Hey, my people, and welcome back to Home. In today's chapter, we finally get to the master sword, which leads to champions and all the interactions that come with that. I'll also finally be able to introduce Urbosa and Revali properly. I tried to introduce them earlier, but I never found the right moment to.

Link and Impa came to a tall hill. It had been a while since Link had been in this part of Hyrule. They had stopped by the training grounds. It was nice to see it again, and some of the instructors there thought they didn't have long as Impa was already trying to move on. She was highly interested when Link had explained his dream to him, among other things, and eventually, she mentioned that she knew an area that matched where he was in that dream though she couldn't tell him what that meant.

"So, you and Princess Mipha," Impa asked, pulling the boy out of his thoughts "what's the story there,"

"Not much to tell," Link admitted. "I met her when I was young," he had a lot of mixed feelings about that day meeting Mipha was defiantly a highlight in his mind, at least, "and ever since, we've been best friends."

"I see," Impa said "does she know about this," she asked "seeing as she was there, I want to know if she had any insights."

"no," Link answered, "didn't want to worry her."

Impa nodded while she would have liked to know what someone else made of the dream. But, she could understand, not wanting to worry her "she much is something else if you don't want to scare her like that."

"yeah," Link answered while he didn't quite understand his feelings for Mipha, but at the same time, she was special to him, and he rather her focus on her regular task than worry about him having odd dreams. "still thought maybe I could ask Dorphan or an elder."

"eh live and learn," Impa told him, "though I'm surprised you came to me about it."

"you're the only sheikah I know," Link admitted, "and I'm not exactly going to go up to his majesty or the princess talking about weird dreams" Impa could only nod in agreement that would have been a brief and uneventful conversation.

"I'm honestly just glad Purah knew something about it," Impa said

"me too," Link admitted.

"So is there anything else about the dream," Impa asked, "anything of note."

"well yeah," Link admitted, "in the dream, there was a voice."

"a Voice" Impa "what did it says"

Link frowned. The words that were said still confused him and unnerved him "it said come reclaim me so that we may push back the darkness," Link said, "among other things that stuck out to me the most."

"reclaim," Impa asked. She scratched her chin, "could it be" she looked at Link 'no, that's impossible, but she shook the thought out of her mind. "I have a theory," she muttered from the way Link was talking. though she knew that such a thing would crush the little hope Link had for a normal life." it may just be an effect of the Calamity," she said, "though there will need to a few things I need to see first."

"like what," Link asked.

"Well, first we need to see if we can find the place you were talking about," Impa said, "and we should start with the place my sister suggested" when they had talked with Purah, she had suggested they go to the great Hyrule, forest as it sounded similar to what Link had described from his dream.

Alright," Link muttered as he looked into the distance seeing the fabled forest. They both heard the stories about how many would go in, and none would come out the stories chilled Link to the bone.

"you nervous" Impa asked

"a little," Link muttered

"Oh, come on, you can handle a little mist," Impa joked

"it's not the mist I'm worried about," Link admitted "it what's I'm going to find"

"oh," was all Impa managed to sputter out. "I guess" the air blew past them as she started to move, only to be stopped by Link "what."

"I can go from here," Link said

"Absolutely not," Impa said, "if something happens while you in there."

"which is exactly why you're staying here," Link said "you are the royal advisor Impa, and if something happens to you while we're in there, I'll never live it down," Link told her "that and Purah would have my head."

"and when something happens to you, or you don't come back, Kiana will skin me alive," she shot back." and Hylia knows what'll happen when Princess Mipha finds out" Impa shuttered at the thought she never believed Link when he said that her spearmen ship was a class of its own until she saw her in action. "much like you I'd rather live to see my elder years thank you very much."

"I know that," Link said, "but still, we know. that this forest does things to people," Link said, "and if something happens, someone needs to be able to leave and get help," Link reasoned as Impa let out a huff.

"you're not going to stop until I agree to this, are you," Impa said as Link nodded his head. "you know you're, my friend, right" Impa whispered. Seeing the look on Link's face made her smile a bit "so how could I in good conscious let you go alone."

Link placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know, and you're my friend too," he looked away, "but this," he looked at the forest. "is something I feel I need to do alone."

"I understand," Impa said, "but still." she looked back. The air of the woods coming out made her shudder in fear "okay," was all Impa muttered.

