Third Person POV
After leaving E-Rantel Link and the others were now on the road that leads to Carnage Village, despite using it only once, Link already has memorized the route. Link decided to not bring Epona with him, all the others except Nfirea were on foot so the hylian felt it would be insensible of his parts, there is also the fact that some sort of resentment could grow if he was the only one on a horse.
"So, Link." Momon says with the others raising their heads a little so they can listen. "Do you still want to fight me?"
Link nods, he still hasn't seen Momon's abilities, but he hopes to see them while on this job and hopefully fight the warrior once this is over. The others, especially Nabe, had shock stamped on their faces, each one having their own reasons behind it.
"Very well, once we set camp at dawn we will have a spar, until then I ask you to be patient." Momon says.
Link nods and smiles, anxious for the combat they will have soon. While their walk continues Link thinks about how should he fight Momon, the man is a warrior who probably has years of experience and remarkable skill, this makes the hylian think about the day before, on how Link would have to diversify his sword style so he would not become stagnant or predictable when he fights skillful enemies like Momon in the future, an idea had come to Link's mind, it was stupid, ridiculous and absurd, but the thing is, it could actually work, after all, he is in a fantasy world of magic and swords inside the body of his favorite videogame character, who is to say a crazy idea can't work.
'As Jack Sparrow, I mean, Captain Jack Sparrow once said when he was called crazy because of his plans; why thank you, otherwise this would never work.' Link smiles and wonders how surprised Momon will be when he sees what Link has inside his sleeve.
Their walk proceeded calmly and quietly, except for one thing, on their way to Carne Village Link spot many different types of bugs and small animals, this makes him have an idea, getting excited about it the hylian starts capturing them with a bug net, just like with Gazef, he put his hand on his rupee bag when he took it out to avoid freaking them and start capturing the fireflies, butterflies and small lizards they come across in the way, the sight was a little amusing to the other adventurers who shared awkward smiles and stares seeing the hylian swinging his bug net trying to capture the little creatures.
'What is he going to do with it?' Momon asks himself as he watches the hylian put every creature he captures in a different glass jar and put it back inside his bag. 'I wonder how he does it, is it a magic bag or is it a trick and he really is a player, putting his hand inside the bag to take out items and avoid suspicion'.
"What are those for Link?" Peter asks, making Momon look at him and give an invisible cheer for asking Link in his stead.
"Elixirs". Link says and looks at the recently captured butterfly, it was the last one he needed, he was somewhat surprised that this world had the same insects and small animals needed to make the elixirs from the games, he already collected some guts from the goblins he slayed on his first question so all he needed to do now was prepare it.
"Elixirs?" Momon says, curious at this recently obtained information. 'First that boomerang, now elixirs, how many tricks does he have upon his sleeve?'.
Link only nods as he puts the final jar back inside his inventory and they proceed with their walk. Every now and then someone stole a glance at Link, with Nfirea and Momon doing it the most, the first for being curious about how such elixirs work and how he makes them, the second for obtaining new valuable information out of the hylian and wanting to know more about the elixirs he told them he could make.
"Tell me Link". Nfirea says. "What kind of elixirs you can make?".
"… Immunity to cold… and others alike". Link says making the herbalist and the iron-plated adventurers gasp in surprise.
"How many elixirs can you make?". Momon asks.
Link furrows his brow and Momon sweats nervously, in a figurative way, because of the look the hylian gave him, not knowing Link is doing this face out of tiredness for he doesn't want to speak so he has an idea. Link takes his Sheikah Slate from his waist and opens his inventory on the object, specifically, the elixirs window, and gives it to Momon so he can see for himself what the hylian has in store, he knows it wouldn't cause any harm, to him or the warrior.
'He has a tablet?! No wait, this is a tablet, but there is no technology in it, whatever this is, it uses pure magic. I really want to look at everything, but he might notice and I'm not confident enough to fight Link without any knowledge of him, the information about these elixirs will give me some edge though.' Momon thinks as he looks at the many elixirs displayed in the Sheikah Slate, he wishes everyone could stop trying to look at it over his shoulders but refrains from saying so since the magical tablet belongs to Link, not him.
Momon was impressed and shocked by the elixirs displayed on Link's tablet and a little frustrated, Nazarick didn't have a basic knowledge of the ingredients nor how to produce potions and elixirs using the materials of this world, but Link, who might be a player like him, already did in a small frame of time, if Link showed he could also forge and enchant armors and weapons then Momon would be forced to quickly find a way to appeal for the hylian to join Nazarick.
After memorizing the elixirs and memorizing each one of the effects Momon gives Link's Sheikah Slate back and starts thinking about them and how Link creates them, wondering if he does create one elixir exactly like the hylian could do would they be equal to his or would they be inferior since he has no job level related to potion brewing? or if it would be an elixir at all? for all he knows only Link can create them, he just learned about talents, who could say that Link doesn't have one, Momon still hasn't confirmed if he was a player or not, and even if he was Link could as well find a way to artificially put some talent on him.
