The Hero's Path

by LuxDragon

A retelling and reimagining of Breath of the Wild with Age of Calamity elements added. Will be AU eventually. Pre-Calamity.

4. Good and Bad

Central Hyrule – Mabe Village

"Okay, Link, I'll take the letter now," Liena said just as they arrived at the outskirts of Mabe Village.

Link produced the letter, still looking pristine, and carefully handed it to her. He had to nudge Epona a bit to get close enough, but the mare behaved and did so with a small knicker.

"What happens now?" he asked as their horses lazily walked through the worn paths of the village toward Link's home.

"I need to deliver this to the Knight-Commander, who will deliver it to His Majesty," she answered. Like Link, Liena was careful to tuck the letter in her satchel and avoid getting it squashed by some random object.

"And after?" Link asked.

"I'll see if there are any specific orders for us," Liena replied. "If there aren't, we'll relax and take a couple of months off, if not more. And by relax, I mean I relax. You keep coming back to the garrison every day with your father and practice what you've learned and practice prior skills, including swordplay. This is our downtime, and we should embrace that but not slack off. We haven't seen our families for nearly half a year, and we need reminders why we do what we do. If you can say that you're protecting all of Hyrule, then good for you. Me, I can't imagine protecting that many strangers and feel like I can care for everyone. I'm not nearly that good. If I can protect the few people close to me, then that's enough."

"I should focus on my family?" Link asked.

"I can't tell you that. It's different for everyone," Liena answered patiently. "Some knights are patriots and do what they do for King and Country. Others come from a family lineage of knights and continue that tradition in their names. And there are some who do it for honor and glory. You focus on whatever drives you the hardest to do your best, okay?"

Link nodded uncertainly. "But… how will I know?"

Liena shrugged. "You'll know when you know. It's like breathing. No one taught it to you, you just do it yourself without thought or instruction. When you find something you care deeply about, it'll resonate within you, without question. You use that to drive yourself harder and further than you ever thought possible."

"Okay, I think I get it," Link said.

"Once our break is over and we have no further orders, we'll make for Kakariko, home of the Sheikah," Liena said. "I was planning on adding some Sheikah techniques to your lessons, so this works in our favor."

"What are they like?" Link asked curiously.

Liena smirked. "That's a surprise. You'll find out soon enough. And here we are."

Their mounts trotted up to Link's home in Mabe Village. They dismounted and led their mares to the stables. Romani saw them approaching and waved wildly.

Just as Link waved back, he heard someone else yell out his name. Turning, he spotted Ilia running up the path towards them.

"Link! You're back!" she cried out happily. She immediately homed in on Ammy and Epona. She took the reins away from Link and simultaneously scratched Ammy on the side of her head. The wolf turned to putty in her hands. "Oh, Ammy and Epona! Good girls! How are you? Did Link do anything to you?"

"Hey!" Link protested.

Liena cleared her throat and shot Link a pointed look.

"Oh, right. Liena—I mean, Dame Serlut, this is Ilia, a friend of mine," Link said. "Ilia, this is Dame Sortiliena Serlut."

"A pleasure," Liena said.

"Milady," Ilia said with a small curtsy.

When Link shot Liena a confused look, she hung her head. "Light, I totally forgot to give you those etiquette lessons… well, we can work on that during the break. Between your mother and I, there's plenty of instruction to go around."

Link sighed. "Aw, nuts."

"When did you get back?" Ilia asked as she led Epona to the stables.

"Just now," Link answered. "I'd like to talk with you more, but I should head home right now."

"Oh! Yes, of course! Your family hasn't seen you in months," Ilia said, abashed. "We can talk after. I'll look after your horses for now. Go on ahead."

"Thanks, Ilia," Link said. He turned to Liena. "What about you?"

"It's best to let Zephyria rest and get her some oats and water," Liena replied. "I'll head to Hyrule Castle later today."

"Mother will want to have you over for lunch," Link said thoughtfully.

Liena smirked. "Oh, good, then I can tell her about all the trouble you got into on this mission."

There was something deviously satisfying when she saw how much Link paled or the interest Ilia had.

"Um, you don't have to tell her everything, right?" Link asked nervously.

"Depends on how good lunch is," Liena replied.

"Oh. Nuts."

Liena laughed and started for the house. "Let's go face the Lizalfos."

Link hung his head and followed behind her. His attitude perked up quickly when they got nearer to the house, though. He sprinted the last few steps, wiped his boots on the mat, and entered.

"Mother! Father! I'm home!" Link shouted.

There was a scramble, and before Link knew it, he was engulfed in a hug.

"Oh, Link! Welcome home!" Marin said.

"Hi, Mother," Link said, though his voice was muffled.

She squeezed him one last time before releasing him. "Oh, Goddesses! Look at you! You've grown so much!"

Link looked down at himself. "Have I?"

"Absolutely!" Marin gushed before hugging him again. Pulling away, she said, "Oh, yes. Your father isn't home. He's at the garrison."

"Oh, right. It's almost midday."

Marin smiled before seeing their other guest. "Oh, Liena! It's been too long."

"It has, Marin," Liena said.

They shared a warm embrace before Marin pushed Liena to arm's length to inspect her.

"My, my, how beautiful you've become," Marin said. "It was only a few short years ago when you were trying to heft a sword and shield. So awkward then, but now look at you!"

"Really?" Link asked with a smirk of his own. "I'd like to hear about it."

Liena furiously tried to control her blush.

"Please, you must stay for lunch," Marin said. "And of course, you must meet Aryll."

Embarrassment immediately forgotten, Liena smiled brightly. "Oh, I'd love to see her! She's almost two now, right?"

"And very precocious," Marin said. "She reminds me of Link when he was her age."

"Oh, you must tell me about it. I'm sure you have so many stories," Liena said. The look she sent Link was nothing short of evil.

Link knew he was blushing, and for the life of him, he couldn't do anything to stop it.

"This way," Marin said. She led Liena toward Aryll's room that Link had helped create about a month before Aryll was born.

They could hear Aryll giggling happily. When they peered into the room, they saw Ammy standing up to peer into the crib. Somehow the large wolf had snuck into the house and made her way to Aryll's room without notice. Now she was poking Aryll with her wet nose, causing the baby to babble with delight and constantly call out, "Ammy, Ammy!"

"Oh, she's so adorable," Liena said.

"She's gotten big," Link added.

Marin tapped Ammy's head. The wolf quickly backed away, allowing Marin to pick up Aryll.

"Mama!" Aryll cooed.

Marin smiled and cradled Aryll before turning to Liena. "Would you like to hold her?"

"Oh, may I?" Liena said quietly.

Marin nodded and carefully passed Aryll to her. Liena treated the baby as if she were handling an expensive glass vase.

"You don't have to be so careful," Marin said. "Hold her comfortably in your arms, and she'll settle in on her own. Mind the squirming, though."

Taking Marin's words to heart, Liena adjusted her grip on Aryll, who didn't mind at all and was smiling up at the new guest. "Like this?"

"Yes. Don't worry, if she doesn't like it, she'll let us know," Marin said with equal parts fondness, pride, and exasperation. "She's not shy, that one."

As if on cue, Aryll giggled cutely at the criticism.

~o~O~o~

Liena stayed well after lunch, hearing stories about Link's misadventures. His embarrassment went all the way to the tips of his pointed ears.

To mitigate the damage, Link asked about Liena's earliest days as a squire. Marin had some humorous anecdotes about all of Liena's mistakes as a new squire, to which Link asked more intently about, though after a while, it veered from revenge and more to what he could learn.

Not that Liena knew that. She tried to stammer out excuses for some of the worst mistakes revealed.

It was mid-afternoon, and Link grew restless. The conversation soon boiled down to business that Link had no interest in. He excused himself and ran back outside to check on Epona and Ilia.

They were in the stables, along with Cremia and Romani. Link smiled and waved at the sisters before running up to Epona's stall. "Hey, Ilia."

Ilia smiled back as she continued brushing out Epona's coat. The young mare had her eyes closed in pleasure.

"Did you enjoy your journey?" Ilia asked.

"Was that to me or Epona?" Link joked. He checked the nearby stall and saw that Zephyria was being taken care of by Cremia.

"Ha-ha," Ilia said. "I already asked Epona, I'll have you know."

"And what did she say?" Link asked teasingly.

"That she loved getting out after being cooped up in Mabe Village all this time," Ilia said wistfully. "I'm sure it was good to go out and stretch her legs. She's definitely the adventurous type; courageous and fearless. Sounds like someone else I know."

"We had a great time," Link said. "She's never had to ride that kind of distance before or through cold weather like that. I was a little worried, but she really enjoyed herself. Oh, and I did, too."

Ilia laughed. "I'm glad you both bonded."

"How about you?"

Ilia smiled and shrugged. "Father took me to Castle Town several times before the snows hit. You were right: it's a very lively place."

"But?"

She shrugged again. "I don't know, it's not for me. Too many people… how is it that one could feel so lonely in a big crowd of people like that?"

Link frowned and cast his mind back to the various times he had been there with his father. There were a lot of people there, true, but he didn't know any of them; didn't feel any connection to them.

"I think I know what you mean," Link murmured. "I guess I've never thought about it before."

"Well, you were there for training among the knights, and you know some of them. I was there for some shopping; supplies, mostly, though I think my father wanted me to do girl shopping, too," Ilia said.

Link blinked. Ilia's father, Bo, was a massive boulder of a Hylian. The running joke around the village was that he was part Goron. The idea that he would go shopping for girly stuff wasn't just foreign, it was almost too hard to comprehend. "Really?"

"Actually, Beth was with us, and she dragged me all over the place, taking me from shop to shop," Ilia clarified. "Mostly for clothes, with a bit of perfume and makeup to go with it. Dad told us to have fun browsing but not to spend too much."

Link winced. "Beth's parents must have had kittens."

"I made sure she kept to a budget," Ilia said. She grinned. "She thought I was being boring, but then I told her that it would be likely that her parents would make her work to make that money back. She controlled herself after that."

