Flynn jolted awake; gasping for air while sweat ran down the side of his face. He rubbed away the sweat itching at his cheek and rested his hands in his flowing golden hair, still breathing heavily. Flynn shook his head. "It was just a dream…it's just a dream," he told himself.
A loud pounding came from across the room, nearly knocking Flynn's bedroom door off its hinges.
"Flynn! Flynn? Hurry open up this door! We're going to be late, man, come on!" a voice cried out
Flynn looked over at the door calmly. Giving out a loud sigh, he threw himself back down and sprawled out across his bed. "What do you want, Nyle? Flynn cried out as he threw his pillow against his face in an attempt to fall back asleep.
"Come on, Flynn! You know what day it is! Roll call is in five minutes and we'll be the last ones to report at this rate! Oh, and I am not going to get stuck on the night shift again because of you sleeping in!" Nyle bellowed, still smashing his fist against the door.
"Day? Wha-" Flynn muttered to himself, suddenly realizing it was the day of the Legendary Festival. Flynn suddenly sat up, fear ran down his face all at once as he realized today was the one day of the year not to miss for guard roll call. He scurried across the room towards the wardrobe, dragging his sheets that had him caught at the foot. Kicking the sheets off, he threw open his wardrobe and picked out his tunic and boots. Before grabbing the door, he looked down. "Dang it, grabbed the wrong tunic for today." Flynn whispered to himself as he dragged himself back to the wardrobe and switched out his royal tunic for the green festival tunic. Flynn threw back the door to see Nyle, irritated and a menacing glare.
"Hope you're awake enough to throw that tunic on while you run! And I'll see you on that night shift I won't be punished with!" Nyle jabbed, leaving Flynn in the hallway.
"Hope they don't notice my pajamas under my uniform today…" Flynn whispered to himself again. Flynn took off down the hall after Nyle, heading towards the armory. Lucky for him, the armory wasn't too far from the royal guard's dormitories. Lucky for him he was even in the ranks of the royal guard in the first place. Arriving not a minute too soon, Flynn flew through the door of the armory, still tying the collar of his tunic and frantically looking about for the captain of the guard, knowing that he was in for a scolding or an extra night shift. Curiously enough, none of the other guards were even in line, nonetheless in uniform for that matter. Recollecting himself, Flynn straightened his tunic and dusted himself off as he made his way to his assigned wardrobe.
"Pretty good joke, huh? You should've seen the look on your face when you came crashing out of your room." Nyle said shrewdly.
"Hah! You may have saved me from the night shift, but this isn't over, Ny!" Flynn retorted, still smiling as he donned his cuirass
Soon after, a shrill and deafening clang echoed across the room. Instantly, the clamors of conversations were silenced. The bustle of armor and swords came to a halt, as all eyes and ears turned towards a narrow entranceway. There stood a tall figure silhouetted by a light from the room in which he emerged. Sword drawn, the tall figure clanged his sword once more against the doorway. Immediately, everyone in the room stood at attention in front of their assigned wardrobes. Flynn, across from Nyle, shot a look of subtle annoyance at Nyle. He rolled his eyes and peered over at the tall figure in the doorway, awaiting instructions. The tall figure finally stepped into the room, becoming illuminated. Standing in blue chainmail and a white and gold tunic, it was the captain of the royal guard, Orin.
"Roll call will be in the courtyard today. The king wants an exhibition for his festival guests. Lets not fail to impress…Oh and be advised: we have been experiencing several earthquakes through the night; don't let them catch you off guard. At ease." Orin said firmly. Everyone began moving around him as he retreated back into the doorway from which he emerged.
"Some speech, eh?" Flynn said, now fixing his sword to his belt.
"Well, you know the captain. All the guys gotta' do is wave his hand and speak. And if one of us fails to do what he orders, then it's night shift for a month. Or even worse, demoted from royal guard to sewer duty." Nyle retorted.
"Well, yeah, but don't you think he could be a little more stoic about it? I mean a little spirit wouldn't hurt. I almost confused him for a re-dead just now."
"Hah, you think you can be a better captain one day, Flynn?"
"I may not be too ambitious, but if I had different circumstances I'd be the best captain this kingdom has ever seen. "
Flynn, now holding his head up high, resting his arms on his waist above a sitting Nyle began to make a speech mocking the captain.