'I'll have to see him making an elixir then try it myself.' Momon tells himself.
They proceed with their walk and find a good spot to stop and let the horses rest, everyone sits down to catch a rest while the horses drink water from a river next to the spot they are in. Link sees this as an opportunity and takes off his fishing rod so he can start fishing.
Everyone looks curious at the hylian as he just sits near the river's margin and pays close attention to the line of the rod. Barely five minutes fishing and Link already appears to have caught something, and the way he got on his feet and grabbed the rod with both hands, it was a big one.
"Hyaa" With a yell Link pulls the fishing rod.
On land, everyone watched with surprise at the huge fish Link caught; it could feed the whole group. The hylian doesn't waste time and grabs the handle of the sword on his back, with one hand and a fast swing he kills the fish he caught and puts it inside his inventory, then, with the dinner problem solved he returns to the horse and wagon just as Momon and the others have finished preparations, so they can proceed with their travel.
"Man, is there something you can't do?" Peter asks scratching the back of his neck.
Link smiles and looks at the group, the hylian feels a little change in the atmosphere. Link had heard them talking while he was fishing but was too focused to pay attention to what had been spoken.
"Did something… happen?" Link asks Peter.
"Just, some minor issues, don't worry about it". Peter says.
'I'm lucky he didn't hear about Albedo. My cover would've blown up on the spot.' Momon speaks inside his mind.
"Momon-san, please forgive my friend's behavior". Peter says.
'Man, I should've paid attention.' Link tells himself.
"Lukrut, you have to stop-" Peter looks at Lukrut but is interrupted once the ranger raises his hand in front of him, leaning forward with a cocky smile.
"They started to move". Lukrut says.
Lukrut's words catch everyone's attention making all but Momon, Nabe, and Link gasp. The danger was close and approaching and the hylian's blood was boiling for action, he knew it was not something cool like a dragon or a beholder, but a fight is a fight, and it would be a good warm-up before his spar with Momon so Link wastes no time in taking his sword off his back, and hold it with both hands while assuming a fighting stance.
'Time to test my plan.' Link tells himself with a smile.
"Where are they?" Peter asks the ranger.
"Right there". Lukrut points and they all see the ogres and goblins approach as they come out of the nearby trees.
"Seems we can't avoid this fight". Lukrut says.
"Nfirea, please stay hidden in the wagon." Peter looks at the boy who nods in response.
"Aye, please, protect me". Nfirea says.
"Momon-san, how should we split our forces?" Peter asks the dark warrior.
"Could you all protect Nfirea?" Momon asks and Link's excitement grows, he had asked the dark warrior for a spar, so it was obvious Momon wanted to show Link what he is capable of, making the hylian want to do the same. "Let Nabe and I show you how easily we can dispose of this horde."
"Count me in." Link says making all eyes turn to him, he wasn't asking for permission, he could see that Momon wasn't one that gloats about the strength they don't have, he could back up every word he spoke, and Link knew it, but he would not stay back while the warrior has all the fun.
Momon doesn't say a word and only nods to the hylian knowing it would be useless to tell him to stay out of the fight.
"Very well." Peter says. "We will give you every support we can."
"If we fight them here, they might escape back to the forest". Ninya says.
"Then let's do what we always do". Lukrut says with a trusting grin. "Make the turtle expose its head out of the shell."
"Sounds like a plan." Dyne says. "In this case, Peter, while Momon and Link hold the enemy attack, how about we finish them with our technique?"
"I'll use the ability 'fortress' and make the ogres retreat." Peter says, unsheathing his sword and raising his shield, getting into a fighting stance. "Dyne will take care of the goblins".
"Roger." Dyne says.
"Ninya will protect me with defensive spells. Then he will follow the flow of the battle and focus on his offensive spells."
"Understood." Ninya says.
"Lukrut, please, shoot the goblins with your arrows. If any ogre passes, try to hold it."
"Aye.". Lukrut says.
"Momon-san, is that acceptable?"
"Yes." Momon says.
"First." Lukrut grabs an arrow from its quiver and readies his bow.
The ogres and goblins were approaching faster now, no longer walking but charging at the group now that the trees were out of their way, but they stopped once Lukrut shot an arrow at them, he misses with the arrow falling a little ahead of the group of monsters who just look at it for a moment and laugh before charging again.
"They had fallen for it". Lukrut says and readies another arrow, shooting it and hitting a charging goblin right in the eye, killing it instantly.
"Reinforce armor." Ninya raises his magic staff, and it starts glowing with a green light inside the hole on the halo at the top of the staff, seconds after, Peter's armor starts glowing with the same green shade.
"Twine plant." Dyne chants and vines are summoned from the ground, wrapping around one of the ogres closer to Peter, completely immobilizing it.
Peter goes for the finish but stops as he watches Momon and Nabe walking casually towards the other charging ogres on his right then he sees Link on his left, sword ready while holding a strange battle stance that Peter never saw in his life. Peter decides to see what they will do later and pierces the ogre's heart with his sword.