Their conversation continued along, discussing what they had done at Castle Town, what Ilia had done at the village during the winter, what Link had learned during his time with the Rito, and his impressions of both the Rito and the Hebra region where they lived. They took their talk outside the stables and found a tree to sit under. Eventually, their conversation turned to Link's progress as a knight and what else was in store for him.

"Kakariko," Ilia murmured. "I've only really heard stories about the Sheikah."

"They're unique, even among Hylians," Link said. "Although, I'm just saying that because Purah and Robbie were… different. Maybe I have the wrong impression. Liena said I'll know when we get here."

When he mentioned the knight's name, Ilia's expression became unreadable—not that Link was an expert on reading girls to be begin with—and she made a sound before drawing her legs up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "Liena, hmm?"

Link winced. "She's not into formalities. That's what she asked me to call her."

"Hmm. She's really pretty."

Link blinked at the sudden comment and, for some reason, felt vaguely uncomfortable, though for the life of him he couldn't say why. "I—I guess so?"

He didn't know what he had done wrong, but Ilia frowned at his answer and heaved an exasperated sigh.

"W-what?" Link asked.

"Nothing," Ilia replied curtly.

"That doesn't sound like nothing," Link mumbled to himself.

Before Ilia could retort, Liena emerged from the house and was walking towards them.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to borrow Link for a while," Liena said when she reached them. "It seems something has come up."

Ilia nodded and stood up. Dusting off her pants, she smiled down at Link. "That's okay, we have time now, right?"

Link nodded. "Yeah. I'm still going to the garrison, but I'll be around, at least. We're not leaving for a few months."

"Good," Ilia said softly. She curtsied to Liena once more, waved at Link, and left without another word.

Again, Link was baffled by Ilia's demeanor and stared at her retreating back, as if the answers would divine themselves if he looked hard enough.

Liena observed Ilia's retreating form before shooting Link a mischievous smirk. "She's pretty."

Blinking at the second time he heard that statement, Link chose to deflect this time around. He stood up and shrugged as he dusted himself off. "I guess so."

"You don't think so?" Liena asked.

"I said I guess so, didn't I?" Link retorted. He made a face. "What do you want me to say? She's my best friend."

"You're so boring," Liena teased.

Link made another face and stuck his tongue out at her. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"You need to come inside," Liena said. "Your father is already home."

Link blinked once before he sought out the sun's position. "Already? It's so early."

"I agree, but he looked fit to burst," she said. "He asked me to come get you."

Link nodded and walked beside Liena as she set a casual pace back home. He wanted to dash all the way through the doors and greet his father but refrained from doing so. He was a squire—a proper knight-in-training—and so he had to conduct himself accordingly. Also, Aryll might be underfoot, and he didn't want to accidentally hurt her if he stormed into the house carelessly.

At least, those were the lessons his parents had imparted on him, so he had to curb his impulses.

Wiping his feet, he quickened his pace through the house. Ammy's large frame was protectively wrapped around Aryll, so there was little risk of trampling his little sister. His parents were standing nearby. As Liena had said, his father was brimming with barely contained excitement.

"Father!" Link cried out.

"Ah, Link!" Revan said. He scooped him up and hugged him fiercely. "Good, good, you're all here. I have fantastic news I must share."

"Well, do tell, Revan," Marin said, laughing. "You've been keeping us in suspense long enough!"

"I've been promoted to the Royal Guard!" Revan cried out happily.

There was a pregnant pause before everyone cheered and rushed to congratulate him. Aryll was startled at the sudden flurry of activity but was sufficiently distracted when Ammy gave the back of her head a big lick, tickling her and causing her to laugh. She placed her head against the wolf's coat and cuddled.

"It was only a matter of time," Liena said as she shook his hand. "You deserve it."

"I knew you would be chosen, Father! I always knew it!" Link added.

"Goddesses know you've worked hard on this," Marin said. "Congratulations, love."

Basking in their praise with as much grace as he could, Revan grinned. "Thank you all. Truly."

"What will this mean for you, Father?" Link asked.

"Further responsibilities," Revan answered. "My highest mandate remains: the protection of Hyrule. But now I answer directly to the royal family for specific orders."

"Not Commander Taggart?"

Revan shook his head. "I'm released from his authority. I'm his peer now, not a subordinate."

"Oh."

"It's a very prestigious position," Liena said. "Very few knights are selected to be in the Royal Guard. They're essentially the shield of the royal family… and if necessary, their sword."

"Spear, in my case," Revan dryly said.

"If there is a credible threat to the royal family, they can order the Royal Guard to handle it," Liena said.

"If the Royal Guard is involved in something, then you can be assured that the His Majesty has a direct interest as well," Revan said.

"Oh," Link repeated with wide eyes.

"When do you start?" Liena asked.

"Next week," Revan answered.

"Does this mean you won't be at the garrison anymore?" Link asked.

"I'm afraid not, Link," Revan said. "I'll be visiting, but my posting is elsewhere…"

Something dark seemed to flicker across his father's face when he looked at Link, and Revan seemed to freeze.

"Father?"

"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing," Revan said, his cheer coming back. However, even to Link, it seemed a bit forced.

His mother wasn't having any of it, though. "What is it?" Marin asked.

Catching the look on her face, Revan sagged a bit and shot Link a guilty look. "It just occurred to me that I may have achieved the position through… someone else's deeds, rather than my own."

Direct and to the point, Marin asked, "You think King Dorephan's praise about the Lynel may have tipped the scales in your favor?"

"Or you think because Link is your son, and His Majesty had an interest in him which led to your promotion?" Liena added. "Like father, like son, perhaps?"

Link blinked and looked up at his father.

Revan grimaced. "Something like that."

Marin wrapped an arm around her husband's shoulders. "You once said that you are the man you are today because we support you. Now, I understand that you meant that spiritually, but maybe it's a bit literal now. You got to where you are because Link helped you."

"Yeah!" Link said, punctuated with rapid bobs of his head.

"Link was the one that fought the Lynel… by himself," Revan muttered. "My report reflects that I fought the Lynel by myself, which was corroborated—no, extolled, by King Dorephan."

"But… I couldn't have won without everything you taught me," Link said vehemently. "There was no way I could've won. I did it because of you!"

"Think of this as Link returning the favor," Liena said with a smile. "After all, it's not like we can have an eight-year-old in the Royal Guard. Might as well take the position in his place. He'll get there on his own eventually. Probably sooner than later."

"Not all deeds are done by your own hands, love," Marin said. "Sometimes the deeds you're responsible for can show themselves indirectly, too."

Revan cracked a small smile and chuckled wryly. "All right, I know better than to argue with all of you."

Marin pecked him on the cheek. "Finally seeing reason."

"Funny," Revan deadpanned. Brightening up, he turned his attention back to Link. "All right, boy. Tell us what you've been up to in Hebra."

"I've been learning a lot from L—Dame Sortiliena," Link said, quick to cover his slip and maintain formality as his father had instructed many months prior. "She's been a big help! Oh, and I finally learned horse riding! Epona seems to love it."

"And how are your archery skills?" Revan asked.

"Captain Teboh—oh, he was my instructor at Rito Village!—is really proud of me!" Link said, beaming. "I can show you tomorrow! Dame Sortiliena said we should continue practicing at the garrison until she determines what we're supposed to do."

Revan looked at her.

"I'm hoping we can go to Kakariko," Liena said. "We have a letter of introduction from Purah, but we also learned that the research team intends to go to the Gerudo Desert. The Knight-Commander might wish for me to be attached to that mission. I'll know after I speak to him."

"Hmm. Yes, that's probably the prudent course," Revan said. "That would explain the flurry of activity going on at the Castle."

"Because the princess is going?" Liena asked.

Revan nodded. "They're arranging her escort, how many, planning safe routes… one of my tasks will likely be to travel the roads the princess will take to determine how safe the planned route will be."

"How long will you two be staying?" Marin asked Liena.

"A few months," Liena said. "Not to worry, Marin. You can dote on Link all you like. I'm heading home myself soon."

"The research team are still working at Hebra," Revan said. "They won't be going to the Gerudo Desert for some time. Which means Sortiliena won't be tasked to go anywhere if she does get marching orders."

Marin smiled brilliantly before taking on a mischievous look. She seized an unsuspecting Link into her arms and started raining kisses on him.

Link squawked in surprise and protested against the unmanly show of affection as he struggled vainly to escape.

The laughter that ensued easily broke whatever leftover tension was in the air.

~o~O~o~

Central Hyrule – Noble Quarters

Liena's trip to the garrison was an uneventful affair. She reported to the Knight-Commander, delivered Purah's letter, exchanged some pleasantries, and her task was done.

Returning home was a welcome feeling. Her parents fussed over her a bit, but she endured their affections with grace, especially from her mother.

Their conversation was comfortable but brief before she excused herself to go wash off the grime of travel and to get a change of clothes.

Returning to the parlor room, her mother, Astoria, was there waiting for her.

They shared the same violet eyes, aristocratic facial features, and long brunette hair. What was of interest was that Astoria was an older woman, still attractive, but age was showing itself on her visage with some wrinkles around the eyes and thin streaks of silver in her hair. Astoria had had a child later than most other noblewomen would normally, late enough that Liena suspected that her mother had had difficulty bearing children. It would explain why she'd had Liena so late and bore no further children before or after.

As an only child, Liena had been doted on by Astoria constantly. In contrast, her father, Leon, had encouraged independence and personal strength over personal comfort, despite being a fourth-generation trading merchant and business conglomerate manager. Liena's great-great grandfather had been a famous knight in service to the royal family. Given a small fiefdom and fortune for his deeds, he had turned it around to create a respectable business empire. The Serluts born after had continued the business rather than pursue knighthood. However, they had remained trained in the Serlut family sword style, emphasizing speed and precision over power strikes. As the scion of the Serluts, Liena had traditionally trained in their family's sword style and had immediately fallen in love with it.

When she had expressed her desire to become a knight, Leon had remained supportive. Astoria, on the other hand…

"Liena, dear… you're really going to be dressed like that?" Astoria asked in exasperation.

Liena looked down at her simple pale purple dress. After spending months in winter layers, riding leathers, armor, and travel shirts and trousers, she wanted something simple and unrestrictive.

