Chapter 41: (In) The Beginning; Aftermath and Qualifiers
Skirmish in Stralanavia Arc
Disclaimer: I don't own The Legend of Zelda, this is just a Fan fiction.
Featured Music: "Ranked Amongst the World's Best" – The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass OST. Chapter Briefing.
"Main Menu (Type B)" - Super Street Fighter IV OST. Scene 2 (First Half).
"Short Change" - E-Z Rollers. Scene 2 (Second Half).
In having arrived into the wintery wonderland that is Stralanavia Link and the heroes soon find themselves heavily embroiled within a bold and strong inner conflict involving the use of slaves and slavery; indeed, since time began, Stralanavia just like every other continent across Aurelia adopted the practices of slavery. Unlike slavery's country of origin however, Hyrule itself, Stralanavia is the only one that still practices slavery to this day; a fact that manages to shock not just the speechless Link in discovering this during one of his early-morning constitutionals, but his close companions in the group also from his homeland of Hyrule.
Hyrule now, in stark comparison to Stralanavia's strict and even harsh principles, is much more lenient and permissive than its far-off northern cousin; a quality that finds those within Impa's group fairly disorientated and uncertain on how to behave, unused to the hardened tension of the Stralanavians and Aurelians. Some within struggle to adapt to its firm and right-leaning lifestyle, especially those with more cheery dispositions, such as Barkner, Link, Malon and Zelda. Others such as Alwyn, Impa and Vassia have some experience with travel and, thus, are a fair bit more experienced than their comrades; a fact reflected in their calm composure and tranquil temperament.
During their arrival they meet with a village elder by name of 'Zina Tarasova' and are also introduced to her granddaughter Sonya and daughter Nadya by extension. It is in these meetings that Link and his friends are soon thrust into the position of investigators for Nadya; a Stralanavian senator already well on her well-paved way to abolishing slavery within Stralanavia's borders and, indeed, she has them travelling across the border to Kaiohdrahl itself. A small settlement by way of Morovo. While there they engage themselves in bitter battle with a group of brigands and human traffickers looking to transport slavery cargo; while they easily and successfully manage to stop them, it is in their clash that Link at long last reunites with his raven-haired rival, fresh from his humiliating defeat at Kaiohdrahl's national championships.
Raynard Van Garrick.
Raynard soon reveals he is on the opposing side of the struggle; a fact that puts the pair of fate-bound Hylians at odds yet again and, this time, the two fight with a bitterness not seen since their hateful rivalry in Link's original time and era. For the very first time since their fated duel and match-up at the Hylian Hyrax's grand finals, Link and Raynard clash in an incredible conflict and yet this time much more sharp than the last time they went; while Raynard was resentful of the royal family and all those affiliated including Link himself, he at least lent an ear in the Hylian hero's direction regarding most subjects.
Now, with Scaverin in his ear, Raynard finds himself at odds with his only friend and rival; a worrying and anxiety-filled fact that seems to have carried over from their original adventures in the first timeline during the struggle with Ganondorf. Link soon discovers concerning similarities to the new era that the Zelda of his time sent him to the original era he came from and can't help but begin to feel uneasy.
In the meantime the group of heroes are set to work on apprehending Lara Volkova; a well-known senator of Stralanavia apparently mixed up and involved in slavery. While slavery itself is deemed legal and lawful within the borders of the far-off northern country, it is only legal to a certain age.
Something that senator Volkova has been investigated and now accused of.
As the ever-exuberant Link and his companions are sent by Nadya to Lara's well-to-do manor in Velinsk's main hub, they are soon attacked by the high-strung senator when Alwyn and Sonya go looking for evidence; the two manage to unearth a contract for the very cargo of human slaves she had seemingly purchased that the group attacked and liberated merely a day earlier. It sends the watching Lara into a frenzied panic and she immediately orders the death of the interfering and meddling party of heroes.
At their own order of pursuit from their own leader Impa, Link and Zelda give chase to senator Volkova and soon corner her in the large manor's basement, soon thwarting her attempt to run by breaking the lever downstairs; a feat that sees her finally turn on her foes. Like a cornered fox she downs a pill and eventually turns her claws on the pair of Hylians, easily battering through them both powerfully and boldly.
While the fight initially goes fairly badly for the heroes, it isn't until Link and Sheik at long last adapt and manage to fight back that things begin to look better for them. They knock back the sudden surprising strength the Stralanavian senator soon sends their way and then find themselves at an end to the long struggle.
