The Hero of Time is encountering @praise-gamuza
Link had never expected that he would miss the Master Sword as much as he did. The weapon had been by his side through his struggles and trials against Ganondorf and not longer having it felt like he had lost a piece of himself. He had been given a sword to replace it from the remains of the Hyrulean Royal Armory, but it just wasn't the same.
Which was part of the reason why he had left upon rumors of a magicked blade hidden deep within a long lost temple, one forgotten and buried now. He had asked for permission to leave his duty as commander of the Royal Army for a brief period of time, just long enough to see if the rumors were true, and Zelda granted him permission without any hesitation. After all, he had already done so much for her and the Kingdom -- how could she rightly say no?
The temple, though abandoned, still had active magicks and traps protecting it from intruders. Making his way inside had been a challenge, and when he reached the blade it truly felt like he had earned it. Like he deserved it. This weapon was now his. Perhaps it wasn't a true replacement for the Master Sword, but it was his.
At least. That was what he had thought, prior to feeling the strange presence washing over him when he lifted the blade.