At the very least, a dress that wasn't going to feel as heavy as the winter clothes she had abandoned when she and Link left Hebra behind.

"I wanted something comfortable, Mother," Liena simply said. "We've no guests to entertain, no airs to put on. It's just us. Why would I take the effort put on a costume?"

In contrast, Astoria was dressed elegantly, with light pastels that matched the weather outside. Dinner would be served in an hour, but it was a family affair, yet Astoria always seemed dressed as if she was about to head out to tea with her friends. Clothes, hair, makeup; everything had to be immaculate at all hours of the day.

The idea alone seemed exhausting to Liena. And considering she had spent the Farore's season (re)learning archery, that was not an idle thought.

Violet eyes shifted guiltily to the side.

"Mother… what did you do?" Liena asked. She resisted the urge to cross her arms. After all, this was her mother, not her squire.

Astoria frowned. Strictly speaking, Liena was doing nothing wrong. Her posture, tone of voice, and gaze were all within the norms of etiquette, as expected of someone of their standing, so there was little to criticize. At worst, Liena was merely exercising the same passive-aggressive mind games nobles played when they wanted to show up one another without being overtly snooty about it.

"The Lockes have been invited to dine with us tonight," Astoria said.

Liena sighed, a small breach in manners, but she didn't care. She knew what her mother was up to.

"Do not sigh at me, young lady," Astoria snapped.

"Mother… are you setting me up with Ravio?" Liena asked. It took some effort to keep her voice civil.

"I am simply seeing if he is right for you," Astoria said primly.

"I believe this is the part where I become petulant, firmly say no, and life goes on," Liena said waspishly. "I've just been made a knight, I have a squire to look after, and I have responsibilities and oaths I must uphold. Also, I am sixteen. I have a while to go before family responsibilities are passed on to me, including marriage."

"Call it prudent planning, then," Astoria replied.

"More like arranged marriage," Liena said with no small amount of disgust.

"That is how your father and I met," Astoria said.

"And I'm grateful it worked out for you," Liena said. "But I know Ravio, and the answer will remain no."

"People can change," Astoria said.

"Only when events force them to change, not because they want to," Liena retorted. She reined in her irritation and suppressed the urge to sigh this time. Arguing with her mother wouldn't change what had already been done. Instead, she asked, "When is dinner?"

"Two hours."

"Very well. I will go get ready," Liena said, unable to keep the disapproval out of her voice.

"Thank you, Sortiliena."

With great disappointment, Liena retreated back to her room. On the way, she enlisted the help of her mother's handmaid, Kina, for help. After changing out of her pleasant dress, they styled Liena's hair out of her functional ponytail into an elegant bun, applied a suitable amount of makeup, before slipping on uncomfortable dinner attire topped off with some tasteful jewelry around her neck, ears, hair, and wrists.

When they finished, Kina said, "You look radiant, milady."

Liena managed to manufacture a smile. After all, it wasn't Kina's fault that Liena's first night back in Hyrule was a small dinner party with matchmaking intentions.

"Thank you for your help, Kina," Liena said. "Do you know where my father is?"

"His study, milady," Kina answered.

Liena thanked and dismissed her. Kina curtsied and quietly left.

Hiking up her frilly skirts, Liena sought her father out. As she had been told, Leon was in the study, looking over a thick sheaf of parchment. Like her, he was also in formal attire to impress their dinner guests.

Much like his wife, Leon was an older man, his blond hair growing white at the temples and crow's feet crinkling around his green eyes. He still had the energy of men half his age, though, working his merchant empire with aplomb and often weaving in a bit of playful drama to liven up what would otherwise be boring meetings. Sadly, Liena felt that she had inherited more of her mother's seriousness over her father's humor.

"Father?" she called out.

Leon stopped what he was doing and pretended to grimace when he saw her. "Coifed and ready for battle, are we?"

"Oh, yes. My silky hair, expensive clothes, and gaudy baubles are sure to send the Moblins running for the hills," Liena drolly retorted. "Did you know about this?"

"I'm afraid your mother ambushed me as much as she did you," Leon confessed. Getting up, he rounded the table to stand in front of her. "Though how she was able to invite the Lockes on such short notice when you sauntered through our doors just hours ago is a mystery to me. Honestly, I think she can play the game better than anyone I know."

"Either that, or she cheats," Liena said.

"A sound strategy… as long as one doesn't get caught," Leon said teasingly. He made a show of looking her up and down. "Perhaps we're being too critical of your mother, though. What if the Lockes saw you riding in and knew that they needed to see you once more? Your loveliness would no doubt spur any available suitor to drop everything and come knocking on our door at a moment's notice."

Liena scoffed but was disarmed accordingly when her father pulled her into an embrace, which she returned. She eventually pulled back and asked, "Oh, please don't tell me you're siding with Mother's schemes on this?"

"I wash my hands of this affair," Leon replied with his hands raised. "I know better than to argue with your mother on this, and I doubly know how standoffish you can be. As far as I'm concerned, this is much like a spectator sport where I stand back at a safe distance and observe which one of you surrenders to the crushing weight of inevitability."

Liena shook her head and sighed. "Perhaps I should have stayed in Hebra."

"Except you don't like the cold."

"I should have reminded myself what awaited me back home. I would have endured then."

"Promises and regrets, my dear. Promises and regrets," Leon said. "Come, let us be off. Your mother will wish to see and inspect you accordingly."

"Like a horse," Liena muttered.

"Then perhaps you understand Zephyria's feelings now."

Liena rolled her eyes, even as she smiled. "You are a riot, Father."

Astoria was all smiles when she saw Liena. As expected, she studied and made minor critiques to her appearance, which Liena both endured and ignored. Mercifully—or perhaps not—one of the manservants entered and informed them that their guests had arrived.

Ravio was one of her peers that she had met during her years of schooling. Black hair and eyes, medium build, but hardly in the greatest of shape; his attraction to her was hardly subtle, but Liena had never felt the same. He was always after things out of his reach, and once he had it, he tossed it aside for the next challenge. His affections for her were likely to be false or temporary. Regardless, she found him both too excitable—in a negative way, like an annoying rabbit—and dull at the same time.

Following her years of etiquette training, she was all smiles as she greeted Ravio and his family.

The Locke Family had made their fortune through gambling, first via winning, then through owning buildings where games of chance could be played. It was less through hard work and more through luck, but it seemed to work in their favor.

However, without hard work, their attitudes lent themselves to entitlement, perhaps arrogance. Neither were traits that appealed to her.

At some point, Ravio finally had a chance to speak to Liena privately. "Sortiliena, I wanted to take the opportunity to congratulate your recent appointment. As a Knight of Hyrule, I'm sure you will serve our interests well."

"Thank you, Ravio," Liena kindly said. "So far, it has been my greatest honor."

"I would also like to say how lovely you are this evening," Ravio said, smiling widely. "I'm sure, by far, you are the most attractive knight in all of Hyrule."

Accepting the compliment, Liena smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

While she considered herself largely pragmatic, she knew she had a little vanity. Unlike Dame Ashei or Dame Karane, Liena liked to wear her hair long, but kept it in a practical ponytail; she liked to put on a little makeup to accentuate her appearance—when she could; and dressed herself both functionally but with a little style.

So, it was nice to hear compliments like that once in a while, no matter the source.

Ravio continued to try to charm her, even throughout dinner. Liena maintained an aloof and polite distance without insulting him.

It was never wise to insult another noble house unless the reason was severe.

Dinner was a cordial affair, like numerous others Liena had attended. Thankfully, her father swooped in to rescue her a few times by talking business in his trademark flamboyant way that differed from Ravio's dramatic overtures. At least her father made her laugh, much to her mother's displeasure.

All in all, another day in her life.

~o~O~o~

A month after her return home, she lapsed into a more productive routine, which included patrols of Hyrule Field with Link at her side and visits to the garrison, where she made sure Link stayed on top of his studies, which were not limited to martial skills, but the same decorum lessons she had undergone as a noble. Link balked at the idea of learning hifalutin, but she assured him that the lessons were a requirement, since knights had to hold themselves to high standards and dealt with both common folk and nobility.

Her mother's frown almost seemed to be a permanent fixture on her face every time Liena came home; dressed in boots, trousers, leathers, and metal armor.

In contrast, her father barely batted an eye, saying goodbye when she left and greeting her when she returned.

As a goodbye, he often said, "Be sure to ask the Bokoblins to be nice before you fight them," or something along those lines.

As a greeting, he would say, "Ah, still here, then? I guess you get to stay in the will."

Link had snickered at her home life when she finally confided in him during patrol one day. Then he posed a question that she couldn't answer, and for the life of her, it was a burning one that wouldn't leave her alone.

And so, when she returned home, she found her father in the sitting room, reading a book. He looked up and smiled at her. "I'm sorry to inform you that Ravio still intends to vie for your affections. You have my sympathy."

As always, Liena giggled. She doffed her weapons and armor at the doorway and ungracefully plopped on the nearby chair, luxuriating in its comfortable cushions. Her mother would have had a fit if she saw how 'unladylike' Liena conducted herself in that moment, but as expected, Leon didn't so much as twitch as he returned to his book.

"Father, it hasn't escaped my notice that you don't treat me like how other noble fathers treat their daughters," Liena said. "My squire asked me why you treat me so differently, and for the love of the Goddesses, I could not answer."

Leon chuckled. "Oh, that. You'll think me foolish."

"I would not," Liena protested.

"Oh yes, you will, but that's okay. I'm an old man, so I don't care," Leon said breezily. "I raised you the way I did because I simply had no idea how to raise a daughter."

When he didn't elaborate further, Liena arched an elegant eyebrow. "That's it?"

"That's it," Leon said. "I wanted you to be whomever you wanted to be. All that you needed was the determination and strength to do so. That much, I could provide. Deceptively practical, no?"

Liena sagged in her seat and tried to wrap her head around the whole concept. "That's really it?"

