A Couple of Trials (ZeLink)

Chapter 88: The Sword's Final Trial

**Censored Revealing Art in Chapter**

Link felt his body reform into existence, the feeling returning to his skin. He became aware of the grass beneath his bare feet, the air against his skin, and the sensation of his lungs expanding and contracting with each breath he took. Opening his eyes, the hero looked down at his body to find he was once more completely exposed to the elements, before turning his attention to the floor he stood on.

While it was similar to all the previous floors, this one felt...different. Its walls were more disjointed, comprised of various stone pieces floating within a vertical sea of blue energy. That same blue substance formed a ceiling of sorts, illuminating the entirety of the floor, which made every object and life inside the walls visible.

This was by far the largest floor he had been on, containing a vast expanse of field, with what appeared to be a piece of Hyrule Castle situated in the center. It resembled one of the watchtowers, with walls connected to each side. It was as though it had been pulled right from the real castle itself in order to be placed down into this new field. Some of the ground underfoot didn't even feel like soil.

Directly beneath his feet, Link could see stone, obscured by the thick grass growing between the cracks of each brick. In the corners of the trial room were tall pillars, again looking as though they had been pulled right from the original castle. While these structures themselves were interesting, they weren't the only distinctive objects on the floor.

Scattered between many of the castle structures and empty fields were various small copses of simple oak or apple trees, in addition to some larger forests. The occasional barrel or chest had been discarded around the empty space, along with a few boulders and several peel towers in varying states of ruin. It was all new; and yet, Link didn't flinch. Though this was new, this was all expected to a certain degree, being the last trial and all.

What made him uncomfortable was the lack of monsters on the floor.

"What's up with this?" Link asked, taking a step forward while cautiously looking around. Even though he had moved, no creature had appeared, causing him to furrow his brow in thought. "Last time the monsters were already here—"

"Link?" a voice suddenly called.

Link froze.

He had expected to hear a voice, to have his name called, and for it to even be a woman's voice that did so. But...that was not the voice of the Master Sword. His heart began to pound as he slowly turned around, a bead of sweat running down the side of his forehead, the faint sound of grass crunching beneath his feet vibrating in his ears. Finally, his eyes widened in fear as they landed upon the woman that had called his name, sitting on the ground, as bare to the elements as he was.

"Zelda...?" he asked, staring into her confused green eyes. "Why...?"

"Link? What's going on?" Zelda asked, looking around. "What is this? Is this...? This isn't—?"

"It's my trial—" Link began in panic, only to be cut off by the voice of the one he had initially expected.

Welcome back once again, Master Link, the voice spoke calmly, and a welcome to you as well, Your Grace.

"Hey, what is this?" Link shouted toward the sky. "This is supposed to be my trial! Not hers! Why is she here?"

Our Grace, who in this state prefers to go by the name Zelda, will now play an active role in your trial, the sword's voice replied, its tone unchanging.

"She can't be here!" Link argued to the illuminated ceiling above. "These trials are too dangerous! She's going to get hurt, if not worse!"

You are correct, the sword replied. Our Grace, Lady Zelda, has a 98% chance of getting injured if she stays on this floor.