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paellaplease · 4 years ago

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Firebird | Chap.7

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6

I’m back!

Chapter 7: Of Monsters and Metals Part 2.

...but by the restless heart that refuses to falter.

Contrary to popular belief, whilst she was well accustomed to it, years of sweaty work hadn’t endeared her to the less glamorous aspects of working in a forge. It was hot, and oftentimes stuffy, making water breaks important as the hours passed on and her arms began to tire. Working through the summer was unbearable, with no amount of mountain air able to cool the uncomfortable redness on her face and arms.

Whilst Teacher could walk around the forge like it was her second home, it took months of discipline for Maiya to tolerate the place. How ironic that it seemed to follow her everywhere like a rope tightly wrapped around her wrist.

Shifting in her seat, she was thankful that the constant exchange of air above Jackdaws had rid the forge of the usual sulfurous stench of burning coal. This quiet, unassuming workshop kept close between Wayra’s rock and stone, like a beating heart beneath living flesh.

....But of course it would take a miracle to completely filter out the unmistakable burning smell of hot steel and the lingering taste of metal on her tongue.

A small drop of sweat rolled down the back of her neck. If I close my eyes, she mused, it would be like I never left home. Her head lolled forward, the previous hour’s excitement catching up to her. It wasn’t everyday a Rito takes you flying.

She was sinking in her seat, a single voice one of the only things standing in the way between her and an impromptu nap.

“…almost impenetrable rock like bodies completely covered in ice! I have heard with enough prolonged contact they could also freeze exposed flesh in seconds. It’s incredible...”

Oh. Right.

It took all her might to peel her eyelids back open. Of all the challenges she was bracing herself to encounter from Rito Village, she didn’t expect ‘being lectured again in another forge’ to be one of them.

Yep, definitely just like home.

In the reddish glow of the forge, Uleh gesticulated with a graceful turn of a poised hand. The Zora appeared fresher than a daisy, a completed sword blade resting on the anvil next to them, gleaming almost as bright as their teeth. Where they got all their energy from after what would have been hours of gruelling work was one of the many greater mysteries of Hyrule.

They spoke words that, whilst probably important, unfortunately fell on deaf ears as the Enchanter dozed off. The heaviness of her eyes continued to fight her as they settled on a rough sketch of the monster. Drawn in haste, it appeared to be one big blob with two smaller blobs attached at its sides to act like its appendages. It was a literal rock. A giant, dangerous rock. Larger than a house, the Zora had said. She briefly wondered if Uleh was having her on.

Guess so long as we don’t get within arms reach it should be fine.

“I suppose we’re not befriending the Talus and escorting it back home?” An exasperated voice called from a corner of the room. Maiya leaned her head back, her brain supplying an upside-down image of Revali testing the balance of a Falchion on one of his wings.

“Unfortunately not, but how uncharacteristically nice of you, Master Revali." The Zora replied, evidently unbothered by the archer’s sarcasm. Propping their head up with a hand, their smile was natural. Easy. "Making friends with monsters? We should table it for a later venture.”

The blue Rito opened his beak to protest, but was cut-off again by the Zora’s ringing laugh. “Ahah, you may be onto something though. Managing to form a positive connection would make your jobs easier. I mean, since you’re getting up close and personal anyway.”

“Hmmm...yeah.” Maiya sat up and stretched.

A beat passed as her brain finally decided to process the last sentence. “Wait.”

“Not to worry. It shouldn’t be too difficult.” Uleh said, totally misreading her panic. They tapped the side of their skull for emphasis. “The ingredient should be in the ore poking out of its crown. You can’t miss it. It’s usually right at the top of its head.”

Years of accumulated dust motes floated into the air as the Hylian slammed both her hands onto the aged writing desk. She gripped the edges in shock, the hardwood creaking. “Sorry.” A breath. “Can you run that by me again? Starting at the part where you said this wouldn’t be difficult.”

Uleh caught the tipping candle-holder before it fell, saving their map from going up in flames. They tilted their head down to look at her, wide-eyed confusion making her feel a little guilty. “Forgive me Miss Enchanter, had I said something wrong?”

“No.” She huffed, refusing the need to anxiety-pace around the room. “I mean yes. It’s just...” It was ridiculous. This is crazy. “You’re saying that the ingredient is found on a sentient boulder that wants to kill me.”

