Guest Reviews:

James Birdsong: Why thank you! :3

notaname: Oh boy... this is a long review. I shouldn't have decided to do these when it's almost bedtime... OH WELL! That first statement is a bit... contradictory. Then again, I'm told that if you aren't super active, it makes it harder for your body to fall asleep because it hasn't used a ton of energy. I'm also told that screens keep you awake because they mimic daylight... wait a second... ANYWAY, moving on. As not healthy as it is to stay up until 12 am to write a review on a story (like I totally haven't done that before), I appreciate the compliment! Yeah, I play the piano a bit. I just got back into it. I was in lessons for a while when I was younger, and I just started up again about a year ago. I can play other instruments, too! I did learn a little violin when I was younger (I was in way too much crap back then), and I'm not too shabby with the ocarina (mine is 3-D printed and sounds like a recorder). I see what you did there (XD). I'm like, 96 percent sure that everyone is the harshest on themselves. Probably. Maybe? OH, THE HORROR! A CDI REFERENCE! (I'm dying over here XD.) Turns out people also tend to point out attributes in others that they personally have and is one of the reasons they're harsh on themselves. Interesting, right? Sorry, I talk/write too much. MOVING ON... Well, at least it wasn't a giant block of text. I more meant that it makes it more digestible, if that makes sense. It's not healthy to shove an entire cake into your mouth, but it's healthier (as healthy as eating cake can be) to eat it in pieces and bite-sized chunks... eh, I get too crazy with metaphors. SPEAKING OF CAKE, yup! Zelda is secretly a ninja-cake-stealer-person (it's a working title). She probably has a metabolism rate so high we mere mortals cannot compare to her majesty. Somehow she doesn't have diabetes, either! Huh, that's a good point. She'll have to frame Purah instead, because Purah has the Infinity Gauntlet, now. I like that idea, but I already have Link's past planned out pretty well, and - crap, the Spoiler Police (or as the cool kids say it, "Po-po."). Maybe I can do a oneshot about it or something. Yeah, maybe Link can just do something subtle but still incredibly strange considering his current persona? I dunno. I'll figure it out. Wait, your friend has a drawing tablet? Maybe it's about time that I perfect teleportation... I MEAN, I'm not planning anything! I would probably do it Zelda style and wear a lynel mask or something. But that's just me. ...That's kind of true. We are all money hoarders, aren't we? Actually, that's not taking into account those people who blow all their money the moment they get it. I think I'm alone in my "More breaks in between" opinion. Huh. Didn't know that one. ...Wow. Why are you carrying a tranquilizer gun around?

notaname (strikes back): To be fair, I forgot the secret review phrase too, so... eh, we can't be perfect. Funny you mention sunsets... well, you'll see.

notaname (Three strikes! Here's your invisible frozen yogurt coupon! Congrats!): OOOOH, that explains that. Well, have a nice week!

ROLL THE TAPE! Seriously, Kitten-Cat, I need that. I can't have you getting tape stuck all over yourself, that's just WEIRD!

Chapter 12: A Thousand Rupees

"How about you meet me at the platform during the princess's meeting? It's not as if they'll need you there - the elder has some of the best Rito guards accompanying him."

Link had been in no position to refuse his fellow champion. Besides, Princess Zelda clearly needed a break from his presence. He had an idea as to why the princess disliked him - something about envy and the Master Sword, as Urbosa had pointed out during the "Hero Ceremony" or whatever it was called. However, thinking of the ceremony brought back caused him to remember how Revali had addressed him.

Boy.

Link's mask wasn't firm enough, it seemed. He understood that now. There had to be some way to reinforce it…

But how?

Link decided to think on it more later as he stepped down onto the platform. There was no sign of the navy feathered champion, so Link took it upon himself to get a better look at the scenery.

The view was truly remarkable, what with the river below and the purple mountains in the distance. Link expected that sunrises around here were breathtaking.

That was when Link realized he had relaxed his shoulders, and he quickly tensed his posture again.

"You're a strong boy - you need to demonstrate that through your posture. If you keep slouching like a rubber tree, you'll be underestimated… though that may not be bad. It could lead to an advantage in battle, as the opponent will go easy."

