One afternoon, Revali happened to catch Link training alone on the plateau, in the midst of practicing his swordsmanship on a defenseless boulder.
He noticed how Link usually made it a point to never train in front of him. Revali had always thought perhaps it was because Link didn't want him to see his weaknesses. But now, seeing the boy slash his sword to and fro, leaping into the air occasionally to draw an arrow or two, with such speed and precision, Revali began to retract his previous thoughts. He himself was no swordsman, but Link's technique looked just as good as any, if not better, as far as he could tell. There was no doubt in his mind the stories he heard about this boy taking down knights at the age of four were true. Was Link actually trying to spare him from feeling inferior?
Revali cursed himself for even letting the thought cross his mind. Still, the boy was nowhere near his level in marksmanship, and certainly not a rito capable of flight, dammit!
A loud, lonely clap echoed. Link snapped out of his fighting mode and turned his attention to Revali, who was somehow able to produce that clapping sound with his wings. Link immediately sheathed his little darkness-sealing sword.
"Whoa, what did that rock ever do to you?," Revali teased. "I've never seen you train before. I must admit, it looked pretty impressive." He turned his back to the hylian. "But looks can be deceiving…"
In a matter of milliseconds, Revali spun round and shot an arrow in Link's direction. Link just barely blocked the assault with his shield as the arrow tinked the metal and went flying out of sight.
"Hmph," Revali smirked. "Let's go. You and me. Right now."
Link stared down Revali with his usual focused glare. He stood up straight and placed his shield on his back as he walked straight toward the rito... then right past him. How dare he.
"What? You think you're too good to fight me?"
Link continued on, making his way back to the castle. Revali scoffed, "Excuse me! I'm talking to you!" He called out. Having had enough of being ignored, the rito used the force of his wings to propel him upward and over Link's head, dropping directly in his path. "Why won't you fight me? Don't tell me you're scared?" Revali got right in the young knight's face, staring him down, "Come on! I wanna know what makes you so damn special!"
Link's glare was getting really intense now. His hand slowly reached for the master sword on his back. Was this it? Had Revali finally succeeded to goad this boy? He smirked with satisfaction until he noticed Link's eyes dart off-center, past him.
Revali spun his head around to see a huge, beefy Lynel clomping up behind him! The Lynel screeched and roared, preparing to swing his enormous, savage sword.
Revali released what could only be described as a combination of a gasp and a squawk as Link charged in, deflecting The Lynel's swing. Link was lightning fast, jumping on the lynel's back, hacking away at it, making a bloody mess. Time seemed to slow for Revali, who was agape at the sight before him. The lynel could not land a hit… until it did. With a cry of pain, Link went flying backward, tumbling into the dirt and grass.
Once he realized what was happening, Revali performed his gale and soared into the air, avoiding the lynel's lightning arrows. Instinctively, he drew his bow and loaded it with three bomb arrows, unleashing them into the Lynel's backside.
The beast let out one final roar before blowing up into bits. Link lifted his arm to shield himself from the fallout spraying his clothes. Revali was blasted back further into the air, wincing as some of the blood and debris splattered him.
The rito landed with a thud next to Link, who was now sheathing his sword. Revali couldn't take his eyes away from the blood and innards now showering the ground in front of them. There was red. So… much… red. He was the pride of the Rito, a master archer, a warrior, and a champion, but blood was still absolutely and totally gross. He looked down at his appendages and the red splotches on them in disgusted disbelief. His beautiful blue and white feathers were tarnished. And now, Link was going through the absurd action of being crouched over in the mess, scooping and sifting, looking for usable parts. Revali felt sick to his stomach.
Without a word, Link continued to raid the fallen beast, ripping off its horns and hooves. From behind him, a retching sound could be heard. Link looked over his shoulder to see Revali standing hunched over with his hands placed on his stomach. He wiped his beak with the side of his wing. Link continued to stare at him as if he were actually concerned. Revali stood up straight. "I'm good," he breathed.
"I heard you two worked together today."
Zelda's chipper voice broke through Ravali's thoughts as he stared into the flames of the dining hall fireplace. She gestured to him and the knight beside her, a little too excited about this recent discovery for Revali's taste.
"Who told you that?" He responded.
"Link did!" She exclaimed. Link continued to eat his food without a word.
"Is that right?" Revali feigned a smile. "So, it speaks!"
"We also heard you blew it to smithereens, and then lost your breakfast all over the grass!" Urbosa added. Her comment caused her and Daruk to erupt in thunderous laughter, followed by Zelda. Not finding it amusing, Revali's eyes darted around at his "companions." Link cracked a smile while Mipha did that thing where she covered her mouth to hide her sharp teeth from peeking through her giggle. Et tu, Mipha…?
"I guess Lynel intestines weren't the only guts on the ground," Daruk billowed.
Zelda's laugh moved into a chuckle, "Bomb arrows! On a Lynel that close! Honestly, what were you thinking?"
"Yeah, what did you think? There'd be candy in there or something?" Urbosa jibbed.
Revali retaliated the only way he knew how. "I hate you all," He stated plainly. Link had to be taking satisfaction in this. "Having fun?" Revali asked the knight, who only smiled apologetically. Faker. Revali was convinced he just wanted everyone to have a good laugh at him. Hee-haw, everyone laugh at the warrior who can't stand the sight of blood and guts.
"Look, I didn't have time to think, I just grabbed the first arrows I could, alright. Those arrows just so happened to be explosive," Revali was quick to defend himself. "Besides, I bet he didn't tell you the part where I saved him!"
"He did," Zelda declared with a smile. "And the part where he saved you."
Revali looked away.
"Oh speaking of which," Mipha's soft voice interjected, "Link, I should touch up your wounds." Revali couldn't help but notice her placing a hand on the knight's shoulder. They moved out of sight, to a more accessible location so Link could lie down and Mipha could work on healing the gashes in his abdomen.
Revali suddenly found himself checking to see if he had any wounds that needed repair. He did not… which was actually a perfectly good thing! He didn't get injured during their run-in which was proof he was all the better at battle. Link would probably be dead if he couldn't rely on Mipha to heal him constantly. That's right, the boy was reckless and weaker for it. It was no feathers off his butt if he didn't need her magic healing.