Chapter 3: A Brotherly Reunion

They hadn't seen each other in at least five years. But something didn't feel right. There was an air of silence instead of warmth and happiness. After some time, a village guard went to Raven to see why there was a sudden stop in the proceedings. Link hastily went back into the crowd, with Saria and Nikki watching in the distance.

"Is something the matter, Sir Raven?"

He looked onward as Link disappeared into the crowd.

"It's nothing. I can meet with him later."

With a gentle push on his horse, they continued marching to their destination inside the village. They were to be temporarily situated inside the village's biggest inn while preparations were made for the Hero's Ceremony.

Meanwhile, Link had long left them and was rushing home to speak the good news.

"Mother! Father! He came back! Maybe you can meet hi—"

But his father quickly shut down his excitement with glaring eyes. The house was quiet and dimly lit up by small lanterns, but the cries and commotion from the incoming soldiers contrasted with the disdain of his older brother.

"Do not speak of him in this house! Go to bed already. You should prepare for tomorrow's shift and the festival. Don't go running yourself ragged over him."

"…"

Why does he hate Raven so much? I guess he never let go of him ruining their reputation with a son like that. Does he not want me to associate with my own brother?

Link didn't speak a word afterward and went to his room. His mother tried to reconcile but was met with silence as he walked away from them. After some time, Nikki flew in through an open window to check up on him. She quietly rested on top of the bed next to Link.

"Saria will be waiting for you tomorrow, Link."

The next morning, Link got up and finished his shift as fast as he could before leaving the house. He carried a small gift of Healing potions for his brother as he walked along the vendors preparing shop. Nikki followed him as he searched for his brother's location.

"Link, are you okay? You didn't seem like yourself last night."

"I-It's fine. He is like that sometimes. I can't do much about it…"

He looked down at the ground and sighed.

I'll need to convince my father somehow. I understand that he wasn't me to be like Raven, but I also want to explore outside this village too. It's not like I'll run away like he did…

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice behind him..

"Did you really forget about me?"

"Huh?"

He turned around to see an annoyed Saria glaring at him. A couple villagers screamed nearby from seeing her appearance as well. Even though she was wearing her mask properly, nobody else but Link could see her true form as a forest deity.

All they saw was a sinister foul witch lurking in the shadows.

"Ah! I'm sorry! Please, I didn't mean it!"

Link franticly bowed in apology for his forgetfulness. Afterwards, they continued walking together, searching for the soldier's hideout. Just like yesterday, large crowds of people and different races began gathering to celebrate the second day. In the distance, there was a large gathering outside the inn.

He quickly went to them and saw many groups of soldiers and knights feasting nearby.

"Who do you think will win the Hero's Ceremony this century? I bet 1,000 rupees on Raven."

Another soldier chuckled at that remark.

"Hah! Him? He is a popular choice, but he is competing against others from all over Hyrule. But it's going to be hard to top someone that's the prodigy knight that bested even the most veteran fighters out there. I bet for an underdog."

The gruff soldier slapped a couple rupees on the table as they gambled with some cards.

Should I really be asking them? They might not like to be interrupted right now.

But a rough hand touched his shoulder as he was about to look for someone else.

"Did you really come looking for me like that? You don't need to bother them."

"Raven?"

Gah! He smells of alcohol! Was he drinking?

Link turned around to see his older brother chugging a large mug of a milky drink. Its brand was of the Lon Lon variety, which now included fermented milk beer and yogurt. After a while, he sobered up by resting near a ledge. From the corner, he could barely make out Link talking to someone.

"Who are you talking to, Link?"

"Ah! Well, you see…"

Can he see Saria? But the others can only see her in a different form…

"Do you have an imaginary friend? You're too old for that."

Huh? He can't see her? That's different than what I expected.

Saria looked away from Raven, reminiscing about the past. Her eyes were full of sadness and regret as she turned to Link for support. She quickly left him alone with his brother.

"I'll be waiting for you, Link. Enjoy your reunion together."

"But Saria…"

But she already disappeared into the festival crowd, leaving Nikki to watch over them.

Link shook his head in confusion.

I understand that she cares about me, but does she really need to disappear like that?

But for now, it was him reuniting with his brother after such a long time.

"So, how's life in the village? Did you still end up inheriting the business?"

Link sighed before responding.

"I don't know yet. I want to at least experience things outside the village. See many lands in Hyrule. I might also be able to try different ingredients for making potions too, so that we can at least expand the business. They're so expensive and hard to get."

"Haha! That's just like you. You still want to leave the village just like I did. Why haven't you left the village already? You could have done it years ago."

"…"

"Okay, I get it. I was joking! You didn't want to cause any more trouble for the family. Such a kind-hearted person…"

Raven slapped Link on the shoulder to show his courtesy. Nikki glared at him, hiding near Link's ear. She whispered into his ear with wariness and confusion.

"Is this really your brother? He acts kind of rough."

Link whispered back.

"He hasn't been back in years. It's going to take some getting used to after many years in the army, right?"