That was before he had become champion, though. Before he had had so many eyes constantly watching his every move. If he was underestimated, it would send the wrong message - that the Calamity would slay them all because their champion was a lazy kid.

Link's eyes swept over the horizon again, committing it all to memory. Hylia knew he needed some good thoughts racing through his mind.

Revali had had very few interactions with the Hylian Champion, yet in each of them he had never heard the boy speak a word, let alone show emotion. Well, he supposed there was the image on the Sheikah Slate that Lady Purah had taken. The Hylian had looked completely flustered, but afterwards… back to a blank-faced rock.

He hadn't heard the knight, but when he glanced towards the platform, he was surprised to see him there, stiff shouldered and waiting. Silent in movement, too, eh?

Revali wondered if he could trigger some sort of emotion out of the knight. If he could prove how unqualified the Hylian Champion was, perhaps they would give the great Revali a greater role in the battle against Calamity Ganon. However... if he wanted to prove his suspicions, he would have to find out what made the emotionless rock tick.

The first thing was strength. Did the Hylian Champion take pride in his strength and achievements? If he was shown as weak or inferior, did he become angry? Revali recalled the moment Sir Link had attempted to sneak away after the unsuccessful attempt at a formal "photo," as the princess called those true to life images. Was it because it depicted a moment of weakness?

Revali, instead of making his way to his fellow champion, glided down to the small outcropping below the platform. He then crouched low, closing his eyes.

Maybe my ability will shock him. Make him envious. Will I trigger some sort of rage?

Revali would find out. That was the point of it, after all.

Hoping that it would be successful, Revali willed his gale to life. The first few gusts swirled beneath him, before they erupted below, lifting Revali into the air with great force.

The ability was still new, but Revali practiced with it regularly. He could now twist expertly in the gale.

When he reached the peak, he was well above the platform, the knight below readjusting his stance to be more sturdy in the sudden wind. Making good use of the air beneath him, Revali glided down to the platform and landed with flourish on the fence post.

He smirked at the Hylian Champion. "Impressive, I know. Very few can achieve a mastery of sky. Yet I," Revali continued, gesturing with his wing, "have made an art of creating an updraft that allows me to soar. It's considered to be quite the masterpiece of aerial techniques, even among the Rito. With proper utilization of my superior skills, I see no reason why we couldn't easily dispense with Ganon."

Revali's prideful smirk dwindled slightly. Still no expression? Perhaps the knight had gotten better at masking emotion. Or he's just stupid. Revali saw that as more realistic. That would actually explain a lot. Absence of emotion could be due to the fact that the boy had been trained as a weapon, and nothing else. Perhaps there wasn't a lick of intelligence in that little brain of his.

Revali leapt down from the fence post, folding his wings behind his back as he approached the Hylian. "Now then, my ability to explore the firmament is certainly of note…" Revali paused, turning on his talon and placing a wing over the short boy's shoulder. "But let's not - pardon me for being so blunt - let's not forget that I am the most skilled archer of all the Rito."

Still nothing from the boy. Revali pulled backwards and began to circle around the Hylian. "Yet despite these truths, it seems that I have been tapped to merely assist you." Revali reached the front of the boy and pointed at him accusingly. "All because you happen to have that little darkness-sealing sword on your back."

Revali turned to the side, looking away from the Hylian. "I mean it's just… asinine." I doubt that boy has ever done anything noteworthy in his entire life. "Unless…" Revali's eye darted back to the champion. "you think you can prove me wrong?"

Revali got right up close to the Hylian's face, knowing that those of their race were extremely sensitive about close contact. However, the boy did not budge, his expression every bit as stony as it had been before. "Maybe we should settle this one on one?"

Sighing internally, Revali pulled away and assumed a posture of faux thoughtfulness. "But where...? Oh, I know! How about up there?"

Revali threw his wing upward towards the Divine Beast that circled above. Then Revali lowered his wing, smirking at the champion. "Oh, you must pardon me!" Revali laughed, moving his wings as if apologizing sincerely. "I forgot that you have no way of making it up to that Divine Beast on your own!"

Revali turned and threw his wings wide out, glancing at the Hylian Champion over his shoulder.

