The Legend of Zelda, its characters and locations are all property of Nintendo. Any and all OCs and original locations belong to me unless specifically stated to belong to someone else.

The Voice
Chapter 81 - Vah Sheik

"Again," Impa said.

Sheik scowled up at Paya's offered hand, opting to climb back to his feet on his own.

"Lucky shot," he said as they reassumed their positions on the mat. "I'll get you this time."

"T-Try," Paya said, smirking.

Link had to admit it was a nice look on her. She didn't appear to enjoy standing out in most situations, but in the training room, surrounded by her fellow Sheikah, she took no small amount of pleasure in dominating the hell out of whoever dared step onto the mat with her. The slight ache in his lower back from where she'd tried to fold him in half about twenty minutes earlier was a constant reminder of that fact.

And he'd just wanted to check in Sheik after not being able to see him very much for about a week—Impa was very strict in making sure her nephew got enough bonding time with his family, it seemed.

"Begin," Impa said, sitting next to Link at the side of the mat. She was the judge of the matches, ostensibly in order to gauge her people's skills. Link suspected she just enjoyed watching the young Sheikah beating the crap out of each other.

Maybe it was a mix of both.

"I'll wipe that smirk off your face, just you watch—"

It was all Sheik managed to say before he was suddenly face-down on the mat (yet again), his legs wrenched painfully into positions they were not meant to be in, Paya's foot shoving his face into the fabric. He tried to struggle for a moment, but when that only resulted in Paya flexing him harder, he tapped the mat to get her to let go, which she did.

"How the fuck are you even doing that?!" he demanded. "It cannot be in accordance with the laws of physics and anatomy!"

"Even our youngest can pull off that manoeuvre, nephew," Impa said, to amused chuckles and titters from the other Sheikah around the mat. "Please pay attention."

"I am!"

"Not well enough, it would seem."

"Oh, you're so..." Sheik cut himself off, growling into his cowl before pointing at Paya. "Again!"

"Gladly," Paya said.

Link watched as the match ended in seconds once more, with Sheik getting progressively angrier and angrier as he failed to figure out a counter to Paya's speed and precision. So far, she hadn't even had to use her strength to pin Sheik down—it was all about pivots and using her opponent's own momentum against them.

Still...

"I d-don't understand h-how she's d-doing it," he said quietly to Impa.

"Our way of fighting is mostly based on taking down an opponent before they even realise they are in a physical struggle," Impa explained quietly as Sheik and Paya went at it once more.

Some of the Sheikah called out suggestions to Sheik that, honestly, only made things worse. Presumably that was the reason they called out in the first place. They were still encouraging, however, and Sheik was clearly holding himself back from being too harsh with his responses. Someone was threatened with getting bits of their anatomy shoved into other bits of anatomy. Mostly their own.

"Even if your element of surprise is lost, it is still in your interest to put them down before they can truly react," Impa continued. "Paya, in particular, has taken this to heart. Take a look at how quickly she gets within Sheik's reach and does not give him enough time to do anything before it is too late."

Three seconds, or less. Paya moved, Paya was within Sheik's reach, and then Sheik was being thrown over her shoulder. Other times, she was in the air before Sheik had even taken a step, wrapping her thighs around his neck and using her momentum to drag him to the floor, choking him.

Again and again. There was no stopping her.

All the while, Impa explained to Link the principles of it all. It almost made him eager to get back into the ring himself, but unfortunately, his back was still a little too sore. Besides, he had more people to see.

"Th-Thank you for l-letting me spectate," he thanked Impa, bowing his head. "B-But I must b-be off."

"Feel free to stop by any time, Link," Impa said with a smile. "You're always welcome among us."

And she really meant that, just like she'd meant it back when they'd first met in Kakariko.

Grandmother indeed...

Stepping out of the Sheikah barracks, Link felt a little relieved to see the main square of the city a little less busy now that half the army was making their way west towards the castle. It meant fewer eyes on him, and more room to breathe.

