Prologue – An Unusual Offer

The story you are about to read is a work by a fan for fans. The purpose of this work is merely to entertain, not for monetary gain. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda series are all the copyrighted property of Nintendo Co., Ltd. Please support the official release.

Warning: The following story has spoilers for the Breath of the Wild and the Champion's Ballad DLC pack.

"Begin!"

The sword flung at your face, but you deftly deflected the blow. The song of clashing steel filled the air. The sun beat down on you and dust flew everywhere, yet you were calm, searching for the smallest flaw. Your claymore swiftly knocked the shield aside. With a shove, your opponent was on the ground.

The crowd of soldiers at the Training Camp let out a roar of cheers. You removed your helm and brushed back your sweaty hair with your hand. "All in a day's work. You had me on the ropes there for a bit," you laughed, helping the recruit up. "While I appreciate your energy, charging in recklessly is a quick way to get yourself killed. Don't be afraid to read the situation first."

"Yes, Colonel! Thank you!" The recruit flushed.

You gave him a warm smile. "Go practice a bit with the others. I'd be happy to have a rematch when I get back." You then turned to the rest. You were significantly younger than most, though your technique and rank commanded their respect. "I think that's all for today. You've all performed admirably, the best Hyrule has to offer. If you'll excuse me, my sister is waiting for me. Company dismissed!" As you turned to leave, you caught a familiar face in the corner of your eye. "Apparently, I am later than I thought. She sent you, didn't she?"

A low murmur rose from the crowd upon seeing the newcomer. The crowd parted in respect. The swordsman was dressed in his new Champion's tunic, the legendary Master Sword strapped to his back. He stepped forward.

"Sorry, lost track of time," you offered.

He shrugged and didn't say a thing. The swordsman's impish grin, however, sent a clear message.

"Fine then," you said, drawing the training claymore once more. "Same rules per usual, let's begin."

You instantly blocked, knowing he preferred a quick attack. The force sent you back a bit, but you kept your balance. You swung, driving him back. You expertly parried his blows. You wound up for the final flurry rush…

…and found yourself on the ground. A cheer rose from the crowd. "As expected, from the kingdom's best swordsman." You smiled weakly. "All right, let me change. We'll go."

You hurried over to your tent, your pride slightly bruised. It wasn't the first time Link had beaten you, and it probably wouldn't be the last. However, you were getting better, and no one at the camp could defeat you. You removed your training armor and changed clothes.

"Your majesty!" A call came from outside.

You poked your head out. "Recruit, please. Outside of the castle, my military rank is more than enough."

The newbie turned redder than a Death Mountain ruby. "Yes Colonel, o-of course. Your horse is ready sir."

"Thank you," you said, stepping out and straightening your uniform.

"A Royal Guard's uniform sir?"

"Makes it easier to travel without appearing as an easy target for the Yiga Clan. Good work today. Hope to test you as soon as I return." You strapped a Royal Greatsword to your back and hopped onto your horse, named [H/n].

Link escorted you on the roadway through the Rauru Settlement back to Castle Town at a brisk rate to make up time. Typically, you'd have a full security detail, but between Link and your own skills, you could take care of any threat short of the Calamity itself.

You were Prince [Y/n] Daltus Hyrule, Lord of Akkala, Order of the Picori, Colonel in the Grand Hylian Army, and Defender of the Holy Triforce. To be honest, the titles bored you, so you often introduced yourself as [Y/n], son of His Majesty, King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule and the late Queen Tetralyn Von Labrynna. You were also the older brother of Princess Zelda, who at this point was waiting impatiently for you to return. Despite the quick pace, Castle Town was a fair distance, so you passed the time talking about your duties with Link.

"…quite honestly, it's a miracle that the bridges west of the Great Plateau are still standing. I've tried to convince Father to consider reconstructing them since all trade to the Gerudo Desert depends on the route, but he doesn't seem convinced. The ore trade alone from the Eldin Province can repay the loan in two months, but no – all the money has to go to-" You turned to Link. "I'm rambling again aren't I?"

Link shook his head with a small grunt.

