Chapter 13: Initiation Part 3: Fighting Together
Link walks around the surrounding trees, remaining a distance from the princess, patrolling the dense forest while the newly revitalized Zelda sits and regains her strength. Looking outwards, he notices nothing out of the ordinary, no noises that could indicate a threat and nothing that he could see. They would appear to be safe but after his experiences in this forest Link won't let his guard down again. Zelda was sitting against a tree looking worse for wear from her battle but deep in thought. Hylia, she really fought a real battle and personally won. Link turned his gaze towards her as a small smile creeped its way onto his face at the thought of her being able to survive that but he quickly turned back to the forest for anymore Grimm. Given the state he found her in and what she said from her experience, she's damn lucky to be alive right now, let alone talking and conversing with him. It would seem that Hylia isn't done with her just yet.
"Link," Zelda called to him, gaining his attention as she figured out what to say. "I'm sorry."
In confusion, Link slightly tilted his head as he tried to process what Zelda was talking about. She was obviously struggling with what to say, the thought digging deep into her consciousness. Link walked up to her and kneeled in front of her, a look of a longing to understand visible with no barriers.
"I-I wasn't able to protect myself." She started, choking up as she spoke. "H-how can I protect my people, i-if I can't even protect myself." Tears started to flow as her words lingered in the air, their weight pressing down upon her. "In all rights, I should be dead." A single tear dropped from her cheek and fell onto her closed wound, a reminder that she looked death in the eyes and blinked. "I-I'm not ready, not for any of this." Her head hung even lower now, the few tears growing in numbers and now pooling. "I'm not ready to be queen." The waterworks were now fully released, the sobbing intensified to the point where she was struggling to breath with gasps escaping in between sobs.
Seeing her condition, Link stood up causing the princess to momentarily stop her crying. As she watched him, he extended a hand out to her. Whipping the tears from her arms with her arm, she grabbed hold of his outstretched hand who then pulled her up. At the sudden shift, Zelda winced as Link moved to be ready to catch her if need be. After checking that she had stabilized herself, she looked back to Link, his blue eyes meeting her green as they stood for a moment before Link spoke.
"If you're not ready to be queen," He started, perplexing the princess, "Then train to be a huntress. If you're not ready to be a huntress, then become a researcher. If you're not ready to become a researcher, forge your own path." He continued on, her tears now turned to sniffles. "Everything needs work, pushing yourself to your limits doesn't show weakness but shows growth." She now looked at him in confusion so he hit his point home. "Getting knocked down but always getting up pushes you further. It will be hard, I faced challenges of my own, but you just have to push yourself up and continue to push forward. Only then can you be ready. Ready for anything that life may throw at you."
She took a moment to digest what he said before responding, slightly gasping for air still, "Th-thank you Link," she spoke softly as Link grew a warm smile but before he could answer, his eyes went wide in shock because of what was now happening. The princess was embracing him in a large hug. He didn't know what to do in the current situation, that was until Zelda started to cry again. Link instinctually but hesitantly returned the hug, bringing the princess close as she cried again, not tears of sadness, but tears of relieved happiness. "Thank you."
They stayed in each other's embrace for longer than they really should have given the circumstances but neither was wanting to release the other first. Zelda felt a weight leave her shoulders as she looked up towards Link, he had a caring smile which warmed the princess. Gathering herself, she was the one to release first, followed by Link seeing she was good.
"W-we really shouldn't be here though." She said with a small chuckle, trying to bring some relief to the situation but mostly to relieve herself. Link's expression changed from that of understanding to amusement as he stepped back from the princess and gestured for her to follow. With issues of responsibility and readiness resolved, the Hylians continue on their journey, now with new purpose, they will fight on.
The two walked for about a half an hour, Link in front to make sure the coast was clear followed closely by the princess, still feeling the pain in her chest causing the two to move at a slower pace but after their trek, they came upon the temple they were looking for. The rounded, decrepit, stone structure stood tall, threatening to topple over if it were to be disturbed. It looked like any other building hit by the Calamity as it was falling apart at the seams. The two then approached the structure as they could now grasp the scale of the ruins, Bricks as tall as they were and as thick enough to hold a person in its silhouette, it was larger than it looked from a distance. In the center, along the decaying walls, stood multiple pedestals, each holding a single figure.
"Chess pieces?" Zelda questioned as she approached one of the plinths. That must be another similarity between Remnant and Hyrule, a game of strategy, a universal constant for all.
