The Origin of a Champion

Epilogue

King Rhoam's voice echoed across the sanctum during the Inauguration Ceremony. ​​

" Welcome, warriors! I'd like to thank you for joining me here today, and for your bravery in accepting this... fateful task."

"I officially appoint you Hyrule's Champions and bestow upon you this sacred garb. That blue is a symbol of the Royal Family, one that has been passed down for countless generations."

"Those garments you now wear were all crafted by my daughter, Zelda."

Zelda was quite proud of the job she had done creating each champion garb for the five champions. She loved the task due to its light hearted nature. It gave her an excuse to take a break from her training to put the different articles of clothing together. Seeing Urbosa for any reason was always nice, and Mipha was so kind when Zelda asked her measurements and what form her champion's garb should be designed in. Daruk was a good sport as always, but the same could not be said for Revali, the confident champion of the Rito. He managed to find something to complain about through the entire process, although Zelda was positive he secretly liked his scarf.

Zelda turned a bit red everytime she recalled putting together Link's champion tunic. Getting his measurements was incredibly awkward. They both did their best to avoid eye contact to the best they could, and words were only exchanged when Zelda asked Link to turn around or stop moving. It was so tense and uncomfortable and she couldn't stand the entire experience. Yet, she thought she still did a fine job on the tunic all things considered.

"Zelda. I trust you with the task only a daughter of the royal family can fufill."

Zelda nodded and looked up to her father.

"Lead our Champions, Princess. And together, protect our kingdom from the threat of Calamity Ganon."

***

After the ceremony had been completed, the princess and her champions gathered in a nearby pavilion. The weather was gorgeous and a summer breeze shifted softly through the air. Their surroundings felt so calm, as if no calamity could threaten such a peaceful atmosphere. The only sounds other than their voices was the wind rustling tree branches and birds chirping as they flew about the sky. Clouds lazily shifted across the evening sky, occasionally blocking the sun.

This ceremony was the first time Urbosa and Revali had met Link. Revali paid Link no heed, but Urbosa practically cornered Link the second she got the chance. Urbosa had been expecting only the most capable knight to watch over the young women she saw as her own daughter. She demanded to know as much about his background as she could hound out of him. Link grew quickly flustered by the intimidating Gerudo chief as he did his best to answer her many questions.

Zelda quietly giggled to herself as she watched Urbosa interrogate Link to her heart's content. After the Gerudo decided for herself that Link was satisfactory enough, she left him alone, for a little bit. Zelda was very amused by it all, especially how her knight even looked out of breath after Urbosa walked away.

She was suprised at how Link was already acquainted with Mipha and Daruk, however. Hylia had strange ways of bringing certain people together, she told herself.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Revali suddenly took the Sheikah slate out of her hands. Purah had given it to her to hold on to, and she took it almost everywhere.

"Hmph. This is the Sheikah Slate, eh?" he questioned as he looked it over.

"It is. Apparently there are more uses for it than we originally thought. Sadly, we've yet to decipher all it's secrets," Zelda answered.

Revali didn't reply, and instead dropped it into Mipha's hands. As she looked it over herself, Urbosa leaned over her shoulder to inspect it with her.

"The princess showed me something strange recently," she began, "Somehow it can create true-to-life images."

"Oh, wow," Mipha gasped, "I would love to see it."

The Zora champion took a deep breath before turning to Zelda, "Um, Princess...May I ask a special favor of you?" she timidly requested before turning to look at Link.

Mipha looked a deeper shade of red as she asked Zelda to allow them to take a picture together to forever memorialize the special day. Zelda turned around to look at everyone, who all shrugged, but nodded with a smile. Except Revali, who frowned and complained because he said he claimed he didn't want to be in the picture.

Purah was summoned to take the picture because next to Zelda, she was the most familiar with the Sheikah slate and all its features. The five champions shuffled together, but awkwardly so. None of them had ever had their pictures taken before, especially with a group of people they had just been introduced to. With this in mind, Purah put herself to work directing them.

"Allll right! This spot should work nicely. Keep your eyes on the Sheikah slate, everyone!"

Purah tried adjusting the lenses to fit everyone in the screen, but ended up having people adjust themselves to the screen instead.

"Daruk, can you crouch down a bit? You're as big as Death Mountain."

When satisfied with Daruk, Purah went to adjust a few more aspects of the picture.

"What's with the glum face, Princess? Gimme a big smile!"

Zelda took a deep breath, and Urbosa leaned over to gently pat her back. She smiled, and Zelda visibly brightened up.

"Revali, move your tail closer to the group."

"Ugh, fine."

"Mipha, you look so tense. Deep breaths, OK?"

"Right!" Mipha inhaled and exhaled, then lowered her shoulders and loosened her previously stiff position.

"Stay just like that! Here we go!"

"Smiiiiile... Click, snap!"

When Purah handed the slate back, it was evident that the picture was definitely taken before Daruk brought everyone much, much closer.

The group spent the next several minutes taking turns making fun of another person's facial expression. This charge was led by Urbosa, soon followed up by Revali. Zelda laughed at the two strong personalities going back and forward, and at all jesting that came thereafter. She noticed Link said nothing out loud, but a giggle would escape him every now and then.

Revali noticed the great amusement Zelda took in all of this, so of course he poked fun at her shocked face next. She blushed, but Link looked at her and rolled his eyes at Revali so only she could see him. Zelda seemed at first taken back by his action, so he leaned closer to her and whispered so only she could hear him.

"I think he's just salty he came out worse than everyone else, so don't take what he says heart to heart."

Zelda chuckled, "Oh my. I think you might be right though."

Link just grinned and shrugged, but went back to his stoic state after the little exchange. This puzzled Zelda, but she didn't bother to question it. Link had reminded himself to be more reserved, so he shut back down as quickly as he had opened up.

Unknown to them, Urbosa watched the short lived exchange and read the scene well. She hoped they could learn to get along; however, she predicted they would have to take a rough road to eventually lead them there.

But all good things in life are worth fighting for, Urbosa reminded herself. She prayed that the champions would train hard and take on Calamity Ganon, together. She hoped the young heroes would one day find peace in each other and their surroundings. She wished that with their sacrifice and courage, Hyrule would see a future with no malicious threat looming over its shoulder.

Perhaps one day.

The End