For their inclusion in ending the illegal turn to slavery, the group of heroes led by Impa soon find themselves in the spotlight for assisting not just the commoners of Stralanavia but the rich side of its society; they are called in to the Yensk, official building of the political senators and officials, to be thanked in their own fashion. Unfortunately for the group, however, there are members of the Stralanavian senate and indeed commoners alike that balk at change.
These same people that will blame this group of heroes for their misfortune at their country's sudden and abrupt change for years to come...
Scene 1
"Can we go now?"
"No, now shut up and be a good boy."
Link rolled his oceanic eyes for what felt like the umpteenth time, resisting the great urge to fidget and shift around in the formal slacks and ceremonial top that the girls had bought him (and essentially forced him to wear), frowning deeply as he felt Vassia fiddle around with the clothing next to him.
"It won't be for too long I imagine," Impa spoke up on the blonde boy's left, frowning similarly as she also wore a seemingly more formal variant of her usual armour. "And once we're done here you have all the time in the world to train and get ready for the next nationals."
Link's hardened frown soon softened when he took in his Sheikah mentor's words, his mood soon improving.
Oh yeah, he thought.
"I almost forgot."
"When the Stralanavian senate call you in personally...," the firmly-frowning form of Sonya began on Vassia's right, her arms folded and wearing a likewise professional outfit that clashed with her usual informal wear. "You don't decline or leave early." She stated wisely, eyes narrowing in the inflection of her sentence as she directed her words at the Hylian hero on her left, drawing out a childish reaction from him in response; he mouthed her words in a rolling-eyed imitation, moving his head from side-to-side as he did. While the watching Sonya rolled her own eyes in annoyance and frustration, the silent-eyed Zelda and Malon both let out their respective smiles and amused giggles.
It was only when Impa reached down to grab the boy's left small and pointed ear that he widened his cerulean-shaded eyes and winced, immediately backing down.
"Ow! Ow-ow-ow!" He exclaimed out, cringing from the abrupt pain. "Okay Impa-sensei I get it!"
"Impa...!" The watching Zelda whispered up at the Sheikah on her left, drawing out a curious look from her. "Don't be rough with him..."
The wise Sheikah rolled her eyes similarly, a kind of tired-eyed frown on her face as she deigned to obey her charge and future ruler, letting go of her grip on the boy's ear.
"All the same it'd be nice to know what this is all for...," the impatient Barkner murmured up from the left side, fidgeting similarly to his young Hylian companion. "I feel so goddess-damned useless just standin' here like this..."
"I'm sure it's nothing negative," Alwyn spoke up to allay the Goron's inner worries and anxieties, shaking his frowning-faced head as he did, dressed similarly to the other men in the room. "If it were we would have been herded to a nearby jail or a lock-up of some sort."
CREAAAAK...
The sound of two rather large oak doors being teased open pulled the immediate attention of many-an-anxious group member, swinging and swerving their eyes toward them in response. As they did a young woman stepped out and one they recognised almost instantly; the smiling Nadya at first poked her brown-haired head out from inside the large room before edging her pony-tailed head back the way she came, as if to gesture for the watching group.
"We're ready for you now!" She called over quietly, a light smile in the tone of her mezzo-soprano.
Link found himself exchanging looks with each companion he had littered around him, his initially unsure and near-anxious frown soon upturning into a half-amused smirk when the watching Zelda, Barkner and even Vassia all smiled and grinned back at him.
"But are they ready for us?" He postulated forward, a kind of joking tone to his tenor. It was only when the half-grinning Malon swung a backhand across his pony-tailed haired head that he grunted out and dropped his own grin, soon falling in favour of an annoyed wince tinged with a frown.
"I'd keep the attitude to yourself fairy boy," the little farm girl spoke wisely, her half-grin growing a little as she did. "I don't imagine it'd go down well with those senators."
"I'm sure he'll be fine..."
Link's eyebrows lifted up when he felt his right arm near being pulled out from its socket. The similarly smirking-faced Vassia leant in to his right and grappled him close with both light yet toned arms of her own; a powerful grip indeed.
"My little chérie will make those old bones in there worship the very ground he walks on." The overconfident Palashian princess spoke, drawing out an amusing-looking half-eye closed frown from the blonde boy.
"We can only hope Vassia." He responded, an odd kind of automatic tone to his tenor that mixed rather well with the expression on his face.
