A/N: I'm aware of my prior misstep in spending too much time on original characters, but I hope this chapter isn't nearly as egregious as the Vah Ruta section was xD


Yzi strode through the ramshackle settlement that made up the Lowlander's home apart from their more regal brethren to the north. Within the shadow of the Rayne Highlands, to its westernmost reaches, this lowborn band of Rito had made their home for centuries now, bred to survive, in stark contrast to their brothers and sisters to the north.

Nobody could say, exactly, where the division originated after so many hundreds of years. Shrouded within mysticism and lore as it was, the naturalistic explanation soon became lost to time, though the effects of such a divide was quite known to the whole of the Rito. The Lowlanders were shunned from the fertile fields of Greater Tabantha, ostensibly left to rot away without those immediate joys and pleasures enjoyed by those residing in the Rito Village. To their surprise, however, the Lowland tribe not only survived, they began to become rather worrying.

Chance had allowed the northern Ritos the ability to gallivant freely without much concern for food or shelter. They played, laughed, lived; when it came to mating, it often boiled down to plumage- the most magnificent collection of feathers often won the day. They were given the opportunity to trade with other peoples among Hyrule, to seek out pleasures in life, to live much of their lives free from toil.

However, the Lowlanders, begrudged as they were, found themselves left without such things. Life was a constant struggle to survive, even among the most better off amongst them. Suffocated as they were from the north, even their water supply was an exercise in life's struggles. Foraging for food was an hourly concern; children came about for little more than convenience, if not hope toward a brighter future.

It was among one of these gaggles of children that Yzi came about, his head as hard as the world he had brought into. While time had long calcified those wounds left by their initial banishment, resentment remained, and it wasn't until Yzi's leadership that the Lowlanders had begun to accept that which is most difficult to attain when degradation has so strangled a people: pride. For centuries, the Lowlanders had dreamt of restoring their heritage, yet it was Yzi who began to preach much the opposite- that their heritage was worth keeping. They were the ones honed and improved by generations while the Rito rested atop their laurels.

Yzi wholly believed that his people were superior. He believed strife made better men and women.

And this is why Revali had so caught his eye once he discovered there had been a Rito to the north, ostracized as the Lowlanders were.

Yzi motioned to the tiny, ramshackle market area that had been erected from pitiful lengths of lumber and canvas, garnering Revali's attention as he relayed, "We were left without focus when I was but a mere hatchling. I grew up detesting that lack of identity, or rather, hating that identity of degradation. For centuries, we were the lost people- the ones who had been sent away. We were the ones to be loathed."

His eyes scanned the pitifully miniscule number of bartering stalled, one of which was helped by a cross-legged mother, cradling her single child in her lap as it tried to find to sleep, even in the middle of the day, "I was determined. I had to grow up believing myself to be a detestable being. So long as I , myself, had a say, however- No other child of our people would ever endure such a troubling thought."

"Your dedication is admirable," Revali nodded simply, "My own childhood was much the same, being a bastard. Had I the privilege of bedtime stories growing up, I'm sure many of them would have included tales of your people in a less favorable light."

"No doubt," Yzi winced, "Once we began to thrive beyond our means, they hated us for it. We were always meant to die out here, and yet-"

Yzi gave a weak smile as the two men passed the sleeping child, "Yet we've come this far."

Still placid as ever, Revali took little note of his surroundings as he walked along the dirt-paved path, ignoring the stares being cast upon him by Lowlanders, no doubt confused by the very sight of him. Despite his stoic appearance, he couldn't help but silently revel in the admiration- for one of such low notoriety, that he now garnered wary, or even reverent, stares lit something of a flame within his ego.

"We managed to secure a few trade lines with a few lesser bands of Gerudo," Yzi noted simply, "Beyond those insufferable Hylians across the canyon, we'll construct a few simple wares that attract the eyes of Hylians and sell them in the Kingdom. It took a bit of coercion; at first they thought our lack of plumage made us sickly-looking, so I had my warriors stage feats of strength in the square, like circus events, to persuade them differently."