"So you think you're tough stuff? I'll show you what tough looks like! You'll be working nights until you memorize the moon cycle! Ahahaha!" Flynn cried out. Both bursting out into a laugh, they begin heading towards the courtyard.
"So you like the moon cycle? Is that right, Flynn?" a voice sang out behind the two of them. Stunned, Nyle held his gaze straight ahead. Fear running down his face and sweat filling the creases of his tunic. Flynn, on the other hand was calm and collected. Swiveling around on his heels, Flynn turned to see Captain Orin behind him.
"I don't have time for your antics, Flynn. Report to my office immediately." Orin said as he walked between the two of them. Flynn shot a look of confusion to Nyle, but was ignored as Nyle ran for the courtyard. Alone, Flynn gave out a loud sigh and made his way after Orin. Fear began formulating in Flynn's mind. He thought to himself back and forth what would be happening in this brief meeting with the captain. It didn't make sense to Flynn for the captain to speak with him, especially with roll call happening so soon. Flynn stayed sharp and tried not to show the doubt and wonderings racing through his head as he stood at the door of the captain's office. Gazing in, Flynn saw Orin behind his desk with his back to the door skimming over the bookcase against the wall. Flynn knocked softly.
"Sir? You requested my audience?" Flynn said. Orin turned his head and spotted Flynn out of the corner of his eye before quickly turning back to the bookcase.
"Yes. Enter. Shut the door behind you, also." Orin responded. Flynn shrugged and stepped in, closing the door behind him as he was told. "Let's bury this hatchet here and now, Flynn. You've been testing me a lot lately. Orin turned, now facing Flynn. Flynn began to speak.
"With all respect, sir I was-" Orin slammed a book down on the desk. Startled by the noise, Flynn shut his eyes and tried not to let his frustration show.
"Where has your ambition gone? It's like you don't even want to be here anymore! You went from making royal guard at the youngest age possible to sleeping in and slacking off! I saw greatness in you…and now I see you've become reckless." Orin began pacing towards a large wardrobe as he continued ranting.
"Sir, if I may explain-" Flynn started again, but was cut off by a menacing glare from Orin across the room. Flynn redirected his gaze. Orin continued rifling through the wardrobe.
"There's only one thing you'll be explaining to me, Flynn. And that would the same way I explain things to my superiors and cohorts." Orin turned back to Flynn and slapped a chainmail and blue tunic on the desk in front of Flynn. Flynn's eyes widened peering at the chainmail and tunic that lay in front of him. He wasn't sure if he was more overcome with confusion or anticipation.
"Uh, sir?" Flynn muttered
"You're being promoted to captain. No, this is not some fluke or twisted joke. The king has personally selected you for this. He sees something in you that even I cannot understand. But don't think that this makes things easier for you!" Orin explained now extending his hand for a handshake. Flynn reluctantly shook Orin's hand. Still dumbfounded Flynn took up the armor on the table.
"I don't understand." Flynn stated.
"Understand later. Right now we have roll call to do, and you're going to help me run it." Orin wittingly said. "I'll see you on the courtyard. We'll begin once your ready." Leaving Flynn bewildered in the office, Orin made his way out of the armory. Flynn recollected himself and switched out his armor. Before heading out to the courtyard to begin roll call, a loud thunderous boom echoed from the distance. All at once, the earth began shaking violently, throwing Flynn to the floor. It was an earthquake. Flynn leaped back to his feet, now tethering himself against a wall to keep his balance. Suddenly, the tremors ceased.
"This isn't right. Hyrule never had a history of violent earthquakes…" Flynn began dusting himself off as he continued thinking to himself. Knowing today was the day the legendary hero sealed away the evil of this land…could that have something to do with this? Flynn scratched his head while pondering. Now at the gates of the courtyard, Flynn checked his uniform to make sure it was fitted properly. Letting out a loud sigh, he pushed open the doors to a sunny courtyard filled with the Hyrule Royal Guard. Looking around he saw everyone was at attention facing the castle, all except Orin, giving Flynn a nod of approval as he began pacing the ranks.
"Here goes nothing." Flynn whispered to himself, taking his first step into the sunlit courtyard.