A blend of humour that saw the rest of the watching group chuckling and laughing.
"Firbrand, Link. Of the central country of Aurelia, yes?"
The listening youth, standing just before a panel of what seemed to be judges all staring and watching him, could only stare back in a half-worried frown as he darted his oceanic eyes 'round each one, feeling suddenly vulnerable and aware of their political power over him and his companions.
It was only when he felt the firm and sharp prod of the smirking Vassia on his right that he realised she was trying to push him into a response. He double-took in the Palashian princess' direction before eventually re-facing the panel ahead, gulping down a load of saliva nervously as he did.
"U-Um... y-yeah...," he merely answered with, daring forward a step as he cleared his throat to speak further. "That's me." He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his pony-tailed head as he did.
"Well... it may be well overdue but... welcome to Stralanavia," the judge in the centre spoke up again, frowning back at the blonde youth as he did. "It would appear you and your Hylian friends have made quite an impact in your sudden appearance here in our grand country."
"Ah... um... yeah...," he answered again, another wince as he recalled the messy train crash that saw their entry into Stralanavia. "Sorry about that."
The central judge turned his brown-haired head to exchange his curious-eyed frown with the other listening judges seated around him, a kind of strange and contemplative look around them all.
"That said... although you have all broken almost every single civilian law here in Stralanavia...," he began again, briefly raising his eyes to stare over at the wincing Link. "We all sit here in thanks."
The cringe that befouled the young blonde's face very quickly upturned into a quizzical-faced frown. "W-Wha-?"
"Well... before senator Tarasova informed us all on your group's activities, this panel was very keen on imprisoning you all and requesting permission from Hyrule's and Palashia's king to contain their princesses," he explained briefly, the hardened frown on his face ever conveying the firm and rigid composure of a Stralanavian judge. "Now that you've all managed to unearth a secret plot to overthrow our very panel and a lawbreaker under our noses, we find ourselves in great debt to not just you but your foreign group additionally."
The listening Link found one of his thin blonde eyebrow rising up in curiosity and he swung his unsure look behind him, receiving merely a smile from most of his watching companions standing a few steps away from them all, including the frowning and folded-armed Impa as well as the smirking and nodding senator Nadya next to her. He turned back to face the panel and kept a wary-faced frown adorned as he did, deigning to keep his mouth shut due to past experiences of making situations worse.
It was only when the panel remained silent that he realised they were waiting for a response from him; he gulped down the load of nervous saliva that collected in his mouth before re-opening it to speak to them.
"W-What do you mean, I thought that we-?"
"In senator Tarasova's wisdom she had not only unearthed all of this useful information, but succeeded in this without involving any official Stralanavian military," the initial judge spoke again, softly interrupting the blinking blonde. "As a result, no toes have been stepped on... so to speak," he spoke again, this time with a well-meaning smile, drawing out an acknowledging chuckle from the standing Nadya not far-off from them. "Given your group's fairly showy entrance into our country... it was paved nicely to make up for it."
Link swung his head 'round carefully to eye the smirking Nadya behind him, almost as if to receive reinforcement from the woman, before turning back to re-face the older man before him.
"So... you mean...?"
"Yes...," the judge began again in reply, opting to smile back this time as he re-opened his mouth to continue. "I and this panel believe you are all good for this country in having assisted senator Tarasova's bid to remove slavery from our lands."
Some of the listening members of the group seated behind Link breathed out a sigh of relief, grinning and smiling as they exchanged thankful looks with one another.
"Does this mean it will be outlawed soon?" The ever-pushy and rude Vassia shot into the conversation suddenly and abruptly, drawing out a half-annoyed frown from the listening Impa.
"Vassia...!" The Sheikah hissed out admonishingly, pulling amused chuckles from the others.
"It's quite all right," the second judge spoke to the first on his left, a similarly smiling woman. "While this tends to be a sensitive subject within our borders, a lot of us here are glad to be seeing the end of this."
"Wow," Link at last replied with in his usual carefree manner, eyebrow piquing up as he rose up his arms to cross behind his pony-tailed head; an old habit. "Never thought I'd see the end of this so quick."
"Oh it won't be quick; not for most of us in this country in any case," the first judge shot back, a small grin gracing his face. "People in general tend to be resistant to change, especially in these borders, and some will even resort to crime to get what they want... but then we've realised this and planned accordingly."
The group all listened intently, some surprised and some not.