Adopting the countenance of a wise sage imparting worldly knowledge onto their pupil, the Zora clasped their hands and set them gently on the shaking table. "Not quite a boulder. Picture it more as a hulking, moving, ah... mini mountain. Encased in ice.”

"And it wants to kill me."

"And it wants to kill you, yes.”

This was bad. She should say something. She could feel Revali’s eyes piercing into her back. Goddesses, Maiya. Get a grip!

Was talking to the Blacksmith really worth the risk of getting hurt? Forging swords, setting traps, and being semi-decent with her throwing knives for self-defence were nowhere near enough to qualify her as a monster-hunter. A rabbit, fine. But a rock monster more than quadruple her size? I must be delusional.

She scrubbed her face wearily. “What makes you think this is a good idea?”

“Well, I’m speaking to one of the last known Enchanters of Hyrule and the Pride of the Rito. Why, it should be a doddle with two living legends on the case.”

The two responses from said Enchanter and Rito came at the same time:

“I’m not a legend.”

“Pah, naturally.”

Maiya inhaled deeply. “Why don’t you help us fight it, then? Three against one would mean surefire success.”

The furnace behind them crackled, sending sparks into the air. It illuminated the iridescent shine of the zora’s scales, their many jewels glinting in the gloomy atmosphere of the forge. It was a little funny. In contrast to their surroundings, they looked like an angel who had wandered into the wrong afterlife.

Uleh mulled over her question, idly spinning the charcoal in their hand. Whilst their smile remained, there was a tenseness that wasn't present before. After a minute, they finally regarded her, golden eyes far away as they cleared their throat to reply. “It’s because—

A disgruntled sigh interrupted them. “Honestly, enchanter. Must I throw the rulebook at you? It’s rather shameless really, asking the other party to help fulfill your part of the agreement.”

Maiya whipped her head around, leaning back so fast her chair nearly tipped over. “Lecturing me on manners now? That’s rich coming from you, Rito.”

“Why, I don’t understand your meaning. I’ve been nothing but a gentleman this entire time.”

Running a hand through her unruly hair, she would have marched directly up to him to give him a piece of her mind if it wasn’t for Uleh holding her back. She whipped around to look at them, realizing she’d forgot to drop her glare when they nervously coughed and released their hold on her shoulder.

“Ah, um.” They idly ran a claw down the silver chain decorating the two flat fins that hung on the sides of their head like hair. “I’m sorry for interrupting whatever’s going on here. You’re both right, in a way. It’s logical that the chances of success would increase with extra hands. In fact, if I could lend you my aid I would, but…”

Shrinking back, they went quiet again, words bashful and barely audible. “I’m no good in a fight.”

Maiya stared at them quizzically. Growing up with Teacher had its many challenges. For one, the Sheikah could read most people with ease, be it a guilty child who had just scribbled on a newly painted white wall or even a fully grown, extremely stoic adult trying to cheat her out of what should be reasonably priced eggs. For a young Maiya, it made stretching the truth risky, and lying to her mentor out of the question.

Whilst she was no expert in body-language, spending most of her teenage years under her mentor’s watchful eye had taught her a few things about common tells. Maybe it was in the way the Zora’s golden eyes lost their gleam? Or in their sudden shyness. Either way, whilst they may have been sincere for most of the conversation previously, Uleh in that moment wasn’t telling the full truth.

She pressed the bottom of her palm to the aching spot above her brow. This was getting too complicated. Her chest ached from the stress. She winced when the rune bit at her skin. The pulse at her wrist felt strong under her fingers, beating out a warning call.

We’re wasting time. So what if they’re lying? Anything for Enchanting, right? Wasn't that the goal? To further or find what was lost whatever the price?

There was no point in turning back now. Pressing the issue wouldn’t change the fact that it would just be her, Revali, and this Talus tomorrow. If she wanted to meet the Blacksmith and actually have him listen to her demands, then this seems like the most direct option available. Beggars can’t be choosers, she already failed in uniting the Enchanted dagger with an owner. Teacher would never forgive her for letting go of a lead like this.

“Alright. Deal still stands.” She decided.

Standing up, Uleh raised their hands to the ceiling to stretch, the relaxed grin they had before returning to their face in full force. They leaned over the table, annotating a place in the map marking ‘West Rospro Pass’ before rolling it up and sealing it with a clip. “Well then, time and tide wait for no one.”

Maiya reached her hand out, jumping when a blue wing beat her to it, swiftly taking the map from the Zora’s hands.