As Zelda examined one of the pieces, Link approached the white knight and picked it up and examined it himself. Unlike the princess who's curiosity for the larger things looked towards in comparisons of this world and theirs, he thought of the why. Just why chess pieces as relics, they didn't seem to have anything special to them and the fact that RWBY presumably had to accomplish this task as well didn't stir well in the knight. If these were here for retrieval alone, they would be gone on the first day, no, there's another reason for these to be pieces from a strategy game.
"Link, do you think these are it?" The princess asked him as she turned back around to face him across the ruins.
"I would so but these have another meaning, I just don't know what that is." Link responded.
Zelda stood and pondered his words, "I was also thinking that. Ozpin said that these were relics, but there is nothing of note other than our worlds share the same game but yes, there must be a hidden meaning to them if the piece we choose is taken into account."
Link agreed with everything she said but was surprised by the last point. He was pretty sure they had a meaning but with Zelda reminding him about the scoring for this, these pieces definitely had a hidden meaning.
"The question now, is what ones should we pick?" She said as she scanned over the different pieces. Link took another look at the piece he picked up, looking at it once again.
"If these have a meaning, they could determine your character?" Link said cautiously. He naturally went to the piece that would represent him, a knight protecting a princess.
"Hmm," Zelda muttered while in thought, "Character does seem to explain why if they promote individualism and cooperation like we've seen"
Hearing what she said, Link turned towards where the queens stood as she followed his gaze. Both knowing that that's what she would pick. It may be a bit on the nose but with both themselves and Ozpin seemingly hiding things from each other, they could afford to let him wonder.
Moving to the center pedestal, Zelda grabbed the white queen while quickly inspecting it, once satisfied she looked back to Link who nodded towards her as they started leaving the temple, unbeknownst that they were being watched by a set of glowing red eyes.
Back on the cliff that the initiation started on, teams RWBY and JNPR are grieving the loss of their new friend. Everyone on their knees in various states of grief, all mourning the presumed loss of the foreign royal.
"Sh-she's really gone?" Ruby asked, "Was there really nothing we could do." She said, teary eyed towards the professors.
"I'm… sorry" Ozpin said to her, "I know you all are grieving," he said as everyone looked at him, "I've been there myself, but if you let your grief consume you, you will only bow to its mercy." He continued, head bowed in remembrance, "You all have trained for your lives but I made the mistake of letting someone with no previous experience take part."
"Where are they now?" Weiss asked, any authority she had, gone.
The group looked to Ms. Goodwitch for a response as she was looking through the drone feeds. "Link's not on any of the cameras" She answered grimly, "They are currently looking for him now."
"H-how long has it been?" Yang wondered with tears, all the students had some tears being shed.
"Thirty minutes." Blake said whipping the few tears she had away as she checked her scroll.
"All that we can hope for now, is that Link will be able to pull through it." Ozpin voiced to the group.
Unaware of their friends' struggle over Zelda's presumed death, the two walked down what would appear to be some old parade grounds. It appeared not dissimilar to the Akala parade grounds in Hyrule as it held stone pillars lining the sides of their path leading to an old structure. As they approached, they stopped in front of a great chasm where fog clouded the bottom creating a bottomless ravine separating themselves from the presumed cliffs they'd have to scale. In the middle of the gorge, there stood a small island topped with the structure which looked to be a demolished stronghold or old tower of some kind. Old bridges spanning the gap were decrepit and destroyed, the damage likely coming from a previous battle but lack of growing wildlife would say it happened recently.
"What could've happened here?" Zelda said, taking in the ruins before her.
Link didn't say anything, only stepping towards the edge of the cliff and staring down into the abyss. Turning to the side, he kicked a small rock that laid nearby into the depths, not even getting a sound in return. Still looking down, Link shrugged his shoulders in unknowingness. "Battle maybe." he finally answered, "This definitely looks new." he mentioned, referring to the fresh debris he could see on the structure.
"You would have more experience than I on things like this." Zelda stated, trusting his assessment.
"We know that Grimm are as common as bokoblins so they're the likely cause." Link said as he looked up again to the structure and the damage it sustained, "The only question would be, what was fighting who?" As fate was tempted once again, an ear piercing screech screamed through the forest. The Hylians tried covering their ears the best they could, their sensitive hearing not helping at all. After an excruciatingly long minute, the wail subsided giving the two a chance to regain their hearing. "What did I do to the goddesses." Link deadpanned as he looked up in the direction of the screech to see a giant black bird hover before them.
