The morning breeze blew through the village, swirling around every wooden beam and swaying every colorful banner that hung from the pointed roofs. Rays of sun shone through the openings of the beams, each illuminated beam showing every dust particle floating in its light. Many of the Rito were rising from their slumber, sharpening their talons and ruffling their feathers. Soon they began to set up their shops, whether it was putting signs out or restocking the shelves, while others flew off, jumping from the wooden platforms, in order to hunt or stock up on valuables to sell. While the daily Rito lifestyle had begun anew once again, they weren't the only ones preparing for their day.

In the Swallows Roost Inn, Link sat on the edge of the bed that Zelda had paid for the night before, leaning over his knees as he finished tightening the wooly boots he wore on his feet. He stomped on the wooden ground a few times, assuring himself that the boots were properly on before twisting his waist to look over his shoulder.

Sleeping peacefully under the covers was Zelda, her short blonde hair unkept and free as she rested her head against one of the softest pillows she had slept on in a hundred years. Unlike her wild untamed hair, her expression was composed and peaceful. Her skin practically glowed in the sunlight, her long eyes shining with her pink lips just slightly parted, she really was the definition of beauty. Link smiled as he inspected her features, unable to comprehend how someone of her calibur could possibly want to love a person such as he.

With a gentle shake of his head, he pushed the thought from his mind as he looked forward once again. He adjusted the feathery tunic, ensuring that it was properly tightened around his chest, before glancing over at the bed's headboard. Sitting in the crack between the headboard's side and the wall sat the Master Sword, it's smooth purple hilt sparkled in the sunrays, shining brighter than even the girl's skin that slept next to him. The sheath's gold accents sparked against its leathery blue texture, the brown shoulder straps dangling from their place holders at the top of the mouthpiece. With a short breath, Link reached over to take the sword and sheath by the brown straps, throwing them over his shoulder before clasping the belt buckle around his chest. Feeling prepared, he stood from the bedside, hoping that he hadn't desturbed Zelda's slumber. Looking over to ensure that she was still asleep, he took a step forward in order to exit the inn. However, despite taking a step forward, he seemed unable to take anymore.

He stood in place for a moment, allowing the sunlight to encase his figure before turning back towards the bed once again. He stared at the sleeping girl, who still hadn't noticed his disappearance from her side, he blinked before looking away. His eyes landed upon the exit he should have already walked out of, however he knew that there was something he had to do before he left. Turning on his heel Link took a step back towards the bed, however instead of walking towards his side of the bed, he found himself now standing over Zelda on hers. With only a moment of hesitation, he reached a glove-covered hand down, lightly pressing a finger into her pink cheek.

The girl sniffed in reaction to the sudden pressure against her face. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, revealing shining, yet tired green irises. She took a deep breath in, before slowly pushing herself up. The sheets fell from her chest down to her waist, revealing the usual tan Hylian tunic she had grown fond of sleeping in. She looked over at the other side of the bed, taking longer than usual to process that Link wasn't in the bed with her before looking over at her other side. Unsurprised to see a standing Link, fully dressed and ready to go, she yawned as teardrops formed in the corner of her eyes.

"Are you off to do your trial?" she asked amid her yawn, bringing her slender fingers up in an attempt to keep her proper edicate, something she had been slowly losing when in his presence. Link slowly nodded, clearly unexcited for his upcoming task.

"Yeah, I was going to head out earlier," he said calmly, trying to sound like his usual self. "But, I thought I'd let you know I was leaving and where I would be instead of just… you know… vanishing."

Zelda seemed a bit surprised, her eyes slightly widening at the explanation. She stared at Link for a moment before giving him a gentle smile.

"Would you like me to go with you?" she offered sweetly, however Link shook his head.

"No, I think I'll be okay," he answered, keeping his face as blank as possible. "However, I know where to go if I need anything."

"As long as you know," Zelda said with the sweet smile remaining on her lips. "Good luck, Link."

Link staring into her now fully awake green irises, they were filled with nothing but confidence in his abilities. He returned her smile with a small one of his own.

"Thank you, Zel," Link said quietly. He reached his hand out one last time, keeping it raised as Zelda lifted her own hand to place it in his palm. The two kept their hands together, feeling the warmth. Though he wanted to stay in her warmth forever, Link soon pulled away as he headed for the exit. He stepped out into the chilly air of Ruto Village, looking up at the towering stone perch where the Divine Beast sat. With slightly more confident eyes, Link took a deep breath before beginning to climb up the tower, having left the Sheikah Slate in Zelda's possession.

It wasn't long before he reached the top, pulling himself up over the edge. He rolled his shoulders back, loosening them up from his climb before looking up at the magnificent wings and propellers of the beaked beast. The moment Link had reached the top, he felt the beginning effects of his consciousness being sucked in as the Illusionary Realm, it called to him. He took a few steps forward before standing in place facing the bird. With a final breath, he closed his eyes, allowing the realm to take him completely as the frigid air of the natural tower top began to fade.

...

Zelda watched as Link disappeared out of the inn's exit before her gentle smile faded. She glanced over at the empty side of the bed, noticing the Sheikah Slate sitting peacefully on the blankets. Silently thanking Link for leaving it in her possession, she reached over to take the Slate in hand. She brought it up to view, opening its screen and began to swipe her finger against the screen. After a moment of sliding, Zelda finally gave an icon a tap. In a flash of blue, a gold handled scimitar appeared in her hand.

