It felt heavy like it was going to storm, but perhaps that was just her. She had walked with him in silence for some time, her shoulder touching his. Words were never truly spoken between them about what they were, but they knew it, she knew it. They were mates, well and truly they were. They had been staying in the same den, enjoying each other’s company, ruled a land together, did it need to be said? Many others knew and assumed it of them and she never disagreed, nor did he to her knowledge. She didn’t know though what to do without him. He had told her he would be going on a long journey and he wouldn’t know when he would be back, it would be longer than the others. That he needed to do this to learn about his heritage, and learn more about what his grandfather had taught him before he was taken away. Zelda didn’t fight it, she wanted to go with him, but didn’t even breath that from her maw. She was silent, but it wasn’t because she was angry, it was what it was to her and she understood this was something he needed to do for himself.

In silence they made it to the border. She wasn’t sure she had words left to say. Don’t go. Touched her lips far too many times and tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, but she would not cry, not in front of him. He believed in her to be strong while he was gone and continue on without him. She knew she could, it would be hard, but she would do it of course. He turned to look at her and her teal eyes lifted up to meet his violet and gold ones. The sun was starting to touch the horizon and he leaned into her, touching his muzzle to her own before pulling in her for a hug. He whispered words just for her into her ears, words of encouragement and love. She replied all the same, burying her face into his chest once more not wanting the moment to end. Once it did she knew he would be gone, maybe he would never come back, maybe she would never see him again. Her head pressed harder into him, she felt his grip tighten too before finally he began to pull away and she did too.

A weight like no other was on her chest, it felt like her heart had fallen out of her chest and onto the ground before them. If losing your love was this hard she couldn’t imagine what it was like to lose her soul. He touched his muzzle to hers again, while it seemed he also was being stoic about it all she could tell as she always could he was sad too. Zelda stared at his face burning it into her memory as best she could, but then he slowly turned. Her ears fell back and she took a seat watching him until his white form vanished into the trees and left Moladion and her behind. She could feel herself shaking, taking a few steadying breaths trying her best not to lose control. That would be for later. Later. She had so much to do, she had to go to Iromar, she needed to go to Spirane and Glorall and Diveen. She needed to do so many things and ensure her ties were still formed without him.

Everything felt harder. Everything felt like it was working against her, that it would be impossible. But she had to do it. He knew she could, now she just had to believe in herself. Her Hero was gone, but she was still the Goddess of this forest and Taviora still needed her, with or without a Hero at her side. She pinched her eyes shut, feeling the tears that welled up there drip off the sides. She could do this. This emptiness… it would fade, just like losing Balor, that feeling… would fade. Though lasting as the emptiness was she would work through it. She could do this she would just have to take it one step at a time.

For him. For Them. For Taviora.

Heros may die, but their legends last forever. She would make sure her hero would never die. Someday, hopefully, he would be back and then she would be the legend. That was her new goal, to be the Goddess he always seen her as.