Beside her, Revali rolled his shoulders. Seeing her annoyed expression, he lightly tapped the map on the top of her head, his feathers puffing up at his excitement to leave this hellish hot-box. “Careful, Hylian. Your face will get stuck if you keep frowning like that forever.” He said, poking her cheek with a pointed feather.

She couldn’t help the surprised squeak that escaped her mouth, Revali’s smirk growing even wider.

The fact that the feather pressed to her face was unbelievably soft pissed her off even moreso. She quickly swatted him away, face warming. “Buzz off,” she groused.

The Rito chuckled, but complied, withdrawing his wing to haughtily cross it with the other against his chest. “Tomorrow you’ll have front row seats to watch a true Master at work.”

The silence that followed made him sigh. He looked at her pointedly. “Would it kill you to be a bit more lively?”

“Yipee...”

“Amazing. Your sincere exuberance is truly heart-warming.”

She rolled her brown eyes as Uleh gave them both a thumbs up. The Zora's laughter, like chiming bells, filling the dark forge. It was infectious, and she couldn’t help but crack a tiny smile in return.

Perhaps tomorrow wouldn’t be so terrible after all.

Birdsong greeted Maiya as the night sky slowly brightened into a lavender hue, the first signs of dawn peaking over the horizon. She tiptoed down the outer staircase of Swallow’s Roost, careful not to wake the travellers who rested peacefully on the other side of the wall.

She rubbed her eyes, fighting back a yawn. Wisps of smoke left the tops of chimneys, chefs and bakers preparing their iron cook pots for another working day of feeding an entire village and more. A gust of wind brought the scent of charcoal and firewood, acidic and earthy...

— Fire. Burning. Melting feathers and flesh. An arrow piercing skin and muscle—

The Enchanter pressed her knuckles into her temples, attempting to relieve the pressure forcing her head to burst. Another night, another terrible sleep in Tabantha. She knew this wasn’t normal; these night terrors. Her bones ached from hours of tossing and turning, waking up in a cold sweat and forcing herself to relax, only to be met with the same dream once again. Perhaps when all of this was over, a visit to the village healer would be a good idea.

However, against her better judgement, there was something invigorating about the new day. This was crazy; mad! Teacher would never have allowed it had she been in the same room when the decision was made. And perhaps that was exactly why her stomach felt like it was doing dumb, excited flips, her mouth turning up at the edges.

This was her chance to prove herself, show her mentor how dedicated she was to the cause and her studies. It was a little unorthodox, but she was sure Teacher would understand once she comes home with new information. In fact, she could omit most of the details from the letter anyway and leave in the non-life threatening bits that won’t cause any alarm.

She nodded to herself, hands tightening around a relatively empty backpack. She patted down her front and sides to check that she had what she needed. Throwing knives, waterskin, materials for basic first-aid, and a hammer and chisel from Uleh to help her collect the ore pieces later.

“That’s everything, I think. As well as…”

Her fingers froze as they brushed the raised embellishments on the enchanted dagger’s hilt, reality running up to slap her in the face. Hands curling around it, she felt a torrent of shame wash over her. What was she doing? This wasn’t the time to act like an overexcited child. This was serious, so much was riding on her getting this right. And her mentor wouldn’t be happy if she were to fail. Wait. Her stomach dropped. What if I do fail?

What then? She wondered. Would she even be alive to report the bad news?

Sighing, she forced her hand away from the dagger, turning to look beyond the railing and into the world beyond. If anything, at least it was a beautiful morning.

A voice appeared to her right. “And where do you think you’re going?”

“Hylia’s left tit— ! Cheska!” She all but screamed, grabbing the railing in a death grip.

The innkeeper tipped her head inquisitively when a brief spark of blue flashed in her eyes.

“Uh!! Hello!” Maiya floundered. She hid her hand behind her back, feeling sweat build on her brow when Cheska’s eyes followed the action. “G-good morning. If this is about the late dinner you brought up last night, thank you so much! It was really, really good.”

She swallowed her spit, her nervousness still bubbling. “Not to say that your food isn’t always good. It’s just that I rarely eat fish. Not to say fish isn’t delicious. It’s just that where I live in Akkala we’re not really close to the sea so— ”

“Hylianlla! Slow-down.” The Rito laughed. “Jeez you are jumpy today. Take a deep breath. That’s it. In and out. Before the wind snatches it away— ah, I sound like my mother."