"Well, what do you expect? I taught you to walk, talk, change your clothes, go to the privy on your own, feed yourself, keep yourself clean, read, write, and take responsibility for all your actions," Leon said. "Anything else outside of that? I let you decide. You wanted to wear dresses? You can wear dresses. You wanted to wear trousers? So wear them. Colors? All you. Styles? You. Hair? Well… that was more on your mother. Hobbies? Have fun. Horseback riding? I hired the finest tutors. Liena, I let you try things. If you liked it, you kept at it, and if you didn't, you moved on. Everything is an experience, and I wanted you to figure out what you liked and didn't like. You hardly needed my input or permission."

Liena opened and closed her mouth several times before forcefully exhaling. "Well, what about etiquette lessons? I hated those."

Her father shot her a pointed look.

She realized her slip and blushed a bit. "Oh, right, that was mother."

"In her defense, the things you do is a reflection of our family, not merely yourself," Leon said. "Any embarrassment on you doesn't necessarily stay with you, but on the Serluts as a whole. I did teach you about responsibility, did I not?"

"You did," Liena said.

"Which is why you stuck with those lessons, despite your distaste for them," Leon said. "You see? I didn't do too badly despite how unorthodox my methods may seem."

Liena stared at her father before an involuntary smile creased her lips. "I don't know if you're a genius or mad."

"Oh, that's the beauty of it all." Smirking, Leon tapped his temple and winked at her. "You. Will. Never. Know."

~o~O~o~

Central Hyrule – Knights' Garrison

"Serlut, I'm glad you're here," Taggart said. He marched up to her and waved Link off, allowing the squire to continue what he was doing.

Liena saluted and stood at attention. "Sir? You need me for something?"

Nearby, Link was about to do the same, but Taggart waved him off. Choosing to nod instead, Link drew back another arrow, paused for a moment, and then released it at the target downrange. What made this exercise more difficult were the swinging barriers erected in the middle of the range. It was just some balls attached to ropes that swung so that they would block the target downrange. Link had to time his shot just so, making sure that the arrow would make it to the bullseye without hitting the obstacles in the way.

"His Majesty wishes to speak to you," Taggart said to Liena.

That caught Link's attention, and he turned to face them with interest.

"Me? Why?" Liena asked.

"Ours isn't to question but to obey," Taggart reminded sternly. "Clean yourself up, make yourself presentable, and report to the castle at once. Be on your best behavior."

After he left, Link asked, "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Liena shook her head and shrugged. "I have no idea…"

~o~O~o~

Central Hyrule – Hyrule Castle

Liena tried to avoid fidgeting, but she couldn't help it. She checked, rechecked, and triple-checked her appearance. Normally, she would put enough effort into her appearance to satisfy a little vanity, but the circumstances felt like she needed more work now. Sadly, she had not had the opportunity to powder herself.

The King of Hyrule had requested to speak to her. And she felt like a slob. She almost wished she was as immaculate in appearance as her mother.

Maybe Mother had a point after all.

She had only ever seen the royal family at a distance several times in the past, with the closest being during a ball a few years earlier when she had been a young teen. As one of the noble families of Hyrule, Liena's family had been invited to celebrate the late queen's birthday. Even then, Liena had observed the royal family from across the room and had never exchanged a word with them. Still, it had been a lovely night, if a bit dull, but the celebration had kept things lively. The highlight had definitely been the fireworks.

The memory served to distract and calm her. Before she knew it, a herald cleared his throat nearby.

"Dame Serlut? His Majesty will see you now," the man said.

Liena nodded and stood up. She followed her guide through a few hallways and past a few of the Royal Guardsmen before they arrived at the throne room. The herald nodded at the guards standing at attention, and the doors opened without so much as a squeak.

The herald led her to a dais, where she stood before the ruler of the realm.

"His Majesty Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, I present to you Dame Sortiliena Serlut, daughter and scion of Serlut House!"

Liena immediately knelt before her liege. King Rhoam remained seated. Next to him sat an empty throne; the queen's former place.

"Rise, Dame Serlut," King Rhoam said.

Gracefully standing up, she stood at attention and patiently waited for the king to speak again.

"I have read Purah's report," King Rhoam said. "In it, she notes that you and your squire were present during the test flight of the Divine Beast Vah Medoh."

"It is as she says, Your Majesty."

"I would like your account of the events regarding the Divine Beast, Dame Serlut," King Rhoam said. "Perhaps you might have details not mentioned in the letter."

"I-I am not well-versed in such matters, Your Majesty," Liena said.

"I understand, Dame Serlut," King Rhoam said. "However, the research team will not return for some time. Currently, you are one of two witnesses with first-hand experience regarding a Divine Beast. I am not asking for an expert opinion, merely your impression, however banal it may be."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Liena dutifully said. "While I cannot speak of any of its capabilities, or even the full breadth of its abilities, such as maximum speed and distance, I can say that it was able to fly above the mountain peaks with surprising speed. This suggests that it can travel out of Hebra, if the pilot so chooses and if Vah Medoh is capable of travelling such a distance."

"I see," King Rhoam said. "What else?"

"Purah used the word commune," Liena said. "When Vah Medoh flew, the pilot did not directly interact with the Main Control Unit or the Guidance Stone outside of the initial contact. His earliest attempts were speaking commands out loud, but I suspect that Vah Medoh responds to the thoughts of the pilot more than the words."

King Rhoam looked down at the missive in his hand before looking back down at Liena. "Your squire was the pilot?"

"A mistake, Your Majesty," Liena quickly said. "There was a minor problem that Purah sought to correct when she tried to activate Vah Medoh. Somehow my squire was able do it, though no one at the time knew how. Regardless, he piloted Vah Medoh to ascend, then land. It was a brief moment, but an important one."

"Is there anything else to report?"

Liena took a moment to recall any relevant details. "I-I'm not sure what else you would like me to add, Your Majesty. The flight itself was short but without mishaps, and as I'm told, ahead of schedule. The Sheikah staff seemed extremely pleased. The Rito expressed great interest. No one was harmed, and the research staff returned to work at once."

King Rhoam nodded. "I see. Then your account matches that of Purah's. That is good. We shall move forward with the excavation and repairs of the other Divine Beasts."

Liena almost asked why but bit her tongue at the last moment. Instead, she asked, "Will you require anything else of me, Your Majesty?"

"Your squire," King Rhoam said. "How was he able to activate Vah Medoh?"

"By accident; he does not know how he did what he did or how to pilot it," Liena was quick to say. "There is very little he can add that we have not already discussed."

King Rhoam's expression remained stony. Liena resisted the urge to squirm under his gaze.

"Your squire, he is the son of Sir Faron, is he not?" King Rhoam asked.

"He is, Your Majesty," Liena answered.

"He is but a slip of a boy, is he not?"

"He's… young, yes, but he's talented, enough that we deemed it necessary to encourage training as early and as responsibly as possible, Your Majesty."

"And you… I recall knighting you more than a year previous."

Liena swallowed and nodded. "You did, Your Majesty."

"And yet, you already have a squire? Especially one so young?" King Rhoam asked.

"It… it was a special circumstance," Liena answered. "I studied under Sir Faron as his squire. I believe I made an impression on him, because in turn, he trusted me with his son."

"Hmph. I see…" King Rhoam said thoughtfully. Eventually, he nodded. "Thank you for your report, Dame Serlut. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Liena said. As curious as she was about King Rhoam's interest, the meeting was stressful enough without throwing Fire Chuchus on top of the bonfire. She bowed and left the room.

~o~O~o~

Central Hyrule – Knights' Garrison

With the meeting behind her, she approached the Knight-Commander's office and knocked.

A muffled, "Enter," later, and she was standing in front of her superior.

"Serlut, finished with your meeting with His Majesty?" Taggart asked.

"He just wanted someone with a first-hand account of what happened during the Hebra mission," Liena said. "It was brief, some questions, but nothing gossip-worthy."

"Hmm… all right," Taggart said. "What can I do for you?"

"The reason I came was to ask about future orders," Liena said.

"Oh?"

"I was planning to take Link to Kakariko in a couple of months," Liena said. "We have a letter of introduction to meet the Sheikah elder there. I was thinking it would be good for Link to study Sheikah arts."

Taggart rubbed his chin. "And you've heard that the princess intends to go to the Gerudo Desert. We would like female guards, if only to ensure Her Highness's safety both in and out of Gerudo Town. Worry not, Serlut, we have it covered."

"Do we have permission to go to Kakariko, then?" Liena asked.

"Granted," Taggart said. "I suppose you'll be taking advantage of your break first before heading out? Revan has been missing Link something fierce, though he hides it well."

"We are," Liena said. "We will continue to train at the garrison until we're ready to ship out."

"Very well, Serlut. Will that be all?"

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed, then."

~o~O~o~

Link had a newfound fondness for archery, almost rivaling his passion for the sword—he hadn't had the courage to tell his father that his preference leaned towards blades over spears yet—and constantly performing all manner of trick shots regardless of the conditions was thrilling.

It was a common sight to see knights and soldiers alike watching Link gallop at full speed at an improvised range he had created for himself outside Castle Town. A few of the spectators, some of whom were civilians, discovered an interest in archery.

An enterprising youth called Malo immediately saw the opportunity presented and started a pickup business of selling bows and arrows as well as space for prospective archers to try their luck.

He had tried employing Link to help with further advertising, but Revan had put a stop to that part of Malo's venture.

Link had been ecstatic when he learned that they would be going to Kakariko. Not only would he get to learn new techniques, but they would get to go to a new place! He was intrigued on what the Sheikah were like, especially when he asked Liena. Since she evaded the question, he posed the same one to his father.

"Sorry, boy," Revan said. "If Liena hasn't told you, then I won't spoil the surprise."

Link frowned. "Is it a good or bad one?"

"It's a surprise," Revan replied. "How you accept it is entirely up to you."

Link shook his head. Without looking at the target, he raised his bow, pointed almost directly behind him, let another arrow fly, and heard the satisfying sound of the target being struck. "This is too mysterious. I don't know if I'll like it."

"Good instincts," Revan said, both at his statement as well as the bullseye shot Link made. The spectators clapped appreciatively at the show of skill. Some of the archers that Link had learned under before his trip to Hebra were watching closely at Link's technique and were nodding in approval.