'Okay Link, time to see if all those years of kendo practicing and playing with wooden and toy swords turned me into a real master of Djem So.' Link told himself inside his mind, this was his stupid and reckless plan, but the thing is, while Djem So is not real and neither are the force and lightsabers, it still is a fighting style, and in this fantasy world with magic and martial arts, who is to say that it won't work, besides, Link trained it for years and now he has the strength and endurance to use, plus a sword sharp enough, light enough, to use it as a lightsaber. 'No to sound arrogant, but I'm feeling at the top of the word right now.'
Link does a basic swing of Djem So giving emphasis on strong strikes and power domination. With a slash opening at the incoming ogre Link cuts the creature in half and everyone watches as both halves of the creature split apart falling on Link's left and right as the hero of time assumes the form V stance by raising the blade over his head while keeping the handle at face-level.
'Okay, that was cool, what kind of style is that?' Momon asked himself after doing the same thing Link did, an ogre had approached him and attempted an attack but the dark warrior jumped away from its mace and slashed it in half just like Link, the only difference being Momon's cut was horizontal while Link's cut was on the vertical.
"Incredible." Lukrut whispers at the sight of the two warriors as he stares open-mouthed and stunned along with everyone else by their ability on the field and finesse with the sword.
"Higher than Mythril." Peter says.
"Orichalcum?!"
"No. Could they be adamantite level?"
"What's wrong?" Momon raises his greatswords at the nearest ogre, inviting it to attack, and to death. "You won't attack?"
The ogre, apparently provoked by Momon's taunt, roars and charges at the dark knight, its muscles and fat shaking with each step as it readies its wood mace, raising it above its head only to meet its end by Momon's sword as he uses it to cut the ogre in half on the horizontal once more.
"How many are still left?" Momon asks no one as he looks at the remaining ogres just as Link is about to finish another one by doing a roll slash, it is a strange sight for Momon and the others as the attack is performed by Link rolling forward in the ground and once on his bent knee and free foot has solid grasp in the ground a vertical slash is performed.
The attack once again cuts the ogre in half but since Link didn't slash its whole body he just watches as the monster drops into the ground in half from the chest and downward, being held together only by its untouched head.
"They're coming to our side." Peter tells his companions and charges at the nearest goblins, bashing his shield against the skull of the first one and slashing the second that came right behind it.
"Magic arrow." Ninya shoots a spell that does exactly as the name implies and hits a goblin that tries to hit Peter from behind with a yellow arrow made of mana.
"Here they come." Lukrut says, dropping his bow and drawing his short sword after the goblins changed their target from Peter to Ninya after his magic display.
"Let's go." Dyne says, reading his iron mace and taking a battle stance beside Lukrut.
'Teamwork makes the dream work'. Link tells himself, smiling at the synchrony that the team has as he readies his sword for another attack.
"They have good chemistry, knowing each strength and weakness and manage to work together to the point almost nothing needs to be said to understand what they are planning." Momon tells himself as he watches them before his sight turns to Link. "No surprise there, he proved himself already, he is a great swordsman, and this strange style he is using proves that he knows more than one type of swordsmanship, wouldn't surprise me if he knows how to use other melee weapons like axes and clubs with mastery".
Momon contemplation comes to an end once an ogre tries to swing its club at him, the dark warrior only lowers his head as the enemy weapons approach and completely avoids being hit, counterattacking it with another swing of his sword and cutting it above the waist so fast blood is only spilled after the sword is already cutting a second ogre, this time with a cut above the shoulder that ends down the armpit. Link at the same time jumps over one of the ogres and cuts it while still in the air with another vertical slash the moment the creature enters his attack range, there is another ogre right beside the one Link killed but before it could attack the hylian hits its club with a right swing of his sword, leaving it open to Link who cuts it with an upper-left swing.
Only two ogres were left, and seeing it was a lost battle the closest one retreated and started running away, Momon would not let it happen, he approached his partner Nabe and told her his orders with decisiveness worthy of a leader.
"Nabe, finish this." Momon says with a cold voice leaving no room for arguments.
"As you wish. [Lightning]." Pointing her index at the fleeing creature a blue bolt of electricity flies out of Nabe's finger like a torpedo and hits its target, not only killing it but also passing through it and hitting the other ogre behind it.
The goblins, seeing that their main offensive force was defeated, start panicking, looking all around only to find blood and corpses, soon, despair takes over their minds, and groans and screams that shows fear all over is the only thing coming out of their mouth as they flee away in panic.
The goblins futile action of running away was in vain for the four adventurers that stayed with the wagon had no trouble killing them, on their escape the goblins left their backs exposed and all Peter and his team needed to do was attack them without worry until every last one of them was killed.
Link observes the battlefield that was used, Dyne was curing Peter and Lukrut who had been hurt by the fleeing goblins, forgetting that once cornered is when the beast is more dangerous, Momon and Nabe were observing Ninya as he cuts the ear of the ogres. Since this was Momon's first task the hylian correctly assumed that he didn't know yet that one needed to do it in order to confirm the kill and get paid for it, but Momon's next words definitely caught Link's attention.
