Chapter 18: Rescue

After travelling with Zelda and Revali for a bit, it was quite an experience to be travelling alone again as I prepared myself for the rescue and coming battle. I couldn't help but notice that the monsters were getting more active, as evidenced by Epona being killed in a battle with a guardian that I didn't at first see. If it had not been near the end of my miniature quest, I probably would have taken the time to get her back, but nonetheless I was feeling as though I was running out of time, and not just for the rescue or battle against the Yiga. Now I was just outside the hideout just before the day that we agreed on, waiting for the sun to rise. I honestly didn't know how to approach, I mean I could try a stealthy approach through the hideout, but what if I went in from above? I could either endanger myself or possibly catch them by surprise. As I crouched there dressed in my Sheikah Stealth suit, I mentally made my decision. The sun rose and I made my move. Silently Flying overhead, I reached the edge of the canyon that held the Yiga's bottomless pit. From my perch I could see Tulin, they had him tied up and gagged, but strangely I didn't see any guards. This to some degree put me on edge because it didn't make sense why they would leave a prisoner alone and unguarded out in the open. Trying not to make a sound, I glided down into the canyon. Tulin immediately started shouting through his gag when he saw me. As soon as I landed, I put a feather to my beak to signal silence. As quickly and quietly as I could, I cut his ropes with my equipped eightfold blade and ungagged him.

As soon as it was off his mouth he immediately began whispering in excitement, however he was gradually gaining volume and I wasn't sure if I had been spotted yet.

"Link I knew you would come and…"

I put a hand over his mouth with a shush. But I was too late, with a poof I heard a Yiga appear behind me. As fast as I could I pulled out my phrenic bow and aimed at the assassin behind me.

"Well, well, well, look… aagh!"

He was cut off by my ancient arrow hitting his head. But it was too late. At least a dozen Yiga appeared all around. I picked up Tulin in my left arm as I held my Sheikah blade in my right, surrounding us both with Daruk's protection as my breathing turned heavy and my stance shifted, pulling Tulin closer to me and away from our enemies as I extended my sword forward. Tulin cuddled even closer to me.

"Uncle Link, I'm scared."

Uncle? I've heard to him refer to me as master, but Uncle? Is that how he saw me? Is that how I saw him? Either way, it made me more determined to complete my task and protect the poor youth. I looked down at the quivering fledgling.

"Don't worry, we're going to get you home."

With a final poof, the one I assumed was their leader appeared. He took a few steps forward as I shifted back, sword ready.

"Well, well, well… if it isn't the so-called hero of Hyrule. I have to admit you are later than I thought you would be. Have you considered my proposal? As you can see, the fledgling is quite unharmed. So if you will just turn over the Master Sword, I will let you both go free."

I didn't say anything, but it was pretty obvious what my answer was as I stood there in defiance, I knew better than to believe his lies.

"Hmm… I didn't know what I was thinking when I thought you would actually take my offer. I suppose I just thought you would listen to reason. But I've ran out of patience. Kill them! Both of them!"

A hail of arrows hit the shield, as Yiga teleported and hit it with their scythes and beams. I struck back as much as I could, but the shield was still taking a lot of damage. As I knew it would, it broke and behind it was a horde of bloodthirsty Yiga assassins. It was hard enough fighting them all, but even harder with one hand while trying to protect Tulin with the other. Turned out even I didn't have that level of skill. Without warning, their leader appeared in front of me and swept my legs out from under me, knocking me down, Tulin was gratefully unharmed but I dropped him and he went rolling away. I got to my feet as quick as I could, but it was too late. The Yiga leader already had him. Thankfully the others had stopped attacking me to watch, but they still had their weapons brandished. He dangled the young Rito over the edge as I recovered my sword.

"Not one more step! Unless you want to find out if he can fly yet! Now…give me the Master Sword!"

I couldn't help but notice desperation in his voice, he could tell I was angry and was scared of me. I shifted my stance slightly, causing him to take another step back. I had to figure out a way to get Tulin away from him without him dropping him, turns out I wouldn't have the chance.

"You big meanie!" Tulin shouted.

He seemed to lose all of his fear in an instant as he dug his beak into his captor's wrist. It worked as he was dropped with a scream of pain. I only wish that he thought it through a bit more.

"No!" I screamed.

Tulin fell into the pit with a scream after an unsuccessful attempt to hold himself aloft.

"Tulin!"

I hit the Yiga leader with a 2 handed swing as I just barely noticed a dark gray blur enter the pit. Soon after Tulin's screaming stopped, which alarmed me even more as I looked over the edge. No sooner had I arrived that the same blur shot out just as quickly as it had entered, causing me to reel back and cover my face with my wing. I looked up to see what exactly it was. To my shock it was not a what but a who, a who I knew all too well.

"Revali?"

He had Tulin in his talons as he unleashed two volleys of bomb arrows at the once more attacking assassins followed by another three straight up, the signal for the army I hoped was waiting to attack. A collection of War horns signaled the armies acknowledgement of the signal as the Yiga all looked around in bewilderment as Assassins arrived, left, and charged in a typical Yiga fashion.

"Look out below!" Revali said as he let his feathery rescue drop.

I caught Tulin in my wings as he landed.

"You get the little guy home; I'll hold them off!" Revali said as he fired his bow into another Yiga.

I took out my Sheikah slate as he covered me with more arrows and sword strikes, I was about to quick travel when I suddenly stopped. Not this time, never again. I touched the Sheikah slate to his back just before activating the quick travel resulting in both him and Tulin coming with me as the Yiga leader screamed in rage.

We arrived in the village beaten and tired but otherwise unharmed. Revali turned to me in surprise and anger.

"I had it covered!"

I aggressively stepped forward.

"No you didn't! If you would have stayed, you would've died! Hyrule can't afford to lose any more Champions, especially when the remaining 3 are guarding the most powerful artifact known to all the kingdom!"

Revali looked like he wanted to respond but I could tell he knew I was right as his aggression left with a slumping sigh. Relief didn't even match what Saki felt as we handed Tulin back to her unharmed.

"Mama!" The little fledgling exclaimed.

"Oh Tulin! My baby! My precious boy!" She looked up with tear-soaked eyes.

"Thank you. Both of you."

I nodded in acknowledgement. Revali took a more extravagant response.

"Was there any doubt we would bring your son back safe and sound we are after all… ow!"

He was interrupted as I elbowed him in annoyance.

My expression turned serious. Revali spoke however right as I opened my mouth to speak.

"Before you say anything, I don't know where she is, I don't know if she's safe, I was looking for her and I found you in danger. Also, I didn't lose her, she ran off on her own.

I shut my mouth in surprise as he seemed to answer every question before I asked it, was I that predictable?

"Thank you." I finally said.

To be honest, I wasn't surprised. Zelda was not easy to keep in one place and seemed to have a knack for finding trouble. I just hoped she was…

"She's ok, Link she's with me, we're just outside the massive battle outside of the hideout. But I don't know how much longer I could keep her safe."

It was my mentor. I breathed an audible sigh of relief as I heard she was safe.

"She's safe, she's by the hideout."

Revali was shocked to hear this.

"How do you know?"

"An old friend told me."

"How?"

I was already changing into my Green Tunic, rearming myself with the Master Sword, my Hylian Shield, and a brand-new Falcon bow in the process.

"Long story, but we don't have a lot of time. Are you ready?"

"Of course, you're the one who had to change clothes. Why do you even…"

"Then let's go."

With that, we quick travelled to Gerudo tower, our ultimate destination: one of the biggest battles against the Yiga clan I had ever taken part in.