Their Names. (ZeLink)

𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 1: 𝖠 𝖯𝗋𝗂𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗌𝗌'𝗌 𝖲𝖺𝖼𝗋𝗂𝖿𝗂𝖼𝖾

"Papa! Is he gonna be here soon?" a young girl asked, watching as her large, burly father paced under the village sign. "For him to be taking this long..."

"He'll be here soon, give him time," the father replied to his daughter, raising a quick hand up in response. At this, the nearby guard laughed.

"You say that, Arn, but you look just as impatient as your daughter, if not more," the armor-clad guard said, his spear held casually at his side. "You know, I can just call for you when he comes—"

"Okay, everyone just be patient," Arn said sternly, pausing his pacing beneath the sign. "He'll get here when he gets here. It's only a matter of time before—"

"He's here!" the young girl suddenly shouted, jumping up and down and pointing her finger.

Arn spun on his heel and looked down the hill to see a figure walking toward them. Though he was rather short, he carried sturdy weapons—a sword and bow on his upper back, and a quiver of arrows hanging just below. At the sight, a smile appeared on the father's face.

"Son! Welcome home!" he called out the moment his son was within earshot.

"Welcome home, Big Brother!" the young girl called out to her slightly-older brother. "So, how'd it go? Did you get in?"

"Aryll!" her father scolded as his son joined them beneath the sign. "Let your brother get settled first—"

"I didn't," his soft voice replied. At this, both Arn and Aryll's faces fell. "I failed. I... I'm sorry, it's just... It's the same as before. The sword—"

"Son... It's alright," Arn said, placing a hand on his dejected son's shoulder. "You'll get in next time! They're always taking new recruits! We'll just train even harder."

"Yeah, Big Brother! Next time, you'll surely get in!" his sister cheered, lightly punching her brother on the arm. "I'll go with you next time!"

"We'll all go. Together," Arn said, causing his son to chuckle lightly.

"Come on, Papa. The village needs you," the son said, with the tiniest hint of a smile. "And, Aryll, you hate traveling."

"I don't hate traveling, I hate how you travel. You're so...fast and wild," Aryll sighed. "And then sometimes you take too long to leave. Especially when you're at Malon's or with Princess Mipha. Honestly, choose between them already—"

"How did this become about my love life, and who said either one of them were part of it?" the brother asked, to which Arn laughed.

"Regardless, you'll get in next time. For now, just know I'm proud of you for going out there," Arn said, wrapping his huge arm around his son's shoulders. "Why don't we whip up some food to get your strength back. I know traveling all disappointed must've taken the energy right outta ya—"

The father's strong, gentle voice was cut off by an echoing boom. Jumping, everyone turned toward the mountains the son had just traveled through, trying to see as far out as they could. Suddenly, a blast of wind buffeted the town, snapping the wooden signpost beside them like a twig, the force of the gale blowing them over.

"Link! Aryll!" the father cried over the winds. He reached out, gathering both his children into his arms just in time for him to take the brunt of the force as they landed.

"Papa!" the children cried as the winds finally dissipated, pulling themselves from under his heavy arms to check on him.

"I'm alright, I'm alright—" Arn said, wincing as he picked himself up, but again, before he could finish, he was distracted by what he saw: the sky had turned a deep red, and the clouds a violent black and purple.