Time seemed to fly by. Aryll had already been learning to walk, which was further coming along with Ammy's help. Aryll had learned to hold on to Ammy's fur and leaned heavily against the wolf to keep an upright position before staggering forward to her desired destinations. Marin had been both thrilled and amused.

Link continued training under the watchful eyes of Liena and Revan. As the former had promised, he had diversified his training among all that he learned; swords, spears, and bows. Sadly, the only ones interested in sparring with Link were the knights. The rank-and-file soldiers had little interest in defeat against a boy, talented as he may be.

In addition, Liena sat him down to teach him how to approach nobles and adults with the proper respect, lessons further punctuated by Marin. Link's parents also continued his formal education through home schooling and books Liena lent them from her own library.

Finally, after two months, into the onset of Din's Season, Liena announced that they would head out to Kakariko.

Marin was tearful at the prospect and cooked up all of Link's favorite meals every night in the week leading up to departure. Revan was trying his best to avoid being overbearing and advised Link on what to pack, just as he had done the first time Link had left for Hebra. Since the following months were set to be warm, he pointed out clothes that would be appropriate for the upcoming temperatures and even took everyone on a family shopping trip in Castle Town.

Link was a little flustered at all the attention, but he couldn't deny that it made him feel good that he was well-loved. Ilia had dropped by more and more, helping him with Epona and Ammy when he returned from the garrison, and on one of those days, she brought a present for Epona. The mare needed a new saddle to accommodate her larger frame, and Ilia had the perfect one all picked out for her.

When all preparations and farewells were done, Liena and Link set out at dawn. Despite the early hour, Marin and Revan were both up. Aryll had somehow sensed the mood and was crying that morning, so she was now in attendance held by her mother. Link said his goodbyes to all. Like his trip to Hebra, he was already feeling a bit homesick even before he left, but he kept his smile and exuberance for their benefit. With one last emotional farewell, he mounted Epona, called for Ammy, and trotted to where Liena was waiting before they set out for Necluda.

"I hated saying goodbye to my parents, too," Liena confessed when they left the Mabe Village outskirts and took the roads south.

"Will we be back soon? Like it was with Tabantha?" Link asked.

Liena shook her head. "Not likely. Sheikah arts are nothing like you've tried. You're good, but this will be a whole different world than what you're used to. You'll have to learn new things, maybe forget old things. We'll come home to visit occasionally, but this posting will last a year, maybe two."

Link's eyes widened. "R-really?"

"I'm not joking. Like I said before, you'll see when we get there," Liena said.

Link fell silent and contemplated Liena's ominous words as they made their way to Necluda.

~o~O~o~

Necluda – Kakariko Village

The journey was the second longest that Link had ever undertaken, further than Zora's Domain, but not as long as Rito Village. The weather was mostly kind, with the occasional rainfall. Nayru's season was gone, and Din's season would make herself known, and with it, oppressive heat. Any rain they could get was something to embrace before it would be gone until Farore's season.

They took the roads south, crossing almost the entirety of Hyrule Field as they followed Hylia River. They didn't need to make camp, since there were a number of towns, outposts, and stables they could stop at. They spent the night at the Riverside Stable to let their mounts be pampered a bit before tackling the next leg of their journey, which had taken them past Gatepost Town. They rode past a couple of the small outposts and crossed Proxim Bridge to follow a branching path of the river called Squabble River. Liena explained to Link that the river was called as such because of the two mountains the river cut between, which were called the Dueling Peaks. They rode in the shadows of the twin mountains until they emerged into Necluda. Crossing the Big Twin Bridge, they stayed the night at the Dueling Peaks Stable. Come morning, they left their mounts in the care of the stable master and walked the rest of the way.

Kakariko Village was situated within a valley built around a tiny lake called Lantern Lake, surrounded by smaller hills or mountains; the Pillars of Levia to the south, Pierre Plateau and Bonooru's Stand to the East, Sahasra Slope to the west, and Rikoka Hills and Telta Lake to the north. If one didn't know about Kakariko Village, it was likely that travelers would miss it entirely. Within were about a dozen buildings which the Sheikah called home.

Kakariko Village was welcoming, especially when Liena identified herself as a Knight of Hyrule. A quick inquiry led them to the large home situated in the middle of the village, which set itself apart from the other homes by being built above a part of Lantern Lake. Ammy's presence drew a few curious eyes, but since she was trotting alongside Link, many people shrugged it off and continued with their business.

Upon entering the house, Liena produced Purah's letter and handed it over to the lone occupant within. When the Sheikah Elder finished reading the letter, she turned her sharp eyes upon the young boy.

Link respectfully bowed before the old Sheikah as Liena and his mother had taught him. The woman was slightly hunched over, leaning on a cane, studying him with ancient red eyes.

"Hmph. So, this is the one you wish me to train?" Impaz asked, turning her gaze back to Liena.

"Yes," Liena answered.

Impaz eyed Link. "Do you understand what you're getting into, boy? Our methods are nothing like the Hylian knights'. You'll be trained in ways you haven't experienced before."

"I'm only eight years old. There's a lot I haven't experienced yet," Link retorted.

"Link!" Liena scolded.

Impaz cackled. "Well, you've wit about you, I'll grant you that."

"Do you really need that cane?" Link blurted out.

Liena hung her head and sighed.

"Oh-ho… why do you ask that?" Impaz inquired sharply.

Link tilted his head and frowned. "I don't know. There's something… I can't explain it. It just feels like you're… okay? I guess?"

The smile Impaz wore was wide, amused, and approving. "That, young man, is called instinct. It's good you're listening to it, because there's nothing mystical about it. It's simply that your mind is taking in all the information your senses are feeding it and making connections or deductions rapidly. Not quite consciously and not quite subconsciously, either."

Link looked confused.

Suddenly, Impaz stood a bit straighter, less hunched-over, and put far less weight on her cane. "It's a simple test I use on all potential Sheikah warriors, but you're the first that young to see through my ruse. And so quickly, too."

"So he was right?" Liena asked in shock.

"Well, I don't need my cane as much as I pretend to," Impaz answered before cackling. "I'm no spring Cucco, after all."

Liena looked between Link and Impaz. "So, he could just tell somehow."

"I give off a few signals, just to see if people can pick up on it," Impaz said. "It's very subtle. The way I walk, how my weight shifts, the amount of pressure I place on my cane… and then there's this."

Impaz placed her gnarled cane at her waist—which looked like nothing more than a sturdy piece of wood that could function as a cane—and rapidly drew a hidden blade.

Liena was impressed, a sentiment echoed by Link's, "Woooow!"

"Always trust your instincts, boy," Impaz said as she sheathed her hidden weapon. "That's a trait I think we'll focus on during the course of your training."

"So, you'll take him?" Liena asked, ecstatic.

"I will," Impaz said before grinning. "I like him."

Link beamed.

~o~O~o~

"I have to do what?" Link asked.

"The strongest warrior doesn't promise victory," Impaz said. "It can easily boil down to speed. Speed of hand, speed of mind."

"I… I think I understand," Link mumbled.

"Just sweep your hand between the drops without getting it wet," Impaz simply said.

Link nodded. He raised his hand, open and palm facing down, towards the falling droplets. As quickly as he could, he tried to dart in between the water drops but immediately failed. His second and third attempts were no better.

"Ah-ha, like this, boy," Impaz said. Quick as a cat's paws, her entire arm whipped out and back between eyeblinks.

It was fortunate for Link that his eyes had widened at the feat instead of closed. Impaz did it twice more before standing up.

"Practice on that for a bit," she said. "We'll move on to other exercises for you to try later."

After Impaz left, Link turned to Liena, whose mouth was agape at what they had just seen.

"Liena?"

"Wow," she said. "Here, let me try."

Link scooted over.

Try as she might, her results mirrored Link's. "Ugh… I hate how she made that look easy."

"This might take a while," Link muttered. Still, he mustered his will and set himself to the task at hand.

~o~O~o~

Liena thanked Impaz and took the offered cup of tea. She turned her attention back to Link, who was using a short, curved wooden training sword as he practiced striking against a wooden dummy.

"His ability to learn techniques is impressive," Impaz said. "While I train him in our Sheikah techniques, I'm hoping to expand on other areas."

"That's what we had to do in Hebra," Liena said. "Link's instructor over there wanted to build up the muscles needed for archery. Link was quick to pick up on all his techniques and tricks. We had to find ways to keep him on his toes constantly."

"Then I shall focus on other physical aspects," Impaz said. "Speed, agility, and mindfulness."

"Thank you," Liena said.

"How is his mental acuity? Does he know how to read and write?" Impaz asked.

Liena nodded. "We were stationed at Zora's Domain for a time. He went to classes with the Zora princess, where he learned to read and write as well as getting a primer on politics. He seemed interested in his lessons enough. When we returned home, his parents continued homeschooling him until we came here."

Impaz nodded. "Then we should add other lessons as well. Mathematics, politics, perhaps philosophy, if time permits. Sharpens the mind."

"Please," Liena said gratefully.

"Hmm… perhaps a few other lessons to consider as well…" Impaz muttered.

Before Liena could ask, Impaz walked away. She was still using her cane, but now that Liena knew it was for show, she could see that the cane wasn't thumping on the wooden floor as hard as it could have been, or that Impaz's gait wasn't as hobbled as others might have been.

Well, this will be educational.

In truth, Liena had been happy learning the Serlut sword style. Even under Sir Revan, she had grasped the nature of the spear well enough, but only to know how to fight against spear-wielding foes with a sword.

Now that she was a teacher, she found herself learning more than swordplay alongside her pupil. It was an outcome she hadn't considered before.

She found herself liking it.

Finishing her tea, she got up to join Link.

~o~O~o~

Impaz granted them rooms within her home. Link and Ammy took one, and Liena took another. Interestingly, Liena had no idea where Impaz herself slept, and there were no other rooms in her home… at least, none that Liena could divine.

More Sheikah mind games, I guess. I wonder if Link has figured this out, too.