The remaining Gerudo had trickled into the city slowly over the past few days, and they were now taking some time to rest and recuperate. Many were exploring the city in groups, led around by Zora who were all too happy about showing off their home.

Some were a bit flustered, however, when a Gerudo now and then tried to employ the skills they'd learned in Ashai's relationship classes. He saw at least one Zora who was rather intrigued, though, so not everything was a lost cause.

Unless they tried Risa's approach, that is.

Speaking of...

He spotted the Gerudo in question sitting on the rim of Mipha's fountain, most of her covered in bandages and her right arm cradled to her chest in a sling. She'd been caught up in a fight against three opponents at the same time, and while she'd walked away the winner, it had left her arm broken in three places and nearly cost her an eye. Her face had been sewn up and covered by an eyepatch that looked a lot like Sheik's.

"Heya, Hero," she said, smiling at him. It was noticeably strained. "How's it going?"

"G-Good," he said, sitting next to her on the fountain. "You?"

"Can't complain, all things considered," she replied. "I mean, this isn't exactly what I'd hoped for when going to war. Getting knocked out before even getting to the battlefield is a bit disappointing, but hey...at least I still get some scars, eh?"

She shifted a little, and Link caught the slight flinch from her as something was pulled. The pain must've been immense.

"I'm j-just glad y-you're okay," Link said.

When he'd seen the state of her right after she'd arrived, he'd feared for her life (as had the healers), but she'd luckily pulled through. She was out of commission for the war effort, though, which she seemed to take as a personal failure.

"I suppose I should be glad I'm alive," she said, shaking her head.

"D-Definitely." He looked around. "Wh-Where's Ayla?"

"I eluded my babysitter to get some fresh air," Risa said with a grin. "She's going to be so mad."

They spent a few minutes chitchatting. Link had the day mostly off, so he'd planned to spend it catching up with the various companions and friends that had scattered all over the city. He definitely had time to kill.

Then, at one point, a horn sounded. New arrivals. Link looked to the city entrance and saw no activity whatsoever.

"Oh look, it's Bird Dad," Risa said, pointing upwards.

Link followed her line of sight and saw a large formation of Rito coming in from across the mountains surrounding the Domain. There seemed to be about a forty to fifty of them. Fewer than Link had hoped, but then the Rito's numbers had already been heavily depleted by Vah Medoh's attacks on their home. Some were laden with packs of supplies, others with what appeared to be multiple quivers packed with arrows to the point of nearly bursting.

As they descended and came closer, Link saw Teba leading the formation from the front, his white feathers catching and reflecting the early afternoon sunlight.

Relief filled Link upon seeing him. Yet another companion unharmed. Finally, they were at full strength.

The Rito landed in the square and were immediately greeted by Zora guards who welcomed them and helped relieve them of their supplies and packs.

"Hmph, more guests to house," Muzu muttered to himself as he strode past the fountain, not even sparing Link or Risa a glance, followed by a pair of attendants who appeared to be writing down what he was saying. "Fifty beds to be made, preferably in an airy wing," he barked.

"I don't think I've seen that flathead smile even once since I got here," Risa muttered to Link.

"It's M-Muzu," Link said, grinning a little. "He doesn't do s-smiling."

Soon after, Teba emerged from the crowd, walking directly towards the fountain. He must've spotted Link and Risa from above, before landing. His burned leg appeared to be completely fine now, if somewhat pale compared to the unharmed one. His gaze met Link's, and it was as fierce as ever.

"Such a shame that one's taken," Risa mused. "Would've made a fine husband."

"You'll have t-to fight S-Saki," Link told her.

"I bet I can take her."

Link wasn't so sure. Saki had a hidden core of steel within her, that much he knew. And she'd fight for her mate with beak and talon.

Link opened his mouth to greet Teba, but Risa beat him to it.

"Hey, Bird Dad, long time no see!"

Teba paused, taking in the bandaged sight of her. "Miss Risa," he said, nodding. "What happened?"