"In any case... for your contributions to the grand change that is about to overtake this great country... I and this panel of Stralanavian judges dub the Hylian group; 'the Volunteer Pioneers'!"
The listening group behind Link all let out cheers and calls, almost as if the announcement had been rehearsed ahead of time somehow. The standing Hero of Time's frown soon deepened to match the dubious and underwhelmed expression on his face as he slowly eyed his companions and then re-faced the panel.
"Not gonna lie that's a pretty weak title for us."
Angered, the watching Impa's own eyes widened this time. "Link!"
"We are coming to appreciate this change in attitude to our... dare I say, 'dry' country?"
The first judge's words, spoken with such a jolly and mischievous tone (especially in comparison to his earlier firmness), managed to take the listening Link by surprise; he swung his blonde-haired head 'round to face the older man, eyebrow risen up as he did.
"S-So... you're not mad...?" He chanced forward, a kind of half-worried tinge to his frown as he was still reeling from Impa's earlier anger with him.
"Oh we were seething a few hours earlier I'm afraid to inform you," the second judge chuckled, a lightly-amused expression written across her face. "But after we learned you all not only saved those passengers in your arriving train crash but assisted senator Tarasova in apprehending former senator Volkova... I suppose our indignation soon subsided."
Link merely blinked unknowingly and humorously back at the woman, unable to translate even her modern Hylian's far more exotic vocabulary usage. "Whassat mean?"
"It means you're a dunce."
In Malon's little quip behind him, even the seemingly staunch judges found themselves chuckling in amusement, leading to the rest of the group in joining in with some light enthusiasm. Link's eyelids drooped down to convey the comically-annoyed expression he wore so well as he 'rounded it to rest on the smirking little farm girl behind him, soon and suddenly regretting his earlier charity in donating her with a date.
"Maybe I should go right back to makin' fun of her..." He ruminated on humorously, rolling his oceanic eyes as he turned back to the front.
No mercy.
"In any case... the Stralanavian justice system extends its eternal gratitude to the 'Volunteer Pioneers' of Hyrule."
"Don't forget Palashia!"
Some of the younger members of the panel let out little chortles as they acknowledged the indignant cry of the Palashian princess seated amongst the rest of the group.
"Of course...," the first judge smiled well-meaningly. "And of Palashia as well."
"So what is next for the 'Pioneers' then?" The second judge posed forward with a similar smile upon her face. Although Link opened his mouth to respond to her, it was his mentor instead that opted to stand to do so.
"We actually came here originally to take part in the Prima World Tour's next upcoming national championship tournament," the Sheikah explained briefly, an ever business-like frown adorned to match her contralto. "The fact we got caught up in whatever senator Tarasova was planning was sheer luck I have to say."
As she was referenced, the standing Nadya grinned back at her, placing a hand on her hip as she tilted her light-brown haired head at her from across the room. "Well aren't we lucky you found yourselves within our borders when we needed you?"
"Normally we charge an exorbitant amount of rupees for our help...," the likewise-faced Barkner quipped into the conversation with as he humorously dusted off his rock-like arms side-by-side before soon re-rising his head to face the panel again. "But I think by doing some good we'll be fine with a 'thank you'."
The ever hardened-faced Alwyn next to the Goron lightly yet firmly nudged him with his left elbow, bringing out a surprised wide-eyed sound from him in response and another laugh from the watching group, almost as if he were admonishing his companion.
"Well in that case you are all more than welcome to continue staying at the Yensk while you're all participating in the next national championship," the first judge smiled on, re-opening his mouth to continue. "I believe it begins-"
"Next week, actually," Link interrupted with however impolitely, he dressed it up with a well-meaning grin on his face, raising his arms to rest behind his head as he did. "Can't wait!"
"You're just going to lose again, admit it."
The voice belonging to the heckling was, of course, the ever-smirking Vassia behind him, drawing a rolling-eyed half-smirk of amusement of his own in response.
"Not before you will I bet." He shot back over his shoulder, his grin growing to match the confidence his words was rooted in. His companions all around him, or at least the more talkative ones, all let out excited calls and laughs in response, further amused by the exchange.
"Well, we shall all have to secure our tickets for the event then! Cheer you all on in person," the first judge spoke on with a smile on his face. "It shall be a genuine first for many of us here." He chuckled.
"Then you'd better buy your tickets now," Impa advised the older man, a frown ever present on her tone. "They sell out fairly quickly at the Prima World Tour."
