Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Entry 12: Spring of Courage, Embracing Fate
From Akkala, I head south toward Wetland Stable, traveling through the Lanayru Wetlands, where I encounter and defeat two Hinox. Afterward, I pass through Kakariko Village to visit Cotera, the Great Fairy, to enhance my gear. Feeling more prepared, I spend some time near Dueling Peaks Stable, harvesting swift violets to improve my climbing abilities.
I leisurely follow the winding path along Squabble River and gather valuable materials. As night falls, I set up camp near Proxim Bridge, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the river.
The next day, I explore the Outpost Ruins and the Forest of Time, where I defeat yet another Hinox. With the sun setting, I decide to detour to Riverside Stable for rest and to plan my next move.
Feeling more confident in my ability to face Guardians, I venture deeper into Central Hyrule. Near Lake Kolomo, I defeat a formidable Stone Talus and discover a hidden shrine nestled among ancient ruins. My exploration continues across the ruins and open fields of Hyrule Field, though I remain cautious not to venture too close to Hyrule Castle.
I face off against multiple Guardians, strategically using my ancient arrows to disable them and collect their parts. The ancient armor crafted by Robbie proves to be incredibly effective, allowing me to face these mechanical terrors with newfound resilience.
After a few days at Riverside Stable, gathering resources and enhancing my equipment, I set out for Lake Hylia to begin my search for the Spring of Courage. As I cross the majestic Bridge of Hylia, an astonishing sight stops me in my tracks—Farosh, the electric dragon spirit, soaring right overhead!
Without hesitation, I leap from the bridge, catching an updraft to glide alongside the magnificent creature. Timing my shot perfectly, I loose an arrow, striking Farosh and causing a dragon scale to fall into the lake below. The scale lands near a small island, so I swim to retrieve it. To my surprise, I discover a hidden shrine nestled in a deep hole on the island—a delightful and unexpected reward.
After completing the shrine, I return to the bridge to retrieve Samwise and continue my journey south toward the Faron Woods. Along the road, I encounter Kass, the wandering Rito bard, who shares a song that seems to be a riddle about a shrine connected to a forest dragon.
Curious travelers also mention sightings of something resembling a dragon deep within the forest, near the end of a river to the north. I make a mental note to investigate this mysterious lead later, but first, I ride onward to Lakeside Stable, eager to rest.
It’s been a while since I’ve visited Faron, so when I wake up at Lakeside Stable, I take a moment to soak in the vibrant scenery—the lush greenery, the mist rising from distant waterfalls, and the humid air filled with the sounds of wildlife. After breakfast, I set out to explore the Guchini Plain, where I encounter and defeat a formidable Hinox.
Feeling invigorated, I head back toward the spot where I last met Kass. I leave Samwise with him for safekeeping and continue north on foot, navigating through ancient ruins that lead me to the winding path of Dracozu River. The weather shifts as I approach—heavy rain pours down, thunder rumbles overhead, and flashes of lightning streak the sky. The presence of electric Wizzrobes adds to the volatile atmosphere, so I equip my trusty rubber armor to shield myself from the frequent electrical attacks.
Following the river through the dense, overgrown forest, I eventually emerge into a clearing. At the far end, partially hidden by creeping vines and moss, looms a massive stone statue—its gaping maw carved into the shape of a serpent’s open mouth. Lizalfos scouts armed with electric arrows patrol the ruins, perched atop crumbling stone pillars.
The moment they spot me, chaos erupts—arrows of crackling electricity rain down in all directions. I sprint for cover behind fallen debris, then methodically pick off the scouts one by one. My rubber armor proves invaluable, absorbing the shocks and allowing me to stay in the fight. Once I’ve cleared the outer perimeter, I advance toward the serpent’s mouth, taking down a final group of Lizalfos and a fierce Moblin guarding the entrance.
Stepping through the stone jaws, I find myself standing before the Spring of Courage, its waters glowing with an otherworldly green hue. I approach the goddess statue, and—just as I anticipated—it requests an offering: a scale from Farosh. I gently place the scale into the spring, and with a soft rumble, a hidden door behind the statue slides open, revealing a shrine nestled within the rock.
After completing the shrine’s trial and receiving another spirit orb, I make my way back to Kass, retrieve Samwise, and ride south to Lakeside Stable, reflecting on everything I’ve experienced.
Witnessing the sacred dragons and performing the offering rituals at each of the springs of power, wisdom, and courage has been profoundly transformative. I feel a deep connection to the spiritual forces of Hyrule, and a new clarity settles over me. My path is clear—I must continue seeking out the remaining shrines and receive the blessings of the monks, for my journey is far from over.
The next day, I decide to visit Lurelin Village to investigate a shrine platform I’d seen earlier among some ancient ruins, though I couldn’t determine its secret at the time. However, just as I crossed Floria Bridge, I spotted Farosh soaring majestically through the sky. Seizing the opportunity, I nocked an arrow and aimed for its horn. The arrow struck true, and a shard of Farosh’s horn broke off, spiraling down to land on a peninsula near Floria Falls.
When I went to retrieve it, the ground beneath me trembled—a Stone Talus awoke, rising from the rocky terrain. After an intense battle, I defeated the creature and claimed its precious gems. Since I was already across the river, curiosity pulled me deeper into the region. I’m glad it did because I stumbled upon a hidden shrine tucked behind the cascading waters of Riola Spring Falls. Along the way, I also defeated a formidable Hinox and an even more challenging Lynel, pushing my combat skills to their limits. To top it all off, I discovered the most breathtaking view of Hyrule from the summit of Mount Floria—a moment of serenity amid the chaos of my journey.
With my spirit renewed, I finally set out for Lurelin Village. I arrived late, weary from the day’s adventures, and booked a room at the local inn. The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, I strolled through the lively village market, picking up some arrows and fresh fish before riding Samwise toward the ruins. Along the way, I explored a secluded cove where I encountered and defeated another Stone Talus, adding to my growing collection of valuable materials.
When I reached the ruins, I met Garini, a friendly villager who was also investigating the mysterious site. He pointed to a broken monument, explaining that an earthquake had shattered it. Garini believed he could decipher its ancient message if he could find the missing pieces. Since he suspected they weren’t far, I offered to help.
After scouring the area, I managed to locate three fragments of the monument. Using my Sheikah Slate’s camera, I captured images of the inscriptions and showed them to Garini. With the pieces now visible, he was able to interpret the message: if we both kneel on the shrine platforms simultaneously, the shrine would reveal itself. We did just that, and to our amazement, the ground trembled as the shrine rose from beneath the earth—a moment of triumph we shared with wide-eyed excitement.
Inside the shrine, I completed the trial and received another spirit blessing. But it was what happened after that left a lasting impact.
When I stepped back outside, Garini was still there, staring at the shrine with awe. Then he turned to me and said something that struck deeper than any blade: “You made the shrine glow… you’re not a normal lad, are you?”
His words echoed in my mind, hitting me with a clarity I hadn’t felt before. In that moment, I truly saw myself—not just as a traveler or a warrior, but as someone who’s become something… more. I’ve defeated Lynels and Guardians, awakened Great Fairies, and uncovered secrets that most people only whisper about in stories. I looked at Garini, a good-hearted villager filled with wonder, and realized that he couldn’t do what I’ve done—nor could any traveler I’ve met.
The awe in his eyes wasn’t just for the shrine; it was for me.
For the first time, I truly believed what Impa, Purah, and Robbie have been telling me all along. If Hyrule is to be freed from the corruption of Calamity Ganon, it won’t be some nameless hero from a legend. It has to be me.