"Oh, just a little Yiga ambush," she said casually. "Should've seen the other three guys. This is nothing."

"I see," he said uncertainly. "Well done?"

She beamed at him. "Thank you!"

Teba shifted his attention to Link, and there was no mistaking the way he looked over him closely, clearly checking him for injuries.

"I'm glad to see you well, Link," he said.

"Y-You too," Link said, smiling at him.

Next to him, Risa harrumphed.

"What kind of father-son reunion is that?! Go on, hug your Bird Dad! And you, hug your errant chick!" The two of them stared at her. "What? As if that's now what you two are!"

Before they could refute the (somewhat accurate) statement, Link spotted the imposing form of Ayla on a mission emerging from one of the buildings in the square, her eyes locking onto Risa immediately.

He had never seen her that angry before.

Or angry at all, really.

It was a far cry from her usually relaxed and somewhat carefree approach to life and everything in it.

"You!" she shouted across the square. "You're still injured!" She stormed closer and pointed an accusing finger at Risa. "I've been looking all over for you!"

"I needed some fresh air and sunlight?" Risa suggested.

"There's plenty of both in the healer's pavilion," Ayla growled. "Come on, you're going back to bed and staying there, or so help me I will tie you to it!"

"Why, Ayla," Risa said with faux shock, "I had no idea you liked that sort of thing!"

Ayla, whom Link hadn't really pegged for the worrier type, gave Link and Teba a long-suffering look.

"You see what I have to deal with? Imagine this, only times twenty—not a single one of the girls agrees to stay put! I have that head healer Zora, Ka-something, riding my arse on keeping my people under control, and then this one—"she pointed accusingly at Risa again—"slips out and puts the whole pavilion in panic mode because she's still fighting off an infection!" She growled at Risa. "You're so lucky you're injured, or I'd be teaching you a lesson in the ring!"

"See, this is why you will never find yourself a mate," Risa said calmly, grinning at her commander. "You pretend to be all easy-going, but then you reveal your true colours at the worst moments. You're so high-strung, Ayla. Come on, have a seat with me and bask in the sun. It's not very warm up here, but it still does you a world of good."

Ayla's face turned red, either from rage, outrage, embarrassment (or maybe all three) and bared her teeth at Risa.

"That's it, I'm getting the head healer, and she can deal with you however she likes. I'll be watching and laughing!"

Risa's grin did fade a little at that.

"All right, all right, I'm coming, don't blow your top off," she said, struggling to rise from her seat. Ayla was immediately at her side, pulling her up gently by her uninjured arm. "That head healer is scary; I'll admit that much." She smiled at Link and Teba. "Good to see you again, Hero, Bird Dad. Make sure to give each other that hug."

"Clearly the blood loss has affected your brain worse than we feared," Ayla muttered, nodding to Link and Teba. "Link, Master Teba."

And then they were gone, and Link wasn't entirely sure if the encounter and conversation had been real or just something his mind had spontaneously decided needed to be create.

"That was...interesting," Teba said slowly, staring after them. He then, quite abruptly, pulled Link up so he was standing and looked at him closely. "Are you well?" he asked. "I don't see any new injuries, but I can never quite tell with you, or the other one." He looked around. "Speaking of the other one, where is he?"

"T-Training," Link said, suddenly remembering the hug Teba had given them in the desert. It had been...nice. "With th-the Sheikah."

"Hmph, and he is all right as well?" Teba asked, finishing his inspection.

"Ph-Physically he's f-fine," Link said.

"Still not sure about his head, then?"

"W-We w-will never know."

Teba chuckled, finally folding his wings around Link in a tight embrace.

"It's good to see you again, Link," he said, letting go after a few seconds. "I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried, even if your journey was going to be a short one."

"Y-You too," Link said, smiling at his...well, bird dad. "Is everything w-well in th-the village?"