"Oh I'm sure we'll be able to scrounge up something for our trouble..." The second judge spoke slyly, a kind of canny look in her eye. The listening Link's earlier grin very quickly took another unamused turn and he groaned to match it.
"That'll be interesting I bet."
As expected, the whole room this time decided to laugh.
–
2
"Privet! And welcome one and all to the next national championship martial arts tournament in the Prima World Tour!"
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH
This time the sound of the surrounding audience filling the newfound stadium erupted and knocked noisily against its very own walls within the borders of Stralanavia; a building built specifically for special events by the government of its country. Seated in a much more well-found location than usual, the ever-smiling Mr. Marshall and his co-commentator 'Tasty' Seth.
"Can you believe it's already been a few months since the 'Kaioh Bio' Marsh?" The similarly grinning Seth shot into the conversation with, tilting his brown-haired head at him as he did.
"Time moves fast my young friend... for all of us!" The older man chuckled back before soon turning 'round to face the large audience seated all around him. "Good morning to you, one and all; if you've just tuned in via your Gossip Stones we've all just gotten started in 'Stralanavia's Speedy Skirmish'!"
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH
"I'm your commentator for the day and with me always is my partner in crime, 'Tasty' Seth!"
"Always glad to be here Marsh," the grinning Seth shot back with as he issued the older man a brotherly fist bump, drawing out another cheer from the returning watchers in the live audience. "We may not have the sun here in Stralanavia like we did in good ol' Kaiohdrahl but we got the beautiful white snow! And that makes all the difference!"
As he spoke his words of encouragement and cajolement the surrounding watchers in the stands all let loose their roaring cries of approval, enjoying the atmosphere and having their proverbial egos stroked.
"Right you are my young friend!" Marshall grinned back, tilting his head temporarily as he re-opened his mouth to continue. "When last we left our exciting conclusion to the last national championship, our favourite flame-coated fighter 'fire-fist' Firbrand clashed with the royally-rambunctious Ragnar Romanov in an incredible match of historic proportions itself!" He explained, not without a great deal of effort, and one rewarded by another cheer from the listening and watching audience.
"That Ragnar dude was somethin' else Marsh, I gotta say," Seth grinned on back at the well-dressed man, tilting his own head as he spoke. "You know I hear to get as strong as he did, he had someone break the channels to his Aegir-points within his body," the youth explained briefly, chuckling knowingly as he did. "You wouldn't catch me doin' that! I tell ya! Messin' with that stuff's just dangerous."
"You're not wrong Seth!" Marshall smiled this time in agreement. "While it is said by breaking those channels you can achieve incredible things, such as accessing your full potential at an early age, it's also extremely dangerous to your body."
"He's not in this national tournament Marsh, is he?"
"And what a segue you've given me!" Marshall chuckled, a new grin atop his features as he re-opened his mouth to continue. "Indeed not my young friend! In today's fight for the title of 'Stralanavia's Strongest', we have a number of new contenders."
One of Seth's eyebrows piqued upwards, a small grin following it. "Anyone returnin'?"
"A good eye you have... says I!" The grinning Marshall shot back with a light point of his left index finger before soon re-facing the front. "Indeed! Among our returning challengers are Barkner Elbrus, Alwyn Weirson, Raynard Van Garrick and everyone's favourite fighter; 'Fire Fist Firbrand'!"
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH
"Hell yeah!" Seth called above the din of the approving audience around him. "Any match that kid's in is bound to be one hell of a match!"
"Wise words," Marshall chuckled in the youth's direction before re-facing the front again. "As all you consistent watchers of our competitions know, in almost every one of our championship tournaments, these names have sprung up time and time again," he continued on. "Elbrus and Weirson often at least qualify in the top eight and our two favourites, Van Garrick and Firbrand, seem to have a favoured rivalry with one another."
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH
"Van Garrick himself recently received the title of 'Hylian Champion' in his very first excursion within the Hylian Hyrax tournament! Though not without some serious competition from his Hylian rival... 'Fire Fist Firbrand!'"
Again the audience let loose their cheers, seemingly a smaller group of personal fans of the named fighter.
"You gotta love that rivalry Marsh, water and fire; they may as well be brothers from other mothers!" Seth beamed on, ever the positive one.