"Items don't fall from them like crystals?" Momon asks, making Link raise an eyebrow at the very specific thing the dark warrior just said.
'Okay, calm down, The Legend of Zelda is not the only game where crystals fall out of defeated enemies, besides, it could mean anything but…' Link can't stop shaking the feeling, he never considered he was the only person transported to this world, but he'd never considered what to do when meeting someone else from his former world. "If he is a player what should I do? I can't exactly go there and ask "Hey Momon, I'm from another world what about you?" best case scenario he is a player and we partner up and set down on finding more people from our old world to help each other, worst case scenario, he thinks I'm crazy or worse, he is a player and tries to kill me as a potential danger.'
"Never heard about ogres carrying crystals" Ninya comments, making Link come out of his thoughts but giving him an idea, a very bad one but one can't always play safe, sometimes one has to take risks, or they will never reap the rewards.
"You mean… like these?" Link asks Momon, taking out a rupee from his pouch and showing it to Momon.
This was the first time the hylian stopped to observe one of the rupees he possesses, and the games didn't do it justice, the jewel is so clean and polished that one could see their reflection in it, the beauty the jewel has is out of this and every other world, making it hard to believe the symmetrical shape it has was made by mortal hands.
Link handles the rupee to Momon who holds it with his index on top and thumb at the bottom, almost like he is searching for something in the jewel, then he holds it in his palm and slightly throws it in the air as if he is checking out its weight, then he just returns it to Link.
"No. Sincerely, I've never seen something like this before." Link could see the genuine honesty in Momon's voice and words, it didn't confirm he wasn't a player but it did confirm he never heard about The Legend of Zelda, which is almost the same, after all, it is quite impossible to be a gamer and never heard of one of the greatest franchises to ever exist so he decides to put his thoughts aside for now while he puts the rupee backs on his pouch. 'That was close, just looking at his face I can tell he would've known if I'd ever seen something like that jewel. Wait does that mean Link is a player, I mean, it could simply mean that he found that crystal fighting a monster and thought I did the same in the past and just wanted to confirm it, but it could also mean that he wanted me to tell him about the data crystals from YGGDRASIL by showing me a different crystal so I could correct him, confirming I'm a player, this is too hard, there is no concrete proof from either of us, and I can't just go there and ask "Hey Link, I'm from another world what about you?" best case scenario he is a player and we partner up and set down on finding more people from our old world to help each other, worst case scenario, he thinks I'm crazy or worse, he is a player and tries to kill me as a potential danger.'
"Momon-san, Link, you were incredible". Ninya says making both former players look at the boy as he gets on his feet and gives the two a smile. "You three are more skilled than we initially thought."
"Where did you two get swords like that?" Lukrut asks.
"I believe you are as strong as the warrior captain of the royal knights". Dyne says.
"Of course." Nabe says with her eyes closed and a smile that was on the line between cocky and arrogant.
"I guess this is a reminder that there is always someone stronger out there." Peter comments.
"Not at all." Momon says with humbleness. "One day. Your team might be able to defeat creatures such as these with ease."
Like an anime protagonist Link closes his eyes, smiles, and crosses his arms, nodding at Momon's words as a way to inspire them to follow their dream and not give up, nor abandon hope.
'Always wanted to do that.' Link says, almost screaming, cheerfully inside his mind, every single time spent in this New World was a blessing for allowing him to do things he could never do in his old world, and for letting him look awesome whenever he tries to act and look cool.
The four of them blush at the comment, but soon laugh, undecided if they should take Momon's words of confidence to heart or just accept it as a consolation in the face of the true and cruel reality; that Link and Momon are beyond everything they could hope to be.
After they were all set to go, the wagon went a few more miles before the group took another stop, it was getting dark and it would take time to make camp, with nothing left to do as Peter and his group started arranging everything, Link and Momon decides to have their spar, it couldn't be seen because of his armor but Momon was actually anxious to have this training, hoping to learn more about the fighting style Link used against the ogres.
Momon decides to use only one of his greatswords and holds the handle with both hands, tip raised and leaning forward towards the opponent, Link decides to use the form IV Ataru this time, one would think it would be hard to swing a sword as big as the Fierce Deity Link has with such smoothness and skillful movements, yet the hylian does it no problem, following the primary rules of Ataru; constant saber movements.
Taking a step closer to Momon Link swings and spins his sword with one hand on his left and right side, almost like a nun-chuck.
'What is this?' Momon asks himself as he watches another sword style he has never seen before. 'How many styles does he have?'
Now with each opponent inside the other's reach, it was time to start, Momon lets Link do the first movement and the hylian complies by attacking the dark warrior with a horizontal clockwise spin cut which Momon defends using the edge of his own blade, but Momon doesn't know about Ataru and makes the mistake of reacting too slow after the blades touch each other, Link uses the momentum to impulse himself and spin anticlockwise and hit Momon in the ribs with another horizontal cut.