"Impa," Link started. She placed a hand in his face

"you have twenty-four hours," she said, "take any longer, and I'm coming in after you." she looked at him "whatever happens, we deal with it."

"thank you," Link said, "it good to know I have a friend like you." he turned to eye the forest before walking towards it. A part of Impa felt fear as she watched her friend disappear into the woods. She sighed as she walked back to a small field and the wind going through her hair as she sat down. "I guess I can mediate till times up," Impa said, "or ya know practice" she looked back, "whatever you're searching for, Link, I hope you find it."

She had talked with Zelda the other day, and now her mind was everywhere. She had made a point to mention her friendship with Link she couldn't;t help but her a hint of disapproval in her voice Link, not one to be open about his past, but she could tell just by looking at him she could tell that his life wasn't the happy fantasy people made it out to be.

Link felt many things when he entered this forest, fear of being lost here forever, never seeing the light of day again, and the strange laughter didn't help either, confusion as he walked in what he felt like circles and the odd sense of Deja vu.

He walked. The air around him grew cold as he walked past more dead trees. They seem to be crying out in pain. So many of them appeared natural though Link couldn't see why but the sting of familiarity had started to grow.

Link walked down the winding path looking for anything he could see and use to guide him through this mysterious forest, but in the end, he was most likely lost. Link stopped in the middle of a path. There was a tree, but it felt unnatural as Link walked up; a large fog surrounded him before suddenly disappearing. The tree was gone.

'what was that' Link thought to himself as he walked. He noticed something in the distance, a small torch 'when did this get here" Link asked. He didn't know why but he picked up the torch the embers then start to move.

"how" the fog around him backed away. He heard the laughter again, but it was fainter Link found himself walking through tall patches of grass with even more dead trees 'no, there not dead,' Link looked at them, 'but they're unnerving," Link muttered. He soon found himself at a large log, a gust of wind putting out his torch.

"you came'

"that voice," Link muttered as he walked through the fog clearing, revealing a brightly lit area. He noticed something creatures had all looked at their activities, stopping as they watched him walk up into what he assumed was their Home.

But that wasn't what had his attention in the center of the area was a sword Link didn't know why but he recognized it was the fabled sword. the blade of evil's bane said to rest somewhere in secret, waiting for its master to return

"you came," the voice called him again, "please pull me from my resting place," it said "he returns, master, please claim your birthright.'

Link didn't know what came over him, but he walked forward to the creatures around him. Watching as he walked to the sword, he gripped his heart dropped. He felt a weight so heavy it almost made him fall back. Still, he pushed through it as he attempted to pull the sword began to glow his entire body felt like it was on fire, but he didn't stop as he felt it move as he did, he many different flashes of different people many times a single shadow on the blades light before him. he felt himself fall back as the blade from freed from the ground holding it up Link backed up as the glow stop

"well, look who finally decided to show up" a voice called Link looked around "up here, my friend" Link looked up to see the large tree in front of him it let out a loud yawn "it been ten thousand years since I last saw you" Link look of confusion made the tree laugh "oh yes," it said "don't mind me," it said

"umm, you said I should know you," Link asked.

"oh no," it spoke, "I confused you for a few of your predecessors, I am the great Deku tree, and the last one to wield that blade entrusted it to me until the day came that the people Hyrule needed it again."

"I see," Link muttered, "so it chose me."

"you seem surprised," the Deku tree asked

"I mean," Link started, "I'm nothing special."

"you believe that," the Deku tree asked, "my, you're almost as modest as the rest," he smiled "in time, you will find that you are the worthiest."

"I don't know," Link said

"worry not, my friend," the Deku tree said, "know that it's not because of your skill or power that the blade chooses you" The Deku tree smiled as the creature all started to walk up to him objects in their hand.

"I don't understand," Link said, but the Deku tree just smiled.

"you will," the Deku tree said, "now the Korok's have a gift for you."

"Hey, Mr. hero."

one said, "we kept these safe just like you asked

"it good to see you as well," another said

"I don't think we've met," Link muttered

"what do you mean," they said, "you're the hero. You always come back."

"yeah, and you always bring us presents."