"How mad is my sister?"

He shrugged with a knowing smile.

"That bad? You'll protect me, right? And stop with the silent treatment!"

The swordsman laughed. "Are you kidding? I have a front row seat."

"Oh, so I'm your entertainment now?"

"You are always entertaining, especially when we get to spar."

You smiled awkwardly, refusing to look directly at him. It was words like those that always got to you, feeding your emotions for the knight. Training was easy, but trying to confess to Link – the great swordsman and heartthrob of Hyrule – was nigh impossible. Every time you got close, you could never finish. Maybe it was the twinkle of his eyes or his goofy grin or how he was quiet except with you or even that unstoppable confidence of his in battle… It didn't matter. Each time you found yourself lost in his eyes or blabbing on without much thought. It drove you insane, how effortlessly he could unravel you. Was he aware of this power he held over you?

"Still in there, your majesty?"

"I told you, you can just call me [Y/n]."

"I know." He eased back on Epona as you crossed the Boneyard Bridge over the moat. "It's just fun watching the Prince squirm a bit." He snapped the reins and Epona shot ahead.

"Stupid, beautiful jerk," you muttered under your breath.

The two of you quickly came up to the town, galloping around the southern edge to the south gates where Zelda was waiting. Even as a member of the royal family, you marveled at the monumental Hyrule Castle and its spires reaching to the heavens. You laughed to yourself. As a child, you thought if someone jumped from the highest tower they might reach the legendary city in the clouds from Mother's fairy tales.

You snapped back to reality seeing your sister, a handful of guards, and your friend Sharpe.

"Well, you certainly took your time," Zelda pretended to scoff. "A prince is never supposed to be tardy. If you paid a little more attention, we would have been in Hebra by now."

"And if your swordsman didn't challenge me to a match we would have been on time," you tossed back as you dismounted.

"If you chose to stay at the castle like father said, we wouldn't have had that problem."

"Well, excuuu-"

"Finish that sentence, and I'll drop you in the moat."

You laughed. "Missed you."

She smiled and hugged you tightly. "I missed you too. You could always train here you know."

"And you could just stay in the castle to do your research."

"Point taken brother."

You loved each other dearly, always having the other's back. Both of you had a strained relationship with your father after the passing of your mother. He certainly loved you both, but sometimes thought of you more as co-workers rather than family. While he was excessively hard on your sister, he paid little attention to you. After all, you weren't the next in line for the throne. Per Hylian tradition, the throne passed to the first-born daughter who – nine times out of ten – was named Zelda, unless there were no daughters born, such as in your father's case. You also did not carry the power of the goddess Hylia in your veins thus could not seal the Calamity away when it struck. While Zelda was locked away meditating, you found your own fun – sneaking into Castle Town and training with the guards. It was your way of helping.

"We'll get started as soon as your horses get some water," Zelda said. "Link, could we talk a moment?"

The swordsman left, giving you a chance to talk with your Sheikah friend Sharpe. "Link kicked your butt again, didn't he?"

"Are the dust stains that obvious?" You groaned, brushing the dirt out of your hair. "I thought I had him this time."

"Honestly, I'm surprised you haven't taken advantage of the situation."

You raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Sharpe tossed up his arms and made doe-eyes. "Oh, Link, you're so strong. Since you beat me, I guess I have to reward you."

"Shut up!" You shot back – a little too loud. "I think writing all of those love songs for Father has made your brain into mush! Oh wait… they're for someone else, aren't they?"

Sharpe suddenly became very intrigued by the ground. "I… I think I wrote a good one this time…"

"And those ancient songs Father asked you to translate?"

"There's plenty of time for that; it's not like the Calamity comes today."

You shrugged. "Oh, I almost forgot. Can you let Telma know I can't come in today?"

"Still blows me away the Prince works a part-time job."

"It's more than that!" You growled. One of your favorite non-princely activities when you snuck out was working undercover as a cook for the kind barkeep, who kept your secret without reservation.

"Are you two done?" Zelda teased hopping on her horse.

"Guess so, I'll see you later Sharpe!"

