The moon high above illuminated the village of the Rito, dimly shining against the wooden boards that spiraled the perch sitting in its center. As the feathered villagers began closing their shops for the night, the owl elder began to rock himself to sleep in his oversized chair, listening to the ambient laughter and joy of the wooden hut next door. There, dinner was being served by Teba's pink-feathered wife to the guests that filled the home. The guests consisted of other Rito, including the bard and his multiple children, along with the few Hylians invited earlier that day.
While some children ran or flew around to play, regardless of Saki's calls to settle down, others listened to stories Celessa had been telling.
"—and then, the lizalfos tried to choke me with his disgusting, slimy tongue! But that wasn't going to stop me!" Celessa told as the children eagerly listened, leaning forward as the pilgrim spoke. "It pulled me in, ready to take a chomp out of my head, but with a spin, I cut its tongue off before stabbing it in the chest!"
"Woah!" the children cheered. "Did you really get it?"
"I did, with this very sword right here," Celess said proudly, patting the hilt of the sword on her lower back. "Pretty incredible, isn't it?"
"While the children cheered, the reporter sitting nearby scoffed.
"That's not all that impressive," she said simply, looking through her notebook as she continued leaning against one of the hut's wooden beams. At this, the pilgrim frowned.
"Do you have a better story?" she asked, to which the reporter laughed.
"I sure do. I was almost swallowed by a molduking once," she replied. The pilgrim furrowed her brow.
"There's no way you could have been almost swallowed by a molduga—those things are impossible to escape from!" Celessa said as the Rito children sitting in front of them sat wide-eyed, expecting to hear a grand story. "There's no way you should be alive now if that were true."
"Oh, so now I'm the one being doubted after all the trust I've put into you all?" Traysi asked as she started flipping through the pages of her journal. "First off, it was a molduking, and second, I was saved—not that I needed it. An incredible swordsman caught me in the air before the thing chomped me, and while I appreciate his help, I'm sure I would've figured something out."
"I could take a few guesses who that was..." Celessa chuckled.
"I don't need guesses; I need truths, and I've been meaning to track him down. He sounded like he had such a story to tell..." Traysi mumbled before landing on one of the pages in her journal. "There. The entire story."
"I wanna read it! I wanna read it!" one of the bard's children spoke.
"Hey, this is my home, so I get to read it first!" Teba's white-feathered child, Tulin, suddenly spoke up.
"Tulin! Mind your manners," Teba suddenly shouted, holding multiple bowls full of his wife's cooking. "The woman never said she was handing her notebook over."
"That goes for all of you now. I believe I taught my children to be far more patient than they're acting," the bard suddenly said, taking a bowl from his warrior friend. "How do you all expect to continue learning songs if you can't wait and listen?"
"Sorry..." the Rito children sitting in front of Traysi called. Noticing their father's tone, the children flying around came to a landing halt.
"There we go," Kass said with a smile. "Come on now, come get your food."
"When you've all got your bowls, Traysi here will read the notes to you!" Celessa said cheerfully, wrapping her arm around a now confused-looking Traysi.
"And where do you get off signing me up for reading duty?" the reporter asked. "I write down stories for others to read. I don't read them out loud."
"Come on, I've seen the way you write! It wouldn't hurt to pass your stories on verbally now and then, would it?" Celessa asked cheekily. "Come on. For the children."
"You're annoying, you know that?" Traysi asked, glaring at the pilgrim, yet she sighed after hearing the children egging her on. "Fine, fine. I guess I could tell a few stories from my notes here, but you all have to promise me you'll convince your parents to get a few copies of the Rumor Mill as thanks! Since we're talking about my stories, why don't we start from the beginning with volume one—?"
As Traysi began to tell her tales and rumors, Teba finished passing out the bowls until only two were left.
"Looks like we got signed up to spend some rupees on some 'rumor' books," he chuckled, returning to Kass's side. "Say, do you know where the princess and her Sheikah friend went off to? They were just here a moment ago... I got so tied up with the children, I lost track of 'em."
