!” Kachoo, the innkeeper exclaimed before noticing the little bundle in his arms. “Oh my, is this poor little thing lost?”

“Yes, I didn’t see its mother anywhere. It seemed to be crying in distress.”

Kachoo scooped up the seal into her arms. “Oh, you poor little thing. Let me whip up something for you to eat.” Turning back to Link, she said, “I’ll take it from here. You have something important to do.” With a nod, Link headed out the door.

_______________________________

Several years had passed, and Link was now on a new quest to find Zelda. She had fallen into a chasm but vanished into thin air before hitting the ground. That was the last time he’d seen her. Now, everything about Hyrule was different. As he approached Kara Kara Bazaar, the third region that was experiencing an odd disturbance, he wondered if he would see the same people he had met before.

When he entered the inn, Kachoo’s face lit up in recognition. “Oh, Link! You have been away for far too long!” She rushed up to embrace him. “Do you remember the little seal you rescued years ago?” When Link nodded, she continued, “Well, she is still here. We named her Daphne.”

At the sound of her name, Daphne barked and came out from behind the inn counter. When she saw Link, it almost seemed like she smiled as she waddled across the ground toward him. Link smiled as he hugged the seal. “Say, Kachoo, do you think I could take Daphne with me on my journey?”

Kachoo thought for a moment. “That would be fine as long as you bring her back afterward.”

“Of course,” Link smiled. Kachoo gave him a lead which he tied around Daphne’s neck as he led her outside.