"Couldn't be better," Teba said. "With Vah Medoh back under control, the village has been perfectly safe. Tulin asked a lot about you and Sheik."

"D-Did you tell him about Sh-Sheik's body?"

"I did, and there were a lot of questions I found myself unable to answer," Teba said, shaking his head, smiling fondly. "I daresay Sheik should prepare himself for a full interrogation the next they see each other."

Link laughed a little at that. "He'll b-be happy t-to answer, I th-think." He looked towards the group of Rito warriors, noting their numbers...as well as a very familiar-looking plumage. "Is th-that Harth?" he asked.

Sure enough, the dark-feathered bowyer was among the warriors, talking to Muzu.

"He insisted on coming along now that his arm has healed," Teba said. "I'm not entirely sure what he plans on doing in the battle, but at least I know our bows will be in top notch condition. Also, he told me to tell you and Sheik to come see him when you had a chance. I think he has something for you."

"Wh-What is it?" Link asked, though he had a feeling he could easily guess, based on the cloth-wrapped bundles the bowyer was carrying.

"Ask him later," Teba said, looking down at Link. "The king's advisor...Muzu, was it? He told me to tell you to take me to Prince Sidon, to be properly introduced to him and King Dorephan. I've already met the prince, but there's protocol to follow here, apparently. Plus, our first meeting was rather rushed."

Link nodded, thinking. At this time, Sidon would be training with Bazz. That was always an...exciting display.

"F-Follow me, I g-guess," he said.

The rest of the afternoon passed by in a flurry of introductions and more logistical issues.

"Come on in, Tweety."

Teba stepped inside Sidon's chambers cautiously, looking incredibly uncomfortable.

"I can't say I approve of us sneaking into the prince's chambers like this," he said. "I somehow doubt he'd approve of my presence here."

"Eh, he's fine with it," Sheik said, fiddling with the projection stone. "Or he will be when I tell him about it later. Besides, it's not sneaking if we walk in the front door."

Sheik tried not to look at the bed, which he'd dearly missed ever since Impa had made him start sleeping in the Sheikah barracks. They didn't even have duvets, for Din's sake!

It didn't calm Teba, though.

"I still don't understand why we are here, Sheik," he said. "Who is it that you want me to meet?"

"Someone very important," Sheik said cryptically. He wasn't sure how much he ought to tell Teba before introducing him to Stabby. Their first meeting had been...violent, to say the least, and he wasn't sure if Teba was the sort to hold grudges. He powered up the projection stone and logged into it, preparing to start up the projector.

I'm not so sure about this, Stabby's message said doubtfully. What if he doesn't like me?

What's not to like about you?

I stabbed Uncle Link and broke the Slate.

Eh, water under the bridge.

I'm not so sure Mister Teba sees it that way.

Look, this is happening. I want you two to meet and bury the hatchet. He's our...bird dad, after all.

"Sheik?"

"Hm?"

Teba was looking at him with concern. "Are you well? You disappeared on me for a bit."

"Oh, just...talking to Stabby."

Teba's eyes narrowed. "Stabby?" he asked, recognising the name. "The...original inhabitant of that body?"

The question was heavy. Sheik could hear the weight of the words. Oh, he was not happy to hear that the AI was still around.

"Er...yes?" he said.

Teba gave a sigh. "Sheik—"

"Now look, what happened wasn't Stabby's fault, all right?" he said before Teba could get started on what was a lecture. "He was being forced to by Ganon, and as soon as I removed its influence, Stabby's...stabbiness just disappeared."

"Sheik, do you have any idea how dangerous that thing is? For all we know it could just be pretending to be benign, until you let down your guard, and then it'll take over!"

Sheik glared at him. "He isn't, and he won't," he said. "I know that for a fact."

"How?"

"Because he's me, Tweety!"

Teba paused, blinking. "What?"

"He's me," Sheik repeated. Maybe it was a mistake after all. Introducing Stabby to the others had been easy enough because they hadn't seen what Stabby had been forced to do by Ganon firsthand, unlike Teba. He sighed. "Eugh, it's a long story..."

