Before the Wild

Zelda's Resentment

The next morning, Link

"Ahhh. Ok...there is the Princess' stuff, ready to roll. My stuff is there, all packed. Now...what to do?" Link rocked back and forth on his heels, cuffing his wrists as he finally finished packing the last of Princess Zelda and his belongings. They didn't have much, but it took some time. The Princess, instead of helping him (not that Link cared) was meeting with Chief Komali before they left Rito Village. Link highly anticipated their next destination, Goron City, but hated where the place was located: the higher and hotter regions of Death Mountain. He'll be but a few hundred kilometers from the peak, which doesn't sound close, but considering the mountain is an active volcano, it is too close for Link's comfort. Luckily, the two had heat elixirs, which will protect them for a 24-hour period. Having been on the Death Mountain trail once before (never to the city, however), Link knew where a Hylian's tolerance for the high heat ended. He'll instruct the Princess to take the elixir then, if not earlier.

Link will get to know Daruk, the Goron Champion, and his DIvine Beast, Vah Rudania, named for a famous chieftain in Goron lore (a common theme between the names of the Divine Beasts, save for Medoh). The Goron had no qualms about Link's capabilities as Hero and Wielder of the Master Sword (another shared ideal between the Divine Beasts, their pilots specifically, except for the pilot of Vah Medoh) and Link, despite the dangers, really wanted to see what Goron City is truly like (like the other towns the pilots of the Divine Beasts live in, save for Rito Village."

As Link truly noticed, he hates anything concerning Revali. The Rito people and Vah Medoh are collateral damage. But everything about the celebrated asshole is a mirror to the other Champions.

Grrrrrruble. Link patted his loud stomach, reminding him that all the energy he had spent on packing would need to be replenished and stored for the trip. Besides, Princess Zelda was taking much longer than he expected. She wouldn't mind him filling his stomach. Not that she cared too much about him anyway. Ready to stuff food into his mouth, Link waltz down the village staircase to the "restaurant" platform. There, many other Ritos and Hylians sat eating around a Rito cook, while in a corner, the Chief's wife played a slow tune on her harp. Beside her, a Korok played the violin beside her. As he took a seat close to the musicians, the cook handed him a large plate. "Hearty Salmon Meunière, for the Hero of Hyrule!" All the other Ritos cheered at the announcement (the Hylian either nodding or simply eyeing their Champion), nerving Link to his very core.

"...Thank you, sir." Luckily the reception was short, as everyone turned their attention to their food and the musicians again. Link slowly lowered his fork to his food, taking a piece of the salmon and lifting it to his mouth. The flavors hit his tongue like a Zora diving into water. If the Ritos weren't renowned for their aerial mastery, being cooks would be just as suitable.

The music stopped, Link joining in the clapping for the musicians with the others. Medli stood up, and along with the Korok, bowed. Then the Chief's wife stood up straight. "For our next song, we'll play a song that my friend Makar and I had spent months composing. We both wanted to represent the sky my people soar and the ground the Korok care for. But we also wanted to show respect to the other as well. We call it "Of Earth and Wind." As a special way to play our song, may I ask our special guest, Link of the Hylians, to conduct us?"

Link had finished stuffing his face, slowly turning to the Chief's wife with a stuffed jaw. Realizing his lack of decorum and the multitude of stares on him, Link swallowed as best as he could without freaking out. "Umm... Are you...sure you want me conducting?"

Makar the Korok jumped up and down. "Yes!"

Medli nodded. "Yes, Sir Link. It would be an honor to be conducted by the Hero. It is said that your kind has a special talent for music, and if it's true, you'll catch on pretty quickly. Here is your baton." Medli passed him a white baton, its bottom half forming a crossguard and hilt, with the edges and the bottom half forming swirls. Resigning to his fate, Link took the baton and stood in front of the musicians He was nervous due to everyone watching him, but kept his focus.