He chuckled, "Such simple things. but when you live merely to die, you often don't think of improvement. Ive been quite fortunate to hold the support of my entire people."

Yzi turned an inquisitive glance toward Revali, "It is my sincere hope that you might be one of them."

Frowning, Revali answered with a dull tone, "As we agreed, this is merely a visit."

"I understand," Yzi retorted lightly, offering a disarming smile, "I only wish to remain transparent with you. I would be lying if this early morning walk wasn't ultimately to show off the better parts of our settlement. I would hope you expected such things."

Revali nodded, "Quite so."

His eyes caught the visage of Vah Medoh in the skies to the north.

Grinning almost sheepishly, Yzi went on, "We may not be able to offer the most alluring of amenities, but- Oh!"

His rising voice, wrapped up in sudden surprise, caught Revali's attention from the sky, the two men coming to a stop as a woman scampered up toward them, leaving Yzi to introduced, "Ah! This is Khaci, one of our most admirable women. Were it not for me, I do believe she would have equaled what I've done for our people."

Revali watched with disinterest as the scraggly woman skid to a stop, her cowl furrowed in accusation as she glared toward Yzi, "Talking about me, huh?!"

She quickly whipped her head toward Revali, "Don't believe a word he says about me!"

His eyes narrowed bitterly, Revali merely listened as Yzi took the fore with good humor, "Even the part about you being one of our best and brightest?"

"That-" Khaci was taken aback, pointing angrily, "Shut up…"

Cooking his head knowingly, Yzi went on, "And brave. You're the first to approach us. I'm afraid many others remain a bit apprehensive of our visitor."

"Why?" Khaci asked abruptly, jerking a single eyebrow upward as she examined Revali's person, "His feathers are only hiding how scrawny he is underneath."

Revali couldn't resist a tug along the edge of his lips, worming its way into a wry smirk, "Wouldn't you like to know."

"I might, if I weren't afraid of hurting you."

Yzi raised his hands pleadingly, "Alright; I had hoped you two would meet in greeting, not combat."

"He started it," Khaci shrugged.

Revali challenged simply, "I've said nothing."

"Yeah, but you're here."

Yzi grumbled to life, "Hey, enough of that. Revali is not unlike us. He may bear the mantle of our enemy, but he bears our same scars. I hope you will show him the same respect reserved for your fellow Lowlanders."

She eyed him scrupulously, "Only if he shows me a scar or two underneath all those feathers."

Revali couldn't hold back an amused cock of his head, somewhat relishing this woman's rather assertive method of what seemed to be flirting. Such advances were foreign to him, of course. Amongst his own tribe, to lay with him meant to curse theirs and any further generation with that stain of Revali's bastard heritage. As such, his life had been devoid of this sort of teasing interest; a sensation Revali had already come to enjoy.

"Come now, Khaci, leave him be," Yzi groaned.

Revali crossed his arms, "If it pleases you, I'd much rather she continue. Her rambunctious attitude amuses me."

Her face furrowed in annoyance, "Are you calling me difficult?"

"No," Revali mused, "But you're not far off at all."

Khaci was quick to anger, but it diffused as quickly as it had arisen, leaving her with a smirk of her own as she turned toward Yzi, "Can we keep him? I'd rather enjoy a pet."

"Gah…" Yzi sighed in exasperation, rubbing his face free of weariness, "I'd be remiss to miss the connection here, but-"

"Connection?!" Khaci exclaimed, "No need to make it so icky."

Her eyes spun in devilish intent, "I don't need the sort of connection you're meaning to find out what ails my curiosity."

Revali smirked, crossing his arms as far more than his proud ego was being stoked.

"Had he wished it so, I'd have loosened the lot of you upon him once we had arrived," Yzi grinned, "His intentions, it seems, are a bit less lascivious than your own, I'm afraid."

Khaci shrugged, "Shame."

Her shoulders coyly spun to the side as she turned to leave, exiting with a quick, "I'll see that he changes his mind."

Revali chuckled as she took off, watching as she made a lithe sort of burst into the sky, leaving him more than a little impressed before recording to Yzi, "I see what your men meant."