I appreciate you for giving this to me back in the desert, Zelda thanked as she inspected the sword. She pushed the sheets of the bed off her legs, revealing the old Hylian trousers she wore, before getting up from the feathered filled bed. With a few more taps from the Slate, Zelda was fully dressed in her winter outfit, now sporting the Moonlit Scimitar on her back. She quickly rushed out of the inn, turning to begin running down the stairs. However, she never made it past the Goddess Statue that sat in the stone wall against the village's entry stairway.

"And where do you think you're off too?" a snarky tone called out to her. Zelda stumbled to a stop, looking around before turning back to look up the few wooden stairs she had run down. Up at the top of the staircase stood an almost transparent Rito, his navy feathers doused in a greenish after glow. He stood with his arms folded, staring down at Zelda with pretentious green eyes. Shestood in awe, taking in the site of the Rito Champion standing in the morning sunlight before beginning to stutter out a few words.

"R-Revali!" she called out anxiously. "W-Why, I didn't really expect you to want to talk. Even less to come find me."

"As much as it pains me to say it, I don't have much of a choice but to come to you for aid," Revali said, shrugging with raised wings. Zelda raised a curious eyebrow.

"Aid?" she repeated. "Aid in what, exactly?"

"Well, Princess, it may have to do with wherever you seem to be sneaking off to right now," Revali answered with a frown. "Where do you think you're running off too?"

Zelda's face became stern as her hands formed fist, looking up at Revali with furrowed eyes.

"Link let it slip that there's possibly another Yiga lurking in the shadows," she said, looking away from the Rito and out towards the woodland trees in the distance. "I can only assume I'm the one he's after, and I can't allow Link to deal with anymore than he already is. As much as I'd love to help and talk to you, Revali, this is my only chance to do this. I need to go find him."

"You really are a stubborn fool," Revali said sardonically. Zelda took a step back.

"Excuse me?" she asked, however Revali only stepped down the steps towards her, his talons scraping against the wood flooring.

"I believe I made myself clear earlier, stating that it may have to do with whatever you were trying to do," he said sharply. Zelda's eyes filled with surprise.

"You know about the Yiga?" she asked. Revali brought feathered fingers to the bridge of his beak, shaking with increasing disapproval.

"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't be here," he said with frustration. "And it's a good thing I, such as myself, was here, otherwise you'd be continuing this nonsensical plan of running towards your death. Now tell me, Princess. You assumed the Yiga was after yourself, correct?"

"W-Well yes," Zelda said. Revali's eyes only squinted at the answer.

"So then tell me this," he began as he started pacing around Zelda. "If I were an assassin wanting to kill the princess and had quite the annoying knight on her hip at all times, what would I do?"

"Kill the princess while the knight was distracted," Zelda said immediately. She didn't understand what Revali was getting at; this was her same thought process. However, Revali only sighed.

"Then let's assume I did kill the princess," he said quickly, moving forward until his beak was only centimeters away from Zelda's nose. "Then what?"

"I don't quite understand what you're getting at," she responded slowly. Revali rolled his eyes as he backed up.

"Clearly you've been spending far too much time with that witless knight of yours," he shot at her. "Was Sheikah technology and simple potions the only subjects you were intelligent in?"

"Well, I'm sorry but if I can be honest, I don't quite remember you being this hard to converse with," Zelda said dejectedly. Revali growled to himself before folding his feathery arms. With a sigh, he slowly began to speak.

"If I, the assassin, were to kill you now, who would suddenly want to kill me?" Revali asked slowly. Zelda's eyes suddenly widened.

"If I were killed, the Yiga would have to deal with Link," she said as realization filled her chest. "But if they were able to kill Link first, then it would be easy to get to me without any consequences!"

"And where is that little knight right now?" Revali asked simply. Zelda's heart began to race. She looked upwards along the rocky tower's side.

"Sitting secluded on top of a tower mentally in another trial," she said. Revali nodded.

"And now she's up to speed," he said crudely. "Now then, as much as that knight should be able to handle himself, it seems as though I need to be the one to step in and save him."

"Well, we need to get to Link now!" Zelda said, darting up the stairs, however Revali coughed, causing her to stop in her tracks. She turned, waiting to hear Revali's explanation.

"If you teleport there now, you'll just give him a prime opportunity to kill you both," Revali sighed. "Come on, I'll take you up there. We'll find a way to bait him out."

The Rito turned around, stretching his wings as he apparently waited for Zelda to climb onto his back. Zelda, however, stood in place.

"I'm surprised you're so eager to help him," Zelda said before walking back down the stairs. She gripped the Rito's shoulders before jumping onto his back. "I wouldn't think you would care."

"I shouldn't really," Revali said with a huff. With a burst of winds shooting from the ground, Revali and Zelda shot into the air as they began to spiral upwards towards Vah Medoh. "Unfortunately… I owe him a feather."

...

To those who want to question how Zelda could get on the back of a ghost... I ask you how King Rhoam was able to cut down a tree with an axe XD

I hope you guys enjoyed this one! It was fun writing Revali, and we'll be seeing even more of him in the next chapter!

Remember I do stream Fridays, and now I stream Twilight Princess (My all time favorite game) on Tuesdays! So come stop by, say hi, and ask story questions!

Kenny Boi