Revali launched himself upward, summoning only a small gust to launch himself upward. He turned in flight to call back down to the rock that was the Hylian Champion. "Good luck sealing the darkness!"

And with that Revali departed, soaring gracefully to the Divine Beast above, his mission to prove the knight weak failing.

Link released a silent sigh as Revali disappeared into the Divine Beast above. The Rito Champion was extremely prideful, but that did not change the fact that he had made very excellent points.

Revali had proven his worth. He had broken the boundaries of aerial combat with his ability. That, combined with his superb archery skills… he was a champion far worthier of his title than Link.

Revali has been accepted. He was chosen for his skills… not because he drew a magic sword out of a rock.

"You are skilled as well, are you not?"

Not particularly, Link replied, surprised to hear Fi's voice. For reasons unknown to him, she had been silent within the last few weeks. There are many who are more skilled than I.

"As far as I know, you have never been bested it combat."

No. Link rolled his eyes. I've been defeated plenty of times. That happens when you're put up against older, more experienced knights. Which you should have chosen, by the way.

"I apologize, Master, but I did not have a say in who the chosen was," Fi said. "It was a decision made years before I was given a consciousness."

"How is that even-?" Link asked, irritated, out loud, before quickly silencing himself and resuming his mask. How is that even possible? You existed long before I was even born. There were chosen heroes before me! How could they have chosen then?

"I apologize, but I am not permitted to speak to you about that subject."

So I am not allowed to understand what the heck is up with your logic?

A paused. Then a quiet chime came.

"You will."

What do you mean, Fi? What are you not telling me?

Fi was silent, and after several moments, Link realized she would not reply. He glanced at the horizon, only then noticing that the sun was getting lower. He doubted the princess was finished with her meeting (so was the way of politics), so he decided to scout out a good place to watch the sunset.

He thought momentarily. The sun rises in the north-east… so it sets in the south-west. And if Link's "internal compass" was correct (his "internal compass" being the accurate reference the landmarks in the distance), if he looked directly off the platform, towards the horizon, that would be north-east. Huh. Nice view right here, then. But it wasn't sunrise. Sunset was in the opposite direction.

Link looked up behind him, looking thoughtfully at the large central rock pillar that Rito was built around.

I suppose that would be a good spot for an unobstructed view. It wouldn't be a difficult climb, and he'd be able to get back down before the princess noticed his absence.

Hopefully no one notices me up there. After all, a knight is not supposed to participate in meaningless, pleasurable activities. It wasn't meaningless to Link, of course, but it was viewed as a trivial waste of time to others.

Link walked as silently as he could past the elder's hut. Fortunately for him, the Rito Elder had drawn thick, wool curtains over the normally open entrance to provide privacy for the political meal.

Link caught a whiff of the meal they were eating. It smelled wonderful.

Link ignored the way his stomach growled. You just ate, glutton. Well… he had eaten at around noon. Impa had told him that, as an appointed knight, he would have to start eating less so that his own meal time did not affect the princess's schedule. It would also use up a lesser amount of the rations, so that the princess could continue eating the same amount on journeys.

"Eat one big meal a day and snack every now and then," Impa had said.

Link had decided early in the mornings was the best time, but the princess had been up and about far earlier than usual - just a short while after himself. Link had accompanied her around Rito Village, where she greeted the more prominent members of the race. He ate at the same time as the princess, eating as much as he could as quickly as possible… all while drawing the least amount of attention to himself.

He thought he still got a few weird looks. But that was better than being stared at awkwardly the whole time. He called it a success. Perhaps a monstrous appetite will be good for my image. Though he still doubted many noticed.

Link examined the wall of rock before him. He noted that the wall tilted outward before the halfway point, knowing that would make the climb a bit more difficult. Link, however, had participated in climbs that were far more… risky. Those particular climbs had been reckless, one even costing him the use of his arm for six months, but the ones that were successful were always worth it… so long as Impa never ended up finding out. Link suppressed a shiver.

After figuring out the safest path, Link glanced around, ensuring that all the Rito were indoors, before leaping onto the rock and expertly scaling the wall.