"Our women are warriors as much as we men are," Yzi chuckled, turning a wry glance toward Revali, "If they see something they want, they haven't a problem claiming it as their own. Out here, existence favors the bold. It's partially why I've grown to enjoy my life out here, and why I believe, should you allow us the opportunity, you might have eyes for this life, yourself.

At those words, Revali's eyes leapt back toward the sky for an instant, catching Yzi's attention as he followed suit, noticing Vah Medoh's circular path, "But I suppose you, too, have your sight upon something. Would I be wrong to assume your largest impetus for this visit was-"

He motioned up toward the sky, "The Beast."

Revali had hoped it wasn't terribly obvious, though the topic of conversation had risen to a large enough crescendo the night before that he figured it was warranted in any case. His arms tightened along his chest as he fought for explanation, though Yzi's penchant for hearing his own voice kept him from stressing further.

"We stopped using its name long ago, even before I had been born," Yzi shrugged, "I'm not too familiar with your tales- It's meant to be the great God, Witwa, correct?"

Revali nodded, "Yes. After he fought off his siblings, those who remained at his side were given Greater Tabantha, while those who followed Timte and Vurla became this very tribe, here."

A curious glance from Yzi hinted that he might have wanted that reply from Revali, allowing him to counter, "It seems a god as powerful as Witwa would have been able to keep our two people together."

Revali turned to him, casting a deepening stare, devoid of the empty irritation arising within his chest.

"Of course, those are all fables," Yzi noted with a shrug.

His eyes narrowed in critique, "You were curious as to our progress in collecting that Beast. While your people might be too reverent toward that creature, hindering them from much of any research, we've managed something of an understanding of it- that Vah Medoh."

Yzi smirked, "It is no god. It is nothing more than a machine, seemingly programmed to do as it's told."

With a watchful gaze, Revali spoke up, "So when it counters any approaching being with laser beams…"

"We tested it," Yzi shrugged, "It fires warning shots, initially. Never hitting the target. Until they get too close. That's when it's shots become more fatal, seemingly unable to miss."

Revali's brow fell in intrigue as Yzi explained, taking a step that resulted in the two once again striding along the tiny settlement of canvas-lined tents, "It demonstrates discretion as a result. It knows what's close, what's too close- We're hoping it also knows-"

He took a furtive breath, "-who to allow aboard."

The Lowlander's investigation, Revali realized, was not far off from his own observations. While Vah Naboris was most stubborn, she still allowed the Champions' presence. Vah Ruta was much the same, while Vah Rudania seemed rather eager to bring them aboard, potentially in the name of assistance. Zelda had postulated that the Divine Beasts were 'conscious' to some extent- Now, Revali figured, Vah Medoh seemed to also fit that criteria.

"So? Who might that be?" Revali asked with a plain tone, knowing the man's answer.

Yzi chuckled, "Perhaps you. Perhaps our two peoples were torn apart for the explicit purpose of a hero who would cross those boundaries and lead Hyrule into rule by a singular Rito race. Those Hylians, they-"

He shrugged with indifference, "We've seen how their leadership is often found lacking."

"Where is the Hylian?" Revali asked suddenly.

Yzi pondered the question for a moment, "In my tent. We got in so late that I decided it best to keep him there. Tonight, we'll take him to the top of Cuho Mountain and offer him up to our enemies in coup d'état. Dead, preferably; no need allowing him a chance to ruin things."

He ran a quizzical glance over Revali, "Why?"

Revali tilted his head in consideration, "Some of your countrymen last night seemed a bit unable to reckon with my visit."

"Ah," Yzi nodded slowly.

"Perhaps were I to prove to them how deep my interest goes," Revali noted coolly.

Shaking his head, Yzi retorted, "That won't be necessary. I trust my men, and women, with my life. If I say to leave you be, they will listen. You don't need to prove anything; I already know how ferociously you've pursued existence. That's enough for me."

"Then," Revali offered, "Perhaps only in offering. For those offenses that Dangarnon scum had levied against me, I would like some form of retribution."

Yzi snickered, "Why did you not say as much in the first place?"