"well, I uh" he pulled out a wand he had taken from a fire wizzrobe

"wow," one said, "you remembered we wanted to see one," they said, "you're the best Mr. hero

Link felt a smile as they all danced around him. The sword in his hands started to glow. Link looked at it, something about it felt glad to be in his arms again, and he felt a sense of familiarity

"it's good to see you again," Link muttered. He didn't remember much on his walk back, only to see that he had been in there for about fifteen hours. Seeing Impa's face again made him smile, but it faltered when she saw the sword

"the master sword," Impa muttered.

"I know," Link said before he felt a hand on his shoulder. She smiled as he gave her a weak smile "it's just, I don't know." the air between them grew tense. Before long, Link felt Impa punch him on the shoulder. He looked at her, she smiled.

"That was for worrying me" she looked away. "you should be lucky. I have high patience, ya know, and I believe in your skills" she smiled again "don't worry if this calamity is coming back, I think. We can handle it."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Link muttered

"you welcome," Impa said, "come on, let's get back."

Link sighed as he walked through town. It had been a while since he had been here. He had spent the last year training with the Deku Tree, and apparently, a lot had happened while he was gone. First, of course, they had found all the divine beast, and we're in the process of selecting champions, but Link had other issues to deal with finding the master sword, had as he predicated, had reinforced the wedge between him and his fellow knights.

"I guess this is fate" Link shifted the blade. He didn't blame the sword per se. He didn't see why it choose him of all people.

Link sighed. 'I wonder what Mipha's up to,' Link thought to himself, 'and Daruk' after he found the sword, he didn't have time to see them or explain how he found it. Impa had said she would explain that he had found it while he went back into the forest to participate in the Korok trials of whatever they meant by that.

'the Deku tree also said there are shrines that I could find around Hyrule," Link muttered 'meant to train me as well.'

As he stopped, a scream which he recognized came ringing from the area. Before he could even think, he ran to notice Purah running away from a guardian that had gone crazy. It was shooting its beam everywhere "lookout," Purah screamed as she jumped away. "get someone here to stop this thing" the Guardian knocked away the table she ducked under as people started to run away, screaming.

Link reached for his shield only to notice that he didn't have 'where is my" Link remembered that he had been using one of the Korok wooden shields, and it broke.

"ahh," Purah screamed again as the Guardian started targeting her again. "somebody help" Link sprinted, noticing something small and round, figuring it was the knight's shield, he picked it up. He ran the sound of the guardian beam charging.

"hold up," Link shouted as he jumped in the way ' I need to time this right' he said the guardian beam was a fast laser, but if he was quick enough. he hit then proceeded to send the beam right back at the Guardian, leaving a large hole where the eye was as it slowly fell to the ground, the sound of its metal creaking as Link relaxed

'wait," Link thought to himself. He looked at the object he had grabbed, seeing the burn mark 'did I grab a pot lid' Link thought to himself.

"oh, Linky," Purah shouted, "you're my hero," she screamed as she lunged at him, hugging him. People around him had started to clap as well.

"Purah," Link muttered, "you okay."

"thanks' to you," she smiled as she stood back as people around him started to clap. Link felt embarrassed, "I owe ya one, Linky."

"very well done, my boy" hearing the duo turned to see the king of Hyrule himself, King Rhoam standing before them both quickly bowing as he walked up to them princess Zelda was close behind as she looked to the ground "I must say you did an excellent job here."

"your majesty," Purah said, "I'm sorry about this," she quickly hammered out, "it won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't" was all Rhoam said to her "we need to make sure these things are safe to use" as he eyed Link "please raise my boy," he said as Link followed Purah did the same as she back away from Link "so you are the knight you the blade choose."

Link nodded. "I have simply come to see the blade," Link obliged, pulling the blade out of its sheath as he showed it to the king. He smiled. Link couldn't read him as he placed the sword back. "as you know," he started, "Calamity Ganon is fabled to return" he looked down Link noticed the look of sadness in his eyes, "and as you already knew, we are planning to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors" Link nodded he noted that that's why they had found the divine beast, the Guardians, even the mysterious towers that had started to appear "and to fulfill that we need to have the final to steps" he looked away "the ancient sealing power possessed by my daughter Zelda " he noticed the look of sadness in the princess's eyes " and the sword of evils bane, and the knight who wields it"

Link knew where this conversation was going, and part of him didn't like it. "so, I must ask you, Link, will accept your destiny and become a champion of your people and the hero of Hyrule."