"Good move." Momon comments. He doesn't feel anything, glad that one of his suspicions about Link was not right, yet. 'If he was a player he would've taken the opportunity by now, Narberal might be strong, but a level 100 can defeat her easily.'
Momon takes a quick look at his companion and sees her frowning at Link, it is small but visible, and then he turns his attention back to the spar, he swings his sword at Link but what he does next is nothing Momon could expect, Link jumps over Momon's blade and does a front flip right before touching the ground and swings his sword hitting Momon softly in the helmet. Momon attacks again but Link rolls backward, seeing this as an opening, Momon steps forward and tries another horizontal swing, this one too high and too late for Link to jump over but the hylian only lowers his head and with a swift swing, he virtually slashes Momon's torso.
The spar continues for minutes with Momon not being able to touch Link even once, his final attempt ends with a vertical slash which Link evades simply by stepping aside and counters by swinging his sword at Momon's neck, cutting it off if there were in a real battle.
Putting his sword on his back Link bows to Momon who does the same and they both end their spar session with a handshake, followed by applause from Nfirea, Peter, and his team, Nabe was the only one not doing so, staring daggers at Link, but he didn't blame her, no one likes to see a friend lose.
"Good spar Link". Momon says.
"Yeah, that was amazing." Ninya says.
"Where did you learn those movements?" Nfirea asks.
Link just shrugged his shoulders as he and Momon took a seat beside the others, their eyes were shining and no one could blame them, Link and Momon fought like every knight in those bedtime stories, they wouldn't be surprised if Link and Momon became the greatest heroes of the greatest legend in this world's history, so the questions were inevitable.
Seeing that escaping from the questions is impossible Link takes out the ingredients he has for the elixirs and asks Peter for a pan so he can prepare it.
"What are you doing Link?" Nfirea asks.
"…Elixirs". Link says.
"So, are you gonna tell us where you learned to fight like that?" Peter asks.
Link doesn't look Peter in the eyes, focused on the pan as he puts the ingredients in it, this is not a game anymore, so he wonders how the process will work, with no option left but to wait and see after he puts the ingredients in the pan and the pan in the fire Link spares Peter a glance and nods to him.
"Learned… on Hyrule". Link says, remembering the castle as if he had lived there his whole life, the memories though were from the game Hyrule Warriors.
"Hyrule?" Lukrut says, confused. "Never heard of it, where it is?"
"Far… away." Link says.
"Come on, you've got to tell us."
Link doesn't answer and only smiles as he stares at the pan, the ingredients turned into an orange liquid, it is a Spicy Elixir, it allows the person who drinks to increase their resistance to cold environments, seeing that it was ready, the hylian takes an empty bottle and explains to everyone what the elixir is and what can it do.
"That's incredible." Momon says. "Can I try it?".
Link nods and gives the ingredients to Momon, everyone watches as the black armored warrior does the exact same thing Link has done, once all ingredients are in the pan and back in the fire they resume their talk.
"Okay, what about your sword style, the one you used to spar against Momon-san was completely different from the one you used to fight the ogres, what are they called?" Peter asks.
"Ataru… and Djem So." Link says as he watches Momon's attempt to make an elixir go downhill, unlike Link, Momon's ingredients went from fresh to crispy with no in-betweens, making the warrior lower his head, clearly disappointed with the outcome. "It is… fine… no harm done."
Link smiles and the warrior nods to him as he thinks about his failure to recreate the same Elixir Link has made despite repeating everything the hylian did to perfection.
'Guess it is safe to assume only Link can do it, or that he has a job class that allows him to do it.' Momon tells himself. "What is Ataru and Djem So? What do they focus on I mean".
Link tries to think of the best way to answer Momon's question, it is not hard to explain but when one takes away the force and lightsabers out of the explanation he risks sounding stupid despite the excellent excuse of just claiming they are swords fighting styles.
"Ataru is the aggression form… it focusses on acrobatics… such as somersaults and leaping strikes… both for attack and defense" Link scratches his chin as he takes care with his words to not spill anything Star Wars related and proceeds with his explanation. "Djem So is the perseverance form… it focuses on power attacks and defense… immediately followed by a counterstrike."
"Interesting." Momon says. "Who taught you these combat forms?"
"I… created them." Link's words caught everyone by surprise, it wasn't a lie, from a certain point of view, he couldn't explain where these forms came from since Star Wars doesn't exist here and there is no one in this world who knows it, and since he is the only one who knows them and is the one introducing them to the world it is not a lie to say he invented them.
"I see… are there any more forms you've created?" Momon asks, receiving a nod from the hylian. 'HOW MANY TRICKS DOES HE HAVE INSIDE HIS SLEEVE?'.
"How many?" Ninya asks.
"Seven forms." Link says, their talk was actually really fast and good to pass the time because after Link answered the last question asked he already finished making all the elixirs and used all his ingredients, glad that he had finally done one of the tests he needed to do and cross it off his long list of things still in need to experiment.
No one questioned Link any longer, feeling that he would not answer more questions and not wanting to be impolite by poking their nose somewhere they were not invited to, so they just stay quiet as Peter and his group started to prepare the food now that Link finished using the fire.