Sliding a hand into a satchel slung over his shoulder that rested at his side, Yzi pulled out a craggy-looking knife, spinning it backwards in his grasp before offering it to Revali without so much as a curious word, "Do keep my quarters neat, if possible. I hate to saddle anybody with extra work."

Revali took the knife with an eager tone, "I'll do my best, brother."

Taken aback, Yzi watched Revali with surprised eyes before his expression melted into one of warmth, Yzi smiling, "So be it."

He turned away, "I'll be around. Do find me if you need anything afterward."

Nodding quickly, Revali reoriented his gait toward the tent he had known from the night before to belong to Yzi, even if it seemed almost conspicuous amongst the rest of the Lowlanders' hovels. It appeared no more regal or important than those surrounding it, though Revali had quickly made note of it as he came closer to the curtain that made up its entryway.

He held the knife tightly as he stepped inside, immediately catching sight of Link within the minute darkness within, the off-white canvas lazily allowing the sunlight only to tease the interior with its glowing presence. The Hylian sat there, wrists bound behind his back against the center most pole keeping the tent aloft, his head buried against his chest as though in some languid attempt at sleep. Revali couldn't help but smirk at the sight as he stepped quietly into the innermost portion of the small tent, feeling the cold, craggy edge of the knife teasing the palm of his hand.

"Ah," he mused, noticing Link's ears perk up, "Such a pleasant sight this is."

Link gave a weak reply, "Untie me and we'll see how pleasant this all is for you."

"And ruin the illusion? Hylian, to see one so high and mighty as you reduced to such a lowly state of being- That's where the enjoyment lies," Revali revealed, almost with a chuckle.

Link failed to respond, leaving Revali to continue forward, speaking with dull intent, "From the moment I came to know the abject displeasure of knowing who you were, I hated you. and when I came to answer your Princess' missive to join her on some silly quest, I was so thrilled at the prospect at seeing you look shed that pitifully meaningless façade of yours."

"Even now, seeing you tied up like some wild animal," Revali went on, kneeling in front of Link's slumped body, "I can't help but feel something of amusement. You thought you were too good to be terrorized, as though granted by divine right some immunity to such things, but now-"

"Now I see," Revali accused with a seething, sinister voice, "You're no better than me."

Link's hidden face held onto it's frustration for but a moment, realizing what had plagued Revali's perception of him all these years. He raised his to peer up toward the visitor, or for his eyes to fall back into his skull at the sudden appearance of a vicious-looking dagger in the Rito's hand. Revali's lips twisted with dissatisfaction.

"For months, now, I thought of this. Dreamed of this," he admitted lowly, "Hoping you would, indeed, try to slit my throat as I slept, if only to give me a chance to exact this same revenge for all the petulant insults you've railed against me."

His scowl remained as he confessed, "And yet, now that I'm here- How bitter I find the taste."

Link's eyes whirled in confusion as Revali slipped the knife away, rising to his feet and stepping away, "Perhaps I am better than you. Certainly more trusting."

"W-" Link struggled to retort.

Revali rolled his eyes, "I just told you the other night. After I put you in your place, outside the inn."

The Rito's eyes contorted on examination, "We're Champions, are we not? How quickly you seemed to have forgotten that."

"You sold me out," Link bit through barred teeth.

"To save one of your civilians," Revali shrugged, "Am I to expect that to not be your duty as a Knight?!"

Revali scoffed, crossing his arms while shaking his head, "Honesty. You're truly a tad bit thick in the head."

Left to examine the ground, Link attempted to make sense of the previous night, only snapping back to reality as Revali continue, "Of course, that also enabled me the get in with the Lowlanders. Two Hylians, one stone, as it were."

"That's not-" Link began to argue groggy, feeling the numbness in his arms bite at his nerves as he shifted in place, "Are you insane?!"

Revali lowered his head incredulously, "Insane?! Rather brilliant, rather. My people know near nothing about Vah Medoh beyond its influence upon our environment. The Lowlanders, on the other hand, have been trying for centuries, now, to commandeer the Beast and use it against us. I figured were I to learn what they do, it would only be to our advantage."