Training progressed exactly as Impaz had said it would. Learning Sheikah techniques was easy for Link. They mirrored certain aspects of Liena's own sword style; it emphasized precision strikes against weak points, maneuverability, and speed. Unlike the Serlut style, there was something decidedly more brutal about how the Sheikah fought. The ways Impaz taught Link to fight seemed to focus on ending fights in the most efficient way possible, and it didn't necessarily go hand-in-hand with how knights were expected to conduct themselves.

Liena stayed her tongue, though. It was well known that the Sheikah were among, if not the, staunchest allies of the royal family. Their fealty was almost legendary, and how they wished to serve the crown was their business. As far as Liena was concerned, they were on the same side, so there was little call for animosity because of any perceived or imagined ideological differences.

However, in addition to the unorthodox Sheikah techniques, Impaz set a series of academic lessons where Link had to attend classes to further train his mind. The work was such that it wasn't uncommon for Link to trudge back to his room to pass out.

Liena had to give Link credit. Like in Hebra, Link didn't complain unless it was to indulge in self-deprecating humor or self-motivating mental self-defense mechanisms against his whirlwind of lessons.

However, within a few months, just shy of Farore's season and Link's ninth birthday, things took a turn in ways Liena could not have predicted from their elderly benefactor.

~o~O~o~

"Tell me, Serlut. Has Link seen real combat yet?" Impaz asked.

Liena shook her head. "Not really. He drove off a Lynel when he was five, but other than that, he hasn't fought anything life-threatening. Just sparring matches."

"Nothing at all?" Impaz asked sharply. "Not on the roads when you travelled to Hebra? Or perhaps on the way here?"

"We travelled in groups or stayed on the main roads," Liena replied uncertainly. "It was relatively safe."

"Safe is not what I'm interested in," Impaz said. She hmphed and thumped her cane on the floor. "He's not taken a life yet?"

Liena was shocked to hear such a question asked in such a cavalier manner. "What? He's only eight. Of course not!"

Impaz frowned. "There is a Bokoblin camp not too far from here. Link will clear them out tonight."

"What? No," Liena said.

"Then we are done," Impaz snapped impatiently. "Pack your things. You leave tomorrow."

Shocked at the sudden escalation, Liena backpedaled slightly. "Hold on, I'm the one responsible for his safety."

"And the moment he became my student, I too became responsible for him," Impaz said. She slammed her cane once more on the wooden floor. "Which includes his growth as a warrior. He has nothing but theory and sparring matches. Do you think I wish to be responsible if harm befalls the boy if he freezes simply because he was unprepared for the brutal reality of his craft? He is not swinging weapons around for show. When the time comes, he must be ready to draw steel and blood. If you can't handle it, then leave. I will not be teaching a coddled warrior."

Liena hesitated and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"And what of you, Dame Serlut? Have you ever shed blood in the course of your duties?" Impaz asked.

"Of course," Liena said quietly.

"I understand he's young, but he needs to learn this now, if he wishes to continue on this path," Impaz sternly said. "This is a lesson I am required to teach him. You are his primary trainer, so the final decision falls on you. If you do not wish for it, then we are done."

"I need time to think about it."

Impaz considered her request before nodding. "Very well. You have until tomorrow morning."

Liena left Impaz's home and wandered aimlessly around the village. Link was probably getting tutored in math today, so there was little for her to do. She eventually found a place to sit and think. The pros and cons rattled around in her head. She had not thought about this stage of Link's training. It seemed so early, too soon.

Then again, what else is there for him to do?

Impaz had a point: it was inevitable. Eventually, this would have to be done. She cast her mind back when she had been called to take a life. It had been a month before her posting to Zora's Domain. Revan had asked if she was ready, and she had said she was. He had warned her repeatedly, asked several times, and had been relentless in his badgering. Her answer had never wavered. They had ridden out and attacked a small Bokoblin camp that had harassed several trading caravans.

It was the worst night of her life. She hadn't wanted to go home after the mission. She hadn't wanted to see her parents; couldn't face them. She had stayed at the barracks for over a month before she was able to reconcile her feelings with her actions.

Ultimately, it had been her decision to do it, though.

It would have to be the same with Link.

~o~O~o~

"So, I heard that you fought a Lynel at five," Impaz said. "What color?"

"Brown, it was brown," Link said. He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and unconsciously rubbed his hands against his trousers.

Those signs did not escape Impaz's notice. "Well, you're here, so you must have won. Did you kill it?"

Link shook his head. "No, it ran away."

"Could you have killed it?"

Link frowned and thought back. "I-I think I tried, but I couldn't get the right angle. It made a desperate swipe at me and spoiled my aim. I was doing something my father had taught me—us, I mean, both Mipha and me."

"I. Mipha and I," Impaz corrected. "If you had the chance, would you have killed it?"

"I-I-I don't know," Link said. "I just wanted to keep Sidon safe."

Impaz nodded. "Noble of you. Sit, boy. Tell me all the details of the fight, and leave nothing out. Nothing."

Liena kindly brought Link a cup of water. He gave her a grateful smile, took a big gulp, and started his tale. He told them of his assessment about the differences in physical strength and how he'd had to fight around that massive disparity; he told them of the strategy he'd formulated on the spot; he told them of where he'd attacked, how many times, and the depth of the wounds he'd inflicted; he told them how long the fight probably had been, where it had been, the conditions of the field, and the weapons both he and the Lynel had had.

Link was a bit pale when he finished his tale, while Impaz looked thoughtful.

"Well, you've a talent for survival, I'll give you that," she said.

"Um… Liena told me what you wanted me to do, Master Impaz," Link said.

"Did she?" Impaz asked. Her sharp red eyes darted between Liena and Link before settling on the boy. "What else did she say?"

"That it would be my choice," Link said.

"And?"

"I-I'll do it," Link said. "I'm ready."

Impaz stood up and loomed over Link. "No. You are not. But you will be, one way or another."

Link swallowed the lump that grew in his throat and nodded.

Impaz walked back to her cushion and took a seat. "Step out of the room, boy. I wish to speak to Serlut alone."

~o~O~o~

After Link left, Liena turned to Impaz. "What do you think?"

"Some trauma, nothing he won't overcome," Impaz said. "Drawing first blood is never easy. First kills are even harder. His mind is resilient, though. He'll be fine."

Personally, Liena was in awe of Link's prowess. She hadn't had the misfortune of fighting a Lynel yet, so all of her instruction on fighting such monsters was academic.

"So, you're still set to do this?" Liena asked uncertainly.

"The skills he displays are fine in practice," Impaz said impatiently. "He must learn the weight of the skills he uses. What he's doing is not for show. He must learn what it really means when he draws a blade and what it requires. Otherwise, this is nothing but a game with no consequences. He must be mentally prepared for what awaits. The time for practice is over."

Liena sagged in her seat. "I was hoping to do this when he was older," she mumbled.

"He's learning too fast for such traditional methods," Impaz said. "Whether you like it or not, it's time to teach him responsibility."

Liena nodded. "It's his choice, just like it once was mine."

Impaz nodded and turned her gaze to a corner.

A Sheikah seemed to melt out of the shadows. The figure was dressed in a formfitting outfit, colored in blues, blacks, and whites, with the symbol of the Sheikah adorned on her chest in blood red. Her white hair was tied back and braided, while her face was covered by a dark-blue scarf. At her hip was the curved Sheikah blade they preferred as their main weapon, the Eightfold Blade.

Liena blinked and looked around the room more. "W-where…?"

"This is Rei," Impaz said. "She will be the proctor on this test. She will keep Link safe and assess his performance."

Liena nodded numbly. "Very well."

Impaz cast a sharp look at Rei.

Rei bowed low before leaving.

~o~O~o~

Necluda – Rabia Plain

"There, you see that Bokoblin camp?" Rei asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Link nodded.

"Your task is simple. Kill them all and don't get caught doing it," Rei said quietly. "If you do get caught, kill them all anyway and don't let one get away. Don't worry, I'll be nearby to help you out if things go badly for you."

"Wait, we're not fighting them?" Link asked.

Rei shrugged. "The objectives remain the same: kill them all and don't let one escape. There are five of them down there. If they overwhelm you, you die. That also means you've failed. If you let one escape during the ruckus a protracted battle causes, you fail. How you wish to approach is entirely up to you. Don't die and don't let any escape."

Link swallowed and nodded. "O-okay."

"Get started," Rei said.

She made no further moves to go on, so Link quietly studied the camp.

There were only five, all camping out in the open. They were either red- or blue-skinned. Bokoblins were short and stout, with gangly arms, a pig-like nose, and long ears. From what Link had learned, one by itself was a simple task, but Bokoblins usually overcame that disadvantage by striking in numbers with disregard for their own safety unless they were sure they were about to lose.

With his assessment complete, he stealthily approached his targets. It was the dead of night, and the Bokoblins were all asleep except for one. It was standing atop a small wooden tower to give it a better view of the surrounding area. However, the Bokoblin was sitting on its haunches, barely awake, and facing the wrong way.

Keeping an eye on the sentry, Link drew his blade and approached one of the sleeping Bokoblins. Raising the blade, Link aimed the point of his sword at the throat, the weapon's angle perpendicular with the windpipe.

By piercing the throat just so, you prevent air from escaping and ensure the kill to be as quiet and efficient as possible, Impaz had said during one of their lessons.

However, Link froze. His sword was poised and ready. A quick thrust, and the Bokoblin would be no more. Suddenly, he found himself shaking uncontrollably. He tried to steady himself, tried to do what he had been told to do…

His breathing hitched as he wrestled with his thoughts and feelings. The sound woke the Bokoblin.

Link froze again, sword held high. Their eyes met, and they stared at one another for a good ten seconds.

Then the Bokoblin shouted and kicked out. Its foot found Link's abdomen, and he felt the air rush out of his lungs as he doubled over. Both of them rolled away from each other.

The Bokoblin's shout served to wake the others. All five of them sprang to their feet and started scrambling for their weapons.

Gasping, Link crawled over to his dropped sword and held it ready. His mind felt sluggish. His years of training seemed to have vanished. He couldn't think of what to do, what he should be doing.