Glowing red eyes pierced the Hylians souls, shielded by a bone white mask, this Grimm looked like it would be tough. Retrieving the ancient bow, Link walked in front of Zelda with a cold expression on his face. Notching an ice arrow, he drew the energized rope back, his eyes glaring straight into the bright darkness flapping its wings in front of him. Being so close to the end, there was no way a calamity like this would stop them.
In a burst of speed that surprised the two, the Nevermore plunged straight down, gaining speed just as fast as the Hylians could see it. At the second before impact, the bird leveled off and sped towards the two. Both their eyes went wide seeing the large bird charge towards them with a mouth agape that could swallow them both in a single gulp. Steeling himself just in time, Link was able to block the attack with Daruk's protection which stunned the Grimm but only for a second before it was in the air again. Due to the impact, Link was pushed back a few feet into the princess who caught him from sliding forward as they both looked skyward.
Shaking off the last of the dizziness from the impact, the Nevermore pushed itself back, back away from the Hylians returning to its original location in the sky. With its prey in sight, the Nevermore let out another screech towards the two. It wasn't as loud as the first which Link and Zelda were thankful for but it was preparing for something.
"RUN!" Link shouted as he and the princess sprinted in different directions as the Nevermore, with a large flap of its wings, sent a flurry of razor sharp feathers to where the two were standing mere moments ago. They both sprinted to behind the last pillars as they caught their breaths. Zelda wasn't liking this so far and even she knew that this bird was strong. Looking across to Link, he didn't seem much better as he took a moment to regain himself before looking to Zelda. After they assured they were both safe, Link drew the bowstring back and spun out of cover and fired towards the Grimm. The arrow hit its mark, piercing one of its legs and freezing up to the giant bird's torso in ice.
As the new weight formed, the Nevermore dropped slightly as it flapped its wings harder to stay in the air. Seeing itself trapped, the bird let out a third screech before Link could get into cover. He stopped in his tracks as he grasped his ears in pain with Zelda doing the same, watching Link struggling as he faced the brunt of the audible attack. It was enough for him to drop to his knees and scream out himself. Seeing its opportunity, the Nevermore pushed its wings hard and sent another barrage of feathers towards him. Unable to move, Link faced the attack head on, Daruk's protection was flaring up again as two feathers that would have struck his head and heart were pushed aside. Luckily for him, that was all the Grimm could muster. If it lost any more feathers, it would fall from the sky and the ice wasn't helping its case either.
Struggling to stand, Link held his bow out once again and equipped a bomb arrow from the slate, readied it and pulled back. Letting the arrow fly, Link watched as the shot went up and started to arc down, its trajectory, a collision course with the Nevermore. As if it knew it was coming, the Grimm pulled back creating a large gust of wind that formed a vortex right in the arrows path. When the arrow entered the pocket of pressurized air, it exploded just in front of the bird, disorienting and damaging the Grimm causing it to start to fall. Unfortunately for Link and Zelda, the explosion instantly shattered the ice holding onto the Nevermore as it screeched in preemptive victory now that its maneuverability was back. But before it could celebrate further, it started falling but now in full control, making another diving run towards Link.
With the Grimm quickly approaching, Link quickly pulled out the Master Sword and readied himself. The Nevermore opened up its sharpened claws, ready to tear and shred it's prey. Link hastily swung just as the Nevermore reached out. Once the two connected, both combatants made their marks, Link making a belly long cut on the bird's underside while the Grimm swooped in and left gashes along Link's upper right arm. Returning to the skies, the Nevermore's beats became more labored, the injury it sustained clearly causing it great pain. Link was left just barely holding his sword. His injuries didn't seem life threatening so he would recover, but by the goddesses it stings. Now on the opposite side, the Nevermore could see its injured opponent and entered one last dive, moving so fast that it would either be Link or itself.
As Zelda watched from a distance, the feeling of power and hopelessness returned to her and instincts took over. Running out from her cover towards Link, she let out a desperate cry, "NOOO!" Responding to her emotions, a ball of bright golden light emanated outwards with her at the center. The sudden light distracted the Nevermore as it cawed out in confusion, altering its course from striking Link to crashing into a hill on the parade route. As the light dissipated, in her arms sat the bow of light but that was the least of her concerns. Running to where Link was standing, he was breathing heavily and upon inspecting his wounds, there wasn't much blood present, not nearly as much as she lost but some none the less. Grunting in acknowledgement Link started walking towards where the Grimm crashed with Zelda following close behind, still worried for him.