"I believe they're sitting right outside. I'll take these to them if you don't mind. I finished mine already," Kass said, trading his empty bowl for the two full ones in Teba's grasp.
"You eat quite fast, don't you?" Teba asked, looking at his friend's empty bowl.
"You have to be quick while on the road," Kass said. "I'm sure you understand, my dear friend."
"I do. Tell those two if they want more, Saki'll be happy to cook another serving," Teba said before turning his focus to the children once more. "Settle down, Tulin, or I'll send you to bed early!"
Chuckling at the commotion, the bard strolled out onto the village's walkways. He found the Sheikah and princess sitting on the edge of a nearby platform, their feet dangling off as they stared down at the bright relic the bard knew to be the ancient technology the hero had used on his journey. With a smile, he walked up to them, careful not to startle them, though the Sheikah woman still gave a light jolt at his soft call.
"Food is ready for you both," he said kindly, holding the bowls.
"Why thank you, Kass," Zelda said, taking the bowl from his feathered fingers.
"If I may, what might you two be doing at this fine hour?" he asked, noticing the inventory pulled up on the slate's screen, still illuminated as it sat in Zelda's lap. "Besides enjoying the little dinner we're having, of course."
"Just...seeing what it is we have to work with," Zelda said, looking down at the screen. "This festival for Link... I do want to make sure it's perfect, as impossible as that may be."
"Ah, the festival in Lurelin. You mentioned it in passing earlier, as did this one," the bard said, gesturing toward the Sheikah, eating politely next to the princess. "For Link, yes?"
"Yes. In fact, have I asked you to attend yet?" Zelda asked. "You've been of so much help to both Link and I, and even Paya here... Will you join us?"
"Will I join you, you ask?" Kass wondered out loud. He glanced over to the hut, watching his colorful-feathered children sitting in front of the pilgrim and reporter as they told their stories, entranced by the tales. "I wish I could, Princess, but... As I've just returned, I must spend time with my children, for who knows how long it'll be before the next time I see them. I will be leaving again soon."
"The festival won't be immediate, as much as I'd love for it to be," Zelda negotiated. "I'd give it a week longer, maybe more if I consider any possible setbacks. Maybe you could attend just before your next journey...? I just know Link would want you there, as would I."
"A week, you say?" Kass asked. After a moment of pondering, he nodded. "A week would do nicely. I'll happily be there, my dear princess."
"Y-you could bring your children along with you..." Paya suddenly mentioned quietly, making the bard give a hearty, melodious laugh.
"It's hard enough flying across Hyrule on my own, much less watching over five children," Kass said. "I believe they'll be fine staying here. Their mother would appreciate some company. It's a miracle she allows me to go off on my own to pursue my musical endeavors as often as I do."
"O-o-h, I-I see," Paya stammered, her cheeks burning red.
"It was a kind suggestion, one I wish I could adhere to, dear Sheikah," Kass said, noticing her embarrassment. "Any other parent would have agreed to it. Maybe when the fledglings are a little older, I'll be able to as well. Now, if I could ask, dear princess..."
"Hm?" Zelda hummed in response, glancing up at the parrot's beak.
"How is our hero doing?"
"How's he doing...? Well..." Zelda began. With a sigh, she looked up at the stars shining above them, piercing through the darkness of the night. "I hope he's doing alright in those trials of his..."
Mist blew through the forest, passing by the many tree trunks with a slight whistle that constantly echoed in the visitor's pointed ears. The only other noise he could make out was the crunching of grass beneath his feet as he traversed the forest's fields. Passing shrubs and the occasional dead tree or stump, he continued onward, curious as to where he was, yet no answer came to him. Eventually, however, another sound began to echo in his ears. Was that an...instrument?
Curious, Link's ears perked up, and he looked around as he listened out for the faint musical notes. They certainly weren't a figment of his imagination; they were real. Closing his eyes, his sore and worn body turned in place before he picked up the direction the song was being played in. Furrowing his brow, he followed the sound, faintly audible through the wind, pushing branches aside. The music slowly got louder and clearer while the forest grew more colorful and vibrant.