It didn't take as long as he had thought it would to reach the best spot. He hadn't been able to reach the very top, as the rock jutted way too far outward (although he was well practiced in climbing, Link definitely couldn't defy gravity), but he had found a comfortable spot that had a fine view of the south-west horizon.

He waited patiently, feeling the warm rock beneath him. The sun sank lower, painting the sky a mix of orange, red, and gold, the angle of the light causing it to hit the very spot he was sitting.

Link let himself smile. Nature truly was magnificent, and sunsets like this reminded him of better days.

The boy, no older than seven or eight, sat beside his mother on the lush grass, squirming excitedly. His mother chuckled at his youthful antics.

"Calm down, my boy," she laughed. "Patience is a virtue, you know."

"I know, Mama," the boy groaned. "But I wish I could do something while we wait!"

"Good things come to those who wait," his mother said wisely. "You don't need to always be doing something, either. They say boredom is one of the greatest sources of creativity."

"...What? How?"

His mother rolled her eyes. "Well, thinking is good for you, my boy. Always being entertained won't teach you anything."

"Oh," the boy mumbled softly. "Duh." He made a gesture with his hand to his head that resembled an explosion.

His mother smiled and pulled him into her grasp, eyes trained firmly on the horizon. "Look," she said quietly, as if trying not to disturb the earth below. "It's starting."

The boy grew still in her grasp, and the mother glanced momentarily at her son, smiling at the awestruck look on his face, before her eyes returned to the sky, which was bathed in rich oranges and golds.

"You see that, Link? A sunset is worth more than a thousand rupees." His mother's face shifted to a bittersweet smile. "You should always appreciate the wildlife around you. There are those that do not respect it, never take note of the wonders around them, and they live miserable lives. But those who truly see live lives of joy and thanks. Remember to be grateful, and you'll be alright."

"Okay, Mama," the boy said. He sounded unsure, but the mother knew that he would understand the whole of her words one day.

They sat in silence, watching the sun's light drip out of the horizon and allow the stars to shine and the moon to glow.

The mother turned to her boy, smiling as he yawned. "Well, I suppose it's time to get you to bed, my dear."

"I don't-!" the boy's words were interrupted by a big yawn. "I don't wanna…"

The mother scooped her son up with no resistance, making her way to their home with her boy, her Link, cradled in her arms.

Link smiled bittersweetly and leaned on the rock behind him, watching as the last of the sun's light left the horizon.

I'm sorry I failed you.

No one was there to witness the single tear that dripped down the hero's cheek. He prefered it that way. After all, what would they think if they were to discover the truth…? No one wanted a foolish, mourning, guilt racked failure for a hero.

They need not know that it was all they had.

I remember this chapter being a fun one to write. Hey, look! Link's past (a Link to the past! Hahaha, okay, I'm done)! Aw, and a cute moment with lil' baby Link! Oh, and then I went and made it sad. You're welcome.

Ravioli is a lovable butt-face. Who agrees? Just me? Okay.

Turns out that the sun rises in the north-east in BoTW! Believe me, I'd know. I totally researched it myself (I wasn't making excuses to play Zelda! NO ONE needs excuses to play Zelda!). Some people think that it's stupid, but it's an alternate world! It's GOING to have a different daylight cycle!

Sorry about replying kind of late to all the reviews (except for the guests; You guys always get replies at the same time XD). I had a busy weekend... well, more like a two-day vacation in which I had no access to a computer. But luckily I got a week ahead on my writing schedule during the days before that, so we're all good. I just wasn't able to reply because I was writing stories. Is it wrong that I'm already planning the fic for after Before? Heh, after Before... doesn't that make it the now? OKAY, I'M DONE, PLEASE DON'T KILL ME! I see you, secret agents watching my every move. I won't say any names, but then again, it's notaname (hah, see what I did there? I'M DONE NOW, I PROMISE!).

Well... secret review phrase is "Ravioli." Yes, if you refer to Revali you must call him that. *cue Moana music* What can I say except YOU'RE WELCOME?!

REVIEW! I may have missed a few things that could be fixed up, soooo... yeah. If you see anything, PM or review! Or just review! I like hearing all the theorization and such!

Have a wonderful week, y'all!

Sincerely (Maybe),

Ari!