"It's quite something Seth! Not in ten long years have we seen a grand finals of any competition end so closely in the Prima World Tour," Marshall responded, a smile of his own present on his expression. "Something we can only hope to have possibly repeated in today's national championship; the fight for the title of 'Stralanavia's Strongest'!"
"Can you believe that's three times he's hit grand finals and been denied its championship Marsh?" The sitting Seth snickered in a smirk, brown-haired head bobbing lightly as he did, as if amused by the situation. "What's your rupees on him hittin' grand finals again and bein' denied?"
"Come now Seth! To potentially spoil this grand competition for these fine folks all gathered here to watch? And in the harsh cold weather at that!" Marshall smiled back as he gestured toward the cheering audience.
"As if we could even predict how this'd go anyhow..." Seth snickered a second time, a light grin on his lips.
"Be that as it may we have a hell of a long show on for you all today ladies and gentlemen, a lot of familiar faces and some new ones!" Marshall began again, re-opening his mouth to presumably finish his sentence. "All this and more in the next exciting excursion of the Prima World Tour!"
"Good morning one and all and thank you all for attending and signing up for the 'Stralanavia Speedy Skirmish'."
The staff member of the Prima World Tour's voice, a simple baritone, managed to fill the room well enough that the surrounding competitors all listened intently, successfully breaking away from their conversations fairly quickly as he spoke. The man stood up on a small incline in front of a whiteboard marked with what looked like everyone's names, including the members from the group of heroes themselves.
"Those of you who have already qualified for the 'Kaioh Bio' competition previously are a welcome sight; Prima and its grateful audience thank you all for your continued patronage in our tournaments," he began again, smiling as he did. "And all currently-fresh qualifiers for this national championship are welcome; thank you all for taking part and for managing to qualify. You are all, as with everyone before you, more than welcome to attend any future national championship to compete for PWT points."
The listening Link found himself throwing a knowing and cheeky-faced wink toward the similarly cheery-eyed Barkner next to him.
"As with all of our previous competitions we utilise a randomly-generated number system used by our miniature Gossip Stones, all provided for gracefully by the Hylian royal family," the man continued on with a well-meaning smile. "Should any of you lose here today, even in the opening round, you will all stand to gain championship points; a maximum of fifty and a minimum of ten can be gained here in the Stralanavian national championship."
The frowning-faced Link rose up his pony-tailed head and blinked as he similarly raised up his left and right hands, a curious look in his oceanic eye as if he were attempting to count his own currency of championship points.
"As all the rules have been laid out for those of you in the qualifying round and for all you repeat contenders attending from the 'Kaioh Bio', I'm sure I need not explain them to you," the referee chuckled good-naturedly as he reached back for the small Gossip Stones he mentioned earlier. "With that I, and all the staff here at the Prima World Tour wish you all luck in your pairings!"
Calling back to routine's memory from his earlier participation in the Hylian Hyrax and the Palashian Premier, Link was soon gifted with his first Gossip Stone of the Speedy Skirmish in Stralanavia and gave the referee a light grin before he soon dropped it in favour of frowning down at the small stone in his grip. Soon the wavy dreamlike quality within began to slowly form into a letter, just as with the others, into an ancient Hylian character.
二
He turned his unsure expression around him, peering at the other competitors littered around him also examining their own numbers, before soon shamelessly turning again to face the curious-eyed Barkner on his left. The astute Goron sensed his stare and double-took in the young Hylian's direction, eyebrow rising up as he did. It was only when he caught the sheepish-looking grin in the young blonde's eyes that he realised his intentions and flashed the usual sociable beam he liked to adorn so well on his rock-skinned face. He leaned forward, as if to get a better look, his grin briefly dropping in favour of an unsure frown before it soon returned in the form of a light smile as he nodded in confirmation.
"Two," the Goron responded with in a light nod, directing his eyes toward the whiteboard above them all. "Looks like you're in..."
"Block 'A' this time... huh," Link finished for his close companion in a light-eyed murmur before he double-took similarly to the man on his left. "What about you?"
"Oh I'm...," the Goron began curiously, turning his eye down to his own miniature Gossip Stone with a single blink before swiftly re-raising it to face the curious Hylian on his right. "Five!"
Sure enough as he peered down at the Gossip Stone in Barkner's tight grip, the ancient Hylian character was written as:
五
"So I guess you'd be in..."
"Block 'C'!"
The pair turned their briefly-surprised looks on the smiling referee having just approached them, presumably to take their Gossip Stones; they handed him them and he nodded back gratefully.