Cresting over the hill separating them, the Hylians came face to face with the monster they have battled. Zelda had her bow at the ready in case anything happened as they slowly approached the Nevermore, it recognized and acknowledged their presence with a quieter, pained screech, one that was much more bearable than the last. With no emotions present, Link went for the Sheikah slate on his hip, eyes never leaving the Grimm as he opened it up and imputed a predetermined combination of movements. Raising the slate in between himself and the Nevermore, he pressed the screen and a click emanated from it. Now satisfied, Link turned and nodded to Zelda who gained a look of surprise but was able to understand what he wanted. Pulling back in the thread, a light arrow appeared ready to make its mark. Closing her eyes, Zelda breathed in, readied herself, opened her eyes and released. The arrow flew, it sped towards the downed Grimm moving like a bullet. In an attempt to protest, the Nevermore opened its mouth to screech only for the arrow to hit the back of its mouth before it even fully opened.
As contact was made, a ball of light started to grow at the point inside its mouth that grew and grew until it consumed the entire bird in the light. The two had to turn away from the Grimm because of how bright the light was becoming, the only thing they knew was that it was screeching in pain until it abruptly stopped. Not hearing anything anymore, the two turned back and saw nothing, the Nevermore was completely obliterated with nothing remaining, no marks that a battle happened except for where it landed. Seeing their victory, Zelda let out a sigh of relief that she was holding and Link turned and gave her a smile which she returned.
"We did it." Zelda said in astonishment as Link nodded in agreement, "I was worried after it scratched at YOUR ARM!" She now realized.
Link looked down to his arm, blood slowly trickling out. Seeing it triggered something in Link as he suddenly felt the pain of his wound in full force, his adrenaline wearing off. In response to the pain, he went to the Sheikah slate and retrieved a bandage roll he had.
"Link, where did you get those?" She asked as he quickly handed her the bandages.
He shrugged in response. After being on a journey for so long he couldn't remember when he actually got them but that didn't matter right now.
"Well this should stop the bleeding." Zelda expressed as she wrapped the bandage around his arm.
With a tight pull, Zelda ripped the end of the roll off and handed it back to Link, his wounds now covered. As the Champion's tunic is unable to cover it he'll just have to have it exposed.
"So how are we supposed to get up there?" She questioned as they both looked to the chasm with a cliff on the other side.
"I've got an idea, but you'll have to hold on tight." Link responded cryptically, eying the damaged building and bridges.
"A-alright." She hesitated, unsure what he was going to do but grabbed onto him none the less. "H-how will this help?"
"Just… be ready." He said as he bent his knees slightly.
"What does that meeaaAANNNNNNN!" Zelda shouted as the two were launched into the air, surrounded by Revali's spirit.
Soon, the Hylians were island hopping. Jumping from structure to structure as they crossed the gorge. With a quick stop part way for the Gale to recharge, they made their way to the top of the cliff, the very same cliff where Ruby killed her first Nevermore.
"P-Please don't do that again." Zelda sputtered out once her feet were back on the ground, Link gained a somewhat devious smirk seeing the princess like that but as she glared at him, the glare fell and was replaced with a lighthearted nod.
"We should probably get back now." Link said in a way to change the conversation, seeing the sun directly above them.
"Yes, I don't want to come back here any time soon though." The princess admitted as she looked back to the Emerald forest while Link chuckled at her thought.
"It should be this way." Link said, gesturing to the direction of the start. "Wouldn't want to keep them waiting."
Now Zelda giggled as they both started the walk back. They discussed what they did alone at the start, talked about their opinions on Remnant and a few other topics before they reached where the large group was. As they approached, even though everyone had their back turned to them, they could see they were all distraught about something, Zelda couldn't tell what for but Link had an idea of what it could be.
"How do you think Link will react?" Blake said.
"I don't know," Weiss answered, "Losing someone close is always hard." She said with another tear.
That was when it struck her, they were all grieving. It warmed the Hylian's hearts that their new friends cared for them so much. For Link, being a knight meant that very few people cared about his wellbeing and for Zelda, she was cared for, not as a friend but a princess but now, that wasn't the case. It was interesting seeing people think you've died but nothing more than that o rumors. Away from the others and off to the side, Ozpin and Goodwitch were quietly conversing among themselves, far enough away for the students not to hear the conversation but not the Hylians.
"I know you believed in them but what made you think they would be different." Glynda asked in a whisper.
"They're not of this world, not constrained by our rules." Ozpin responded at an equal volume. "They may have been the only ones who could fight."
"Ozpin, are you saying that you intended for them to fight her?" Goodwitch questioned.
"No, only delay." Ozpin said with a sigh and a grim look on his face, "Just like we've always done."