"Now," Revali finished with authority, "They are planning on killing you. While I'm willing to deny my own desire to finagle with willing women, I know you're not nearly as confident in your ability to control yourself as I am, so I don't dare wish to-"

"What?!" Link exclaimed with utter confusion.

Revali groaned, "I'm going to get you out of here. but you can't do anything stupid. I know how difficult that might be for you, but bear with me."

Rolling his eyes, his annoyance rising like the tide, Link swallowed his irritation, shaking his head, "Alright… What's the plan?"

"The plan is for you to stay here," Revali commented lowly, "I'll push for taking you to Cuho Mountain myself. Then, you wait up there as I go get Vah Medoh before return-"

"Whoa, hold up, you ding bat!" Link exclaimed, his shoulders wincing painfully as he twisted in place, "You just said go get Vah Medoh?!"

Shrugging, Revali replied, "I'll figure it out before tonight."

"And what if you don't?!"

Revali took a moment, not in thought, but almost if his he was taking an incredulous pause, as if confused by Link's inability to understand, "Then you died for a good cause, I suppose."

Link attempted to hide his frigid gulp of breath as Revali spun around, sighing, "Now, me letting you in on this didn't come free."

A grim expression encroached upon his face as he raised the knife once more, "Yzi expects blood."

Link sighed, considering how much more preferable this was to what he might have expected upon Revali's arrival, "You're in terribly good luck, then."

The knight turned his head, frowning as he presented his cheek, "I'll keep it to myself how odd this is being my first gift to somebody…"

Revali turned back around, watching with tense eyes before sputtering, "What- At least have some pride in your blood!"

"Just do it," Link grumbled, "They'll see it here, it won't hurt, and it'll draw more than enough blood to stain that knife."

Smirking, Revali quickly stepped up toward Link, forcing the Hylian to recoil, "Well don't enjoy it that much!"

The Rito cocked his head to the side, "Just not wanting to waste time."

"Like during your entire spiel when you walked in," Link frowned, readying himself once again, "Just- get it over with. I might have been trained to withstand pain, but it doesn't mean I enjoy it."

Revali readied the dagger, cocking his head to the side, "Fortunately, one of us might."

Link bit his lip as he felt the rigging of the knife float on the air, as if its blade were sharp enough so as to cut the air even while it sat still. Wiping away Link's cheek to remove the dirt that had accumulated there, Revali readied the dagger, sliding it along his own sleeve so as to do what he could to prevent infection.

"You know-" Link begrudgingly muttered, the inside of his cheek sweltering in pain at his molars dug into the skin there, "I never thanked you for what you did up there on Eldin."

Revali flinched, scoffing, "You're only saying that because I'm about to make your cheek into sliced ham."

Rolling his eyes, Link retorted, "Okay, yes, part of it. But-"

He paused, shoulders slumping, "I'm sorry."

"Now you're just trying to annoy me," Revali huffed in answer.

Link charged, "Just shut up and accept the apology."

The Rito raised his glance to meet Link's, Revali's brow coiled in sarcastic reverie as he examined the Hylians face. For all the weeks he had carried on at this man's side, not once had he seen the fear in his eyes as he had seen, now. It took him back to his own childhood; as a hatchling, fear was all Revali had. Seeing it on Link's face, in his eyes- perhaps he had been wrong about him. Even if the soldier's stoicism riled his nerves to no end.

Still, after a moment's thought, Revali offered, "Apology accepted. Now let me cut you."

Sighing, Link rolled his eyes once again, frowning, "Such a friendly sentiment."

Bringing the sharp edge of the knife to the top of Link's cheek, digging it against his skin until a sickly divot appeared there, Revali muttered, "Not killing you with this knife should be friendly enough. As is getting you out of here alive."

"Yeah, maybe," Link accused pithily.

Grinning, Revali noted simply, "You'd be surprised what I'm capable of. You've spent this entire excursion ignoring much of my many attributes."

"You can be a pain in the ass with the best of them," Link suggested with a dry voice.

At that, Revali made sure to complete his chuckling before leaving his fellow Champion with a shallow slice of skin.