Did he really have a choice in the matter through the sword choose him, and he couldn't just give it away no matter how much he wanted to he looked around? The members of the royal guard all had looks of distrust and anger. the townsfolk all had a glimpse of hope in their eyes as if they already knew his answer. "I accept, your majesty," Link said. "I will do my best not to let you down."

"that is good," Rhoam smiled as he started to leave "there will be a ceremony in a few days where you can meet the other champions," he said as he and the royal guard starting to leave Zelda, shooting one last glance as she turned to follow her father.

"well, look at you," Purah said, standing next to him, "becoming a champion on me."

"don't think I had much of a choice," Link told her.

"Purah," Impa's voice came in over the crowd as she rushed to her sister. "Are you okay?"

"yep," she smiled, "and it's all thanks to Linky here."

"Link," Impa said "thank you," she said behind her Link noticed Kiana approached. Impa noticed this and smiled "we can talk later" she smiled. "I'll leave you too," she said as she went to help her sister.

"Hey Kid," Kiana said, walking to Link, "you okay," Link said nothing as he shook his head.

"it's been a long few months," Kiana let out a chuckle as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "come on," she smiled at him. Let's get you home," Kiana said as the pair started to walk away. Link let out a sigh of relief. One Kiana recognized he did the same thing after he fought the Lynel back when he was still training.

"it's heavy," Link whispered. She looked at him, smiling at him a warm smile that she hoped would remove his worries "why was it me."

"I don't know," Kiana told him.

"it should have been someone like you," Link admitted

"what do you mean," she asked

"it should be someone like you," Link said. "I'm just"

"just what" Kiana turned around, now looking him in the eye. "Link, you remember when we fought that Guardian for the crazy scientist friend of yours." Link nodded "after the fight. I was practically spent; if I had to go fight monsters anymore after that, I probably would have gotten killed," Kiana smiled, "but you barely looked fazed, a tad bit of sweat, sure," she smiled.

"that doesn't mean anything," Link told her.

"doesn't it," Kiana said. "Link, you say that it should have been another captain or me," she sighed, "but looking at what you've done, what you've accomplished, I do not doubt in my mind that the sword made the right choice." she patted Link on the head as she gave him another smile "you surpassed me a long time ago kid," she said, "and know that I'm glad."

"When I first got the sword," Link said, "I met someone. They told me the sword didn't choose me because of my skill."

"well, they weren't wrong" she smiled at him before turning him around. "I want you to remember this scene," she said, "it may give you the answer as to why the sword picked you over every knight in Hyrule."

Link looked at Impa and Purah, going over the dead Guardian as the knight started to push people away from the sight to fix the mess that the Guardian made.

He felt the sword glow. It made him smile next to him. Kiana smiled at him, "and I know one day you'll see it too."

Link smiled at the royal ceremony. As of now, he was officially a champion. As he listened to the king's speech, he took glances around. Behind him stood the flag of Hyrule, and next to it was a member of the royal guard. He knew Kiana was among the many knights standing in the crowd witnessing the event.

To his right was Mipha, who had was selected to be the pilot of Divine beast Vah Ruta she seems less nervous than usual, so Link smiled she was important to her people. So, he wondered how she managed to convince the elders, much less her father, to let her do this. Next to her was Daruk, who had been selected to pilot Divine beast Vah Rudania. It was nice to see the Goron again. It had been a while since they had seen each other.

On his left were the other two champions, Urbosa chief of the Gerudo and pilot of Divine beast Vah Naboris. He had run across her several times, but it was never long enough to strike a conversation next to her: Revali, a Rito warrior, and piolet Divine beast Vah Medoh. The Rito praised his archery skills across the Hyrule and one of the reasons he was selected to be a champion.

Link took in a deep breath feeling his champion tunic which the king told them was made by princess Zelda. Honestly, it felt better than the knight armor he had been forced to wear. He would probably be more mobile now. As the king finished his speech, the people around him cheered

he looked around all this it was a lot to take he looked at Mipha she gave him a warm smile one that told him that she was glad to see him he gave one back

the days ahead would be long and hard, but maybe things wouldn't be as bad as he feared

And now we are finally done with act II next chapter will be the start of act III, in which we will focus on Link's relationships with the champions and all the cool things they did together

stay-the-unique