It was night by now, and all of them were sitting around the fire enjoying the food and mainly, the big fish that Link had caught, all of them were eating with a smile as their stomachs were filled with all the proteins the fish meat has, all of them but two. Link was the first to notice Momon hadn't touched his food, fingers refusing to move the tableware in his hand and to remove his helmet to eat, Nabe was the same although in her case she was looking at the food, almost disappointed, or maybe angry, Link could almost never tell whenever it comes to the Asian-looking girl.
Lukrut once more tried his luck with Nabe, Link could already predict the disaster the moment the ranger had opened his mouth to talk with her, making the hylian shake his head in disapproval, after seeing what she could do, Link was sure the only reason Nabe tolerated Lukrut's annoying flirt attempts was because of Momon, but with or without him she was still an independent entity, a living being with a patience limit of her own and Link knows it's at its limit when Nabe crushes the wooden spoon in her hands making the hylian once again shakes his head in disapproval towards Lukrut.
"It goes against our religion." Momon says, explaining his and Nabe's refusal to eat, he raises his head to look at them in the eyes. "I can't eat with more than four people on a day when I take a life."
'Well, that confirms he is not a player, no matter the number of crazy and stupid religions there were back on Earth, there is no one such as this one that doesn't allow you to eat with others after killing someone or something. Actually, I'm glad he is not a player, it is too much to hope for, but I like the thought of being the only player in this world, the last thing I need is someone like those evil protagonists from Japanese mangas and animes to come here and try to take over the world.' Link tells himself over his head.
"You have an interesting religion Momon-san". Dyne comments.
"By the way, why do you call yourselves the 'Sword of darkness'?" Momon asks.
Moved by curiosity Links adjusts his posture, sitting with a straight back and pays attention, he likes those types of stories for they always sound like the beginning of a journey, and now that he is living in a fantasy world, it sure is a journey's story, only this time it's a real one.
"Oh, this?" Lukrut says, clearly embarrassed making the hylian raise an eyebrow and wonder how come the story of his team's name is embarrassing while flirting with a girl is not. "Well, Ninya-"
"Please don't, this was just a stupid child's rant." Ninya interrupts, embarrassed and red from ear to ear.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of." Dyne says, eyes closed, arms crossed, a smile on his lips, Link wonders if he was imitating his action from earlier.
"Please, don't."
"Well, the name 'Swords of Darkness' comes from the swords of the thirteen heroes." Peter says.
Link remembers Gazef telling him about them. Two hundred years ago, this New World suffered distress from the destruction caused by beings called the Evil Deities. Responding to this calamity, the Thirteen Heroes were formed and fought against the Evil Deities, defeating them one by one. The final enemy they fought in their adventures together, whom they met their end against, was a powerful dragon once known as the God Dragon.
"Who are they?" Nabe asks, unknown to Link, Momon is cheering inside his mind for not having the courage to ask since apparently this knowledge is something everyone should have.
"You don't know Nabe-chan?!" Lukrut says. Link is surprised to see all the flirting out of his eyes from once and genuine compassion for a story taking its place.
"Out of the thirteen heroes, the Swords of Darkness were used by the hero known as 'Black Knight'" Ninya says.
'I hope he didn't lose his arms and legs in a fight then called it a draw.' Link thought and gave a soundless chuckle as he remembered one of the funniest comedies he had ever seen.
"Well, our greatest objective is to find these swords." Lukrut says.
'Too late for that.' Link tells himself, remembering what Gazef told him when he asked him about the Thirteen heroes himself, a woman named Lakyus had found one of the swords the Black Knight used making it impossible for them to find all swords.
"Until we get our hands on them, these are our symbol." Peter says as he takes an onyx-colored dagger out of his pocket with the rest of his party following suit.
"Doesn't matter if they are just replicas." Lukrut says. "They represent the origin of our team".
"Lukrut said something good, that is rare." Dyne says with a smile. Link nods in agreement.
"That's mean to my person." Lukrut says a little offended.
"We have to compliment you now and then." Peter jokes.
"You're too mean to me." Lukrut says.
Link and Momon watch the exchange between the four friends while thinking about their own friends of the past, the first thinking about how good those times were and how everything changed over the years and how he also had to change and adapt, the latter thinking about long missing friends and craving to feel what he used to fell whenever he was with them.
'Good times, I miss the guys, but I can't get attached to the past, I have to move forward and prepare for the future.' Link tells himself.
'In the past, I was like that. I had many adventures, collected materials, and helped create Nazarick.' Momon talks over his mind.
"Do all adventurers get along like this with their teams?" Nfirea asks.
Link just shrugs in response, he is a one-team-man so he doesn't know if he can answer that question, but Peter can.
"Aye, we trust our lives in each other." Peter says.
"And our team is guys only." Lukrut says. "I've heard a woman in the team can cause lots of trouble."
'No wonder you're single.' Link speaks inside his mind, looking at Lukrut with an eyebrow raised and a stare that says, "Are you for real?"