Brother...

"I have time," Teba said softly. "Please explain this to me."

Sheik clenched his jaw. "Might wanna take a seat, then. It'll take a bit."

Teba pointedly sat down on the floor, cross-legged, gesturing for Sheik to do the same.

"There are chairs, you know..."

"We're doing this, Sheik. Sit down."

There's still time to abort, brother!

No, he's right, we're in it now.

"Right, so," Sheik said, clearing his throat. "Remember how this body was controlled by an artificial intelligence? Turns out it wasn't entirely...original."

Teba listened as Sheik explained Stabby's origin, his face never changing its expression, the feathers around his beak ruffling a little when Sheik described what Stabby had been put through.

"So," the Rito said once Sheik had finished, "the two of you are currently...sharing the body?"

"No," Sheik said, shaking his head. "Stabby's been uploaded to the Sheikah Network—it gives him independence, and me peace of mind. We can still talk to each other, though."

"I'm not sure I understand..."

"No one does," Sheik said. "All you need to know is that he's not dangerous."

"Sheik, just because he's based on you doesn't mean he's harmless," Teba said, giving Sheik a deadpan expression. "I wouldn't describe you as harmless either, to be honest."

"Of course I'm not," Sheik scoffed. "I'm very dangerous...but not to the people around me. And neither is Stabby. Unless you're an enemy, that is."

I don't think that statement helps, brother.

Sheik ignored him. "Anyway, that's the story. And you'll be happy to know that Impa and Sidon already accept him, so unless you doubt their sanity..."

"I have met Prince Sidon," Teba said. "He is...youthful. And I have yet to meet Mistress Impa, so I cannot comment on her judgement."

Sheik narrowed his eyes at the Rito. "Why are you so difficult?" he asked.

"I am simply trying to ensure you are not making a mistake by trusting too easily," Teba countered.

Sheik couldn't help but laugh at that. "Me? Trust easily? Tweety, have we met? The number of people I trust implicitly can be counted on less than two hands, and that can easily be reduced to one hand depending on what they do next."

Teba took the hint. "Very well, I will...trust your judgement for now." He glanced at the projector stone. "Now, what was it wanted you to show me?"

"Well, I didn't want you to see as much as...meet..."

Teba blinked. "Sheik..."

"Just...bear with me, all right?" Sheik said, activating the projection stone before Teba could protest. Stabby protested loudly in the back of his head too, but he firmly ignored them, anchoring Stabby to the projector for now.

We're doing this, you little brat!

Teba was back on his feet, stepping back as the projection stone hummed with life, an image flickering to life on the floor in front of it.

Stabby looked, if possible, even more nervous than he had when meeting Impa. Gods knew why—Teba was nowhere near as scary as that old potato. The image was dressed in the Sheikah robes like last time, his eyes wide and fearful in the face of the Rito warrior.

"Tweety, this is Stabby...er, I mean, Ichigo. That's the name Impa gave him when she adopted him into the clan."

Sheik watched the two them stare at each other for several long, uncomfortable seconds. Stabby's image flickered with uncertainty, his projection looking terrified to the point that Sheik started to wonder if maybe he shouldn't have rushed this. Teba's face was like stone as he watched the image of the little AI. Whether he was deep in thought or just completely uncertain of what to do, Sheik didn't know.

Stabby couldn't take it anymore, his tinny voice making a choking sound.

"I'm sorry!" he wailed, projection falling to the floor and prostrating itself, forehead against the floor. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't want to hurt anyone, but Ganon made me do it! Please forgive me!"

Sheik felt his stomach plunge at the sight of it. Shit, this wasn't how it was supposed to go at all. He could feel Stabby's anxiety and misery across their data link, and now he felt awful. Right, time to interfere.

"Er, maybe we should—"he began, but Teba interrupted him.

"I forgive you," the Rito said.