Typically, your party would take the southern path through the Scablands and across the Great Tabantha Bridge. However, after Zelda had been attacked at Kara Kara Bazaar by the Yiga Clan, you changed plans to take the lesser traveled path north through Hebra. It was longer and colder, but generally safer.

The sun was starting to get low and you were still crossing the Rowan Plain. "It's going to be dark before we reach Tabantha Village," you thought aloud.

"We have plenty of blankets," Zelda chirped. "Besides, we can always stay at the stable if we need to."

"Father would have a fit," you laughed. "We should stay."

"You're not staying at the stable," Link cut in. "It's an open target. The inn in Tabantha will be easier to defend from the Yiga."

As much as you hated to admit it, he was right.

"Perhaps another time then," Zelda sighed.

You were now beginning to climb into the mountains of the Hebra Province. Here, the road came near the edge of the massive Tanagar Canyon; so deep, you couldn't quite make out the bottom from the road. One wrong slip was certain doom. You noticed that Link rode between Zelda and the canyon to guide her away from the edge. Your heart fell, noticing the way he looked at her.

"So what kind of research are you doing this time?" You asked, mostly to distract yourself.

"Oh, there's a few new shrines that we've found in the Tabantha and Hebra provinces! I would like to take a closer look to see if the Sheikah Slate causes any sort of response…" The way her eyes lit up made you smile. You might not have been a child prodigy at archaeology or the other sciences like her, but it made you happy that she was happy.

"As Purah told me," she continued, "there are other purposes for the Slate we have yet to tap. Additionally, I would like to study certain wildlife in colder temperatures, as well as the effects of Chu-Chu Jelly when frozen." You watched a few travelers on the side of the road. "I wonder how Red Chu Jelly reacts when exposed to extreme cold…"

"Get down!"

You threw up a shield just in time to block a volley of arrows from hitting your sister. Your guards were not so lucky. The Yiga assassins snickered before disappearing in a puff of smoke. "Link, go! Protect my sister!"

"But-" Link cut her off, jumping on her horse and driving it up the hill, Epona in close pursuit.

You turned back to see you were surrounded by three assassins. "Gentlemen, you have five seconds to run like the cowards you are." All three drew their bows. "Alright then, a warrior's death!"

You leaped from your horse, swinging your Royal Greatsword, knocking one to the ground. You instantly spun around, blocking another two arrows with the blade as the first assassin ran away. Another charged you with its sickle drawn. You slid backward but were unhurt. Another swing drove him back.

A cackle erupted from behind you; the third had his bow drawn at your head. You rolled out of the way. The sickle wielder charged again. You slashed at him but suddenly realized your foot was sinking. The rocks underneath you were giving way! Before you realized it, you were falling deep into the canyon.

You awoke at the bottom, freezing cold and barely alive. You knew you had mere moments of life left. The sun had long set. It wouldn't be long before some stray wolf finished you off. In fact, you could see the shadows dancing on the wall, coming for you.

Yet, it wasn't a wolf that approached you. It was a woman dressed in a long cloak, or at least you thought it was a woman as the face and body were obscured. "Tell me," she said, "are you willing to accept death?"

You struggled to answer, but you were pretty sure your lungs weren't working, making your voice sound more like a sad wet kazoo.

"I can see in your eyes, you aren't ready. You have more to do. If I restore you, give you a second chance at life, will you perform a task for me?"

You wanted to ask more, but no luck.

"The task is noble, suitable for a prince, but will not be easy."

You did like a challenge.

"Perfect. Consider it a deal." She knelt and pressed her palm on the back of your left hand. Searing pain shot through your body as if you were being burned alive. "You have much work to do, my dear [Y/n]. But for now, rest. Rest and be healed."

Your eyes drooped and the world grew dark. The last thing you saw was the woman's hand leaving yours revealing a glowing tattoo of the divine Triforce.

A/n: Hello all,

I hope you enjoyed this opening to the first of my stories. Please let me know what you think in the comments or send me a message. I'd love to hear from you.

Until next time...

DreamDepot