"Our team has a common objective. We manage everything together." Ninya says quickly, like Link, he probably wants to move away from Lukrut's topic.
"Things are different when everyone possesses a common objective." Momon says.
"When facing the same challenges… relatability is found… and a connection is formed… no matter who you are… or your origin." Link says, it was getting old whenever he talked everyone looked surprised, he couldn't help himself, he was never much of a talker, and becoming a video-game character that never spoke a single word in over thirty years doesn't help.
"Have you ever been part of a team Link?" Ninya asks.
It wasn't a hard question per se, but Link was more of a single-player gamer, when it comes to online he had many teammates, but they weren't the same, his FPS buddies sure were not the same dudes who played MMORPG with him, for a moment he thinks about his old life, it wasn't bad, it was normal, just normal, when he came to this word he had quickly accepted the fact that there might not be a way back and didn't put much thought on what he would do should he found a way back, he had friends and family back on Earth but life moves on, he would miss them sure, but wouldn't it be a regress if he abandoned everything he was building on this world just to return to his former life, the representation of his past? The hylian leaves the question unanswered and decides that Ninya's question is easier to answer.
"Yes… gone on many adventurers… never a dull moment… never a waste of time… they were the best." Link says, thinking about his friends who used to play Dungeons and Dragons in his house with him.
"Did something happen?" Dyne asks, Link just shrugs his shoulder.
"Moved away… couldn't see them again." Link responds, his face looking at the fire but seeing only the past, but not feeling sad, just glad that he had the chance to make such wonderful memories.
"What about Momon-san." Ninya looks at the black-armored warrior. "Did you belong to a team as well?"
"Yes, but we weren't so adventurous. When I was weak and alone, a white paladin saved me. He took me to people that, for the first time, I could call friends. There were wonderful companions. Also, my best friends. I never forgot all those days I've spent with them." Momon's words were heavy, and Link didn't need high senses to see the sadness in his tone and knew that once Momon's lips closed, his mind, like Link's, was elsewhere. 'Ainz Ooal Gown, My shining world.'
"Momon-san…" Ninya whispers. "Someday, I'm sure you'll find companions like them again."
"That day will never come." Momon's tone was now hostile, almost angry, no one dared to say a word, or so it seemed.
"It will…" Link says making the dark warrior look at him. "If you let go of the past… open your mind and heart to the future… then it will… you miss them and crave the good old days… but these days won't return… be happy because it happened… not sad because it's over… if focus only on the past you do… you miss the present… and won't see the future".
The tension made the mood drop, whatever Momon was feeling inside him made the surroundings feel cold and the air heavy, but unlike the rest of them, Link was unfazed, he was calm and serene, watching the fire burn and with every new movement made by the flames Link saw the present and the now, he doesn't know what his words made Momon feel like, but it doesn't matter, it was the past, whatever the warrior is feeling he can either run from it or learn from it, only he can make this choice, not anyone else.
"Excuse me." Momon gets up. "Nabe, I'll have my dinner over there."
"Then I shall go too". Nabe says, getting on her feet and following her partner as they both recluse themselves from the rest.
Link's eyes moved from the fire to the two figures now alone, then to the five people around him, not liking the silence the hylian reached for his bag and took off a blue ocarina from it, given the current mood and the fact that this blue ocarina is a magical item called The Ocarina of Time, Link decided to not play any magical song from the games, mainly because he didn't test the instrument yet and because he has no idea what will change with the new rules this world has, instead Link picks a song that fits their current state perfectly, it is not known to this world, but once they all listen, they will feel it is the best option for the occasion.
Rains of Castamere
As the melody of the ocarina starts playing all eyes turn to Link, the song starts low with long notes, wanting to distance himself from the group as well Link goes to the nearby tree and continues to play the song from a book that doesn't exist in this world. The song was now smoother with the main notes stronger and imposing and the secondary ones giving an air of grandeur to them, as the music got more intense Link watched the others. (A/N: I don't know anything about music so please don't kill me for my poor and probably wrong description of the notes)
Link was actually surprised with his ability to play the ocarina, in the games the hero of time knows how to do it, but back on earth the former player didn't, the former player knows the song but not the notes, but the former hero of time can play it because the former player knows the song despite not knowing the notes, it was strange but not unwelcome so he continues to play the song made as a warning to those who dared to oppose the lions.
Nfirea and the Swords of Darkness were bewitched by the song Link is playing, it is a good thing the hylian can't sing and blow the ocarina at the same time because the lyrics might have made them uncomfortable, but since it is only instrumental it managed to make the five of them more relaxed.
"I said something I shouldn't." Ninya says.
"Aya, something bad might've happened." Dyne says.
"Maybe they died." Peter said. "People who lost their friends in battle have this aura around them. It's something hard to deal with."
"You can't take back what you said." Dyne tells Ninya. "As a result, you'll have to work hard to repair what you said."
"I'll do that." Ninya closes his eyes, thinking about how to make amends.
'I know the pain of losing someone dear to you, how could I be so careless? …sister.' Ninya's thoughts about his sister were frequent ever since they were split apart.