Sheik paused. "Huh?"

Stabby raised his head. "Wh-What?"

Teba stepped closer, slowing down a little when Stabby's image flinched. Then he slowly sat down on the floor again, just like before, a few feet away.

"I did not mean to scare you, little one," Teba said, sounding apologetic. "I was just...surprised. I did not expect you to be so...small."

"Told you," Sheik snorted, feeling a little relieved, especially when Stabby's fear subsided in favour of confusion and just a tiny little smidgen of hope. "He's me, but...very young. Just a kid."

"And a very cute one, at that," Teba said, not looking away from the projection. "My name is Teba," he said, bowing his head to Stabby. "What is yours?"

"I-Ichigo," Stabby replied. "But you can call me Stabby, if you want," he added shyly.

"It's very nice to meet you, Stabby," Teba said, his eyes flitting to Sheik, as if daring him to laugh. Sheik suppressed the urge to do so. "You know, I have a son who I think is about your age."

"You do?" Stabby said. "What's his name?"

"Tulin. I think you'd be good friends."

Even Sheik couldn't pretend he wasn't affected by the big smile that spread on Stabby's face.

And so, the little AI ensnared yet another heart. At this rate he'd have all of Hyrule under his thumb before long.

Link drummed his fingers on the table nervously, the sound echoing slightly off the coral walls of the meeting room. It was one of the smaller chambers used for minor diplomatic discussions that didn't require a large audience. There were six chairs around the round table, four of which of which were quite a bit smaller than the others, which were made for Zora.

They ought to be here by now. Sure, his summons had been issued a little late, but it had taken him time to work up the courage to ask Muzu to do so. The advisor's immediate call for several messengers had surprised him, but Muzu didn't comment. He'd even had the chamber prepared, whereas Link had intended to hold the meeting wherever he'd found the space.

He was grumpy about it, of course, but that was just how Muzu did things, apparently. There weren't even any barbed comments. Maybe they were finally getting along?

Or at least able to cooperate without a disaster occurring.

So here he was, waiting for the others to show up to the meeting.

Sidon was the first to arrive, looking confused.

"I was told you wanted to see me, Link?" he said. "It sounded quite urgent—is something the matter?"

"N-No, n-nothing's wrong," he said, gesturing to one of the big chairs. "H-Have a seat?"

Sidon pointedly moved the big chair next to Link's. "What is it, then?" he asked.

"L-Let's wait for th-the others, first," Link said as someone knocked on the door, which slid open to reveal Riju.

"I was asked to attend a meeting?" Riju said questioningly. "And not to bring Buliara."

"It's c-classified," Link said, waving her inside. "C-Come in, have a s-seat!"

She did so, taking one of the smaller seats next to Link's. Her injuries were healing steadily, but she still moved a little gingerly. The burns on her fingers had healed, and she was now able to produce sparks on command by snapping them. Not as impressive as the thunder blasts Urbosa and Link could call down, but she was getting better and better.

"So, what are we talking about?" she asked.

"I have no idea," Sidon said, giving Link a sidelong glance. "Hero here won't tell me."

"Hmph," Riju hummed, glancing behind Link. "What's in the box?"

"You'll s-see," Link said, trying to give her a mysterious smile. It probably came off as a slightly crooked one instead.

Next up was Yunobo. His knock was incredibly timid, as was his careful inquiry if he'd come to the right room, goro.

"It's the right room, Boss Yunobo," Sidon said with a welcoming smile. "Please, come in."

"Thank you, your majesty, goro."

"So, Boss," Riju began, but Yunobo blinked and shook his head.

"Please, just call me Yunobo, my lady. It makes more sense, goro."

"Then you can call me Riju," she replied, smiling at him. "Anyway, Yunobo, I was going to ask how you met Link here. I only got the short story from him and Sheik, but I'm guessing there's a lot they didn't tell me. How much did Sheik mess up, for example?"

"Oh, they were wonderful, goro. They really saved my tribe from destruction by the volcano!"

