Chapter 16: Thicker than Water

I held the Daybreaker shield in my hands as Kass's accordion music filled my ears. After a luxurious stay in Zora's Domain (I don't think I've eaten that much since I woke up in The Shrine of Ressurection), an amusing trip to Gerudo town (although Revali wasn't laughing after Zelda told him it was his turn to put on Gerudo clothes), and a tearful and shocking reunion with both Impa and Purah, we had made our way back to Rito Village and was now in the process of moving Revali and I into Teba's household with his permission. However, I had encountered a problem. I had a lot of weapons on wall mounts with no substantial walls to attach them to, and to make matters slightly worse, there was a little fledgling that could play with them and hurt himself. At the same time if he asked about them, I could easily use them to tell Tulin about all the Champions, not just Revali. I put the Daybreaker shield back on its mount and put the mount back in the bag that I had taken it from. I would find a place for it later, for now this was my home, I had sold my house and was living in the sky, albeit with another family of Rito. I looked up to see Zelda resting in my Hammock as Teba attached Revali's next to it.

She looked down at me, "I can see why Rito use these, they are quite comfortable."

"Just be careful climbing out, it can be a bit of a drop." I said.

Turns out she was able to drop down without a problem, except for almost accidentally landing on Tulin who was off the walls with excitement about Revali and I moving it.

"Hooray! We have Champions in our family!"

Teba couldn't help but laugh as I simply smiled. Revali entered panting in exhaustion.

"That's the last of it." He said, dropping a heavy back to the ground.

I jumped to my feet from the crouch I was in, "Revali! You could break something!"

I put my hand inside the bag to feel around and check the condition of the items inside. My hand brushed something soft and thin like paper, oh please tell me he didn't damage it. I pulled it out and there it was, the only picture we ever took as Champions before the Calamity. I still remembered the day, Revali was on his stomach about a second after the picture had been taken thanks to Daruk. I smiled. Those were the good days, Hyrule was standing and I was surrounded by friends. It was true that my duty weighted me down, but what else was new?

Silently, I walked to Revali's landing, trying to hide my sadness as I walked through the wooden street of Rito village completely distracted. I remembered them all, Mipha's Kindness, Daruk's Good nature, and Urbosa's motherly tendencies towards Zelda. A teardrop landed on the picture slightly staining it. I didn't care, I think I deserved this cry. It sat at the edge of the landing feet dangling over the edge, clutching the picture to my chest as I sobbed silently. I heard footsteps as someone approached from behind.

"Not now Zelda. I'll be back soon."

"I'm not Zelda."

It was Revali. His voice was softer, his usual arrogant tone all but gone. I turned to see him looking at me uncharacteristically concerned.

"You didn't think I wouldn't notice? I grew up with you, you know."

I turned away, hugging the picture closer as if it would suddenly vanish.

"Link, its ok."

Still hugging the picture to my chest, I slowly raised myself to my feet and walked over to where he was standing, he slowly extended his hand for the object I held in my arms that was causing me so much pain. After a moment of hesitation, I handed him the picture.

He carefully took it from me and looked down at it. A glint of recognition was in his eyes as he looked up, back into my tear-filled eyes as more slid down my cheeks without any restraint. He nodded slowly.

"I understand."

He walked back toward Teba's place to only return empty handed.

"I miss them too."

He slowly enwrapped me in his wings, his embrace the warmest I had ever felt from him, his wings forming a blanket that protected and enwrapped me. A hug of comfort. He gradually separated from me, be kept his eyes on me at full attention. I chuckled lightly, wiping more tears from my eyes.

"Guess I have a tendency to lose families, don't I? You think it would hurt less over time but I'm not going to lie."

I looked down as fresh tears slid and my voice cracked.

"It still hurts worse than any injury I've ever received."

Revali was at a loss, as he didn't move or make a sound even after my confession. Finally, he spoke.

"Wait here."

I fell to my knees sobbing after he left. The next few minutes seemed like an hour as I continued to sob in solitude. Then I heard footsteps, not just one, but multiple sets. I stood up to see not just Zelda and Revali like I had expected, but also Saki, Teba, and, holding Teba's hand, Tulin. Revali and Zelda's own cheeks were stained with tears and Zelda gently held the important picture under her arm. Saki was the first to step forward.

"Link, I'm so sorry."

Without warning, she had gently wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace much like Revali's previous hug but a lot more warming with a hint of something that I couldn't exactly put my finger on. It was the first time in a while that I had ever felt a mother's touch. On one hand, it reminded me of what I lost, on the other, it provided a comfort that I almost couldn't describe. One by one, Teba, Zelda, Revali, and even little Tulin joined the hug forming a protective and comforting shell of bodies that made all my burdens seem to no longer matter. I almost couldn't remember the last time I had felt like this. Perhaps it was 100 years ago, on a day not unlike the day captured on the photo. I smiled warmly; I didn't want it to end. However, eventually it had to, we all gradually pulled apart from the hug. Revali turned to the others.

"Can I have some time with him alone?"

They all nodded and walked back to the house. Revali turned and smiled slyly.

"Grab your bow, we're going to the flight range."

I smiled and walked to the edge of the landing, crouching into a familiar pose.

"Ready when you are."

He walked next to me and followed suit in the same pose.

"Last one there's a bokoblin! Ready… go!" I said.

With a pair of gales, we both launched into the sky, then both went into a dive toward our destination, with me quickly surpassing him.

"Keep up, old bird!" I taunted.

"Hey!" I streaked ahead with a laugh as Revali tried in vain to catch up.

We both reached the flight range panting heavily, he had actually won the race, but just barely.

"How… did… you… learn… to fly… so… fast?" he said between pants.

I smiled.

"Remember that heavy armor I sometimes wear? I had to re-learn to fly with the extra weight. When I'm not weighed down by it, I can really spread my wings."

"If you can really fly as well as you claim in your heavy armor, then show me. Today you will be practicing in your heaviest suit."

Ugh, that meant the flame breaker armor.

"Revali, it's really cold out here. A heavy suit like that won't adequately protect me from the cold."

"Well last time I checked; you didn't change armors of suits before you came here and you are not shivering, so obviously you are prepared for the cold without changing armors. I recommend that you use a better excuse than that."

I sighed and donned the armor, pulling out my bow and trudging to the plank overhanging the flight range.

Revali followed, observing from behind me.

"Ready… Begin."

After an hour or two of practice and trying to beat each other's records (all in good fun) we both returned to Rito village laughing and in good spirits. As dinner cooked, I held the Lightscale Trident, telling the Starstruck and bright eyed Tulin about its former master.

"Wow, that's so cool!" Tulin said.

I smiled.

"Mipha was considered one of the best healers in Hyrule, but her spear work was considered in a class all of its own."

Saki Chuckled.

"If you too are finished telling stories, dinner is almost ready."

I took the Sheikah slate from my hip.

"Actually, I have a request before we eat."

After getting Kass's help, showing him how to use the Sheikah Slate, and actually getting Tulin to stay still, we all took a picture at Revali's landing. After dinner Zelda and I went to Purah to get it extracted, resulting in us staying the night in Hateno. The next morning after returning, I mounted the new treasure next to my picture of the Champions. Looking at and comparing the 2, I smiled. Maybe I hadn't lost my family after all. Yep, for once in this entire quest things seemed to be going right and were relatively rather peaceful. I should have known it wouldn't last.