Note: Hello everyone, sorry I haven't been posting many updates lately, it's been a pretty busy couple of weeks and I was posting from a backlog that I've kept. I'm all out at this point so I apologize in advance if some chapters come out late. The writing has been pretty enjoyable nonetheless and it feels like it's gone by so fast. If I had to put a number on this, I would say that there's maybe about 5 chapters left, give or take. I can't say for sure since at this point I'm writing them week to week. Even so I already have some ideas for my next project, but I won't start that till I'm done with this story. It makes me glad to see people interested the in story's progression and I hope my writing has been up to par. I'm not by writer by trade so any and all feedback is appreciated. If you have any other questions about this story, or potentially that next project, feel free to PM me and I will happily get back to you. Thanks for reading and as always, enjoy!

Chapter 27: A Warrior's Bravado

Their battle was as tense as it close, both warriors had fought tirelessly without being able to gain any ground. Revali had started the battle by firing a volley of arrows at Link. Luckily, they were blunt arrows, but it made no difference since Link was either able to sidestep them or block them with his shield. His skill with a bow was formidable but Link had fought his fair share of Lynels who were surprisingly skilled with bows as well. Once Revali ran out of arrows, he was forced to approach Link with the feathered spear he had brought as backup. He still had the advantage of speed since he was much lighter than Link. Revali knew he wouldn't fare well in close range and was going a good job at keeping Link away using the spear.

Link kept pressing forward but Revali kept forcing him to step back, he was on the defensive. Link stepped forward hoping to bait Revali into jabbing at him with the spear, as soon as he attacked the way he had wanted, Link tried to swipe the spear away to step in closer, but it just led to him almost getting hit in the ribs. The Rito knew how to make their weapons incredibly light which made them faster to use and easier to handle. It wasn't the same as when he fought Sidon.

He stepped in again, this time taking the blow from the spear and deflecting it with his shield. Link had gotten in and was about to make the finishing move when he was suddenly hit by a gust of wind and he brought his shield up to his face. When he lowered it, he saw Revali back in his defensive stance on the other side of the platform and he was looking a tad bit more frazzled than before. Link must have gotten close enough to scare him into using his self-dubbed gale as a defense mechanism. It just meant Link was going to have to move faster than Revali could react.

However, Revali was the first to step in this time, he must have gotten confident since realized that he could use his gale as a defensive tool. Link stepped forward regardless, he wasn't going to let him gain any ground. They began trading blows again, Revali jabbed first which was met by Link's swipe. Link thrust his sword forward and Revali sidestepped it. He'd been fighting Revali too long, by now he was starting to recognize Link's movements. Link smiled internally to himself as a thought popped into his mind, his battle with Urbosa hadn't been for naught and she had taught him some pretty useful techniques. He had a plan to end their bout, he just had to wait for the right moment.

Revali kept pressing forward and Link watched his movements patiently. Link feigned retreat causing Revali to press more, he wound up for a low jab with the spear and Link found what he was looking for. He sidestepped the attack while simultaneously spinning the Master Sword into a reverse grip. Link drove the sword into the ground through the hole in the metal of the spearhead. Revali's eyes widened in shock as Link knocked the wind out of him with a push kick and knocked him on his back. Before he could react, Link was kneeling over him, his now-empty sword hand tightly gripping Revali's scarf and his shield was cocked back ready to deliver the final blow. The Rito instinctively brought his hands up to block his face but the blow never came.

Instead Link got off of him, their battle was over. Both were panting with effort and they locked eyes when Revali moved his hands from his face. There was an unfamiliar look in Revali's eyes that Link hadn't seen before but he didn't think much about it. Link offered him a hand up which Revali surprisingly took, he stood, still keeping eye contact as if searching for something in Links eyes and then without a word, took off.

Link turned back to see the small crowd that had gathered, it was just a few Rito who had probably heard the commotion through their wall-less huts. Teba was there as well and he was saying something to Zelda before walking over to Link on the platform. Link stepped up to retrieve the Master Sword from the ground right as Teba met him.

"I wasn't sure who was going to win between the two of you, it was a well fought battle on both sides." He said.

"Will he be alright." Link asked.

"Yeah, his ego is probably bruised more than anything, but he'll recover."

Link nodded while handing the spear to Teba, he walked back over to Zelda who was still waiting for him and he gave her a questioning look.

"I hope I was right," She said, "I've never seen Revali with anything but confidence in his eyes."

He just thought it over but didn't say anything, Link knew they would need to get along eventually and if this didn't work Zelda would probably find another way. It was getting late however, and he knew they'd be up early the next day so Zelda led them back to the inn where they turned in for the night.

It was another early morning for them, Zelda was the first one up this time as well. Her enthusiasm, although contained, still kept her anxious to see what they would find in the forgotten temple. They packed their gear and started making their way out, Kass was already there waiting for them outside the inn. Just as they reached the last platform they noticed Revali leaning over the railing overlooking the East side. Zelda glanced over to Link urging him to head over, and so he did.

Link wasn't sure how to approach so he just walked over next to Revali and looked over to the sunrise. He got close enough to be noticed but didn't say anything.

"To think that you bested me yesterday seems completely absurd, but I keep replaying it in my mind and it really did happen. It's foolish for people to put so much faith in one person solely because they can pull a sword from a stone." Revali said leaving a long pause between them.

"I may have underestimated you but there is one thing I can promise you. I will become stronger, better, and I won't rest until I surpass you." He said finally turning to make eye contact.

"Don't let it get to your head… Link. Next time you won't be so lucky." Revali said while unexpectedly outstretching his wing for Link to shake it.

Link couldn't help but show a faint smile, he nodded confidently to the Rito and shook his wing.

"I'm looking forward to it." Link replied.

Revali smirked as Link turned to walk back towards the Princess, it seemed that Saki had been right. Although, this had turned out to be the best-case scenario and Link was content with the way it turned out. He joined back up with the other two and they continued back down the village. A lot had changed during the course of their journey, mostly for the better, but it was soon coming to a close. Next stop was Tanagar canyon and from then on they would have to play it by ear, he almost didn't want it to end.