The Bokoblin that had shouted was wielding a small wooden club now. It waved it threateningly. Without warning, it lunged at Link, bellowing a screeching war cry.

Link blocked the strike before his instincts took over, and he brought his Eightfold blade down across the Bokoblin's arm. Shrieking, it dropped its club, clutched its bloody wound, and hopped back.

A second Bokoblin on Link's left made its move. Link barely brought his sword back to deflect, but it lacked finesse—there was none of the skill he displayed in sparring matches, or sword forms. It was just a desperate block that rattled his arms and staggered him. His foot got caught on something; he didn't know what, but he screamed as he fell backward. Scrambling on his hands and feet, he realized with horror that he had lost his weapon.

To Link's surprise, Ammy leapt out of the nearby bushes and clamped her jaws onto a Bokoblin's throat. She savagely pulled back, tearing flesh and letting the Bokoblin choke on its own blood.

Her sudden appearance and brutal attack shocked the Bokoblins. Link saw the club the first monster had dropped. He picked it up and threw it at the nearest Bokoblin. The club connected with a sickening crack, but far from downing the Bokoblin, it shouted in anger and stamped its feet petulantly.

That ended when Rei appeared from behind and rammed her dagger into its heart.

Link scrambled backwards on his hands and feet. Rei and Ammy continued to fight the Bokoblins. One realized the battle was lost and tried to retreat. Rei was contending with two at once. Ammy whirled around, ran down the fleeing Bokoblin, and pounced on it from behind. From Link's position, all he could see was Ammy biting down and savagely shaking her head. The Bokoblin screamed, then made a gurgling sound, and then silence.

Link was hypoventilating, his rapid, shallow breaths matching the staccato beat of his heart.

"Easy, boy. Deeper breaths."

The words barely cut through his conscious mind, but he obeyed, taking deeper breaths, but still fast. However, the darkness that was encroaching on his vision receded. A shadow was standing at the edge of his periphery.

A hand rested on his knee. He flinched but managed to look up.

Rei was kneeling over him. "Sorry, boy. I have to fail you."

~o~O~o~

Necluda – Kakariko Village

Link felt nothing but loathing at his performance. He sullenly trailed behind Rei as she led the way back to Kakariko Village. Ammy trotted along, occasionally nuzzling Link, but every time she did, he winced and pulled away slightly. Her muzzle was still covered in blood, and the memories still caused his throat to clench.

"Smart wolf you have there."

Startled, Link's head snapped up. It took him a moment longer to process the source before he dumbly said, "Huh?"

"Your wolf," Rei said. She didn't turn around or slow down. She kept the pace at a brisk walk back to Kakariko through the darkened woods, with only a sliver of moonlight to guide them. "I didn't even know she was there. Hylia, I didn't even know she was following us. She bided her time, waited for the right moment, and then made her move. Very intelligent, very cunning."

Link nodded before realizing that Rei couldn't see him. "Uh, yeah. She's… she's special."

This time, Link's hand sought out Ammy's ears and gave her an affectionate scratch.

"Where did you find her?" Rei asked.

"Zora's Domain. She was an orphaned cub when my friends and I found her," Link answered quietly.

"I see," Rei said. She made no further attempts at conversation, and Link didn't offer any words of his own.

When they arrived at Kakariko, Liena and Impaz were already waiting. Rei merely shook her head before bowing respectfully to Impaz and taking her leave.

Before Liena could say anything, Impaz spoke first.

"Inside, Link. We will talk," she said. She glanced at Liena. "Alone."

"Y-yes, Master Impaz," Link said.

"Very well," Liena said. She patted Ammy's flanks. "Good girl. How about we get you cleaned up, okay?"

Ammy whined, but after casting one last mournful look at Link, she yielded to Liena's prodding and left.

Inside Impaz's home, she settled herself on her cushion and gestured for Link to sit down. "Well? Do you know why you failed?"

Link sat down and nodded. "I-I guess so?"

"Explain."

"It… it didn't feel right," Link said. "I saw the Bokoblin sleeping, and I couldn't just kill it like that."

Impaz cracked a small smile. "Hmph. Had those words come from candidates older than you, I would have decried that as a pathetic excuse. Be glad I believe you."

"It's the truth," Link said.

"I said I believe you," Impaz snapped. She scoffed. "Some warriors believe that they would be able to kill their opponents in the heat of battle, that in the moment of kill or be killed, they would toss aside all reservations and strike the killing blow. Pure fantasy and self-delusion. More often than not, they hesitate, like you hesitated, and die. How you kill your opponent doesn't matter, only that you kill them before they kill you or others."

"But… it doesn't seem right," Link protested. "Can knights really do things like that? Just kill without reason?"

Impaz sighed. "I applaud your sense of morality. Really, most people don't exercise it nearly enough. However, what you fail to understand was that the surviving Bokoblins in that camp were responsible for the maiming of three people before they were fended off. They attacked in the middle of the night, striking a caravan, outnumbering their victims three to one. The Bokoblins took losses, but not before taking lives… or at least livelihoods. The three casualties will never be the same again. I understand two of them won't walk and the last will be blind."

Link's eyes widened and his mouth fell open at the revelation.

"We sent you in by yourself, at least five-to-one against you," Impaz said sternly. "If an opponent requests an honorable fight, then by all means do so. If your opponents choose to strike against innocent merchants, then they should be prepared to face similar retaliation. We protect our own, with whatever means are at our disposal. That is how the Sheikah operate. I told you from the beginning, our ways are nothing like the Knights of Hyrule. We do what we must, often against overwhelming odds. The enemies we fight are not interested in honor, fairness, or morality. To fight the threat effectively, we too must strike when the advantage is ours."

"Just like that?"

"Do. Not. Hesitate," Impaz said harshly, punctuating each word with a thump of her cane. "This isn't practice any longer, boy, and this isn't a game. This is where you face the harsh realities of the world. If you feel you can't handle it, then we are finished here. Let the skills you've learned dwindle and fade. Find another profession that you feel suits you. Be a bard, a rancher, or a farmer. You're young. The only thing set in stone is what you determine yourself to be."

"Master Impaz? Has… Have other people failed this?" Link quietly asked.

"Of course," Impaz said. "Not I, though. Or my youngest granddaughter. There are those that succeed and those that have failed. Neither of which are indications of strength or weakness, mind you."

"Then what's the point of this test?"

"To see if this is the life you want," Impaz said. "You have a choice here, boy. Purah failed this particular test, but that was by choice. She chose not to undertake the task entirely. Instead, she put her focus into research. That is not a bad thing."

Link furrowed his brow and frowned.

"Find someplace quiet," Impaz said. "Center yourself. Think carefully about what you would like to do. And remember, any choices you make have benefits andconsequences. There is no perfect road. You need the strength to make a choice and accept all that comes with it."

~o~O~o~

The next day, Liena found Link atop a hill overlooking the village. He was hiding up in an apple tree, sitting on a sturdy branch, looking at nothing in particular. Ammy sensed her arrival and looked up from her position on the ground. She remained where she was, though, loyally staying by Link as closely as she could.

Liena gave the wolf a quick pat before she climbed up the tree. When she was level with Link, she sought out a branch of her own and settled in.

"How are you doing?" Liena asked.

"Dunno."

"I can understand that. It's a lot to take in."

"Liena? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. Anything."

"H-have you killed monsters?" Link asked.

Liena nodded.

"Really?"

"Yes, and your father, too. Part of a knight's duties has been hunting the monsters that roam the land, Link," Liena said. "There are times when we charged them, there are times we ambushed them, used arrows to strike from afar, set traps… it's not always about fighting fair. At the end of the day, it's about protecting ourselves. We fight to protect Hyrule, the royal family, and the people that depend on us."

Link was quiet for a time. When he did speak again, he asked, "And… have you killed other… um… people?"

Liena hesitated, but after a moment of self-reflection, she answered, "Yes. Monsters aren't just Moblins and Hinox. There are bad people in the world, and we have a duty to stop them, too. Our highest mandate is the defense of Hyrule, which means we fight, and kill, monsters and people."

"Who were they?"

"Bandits and murderers," Liena said quietly. "They attacked a village close to the coast. They stole a lot of things; food, rupees, whatever they could get their hands on. Their greatest crime was murder, though. They killed a few guards and farmers when they attacked and when they ran. I was tasked to bring them to justice."

"And… that's what you did?" Link asked.

"Two others were with me. Three knights against ten bandits, but that's how it usually goes," Liena replied. "Look, I'm not going to force you into anything, and I can assure you, neither are your parents—yes, that includes your father. If this is what you want to do, then we're here to support you. If not, none of us will look down on you. This isn't an easy life, Link."

"Then… why do you do it?" Link asked. "Why does Father do it?"

"I can't speak for Sir Revan, but I do it because it's a fulfilling life," Liena said. "You might already know this, but I was born a noble. A lot of my childhood was social functions, balls, and noble education and propriety. Nobles have their place in society, but I was never comfortable. I felt like I could do more with my life. One of my many lessons was our family's sword style. I loved it, but it occurred to me that learning how to fight with a sword wasn't enough. I had to use it to help others. It wasn't long before I found my calling."

"Father told me that, too. To defend others."

"And he was right," Liena said. "How you do it is up to you. If the Sheikah style isn't for you, I'm not going to force it. But remember, if we are doing this, you'll need to get used to drawing your blade against others at some point. You can't afford to hesitate. Remember, you are charging into danger, and with it, you court life and death. There are consequences for that."

Link swallowed and nodded. He kicked his dangling feet as he fell silent.

"Were you afraid?" Liena asked.

Link looked up, confused. "Afraid?"

"Of the Bokoblins."

"Oh." Link scrunched up his face as he recalled his failed test. "Um, not really? I was… I was thinking how much I didn't want to hurt them. I was thinking about the blood and the sounds they might make if I used my sword on them, and I felt… bad."

Liena smiled. She reached over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Your compassion does you credit, Link. Your parents would be proud to hear that."

"I have to stop them, though, won't I? Because they'll hurt other people, won't they?" Link quietly asked.