Link smiled to himself as he watched Sidon, Riju, and Yunobo fall into a somewhat easy conversation. It was a little awkward at times, but they all seemed to get along quite well.

The next knock revealed Teba, who strode into the room, seemingly unsurprised by the others' presence.

"My apologies for my tardiness," he said, taking a seat next to Yunobo. "There were some problems with sleeping arrangements I had to attend to." He nodded to the others, finally focusing on Yunobo. "I am Teba—you must be Yunobo."

"Nice to meet you, goro," the Goron said.

"I understand it is you and your tribe I have to thank for the lightweight armour my warriors will be wearing during the battle."

"Oh, yes, goro," Yunobo said with a nod. "Have you tried wearing it yet? We tried to accommodate as many sizes as we could, goro."

"We have, and it all fits very well, Boss. Thank you."

They went through the introductions once more, and the conversation flowed a little easier now, especially when Teba guided them to different topics when they hit a snag.

"So, I can't help but notice that there's one empty chair," Sidon said during a little lull. "Who are we waiting for?"

Before Link could answer, the door slammed open and Sheik waltzed inside like he owned the place, barely acknowledging whoever else was inside the room.

"Sorry I'm late," he said unapologetically, throwing himself into the chair next to Riju's. "Had to dodge a bunch of Sheikah novices who wouldn't stop following me. You show them one explosion and they'll hound you non-stop." He glanced around the table. "Tweety, Roly, Sharky, Tiny," he said, nodding to each and every one of them, pausing at the last occupant, finishing with a very pointed "Link."

Link choked a little, unsure of how to feel about not having a nickname. Relief, jealousy, and everything in between.

"How come he doesn't get a stupid nickname?" Riju asked, jerking her thumb at Link.

"Too many things to choose from," Sheik said with a shrug.

"Whatever, Screamy," she said with a huff.

"Don't call me Screamy!"

"Don't call me Tiny!"

"What else am I supposed to call you, Tiny?"

"How about my name?!"

"Nah."

"Why you—"

"Sheik, settle down," Teba said evenly. "Please don't insult the Gerudo chief."

"She started it!"

"And I'm ending it. Sit down."

Sheik sank down in his chair, grumbling. Riju didn't look happy either, but she kept her mouth shut, at least.

"Um," Sidon said carefully, "on that note...Sheik, is there a reason you don't use my name? Because, you know, we are..." he paused, realising what he was about reveal. "You know," he finished lamely.

"I can't just start using your real name out of nowhere, Sharky. I don't like change. Leave me alone," Sheik grumbled.

"Oh..."

Link's heart broke a little at the disappointment on Sidon's face, and made a note to scold Sheik severely for it later. No one got away with making Sidon sad. No one.

"A-Anyway," he said, drawing everyone's attention to himself...and regretting it immediately. These people were all his friends, but he still hated being the centre of attention. "Th-The purpose of our m-meeting..."

"Ah, yes, I was curious about that," Teba said, folding his large, feathered hands on the table. "Go on, Link."

"Ah..."

Link trailed off, brain freezing in place. Oh, Hylia, why didn't he write it down? He'd had a whole speech prepared in his head, but the moment he went to give it, it simply disappeared.

"Breathe, Link," Sheik said calmly.

Link breathed slowly, in and out. The words didn't return, but at least he felt like he could actually speak now.

"I w-wanted to thank you," he said slowly and carefully, trying not to stumble over every single word. "All of y-you," he said, looking each of them in the eye, one by one. "F-For your help against th-the D-Divine Beasts, and all the other th-things you d-did for me. Without y-you...I d-don't think I could have d-done it. T-Tamed the Beasts or regained my s-strength." He bowed a little. "Th-Thank you."

The occupants looked at each other in confusion. "I...don't think you needed to gather us all just to thank us, Link," Teba said. "I'm sure we were already aware of your appreciation."

"That's right," Riju said, nodding. "I mean, you've already thanked me about a hundred times, so..."