Cheska smiled warmly. Her rounded golden earrings reminded Maiya of two small suns, catching the light as she idly transferred the small paper package she held from one wing to another. “No worries, silly chickie. I’m always happy to feed a hungry traveller.”

The Hylian nodded, taking this as a sign that the conversation was over. She stepped to the side, moving to shuffle around the innkeeper, only for the Rito to block her path once again.

“However!” Her eyes sparkled. Maiya had a bad feeling about this. “What have you been up to yesterday that led to being dropped off by a mysterious and handsome blue-feathered stranger with the famous Great Eagle Bow?”

The Enchanter made a face. She was not mentally prepared to be having this conversation. “I can confirm that it’s not whatever you’re cooking up in that head of yours— and please stop wiggling your eyebrows!”

In an effort to distract herself from the blush that was snaking up her neck, her eyes strayed to the pink and orange sunrise above them, the clouds moving across the sky like white rolling waves. “As to what I’ve been doing. Well...not much really. Read a few books at the Archive. Got a tour of the village. Had a fight with the local blacksmith that led to striking a deal with the Zora that lives in the depths of the ancient rock supporting all of us right now.” She cringed at how crazy it sounded. “Did you know that by the way?"

“Uleh? Duh, they pass by from time to time.” She idly brushed a wing down one of her earrings. “We have the best chats. But tell me more about this tour!”

Despite the stress weighing on her mind, the Enchanter laughed, digging her hands in her pockets. “Of all the things...judging from your description I think you already know who this mysterious stranger is. Wouldn’t recommend it, but he’s all yours.”

“He’s all…” Cheska paused, voice breaking. She stood still, expression rapidly switching from confusion, realisation, to deep and feather-raising mortification.

Tilting forward, she began to giggle. Maiya stepped back in surprise, watching it transition into full blown laughter. “Uh, Cheska?”

The Rito doubled over and slapped a wing over her beak. “Revali?! Ha HA! Qoyllur-cha?” She sucked in a shaky breath, before dissolving into peals of incredulous laughter once again. “Heck no, amiha. I’m sure Mr. Grumpy is well and truly enamored with himself anyway.” The innkeeper wiped a tear from her eye. “Ah, Blessed Nayru. You’re a hoot!”

“Right,” Maiya said slowly, cheeks reddening at her social blunder. “Are you finished yet?”

“Yes,” the Rito snorted. “Okay I’m done. For real. I’m sorry!”

Forcing herself to keep a straight-face, Cheska shook her head, composing herself. “Goddesses. You just caught me by surprise is all. I’m recovering after an old friend showed up to the village yesterday. Big fiesta, great fun even though I couldn’t stay too long.

Jini brought out the good pisco this time.”

She smiled at Maiya’s blank expression, unperturbed by the lack of an equally excited response. Stepping back, she offered the Hylian the package she’d been holding on to. “Anyway, on a completely unrelated note, that mysterious blue Rito stopped by to leave this for you before dawn this morning.”

The Enchanter looked at the brown-paper package. She wondered if it was a good time to open it, but could feel Cheska’s poorly hidden curiosity bearing down on her. Might as well. Without much hesitation, she pulled on the thin rope holding it together.

A piece of cloth fell into her waiting hand.

It was a bandana. Dyed an azure blue, it reminded her of clear summer skies and the blue nightshades that glowed in her mentor’s study. Running her thumb over the soft fabric, she found that whilst it was simple and unpatterned, it was soft and very well-made. Unfolding it, a delicate piece of paper fell out, fluttering to the floor before she caught it.

She smiled, wondering if this was the prideful Rito’s version of an apology. Unbeknownst to her, her heart warmed at the thought.

Maiya quickly read the note:

So your haphazard hair doesn’t endanger us today - Revali.

The Hylian scowled, crumpling the message and stuffing it in her pocket. “Why am I so surprised?” She muttered. Despite her ire, she delicately smoothed out the blue bandana in her hand, pulling it around her hair and knotting it with irate conviction.

Saying a quick “Thank you and Good Morning” to the innkeeper, she began to angrily brisk walk up the village stairs.

Cheska waved her goodbye. “And where are you off to now, hylianlla?”

“I’m going to fight a Frost Talus.” She called over her shoulder casually.

“You’re what?!”

“Bye, Cheska!”

Revali was already waiting for her at the top of the stairs. He tapped his talons on the ground, leaning impatiently against the archway. The armour he had on the day they first met was fitted securely around his form, slightly hidden away by a flowing white scarf wrapped snug around his neck.