Liena nodded. "Better people than us have tried to reason with monsters, Link. None have succeeded, and some paid with their lives. They're just relentless in their savagery, and now… we just have to deal with them. People are different. Some will surrender, but others will run, and if you let them, they'll just hurt someone else."

"But you capture the ones that surrender, right?" Link asked.

Liena shrugged. "It depends. You'll be called to look deep within for guidance because you won't always have someone telling you what to do. If mercy is warranted, then do so. Other times, justice is required… and it's not always feasible to bring back prisoners if you lack the means or the resources. There's no right answer for everything. Sometimes you just have to pick the answer that hurts the least."

Link nodded and looked back down at his boots.

"I know you were looking for a quick and clean answer, but honesty is best here," Liena quietly said. "Sometimes… good and bad isn't enough. You can't paint the world into something so neat. You must trust yourself to do the right thing and let the pieces land where they fall."

Link didn't reply. He kept his gaze locked on his boots.

"Any idea what choice you'll make?" Liena asked softly.

Link shrugged but didn't answer.

Liena gave Link a rallying shake. "I'll leave you to think about it. You have time, so there's no pressure to decide right this moment."

"Are monster attacks common?" Link suddenly asked.

Liena nodded. "They are, especially in the frontiers. You've lived in Central Hyrule all your life. Knights and soldiers patrol the fields daily, so it's relatively safe. Out in the wilds, it's not as safe. We simply don't have the manpower to stop all the attacks."

"I see," Link mumbled. "And… how bad are they?"

"I don't know, it varies," Liena said. "If you're asking if people have died, then the answer is yes. It's just how it is. Impaz gets reports daily about attacks in the region, and she has to dispatch her warriors to deal with it, but there aren't enough to handle it all."

Link frowned. "That's evil."

"That's life. Not everything or everyone gets a happy ending," Liena said quietly.

Link nodded and stared at his boots again.

"Just remember, Link, it's your choice," Liena said. "Whatever you want to do, okay?"

"Yeah…"

Liena wanted to say something more but didn't have the words. Inwardly sighing, she climbed down the tree and left Link to his thoughts.

~o~O~o~

After Liena left, Link clenched his hands. He stayed in his tree until nightfall.

Once the dinner bell sounded, he leapt out of the tree. Ammy scrambled to stand up and barked. Giving her a quick pat, he jogged down the hill towards the village.

Instead of going to the dining hall, he headed into Impaz's house. Instead of going to his room, he walked down to the end of the hall to where a hidden panel was, situated behind a scroll which had the Sheikah Eye symbol displayed on it.

He paused. Memories of what had happened the previous day flooded his senses. The quiet breathing of the Bokoblins, the rise and fall of its chest, the warmth radiating off its body…

Then he remembered that they were somehow able to sleep soundly after attacking a merchant caravan when he had barely slept a wink for doing nothing.

Finding new resolve, Link pulled the tassel underneath the scroll. The panel clicked open. He paused and listened but did not hear anything. He snuck into Impaz's room. According to Liena, Impaz was given reports of monster activities in the region, including the location of monster camps and attacks. Finding the binder, he opened the document and scanned its contents. Picking a suitable location, Link crept out of Impaz's room, her house, and the village. Once he got enough distance, he relaxed and broke into a light jog.

He had barely travelled five minutes before he heard Ammy barking right behind him. Turning around, he couldn't help but shake his head in exasperation. Ammy trotted up to him and whined cutely.

"Okay, Ammy," Link said in resignation. "I guess it's dangerous to go alone. I might as well take you with me."

Ammy's bark of agreement brought a smile to his face.

"Let's go."

~o~O~o~

Link was still shaking when he returned to Kakariko Village hours later. He was soaking wet, hoping to clean the blood off, but he still felt sticky… and disgusted…

Ammy nuzzled him. She was still pristine. He hadn't needed her help this time when he struck the camp. He couldn't even manufacture a smile, but he was able to stroke her head reassuringly.

Impaz was waiting for him at the gates. She took one hard look at Link and nodded. "Good. Follow me."

"Good?" Link repeated numbly. His feet were dragging along behind her, as if possessed.

"If you had no reaction, that would be cause for alarm, boy," Impaz said over her shoulder. "Any reaction in this phase of training is a good thing. Numbness, anger, guilt… let it all play out. If you wish to rage at me, do so."

"I'm fine," Link said.

"Hmph, hardly convincing."

"I said I'm fine."

"So you say."

"I'm fine!" Link vehemently shouted before bowing his head. "I-I mean…"

Impaz stopped walking, turned halfway, and arched her eyebrow. "Child, I understand. I know you're not angry at me."

"I-I-I don't know w-what I'm feeling," Link mumbled.

"I know, and it's complicated," Impaz said. She started moving again, with Link dutifully following—willingly or unwillingly, he couldn't say. "And I don't mean that as an excuse adults use for children. The feeling you have is complicated for everyone, even to veteran warriors. What you're feeling will be different for everyone when they do this. Self-reflection will clear it up, and you'll be able to cope with it, but for now, this is normal."

"Does… does it get easier?" Link asked.

"It does," Impaz said. "And that is not necessarily a good thing. The mind protects itself from such trauma by learning to cope with it in different ways. The most common is indifference. The more you kill, the less you feel about it. It keeps your sanity, but you trade compassion as a result."

"Is-is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"It's the sacrifice we make," Impaz said softly. "We are the ones that lose something, but that sacrifice is necessary for those that depend on us to be their shield."

They entered her house. Liena was still awake. She was relieved to see him and hugged him tightly. "Goddesses, Link. Where were you?"

"One of the bigger monster camps in the south, within Bubinga Forest," Impaz said. "A particularly dangerous one. Moblins have made their presence known in addition to the Bokoblins."

Liena pulled away and started assessing Link's condition. "Are you okay?!"

"He's fine," Impaz answered impatiently. "I know you're worried, but be silent or leave us. He and I must talk."

Liena glared before huffing and settling down on a cushion next to Link. Ammy trotted over and laid down on his other side.

"How did you know?" Link quietly asked.

"Necluda is our home, boy," Impaz said. "We know much of what goes on, and I have eyes and ears everywhere. You were spotted going in and walking out. You trekked through Ash Swamp, took a dive into Lake Siela to clean yourself, and then crossed Kakariko Bridge to return here."

Resigned, Link mutely nodded. "That's right."

"Now, time to relive your actions," Impaz said. This time, her voice was softer. "Take your time, deep breaths, and report what you did. Leave no details out."

Liena was about to speak out, but a sharp look from Impaz stopped her.

Clenching his fists, Link recounted the events. He had identified two Moblins at the camp. Extremely tall, with long arms, Moblins were the bigger and meaner cousins of Bokoblins. They had been Link's first target. Both Moblins had been asleep, and he hadn't hesitated. He'd stayed out of sight of the two Bokoblin sentries and rammed his sword into the Moblins' throats. They had woken up, struggled briefly, before going still. With his blade blocking their windpipes, they'd barely made a sound. Blood had gushed out of the wound and coated his tunic and pants, but he'd pushed through it and maintained silence. Next had been the five Bokoblins, three of which had been sleeping, and all had been dispatched similarly. He'd used bow and arrow to finish off the last two.

When Link finished, he forced himself to relax. His palms hurt where his nails had dug in but hadn't broken skin.

Impaz arched an eyebrow. "And?"

Link blinked once at the question. "And… what?"

"Will you be able to do it again?"

"A-again? There's no camp anymore…"

"There are more monsters that roam the land, boy," Impaz said. "Just because you cleared one camp, do you believe your task to be over?"

"O-oh…"

"You will be asked to do tasks like this constantly," Impaz said. "Will you be able to do this again?"

"I-I—" Link paused and took a deep breath. Before he could answer, Impaz spoke again.

"Take time. Rest, center yourself," she said. She was no longer gruff. In fact, she was almost maternalistic. "You've taken an important first step this night. Now you must recover. We will not have drills until you are ready and your resolve restored."

Link swallowed the lump in his throat and settled for nodding.

Impaz got up and placed a hand on his shoulder. "For whatever it's worth, I'm quite proud of you, Link. Well done. We've had our eyes on that camp for some time. The Dueling Peaks Stable was constantly afraid of that camp, ever since losing one of their stable hands to an attack."

"I see," Link mumbled.

"Good night, Link," Impaz said softly.

After Impaz vanished, Link let out a breath. He got up and trudged to his room, with Liena and Ammy following behind him. Ammy took her customary spot next to his bedroll, but Link was a bit surprised that Liena walked in as well. She shut the door behind her and took a seat.

"What's on your mind, Link?" Liena asked.

"How complicated everything is," Link mumbled.

Liena chuckled humorlessly. "Yeah, life is like that."

"I used to think that things can either be good or bad, but it's been hard to tell now."

"I agree."

"And… that's okay?"

Liena nodded. She leaned back and propped herself upright using her arms. "You'll find that only a few things are so neat and clean, Link. We've been raised by parents that love us, and they kept us safe. That keeps our worldview simple. Now that we're out here, in the wilds, away from what we know, it's time to challenge everything you think you know. Learn some new things, forget some old things… Life is complicated, and you're figuring that out sooner than most. You certainly learned these lessons sooner than I did."

Link plopped down on his bedroll and rubbed Ammy's flanks. The wolf twitched at the contact but made no further moves.

"It's not going to get any easier, is it?" he asked.

Liena shook her head. "Not even close, but Impaz was right. This was an important first step. Sleep on it. You can tell us your choice—"

"I want to keep going," Link said. He raised his head and met Liena's eyes. He didn't waver, he didn't flinch, and he didn't back away. "First thing tomorrow, I want to continue training."

~o~O~o~

Author's Notes:

Scene taken from The Count of Monte Cristo movie.

As a medical definition: Hypoventilating is a series of quick and shallow breaths. People get lightheaded because they don't expel carbon dioxide, leading to respiratory acidosis. Naturally, hyperventilation is the opposite, when you do a series of deep breaths and therefore lead to respiratory alkalosis. The speed at which you breathe isn't actually as important as the depth of each breath (within limits, as is everything).