Eventually, after passing through a somewhat familiar log, Link found himself standing in a clearing where a tall, decaying log stood standing up from the dirt. There, he found a vaguely familiar individual. He was a small person dressed in leafy clothing and a makeshift pointed hat, though this time, his face was hidden. Only a pair of orange glowing eyes and a beak was seen. While this was already familiar, in the imp's hands was a flute, playing the same song he played during the last trials.
Remembering how that first encounter had gone, Link carefully stepped closer to the imp, ready to draw his weapon at any moment. The closer he got, though, the more the imp didn't respond. He continued to dance on his trunk, playing the cheerful tune to himself. Eventually, Link called out to him.
"Skull Kid?" he called defensively.
At the call, the imp stopped playing and dancing, turning to look down at the Hylian now standing at the base of his trunk. He didn't say a word but simply stared down, his glowing eyes curiously inspecting the adult man looking back up at him. After a few moments, Link spoke again.
"You are Skull Kid, right?" he asked. "It's me... Um... Your friend..."
"Friend, hee hee?" the skull kid asked, bouncing on top of his trunk. "I do have a friend, and he isn't you! Bye bye!"
With that, Skull Kid jumped surprisingly high, backflipping into the tree leaves above. Though risky, Link lowered his guard slightly, relaxing his muscles and lowering his arm.
"A friend, huh?" he wondered out loud. "This is before Twilight's time... Meaning I should be meeting this first friend of Skull Kid's. Twilight said he was trained by this guy, didn't he?"
With a hum in thought, Link continued to look around before noticing another log nearby; its interior darkened as to what was on the other side. Deciding best to continue his trek, he went over before disappearing into the log.
Is the Master Sword in this forest as well? Link thought as he walked, listening to the echo of his footsteps against the wood beneath his soles. It always seems to be in the forest—huh?
Once out of the log, he had expected to find more forest, and yet, instead of the scratch blades of grass he had familiarized himself with, he felt...stone. Confused, he stepped outside the log completely to find he hadn't been walking through a log at all, but what looked to be a small shrine. It was different from the Sheikah-crafted ones he had known. The moment he stepped out, a door slammed behind him, forcing him to turn and look at the building, which was more akin to that of Hylian architecture, stone built and angular, unlike the strange swirls of the Sheikah. This wasn't the strangest thing in the room, however.
No, what caught Link's attention was the void. From beyond the stone platform he now stood on, there was a thin floor of water, calm and flat, that stretched for miles. The sky above was misty, if it were even a sky at all, and in the center of the room was a lone tree, though its branches were bare. Beyond that, on the other side of the tree, was another building, a mirror image of the one that Link had just walked out of. Once again guarded, Link slowly stepped out into the waters, listening to water splashing as he stepped.
"Is this the Sacred Realm?" Link wondered as he walked toward the tree. "No... It's similar, but this is different..."
Carefully, he walked past the tree to the other end, where the opposite stone temple sat eerily waiting. Arriving at the door, he looked back at the waters, yet nothing jumped out at him. Though still defensive, he turned and reached toward the shrine's door handle, but the door didn't budge, regardless of how hard he pulled.
"Alright," Link mumbled, stepping away from the door. "Clearly something's here..."
Slowly, he walked back out into the waters, looking around for any sign or clue, whatever would allow him to pass whatever trial this was. He inspected the tree, then the other temple he had come out of, before eventually finding himself sitting against the tree's trunk. He hadn't known how long he had been stuck inside the void. Whether it was a day or a hundred, he honestly couldn't tell. Groaning, he began running his fingers through his bangs before sighing.
"What is this? A trial of starvation?" he asked. "What am I waiting for?"