His back was to the sun, making it necessary for her to shield her eyes as she approached. Whilst there was no royalty amongst the Rito, he looked every bit like an irritable prince as light streamed from the heavens behind him.

His honeyed, infuriating voice called out to her as soon as he saw her hand leave the banister.

“You’re late.”

Maiya wordlessly tossed an object at him, the Rito Warrior snatching it from the air with ease. He looked down at the warm pastry that nearly hit him in the face, its icing topping and cinnamon scent unmistakeable. “A sweetroll?”

“Breakfast.” The Enchanter said, falling into step beside him as they walked down the ramp and onto the expansive launch point. The breeze was strong from this open landing, the battered wind markers around them whipping chaotically in the open air. These were the kind of conditions favourable to sailors, carrying amazing wooden creations to places unknown.

And I guess Rito as well, she thought, narrowly avoiding a tall, orange-feathered figure that landed a few feet away. Maiya righted herself, nearly stumbling backwards in surprise.

"Sorry, chika!" They called out, stepping around her quickly and making a beeline for the stairs.

The Hylian looked on in bewilderment, tugging a little self-consciously on her bandana as she turned back to face the archer. “What the...ah, anyway. I was on my way here when I realised I hadn’t eaten yet. Decided to stop by the bakery.”

Revali took a bite from the roll, making a small hum in approval before reaching into the utility pouch attached to his belt. Pulling out a glass vial, he passed it to the Enchanter. “My thanks then, as well as your payment.”

“What’s this?” She asked, narrowing her eyes at the vermillion liquid within. She uncorked the stopper and took a whiff of the unknown substance. It was pungent and sharp, making her pull away.

“Spicy Elixir. So you, pardon my bluntness, avoid freezing your pointed ears off whilst we’re traversing through the mountains.”

Maiya smelled it again, wrinkling her nose.

Revali tut-tted, though his eyes gleamed with barely hidden amusement. That bastard. “I don’t want to hear any complaints. The arctic chill is merciless. You need to drink it if you plan to keep all your limbs intact.”

She looked at the Spicy Elixir again, watching the dubious liquid slosh to the side—Oh Hylia, is that a butterfly wing?— before throwing it back as one would a shot. The warmth that came was instantaneous, as if an invisible force had suddenly encased her. It wrapped around her in the same way a blanket that had been left to heat close to the fireplace would. She was filled with a renewed sense of energy and realised then how cold her joints really were even in her heaviest of clothes.

Revali chuckled.

She opened her eyes, the curve of her mouth falling into a frown. “Care to share?”

“Not that I was speaking any falsehoods regarding the warming effects of the elixir but,” he smiled crookedly, shaking his head. “You trust too easily, Hylian.” Securing his bow to his front, he faced north and crouched.

Her brow twitched. “Me? Trust you?” Maiya shot back defensively as she hoisted herself up, minding this time not to grab on too tightly onto any feathers. “When Death Mountain freezes over.”

Deep breaths and reign in the attitude was what she told herself as they left the landing. The drop still terrified her, her chest sinking to her knees everytime Revali so much as bobbed with the wind. She was thankful at least that the weather was favourable enough that he chose to forego the dive. Instead, he caught the gale with his outstretched wings, flapping and gaining height as they progressed forward.

Some adventurers on horseback looked up as they passed, many of them gaping in awe at the blue feathered warrior who sailed above them. Revali made no comment, head facing forward and beak an impassive line. Though the subtle fluff to his feathers gave him away, betraying the fact that he was basking in the attention.

Behind her, Rito Village became smaller with every passing minute, slowly disappearing behind the clouds until even the largest windmill was but a wink in the distance. Glittering waters turned into grassy forests as flat ground made way to grey rocks and white tipped bushes.

Revali’s wings caught a strong gust of wind, gaining speed as he advanced them forward through to the Hebra Mountains. Clouds parted, the white shroud slowly lifting to reveal a whole different world.

She felt like they were flying amongst giants. White capped peaks dominated the landscape from all directions, filling her peripheries and extending out into the distance. Reduced visibility combined with the blinding ivory void made it seem like it could go on forever. She’d never seen mountains like this before.

The wind also sounded different here. She would have thought that as a Rito, perpetually at mercy to the gale, he would find it troubling. Between these icy mountains it was wild and unruly, every gust pushing into them from different directions. However, as they ventured deeper into Hebra, it became apparent that Revali felt no fear.