"Me too, goro."

"I never needed thanks in the first place," Sidon said with shiny grin.

"Goes without saying," Sheik said, looking a little uncomfortable.

"N-nevertheless!" Link exclaimed. "It n-needed to be said. And...that is n-not all. I h-have an announcement."

The perked them up, all looking expectantly at him.

"A hundred y-years ago, m-my friends and I were c-called Champions," Link began, pausing a little as images of Mipha, Daruk, Urbosa, and Revali flashed before his mind's eye. "Ostensibly b-because we were th-the best w-warriors of our t-time. B-But I d-don't think that w-was quite right. I th-think it w-was because the Champions w-were p-prepared to give everything to d-defeat Ganon when it r-reappeared."

"Sounds about right," Sheik said quietly.

"And th-that's what I s-see around this t-table," Link continued. "P-People who are w-willing to give everything to s-stop Ganon. You already r-risked your l-lives helping m-me against the B-Beasts, and y-you're about t-to do so again d-during the upcoming b-battle. T-To me, you're all Champions."

The others were quiet as he stood up and walked over to the box, opening it up.

"And y-you deserve these."

From the box he withdrew several pieces of fabric, all identical in colour to his own tunic, and made from the same material. He gave one each to Teba, Riju, Yunobo, and Sidon, all whom accepted the gifts with awed expressions.

"These are...Champion's colours," Teba said, stroking the long piece of fabric.

"It's beautiful," Riju said, admiring hers.

"Link," Sidon said, holding the fabric reverently. "This is...incredible!"

"You all d-deserve it," Link said. "Y-You're the Ch-Champions of this t-time, and I'm s-sure you all have th-their blessing."

"Thank you, goro," Yunobo said, already removing the scrap of Daruk's old scarf and replacing it with his new. He gently folded Daruk's and placed it on the tabletop. "I will pass this on, goro," he said quietly, mostly to himself.

Link watched happily as the newly named Champions found ways to wear their colours. Sidon immediately put his on as a sash, just like Mipha had. Riju wrapped hers around her body over her other clothes, like a sari, commenting on how soft and warm it was. Teba wrapped his around his neck like a scarf, and the resemblance between him and Revali grew even bigger.

His attention shifted to Sheik, who looked a little uncomfortable. Link smiled a little wider as he returned to the box and pulled out one last bundle of fabric.

"Another th-thing," he said, drawing everyone's attention once more. "I'd l-like to name one m-more Champion." He walked over to Sheik, offering him the folded tunic, which was more or less identical to Link's. "Sh-Sheik."

Sheik looked confused, holding the tunic. "I don't get it," he said.

"Y-You've helped me s-since day one," Link said. "W-Without you, I w-wouldn't have b-been able to g-get off the P-Plateau. Y-You kept me g-going th-through everything, even wh-when all I w-wanted w-was to drop everything and r-run away. You've s-saved me m-more than once, f-for which I am infinitely g-grateful. Y-You're a Champion, Sh-Sheik."

Teba nodded, humming. "The Sheikah may not have had a Champion back then, but Sheik has certainly earned his place among the ranks."

"Yes, he certainly has," Sidon agreed. "He's supported Link the entire way. Not naming him a Champion would be an injustice, in fact!"

"He's a childish ass," Riju said. "But he's a good person, beneath it all...and has been invaluable in getting the Divine Beasts under control. He's earned it."

Yunobo simply nodded with a bright smile.

"You're all so fucking sentimental," Sheik said, gingerly unfolding the tunic on the tabletop. "Still doesn't make sense, though. There was no Divine Beast for us to pilot back then, and certainly not now."

"Sheik," Sidon said, making Sheik look at him, giving the Sheikah a wide smile. "You're a Divine Beast all on your own."

Sheik couldn't help but grin back. "You know what, Sharky? You're damn right." He pulled the tunic over his head, grinning. "Vah Sheik, at your service!"