Blowing air through his nose, he looked out into the calm waters again, watching every slight swishing of waves going back and forth, something he had only noticed after staring at them for so long. Crawling forward, he looked into the waters, hoping to find a fish or anything edible. All he saw, though, was his face reflected back at him. His parted dark hair, his dark tunic, his red eyes—
With a gasp, Link stood before his back slammed against the tree. Collecting himself, he drew his glowing Sheikah sword. After taking a few moments to calm his breathing, he crawled away from the tree and carefully looked back into the waters again with his weapon ready. This time, however, it was truly his face that looked back.
"Was I seeing things?" Link wondered, furrowing his brow as he stared back into his own blue eyes. "Is time getting to me? Have I just been here too long? I might have, but I doubt I was—"
Suddenly, he coughed. The waters beneath his feet turned from clear to red. Confused, Link furrowed his brow before looking down at his chest, where the tip of a blackened blade came out of his sternum. With a shaky hand, he placed a hand on his chest before turning his head to look up at his assailant's face. It was the same face he had seen in the waters just a second ago, his entire being black in color, yet also almost transparent, as if he had risen from the clear waters themselves.
"You weren't seeing things," the man said in a deep voice as his long, pointed hat swayed behind him. "You just weren't prepared for this April Fool's joke of mine."
As Link began to fall forward, he felt the blade of the dark warriors sword slide from out his body as he splashed to the watery floor. There, life began to fade from his eyes, his trial failed as his last thoughts began to come and go. How? How...could he have fallen for such a prank?
A note from a very disgruntled editor who is tendering resignation effective immediately:
Kenny, what the ?! You know I love this story. It's so well written and I'm enthralled with your passion. However, you continue to rebuff any attempts to make this story better or give the people what they want.
And I know what they want.
This is a romance story. People come here for love and kisses. For affection and sweetness. Yet you separate the blonde twink and his goddess princess every chance you get!
I've said this once, I've said it again: you NEED a secondary romance.
And I've offered you a perfect pairing—served them up to you on a silver platter if only you would reach out and pluck the opportunity. Sweet Paya, sitting there so quiet and timid. And yet, she has found her strength, has she not? Through the power of female friendships and the ever-growing love of her companions, Paya has found her voice.
And shouldn't that be celebrated? Should that not be honored? Doesn't Paya deserve to be loved by someone who has stood by her side in so many things? Don't we, as the audience, deserve to see her blossom and flourish in a perfect romance pairing?
And, of course, the audience will know who I mean. I don't even have to say it. The draw is there. They spend every waking moment together. The sexual tension couldn't be sliced with even the blade of the Master Sword. But I will say it because their love deserves a name.
Paylessa deserves to see the light of day.
Doesn't Celessa deserve this same love? Doesn't she deserve someone who is heartbroken and ready to fling themselves off the cliff after her? Doesn't she deserve sweet Paya? After all they've been through together, don't they deserve some joy?
But alas, you are a coward and cannot, so I will tell the truth before I leave:
PAYLESSA WILL REIGN. PAYLESSA FOREVER. PAYLESSA NOW. PAYLESSA THEN. PAYLESSA TO THE END OF TIME (or at least April fools).
...
Hey there, everyone! Kenny here. April Fools, just like last year LMAO. Hope you enjoyed what you could consider a little sneak peak of next chapter. Who remembered what I did last year, and who actually fell for it this year? Curious to see!
Sorry I haven't been as active posting, I've been working on a lot of projects, a few Zelda Zines I got invited to write for, and then the Couple of the Wild Audioplay! We got over 100 auditions for that, with some amazing talent. Crazy right? I think you guys will really enjoy the voices we have picked out for Link and Zelda.
Be on the look out for the REAL chapter 76 soon, it is coming along. On our way to the ending of A Couple of Trials! Woohoo!
**REMEMBER, NEXT CHAPTER WILL ALSO BE CHAPTER 76, AS IT'LL REPLACE THIS ONE**
Now, as to make this look like a real chapter, I shall now copy and paste this over and over again to ensure the word count and the read time looks like a normal chapter. Have a good day everyone!