Overhearing that small conversation left more questions than answers. Link had a growing bad feeling about Ozpin and now whoever this woman was and just why they were the only ones who could fight. While Link was caught on the contents of the conversation, Zelda focused more on the implications. The words delay like we've always done reminded her about the Calamity and how ten thousand years ago, the hero of the age only delayed the Calamity who stuck back, stronger and smarter. All in all, it was concerning. From the sound of things, what the teachers were talking about was highly confidential, not known by the public and a great danger to society. For now though, they just had to play along and pretend everything was normal.
"Link." Zelda said as the knight turned to meet her. "I don't know exactly what they're talking about, but I have a bad feeling about it."
Link nodded in agreement before an idea came to his head. If Ozpin planned to use them to fight, knowing his reaction if he apparently turned would show if they were right. And so, Link told Zelda his plan. He would approach the group with her right behind, hidden away from sight, he would pretend to be grief stricken and try and take it out on the ones who sent them into the forest, the ones who would be responsible for her death. Whatever Ozpin's reaction would show an idea at what he was planning.
"That sounds reasonable, but what would the others think?" Zelda asked, taking their friends into consideration. That was something the Link didn't have an answer too, he only wished they won't find out the reason.
"I don't know but we can only hope for the best outcome." Link replied. "Ready?"
"Ready." Zelda said as the two started to close the distance, herself now behind Link and out of view.
A minute later and "I-I've located Link." Goodwitch said while looking at her scroll in shock.
"Where is he?!" Yang demanded.
On cue, Link stepped on a branch causing everyone to turn and look at him. His head hung low to sell the broken and upset look.
"Link!?" Everyone called out in wonder or surprise.
Raising his head, he gazed upon, going over each of them emotionlessly before resting on Ozpin. Tightening into a glare, the headmaster looked back with shock then resolve. Continuing the plan, Link brought his hand up to retrieved the Master Sword from its sheath. When his hand was out of sight, he flashed a five then four towards the princess before grabbing the sword. Bringing it to his side in a single, swift motion. Link then slowly lifted the blade menacingly, pointing the tip towards the Remnantians who had faces of fear looking back at him.
"Link? What are you doing?" Ruby asked cautiously. The group now stood and looked on with concern for his mental state. Ozpin lifted his cane up ready to defend the students should a confrontation occur as a stone wall expression was placed on Link's face.
"N-no, impossible." Glynda said in disbelief as a scared gaze shifted from her scroll to Link. "How? She?"
Seeing that the professor figured out their ruse, Link lowered his head with a somewhat relieved sigh. It wasn't much but the look on Ozpin's face said it all, I've done this before and am willing to do so again. Link and Zelda now know that there's more at play than meets the eye. Back to the plan, Link dropped into a bow and brought the blade to his right in an introductory manner and to the absolute confusion of the Remnantians. He then stepped aside to reveal the thought dead princess.
"ZELDA!?" The students shouted in unison while the teaches were stunned into silence.
"Hel-lo" Was all she was able to let out as she immediately got the wind knocked out of her. A flurry of rose petals appeared in front of her as Ruby squeezed her tight. The rest of RWBY sped towards her as well and joined in the hug.
"W-we thought you were dead." Ruby said as tears began to flow again.
"Well… It will take more than that to kill me." Zelda hesitated at first but ended with a joking tone.
"Yay, group hug!" Nora exclaimed, jumping into the fray, pulling a surprised Link in with her. The rest of JNPR slowly joined the hug as well rounding off the emotional blob.
"Although, this just might." She squeaked out while being crushed on all sides, everyone started to giggle at the comment, then laugh, then went into full blown hysterics.
A/N: And the initiation is over. Man was that a long one, my longest one yet even. Link and Zelda have now completed their initiation and have gained a some insight as to what is going on, on Remnant. I originally had the subversion scene play out a joke by Link to cheer RWBY and JNPR up after Zelda's presumed death but it wasn't until today I thought of a better way to incorporate it into the larger story. It has always been my plan for a wedge to be driven in-between the trust of Ozpin and Link and Zelda and this just so happened to be a good catalyst to start it.
Back to the fighting, it felt appropriate to give Zelda the finishing blow on the Nevermore after last chapter as a form of character development. Also I tried to make it where the ruins were ruined even more after the first initiation which is why there was no bridges over the chasm because of that first Nevermore.
I hope you've all enjoyed and will continue to read and review. I'd like to hear your thoughts as it can influence the story for the better and give me an idea at what people want. Other than that there isn't much else so I'll see you all in the next chapter.