"I don't know. The last time I saw him was when he was a little boy, just like you."

As he was about to turn around, Raven looked confused.

"Talking to your imaginary friend? Or you're just talking to yourself."

Nikki quickly hid inside Link's clothes.

"It's nothing."

Afterwards, Raven rushed Link into the inn so that he could introduce him to his fellow knights and soldiers. The sounds of clanking mugs and rowdy laughter filled the place, and slowly a crowd formed around them as they walked inside.

"This is Link, my little brother! Treat him well."

Link faced many eyes staring at him, as if he was a curiosity.

This feels embarrassing…

Raven dragged Link to the counter and showed two fingers to the nearby waiter.

"I want two Lon Lon Milk Supremes!"

"Right away, sir."

Link sat on the nearby counter, looking down at his drink. Raven was chugging along as he chatted away with his friends next to them. His face was buzzed from the alcoholic beverage. Meanwhile, a knight tries to get close to Link, comparing him to his brother.

"He wasn't lying when he said he had a sibling? Maybe this young man can be a good rival then. Maybe being related to Raven can do wonders."

"Huh?"

Link turned around to see a bearded knight drinking a large mug next to him.

"Pardon me. Did I scare you? You were quiet this whole time in the bar."

"I-I'm probably not used to this place. This sort of environment isn't for me."

"Ha! Who would have thought? Your brother loves these places around Hyrule!"

What's with these people? They sound very drunk.

Link nodded and tried to leave the counter, but Raven stopped him.

"Where are you going? You didn't even touch your drink!"

"Eh, it's fine. I just don't want to talk to you in such a noisy place."

"I see."

Raven quickly finished the last drops of his drink and threw some rupees at the waiter. Link hastily grabbed Raven out of the inn, as his drunk brother waved at passersby at the festival. The Mask festival was still going on around them.

After a while, Raven sobered up and rested near a vendor selling meat skewers. He quickly bought a couple skewers and munched on them, sharing some with Link.

"Ah! That hits the spot! Link, sorry about that. Many things came up."

"…"

This reunion isn't going as well as I expected. Saria, I wish you were here.

Link stood up and Raven followed. They walked together through the busy marketplace, as various vendors continued selling their wares throughout the festival. There was an awkward silence between them, until Raven spoke, trying to remedy the situation.

"So, you still want to leave the village?"

Link nodded silently.

"Let's see, you still don't want to join the Hyrulean military?"

"…"

"Alright, I won't keep asking about that."

Raven pointed to a nearby billboard, announcing the upcoming Hero's Ceremony. An illustration of a hero was dressed in a classic green cap and tunic with a sword and shield below it. The hero was pointing to the castle, with a princess and king waiting for him.

"Ah yes, why don't you become a hero? You get all the prestige and fame along with it, with everyone knowing your name! You can easily get out of the village that way."

"Huh?"

Even he wants me to attempt the Hero's Ceremony? Do they expect me to be a hero?

Link sighed and didn't say a word.

"Come on, Link. You're almost 16 years old. That's the youngest age qualification for the ceremony. I'm only a few years older than you, so we can join the Hero's Ceremony together! How about it?"

"Are you sure about that? What will Mother and Father say?"

Raven patted Link on the shoulder.

"You can always ask them, but I'll support you during the Ceremony."

"…"

Would the Hero's Ceremony be my way of leaving the village? Is it really it? Can I really do this? This whole competition aspect sounds intimidating…

Link turned towards Nikki, who was hiding in his hood.

"I'll support you too, Link. There's nothing to be afraid of."

"I don't know. We really don't know what this whole ceremony is really like, since it's once in a hundred years. But my brother is supporting me."

Raven happily patted Link as they walked around the festival.

"Haha! That's more like it! Don't be afraid, it's not like it's a dangerous mission! It's all just training wheels for the next Chosen Hero, so there's nothing risky here. Come on, let's have some fun!"

"Gah!"

In the distance, the two brothers walked together. It's been so long since their reunion.

"Is the preparations going well?"

Shinda, the Hylian Light sage, walked forward with many guards and knights around him. His long sleek white hair and stern face scared the people around him, as they begged for more time. He was carrying a heavy watch, using it to check the time and monitor the workers.

"Sir, give us more time! We're not ready yet!"

A few workers begged at his feet, but he kicked some dust in their faces instead.

"Hurry up, what will the other sages think if we're being too slow for the Hero's Ceremony? The Chosen Hero will be upon us soon, so be ready for anything."

"Yes, sir!"

After many hours of preparations, the sage went inside a tent to recuperate his energy. The heavy watch suddenly glowed red, with a strange deep voice coming out of it.

"Do you have everything prepared for the Hero for me?"

Shinda meekly replied.

"Give me more time. The Hero will be yours soon."

"Good. Keep your end of the deal, just as promised."

"I will do so, Your Majesty. The True ruler of Hyrule, the Demon King."

The hooded figures watched over the tent, gleaming with malicious intent.