"Good luck in your match-ups!" He called over his shoulder as he left them.
"Thanks!" Link called back, a similar grin resting on his own expression before he soon turned it on the frowning-faced Alwyn on his right. "What about you Al? What'd ya get this time?"
"Hrm...," the astute Zoran frowned out, brow furrowing down at the miniature Gossip Stone in his possession before he re-rose his eyes to face his two close companions. "Seven."
Just as with his Goron companion, Link craned his neck to get a quick glimpse at the ancient Hylian character depicting the number 'seven'.
七
As Alwyn handed in the Gossip Stone that gave him his number he turned his eye back up to the whiteboard and, like magic, the pairings for all the currently-revealed competitors all flashed up atop its surface before soon settling into view.
Block 'A'
Egon Kozlov VS. Link Firbrand
Raynard Van Garrick VS. Vassia Palashia
Block 'B'
Barkner Elbrus VS. Kaiser Pashkov
Alwyn Weirson VS. Veronika Fedoroa
Link's eyebrows both lifted up in genuine surprise when he saw a name he had briefly forgotten since his excursion in Stralanavia's countryside; a name he reminded himself of when he turned 'round his oceanic-eyed gaze only to lock glares with the similar-eyed Raynard himself.
Although their last clash had merely been a few days away it was suddenly fresh within the young blonde's mind; perhaps a sentiment held within the raven-haired rival himself. Raynard glowered back at the watching Link and the pair of Hylians soon found themselves the centre of attention; the other seemingly unfamiliar challengers in the room all turned their heads to get a quick look at the scene and raised their eyebrows similarly, as unsure and curious as the boy's companions.
"Hey..."
The blonde youth's eyebrows rose up and his hardened glare soon dropped in favour of a similarly unsure-faced frown as he acknowledged the voice of his Goron companion, turning to face his careful whisper.
"Not here..." He warned wisely, eyes also focused and carefully fixated on the glowering Raynard.
"Yeah...," Link answered with, his eyebrows soon descending back down to a sensibly-focused expression of his own as he swung it back on the watching Raynard. "I know."
Sure enough even merely a few days following their explosive encounter in Stralanavia's countryside, Raynard still held the after-effects of it on his face; small scars and light burns that almost appeared to suit his dark countenance fairly well.
I wish there was some other way to get through to this idiot, Link ruminated on lamentably to himself, his frown twitching as he did.
There will be some way.
"And I'm goin' find it."
"Please, everyone, gather 'round and I will officially announce your pairings!"
The referee's cheery call made the firmly-frowning faced Link and Raynard swing their surprised looks from one another only to soon step forward to join the growing gaggle of fighters in the top-centre of the room, just below the incline the referee stood on to address them and presumably read from the board.
"In our first match-up in Block 'A', we have Egon Kozlov clashing with Link Firbrand!"
The named boy blinked curiously back at the referee's call before darting his blonde-haired head 'round in quick-search for his announced opponent. It was only when the grinning Barkner grabbed his head with his powerful Goron arm and lightly spun it 'round in the lightly-smiling Egon's direction on his right that he chuckled, similarly amused by the exchange before nodding back at the presumably Stralanavian man standing before him. He was dressed unremarkably, seemingly opting to wear a simple black-shaded shirt with red lines dotted around its surface. Atop his legs was a well-fitting pair of red-coloured trousers, seemingly part of a karate-uniform that was cut at the top, making a well-fashioned belt at his centre similarly to the frowning-faced Link's.
Never seen him before, he thought.
"In round two we have Raynard Van Garrick versus Vassia Palashia!"
This time it was the wide-eyed Barkner and Link that called out, both in excitement and surprise for their unusually quiet-voiced companion Vassia; she turned her lavender-haired head 'round, seemingly having been engrossed in pondering, before swiftly finding her gaze locked on the glaring-eyed Raynard. The watching young Hylian merely glowered back at her wordlessly, drawing a half-smirk from the watching Palashian princess. Link leaned toward her and rose up his right-raising fist toward her, fingers clenched; she swivelled her own head to eye the boy before her smirk soon grew and she nodded back at him in seeming understanding.
"Round three in Block 'B' will see Barkner Elbrus going up against Kaiser Pashkov!"