"It was nice seeing the strength of Momon-san and Link." Nfiria says, his words bringing a sparkle of light, diminishing the tense air, and bringing smiles to the lips of the adventurer team.
"Aye, didn't think they could be so strong, especially Link, with his small frame and slender body I thought he was a fighter who relies on speed, not strength." Peter says.
"How much skill does one need to kill an ogre with a single hit?" The herbalist asks.
"Honestly, I believe they are on par with the leader of the royal knights Gazef." Peter says.
"Does that mean they are adamantite class?" Nfirea asks. "Could that mean they are already on par with the strongest adventurers?"
"That's right." Peter nods with his companions following suit.
"Amazing."
"When I first saw them I was jealous of Momon's armor and Link's sword, they were the most beautiful things I've ever seen." Peter says.
"Momon also has a beauty like Nabe with him." Lukrut says.
They all turned to Link, there was a tune out of place on his song that didn't follow the melody he was playing, but he immediately recovered and started playing again, this time a different song, it felt more grandiose and mesmerizing than the first one.
Halo theme song
"Hahaha. But after seeing their abilities, I'll have to admit, they both deserve." Peter says, thinking about the fight earlier that day, how Momon moved with power and strength while Link moved with grace and focus.
"It was their real selves." Dyne smiles, thinking the same thing as Peter. "They might've trained more than you Peter."
"Did you guys ever see their faces?" Nfirea asks. It felt out of nowhere, but no one said anything.
"Yes, they are not from here, especially Link, as you heard, he is from Hyrule, wherever it is." Ninya says.
"What about Momon, what country did he hail from?" Nfirea asks.
"We didn't ask." Peter says.
"He is from the same race as Nabe-chan, though can't say he is handsome." Lukrut says while pondering on the matter.
"Link on the other hand is really pretty." Ninya says with a small excitement in his voice resulting in a blush once all eyes are on him making him turn his head to the side to escape the stares.
"Well, the appearance doesn't matter." Peter says. "Momon is strong. I'm sure he has no problems with the ladies, and Link, well, guess he hides his face to not be overflown by them."
"Women instinctively feel drawn towards the strong, double for Link since he has a handsome face to match his strength." Dyne says, Nfirea looks down at his words, but the druid notices. "Something wrong Nfirea?"
"It's not important." The herbalist says, tightening the grip of his fingers but relaxing soon after. "But it makes me feel uncomfortable. Momon-san and Link-san, are they really popular with the ladies?"
"Momon's appeal is his strength, not his appearance, Link's on the other hand is definitely both." Peter comments. "Looking at their gear, they are probably rich, so they might have someone already, you heard Nabe earlier."
Nfirea doesn't respond and thinks about what Peter said.
"Something wrong?"
"Well, in carne village there is someone I don't want to fall in love with Momon-san and Link." Nfirea blushes at his comment.
"All right, your friend here will teach you some neat tricks." Lukrut comments but is interrupted when he gets a wooden bowl hitting him on the head, falling on the ground, and massaging the place hit.
"Don't even think about it." Peter rebuts.
"You hit my face, jerk."
While looking at Lukrut on the ground Nfirea doesn't see his three teammates gang on in front of him, their faces almost touching his.
"What type of person she is?" Ninya asks.
"If you are persistent, your feelings will reach her!" Dyne says.
"We'll do everything we can to help you." Peter says, sporting a smile on his lips along with all his teammates.
"All right." They all say to Nfirea who scratches his cheek, embarrassed for being the center of attention.
Link, who has stopped playing his ocarina for a while now, has been watching his five traveling companions and smiles at the sight of them talking and having fun with each other, his eyes then turn to Momon and Nabe, both were looking for the stars in the black sky, clearly thinking about something, and Link has a vague idea of what it is.
These three groups were one a little while ago before separating for the night, the first group has five people and is thinking about the present around the fire, the second group has only one person and they are thinking about the future, and the third group has two people, both thinking about the past.
Looking at the sky like the third group, the second group smiles at the path ahead and starts playing again on their ocarina, this song in his opinion fits the night pretty well, and despite the reluctance to play it since it is a magical song he does without a care in the world.
Song of Time
Author's note: All right, another one finished, just a few words to ease possible concerns, no, there will be no Star Wars in this fic, neither the Force nor lightsabers, I just made Link fight using lightsaber styles because I know nothing of swordsmanship and Link needed to have his own style so I choose to go with it, besides I'm feeling entitled to have a little fun while writing this. If you want a visual of how Link fought the ogres just watch Akademia SaberArts, it's where I took the movements from.
About the songs, there were too many to choose from so I just decided to use those that would fit in a world based on the Middle Ages, if you're wondering why the magic wasn't activated when Link played the Song of Time is because he was just playing it for entertainment and didn't put any thoughts or magic on the ocarina to activate it.
Well, with that said, thank you for reading, please leave a review, feedback is always appreciated, but be polite if you don't like it, also follow and favorite if you want, see you next time.
English is not my first language.