"Kaiser...?" The frowning Barkner murmured out, turning his rock-skinned head 'round to exchange a recognising look with the nodding Zoran next to him, almost as if for confirmation; Alwyn nodded in acknowledgment before lightly edging his broken-fin head behind him. Standing there was the Stralanavian man that Alwyn was once matched up with in the Palashian Premier, still dressed as similarly and behaving as mysteriously silent as always. The Stralanavian man issued out a light glare fixated on the Zoran toward him, seemingly still feeling a little sore from his earlier defeat.
Wow, the watching Link thought.
We've sure seen him before, he added humorously silently.
"And finally, to close off the opening round of the 'Speedy Skirmish', we have Alwyn Weirson versus Veronika Fedoroa in round four of Block 'B'!"
The former Zoran soldier swung his head 'round to exchange a curious-eyed look with the named woman behind them all; she was dressed oddly casually in comparison to the rest of the well-heeled fighters in the room, seemingly wearing nothing but shoes, a well-fitting blue and white tracksuit and a simple similarly ocean-shaded hat adorned on her blonde-haired head, her hair pulled up in a neat pony-tail, not unlike that of the watching Link's himself.
"Thank you all, again, for signing up for the 'Stralanavian Speedy Skirmish'! Please use this time to prepare for the opening round and, as always, good luck; Stralanavia awaits its future champion!"
As the referee's final announcement faded out into the distance of the deep inside-arena, Link again soon found himself turning his gaze back on Raynard; seemingly a sentiment shared by the other angry-eyed Hylian boy.
Why did he come back, the youth wondered.
Surely he's set himself now with this Scaverin guy.
So why...?
"Maybe he just wants to beat you."
His own thought-provoking response to his own inward question made his oceanic eyes open further a little before they swiftly narrowed again, his frown slowly slipping up into a half-excited smirk; a far cry from the hateful-eyed glare his raven-haired rival gave him.
Better not give him a win then, he concluded his silent-voiced ruminations with the growing smirk on his face he was well-known for since his adventures in Termina.
"Oh I don't think so mon amour."
The former Hero of Time blinked back in response, only to turn and find the voice belonged this time to the similar-faced Vassia.
"It's my turn to beat your little friend black and blue...," the Palashian princess added on in a light chuckle, soon growing as she finished her next sentence. "For a second time!"
One of Link's eyes narrowed back at her in doubt before it soon affixed itself when he recalled the events of the Palashian Premier.
Oh yeah, he thought.
They fought before the grand-final round then, didn't they.
"Shame I never got to see that," he at last answered her with, briefly eyeing her before slowly turning his gaze back on the folded-armed Raynard, now having turned away from the group presumably to go sulk by himself. "Would have felt nice to watch him lose for a change."
"Oh it was like any other match-up honestly bien-aimé," Vassia batted back over at him with a light roll of her raven-shaded eyes, as if the fight she referred to were a mere walk in the park. "It was our meeting that truly sparked my energy, mon chérie." She finished, this time growing her smirk as she stepped toward him and leaned herself on his right, placing a hand across the karate-gi's front that he always wore to tournaments. He watched her suspiciously, single eye narrowed over at her humorously before at last opening his mouth to respond.
"Yeah I bet."
The sound of his companions surrounding him issuing out light chuckles and laughs filled the air, briefly assisting him in taking his mind off of the conflict he suffered with his best friend and now embittered rival; his eyes, oddly now, were wandering in the direction of the far-off marching Raynard's back, a kind of saddened look in his own oceanic eye.
A strange kind of dread began to slither up within him; something similar to the foreboding feeling that crept through his spine when he realised he'd have had to kill the boy, back during his fight for control in Hyrule's Water Temple. Although Zelda of his time and era had managed to send him back to a completely new one and changed the events of what would have happened, somehow those particular events were coming to pass again anyway.
How can I stop it, he wondered silently, eyes lowering and narrowing in deep-thought and concern.
There must be something I can do.
Between the worry of this new mysterious group of assailants pursuing them since his excursion in Termina, his anxieties of trying to fight off the Shinzui-et-Sanmiitai and now this, his hands were extraordinarily full. He sighed through his nose as he turned his eyes back up to watch the folded-armed Raynard march off into the distance of the room they all stood in, disappearing behind the other qualifying fighters as the sound of his conversing companions behind him filled in the silent air around him.
Maybe things'll be okay, he added silently.
Zelda believed in you back then.
His eyes narrowed determinedly forward through the gaggle of people representing the darkness he reached through to save his friend and rival.
"So believe in yourself."