If the breeze slammed into them at full force, he always knew just how to angle himself. Tilting, flapping, flying—anything to propel himself higher and further than ever before.

When it rebelled, he would soothe it. When it dropped away, he would easily reclaim it.

And when it calmed, a steady push against his wings, he would truly soar.

It was a literal breath of fresh air. Maiya could have sworn she was dreaming, still asleep in her room at Cheska’s inn. Up in the air, Revali was far from the gloating asshole who had nearly killed her with an arrow and never apologised. At this moment, he was quiet and precise, riding the gale like he was born amongst the clouds.

They flew behind one of the many snowy peaks, an empty mountain pass coming into view. Keeping close to the exposed mountain face at their left, Revali began to slow, aiming for a far-away spot jutting out perpendicular to the cliffside.

Landing on a slab of extended rock, he gestured for her to sit down, surprising her when he did the same.

The Hylian tried not to look down. They were suspended about 50 feet above the ground. Wind sifted through her hair, dancing around them and lightly ruffling the feathers along his side. She took this time to catch her breath, the mountain air surprising her with its sweetness. Vaguely she could detect the scent of the pine sticking up like pillars in the pure-white snow underneath them.

Temporarily shutting her eyes, she focused on her other senses. Cold rock underneath her fingers. Whistles from the wind. The smell of the pine trees mingling with something else. Wax and oak, with a hint of honey. She racked her brain for a reason why such an odd combination was now familiar to her.

Something cold touched her nose.

Maiya opened her eyes. She watched as snowflakes fell from the sky, imprinting temporary patterns on her clothes and melting on her exposed skin.

Then, like most times, panic decided to reel in its ugly head from out of nowhere.

Now seated and breath returning to her lungs, deep trepidation filled her. One scenario came after another, joining together and mixing into a single, big clusterfuck of a ‘what-if?’ What if she couldn’t fight? What if her knives never found purchase?

What if she froze? She could see the moment playing out clear as day. The fear would paralyze her. Glued to the ground with an angry Talus rushing towards her. Stuck in place until she was crushed underfoot like a bug.

“Stop that.”

Maiya turned to see that Revali had taken out his bow, running a feather down the gears. It was an intricate weapon, painted a steadfast dark-blue and embellished with geometric patterns along its sides.

“Stop what?”

“Thinking so loudly.” He explained, grunting with effort when he tightened a screw.

Her eye twitched in annoyance at his tone. Must he always pick a fight with me? She frowned indignantly. “I’m not allowed to plan ahead?”

“You call that planning?" He scoffed. "Don’t fool yourself, enchanter. I’m not blind. You’re running your mind ragged again, overly ruminating on imaginary events that have yet come to pass.”

He began to adjust the bow’s string, running a feather down its side. “If you continue looking behind only to lose your head in the endless possibilities of potential threats, then you are defenseless to the already existing enemy running towards you. Expecting to survive like that is foolish. You will be better off fighting with your eyes closed.”

He set the bow down on his lap, training his full attention onto her. Her breath hitched. She found herself at the mercy of eyes a deep, emerald green. Piercing and sharper than any of the knives she was carrying, not a single detail escaping his notice.

“You will not be able to face your opponent effectively if you keep battling yourself. Truly look at what’s in front of you. Do that properly, and you will not miss.”

The Enchanter was silent, still feeling very much pinned under the intensity of his gaze. He’d only known her for a day or two and had already managed to find the holes in her armour, striking at them with such precise accuracy that she didn’t know whether she should thank him for the honest assessment, or push him off the ledge for his blatant rudeness and reading of her character. Her hand twitched as the rune sent a jolt up her arm, dancing along to the erratic beat of her heart.

But why…, she found herself wondering, unable to stop herself from staring back. Unknowingly, she leaned forward ever so slightly, flecks of snow falling around them. Why is he looking at me like that?

The mountainside shuddered, making them both jolt up in surprise. Hurriedly, she rushed to the edge of the short rock platform, the tension on her shoulders tightening in a vice grip at what she saw below.

It was colossal. Terrifying to the point where it almost crossed over the line to awe-inspiring by the sheer characteristic of its size. Rising from the earth, it shook and shuddered as if possessed, hobbling forward and slamming its gargantuan stone fists into the snow covered forest floor with so much force that it shook the mountain and their platform once again. From her vantage point, she could see the piece of ore at the top of its head, sparkling in the morning light like a jewel on a crown.

When the Talus’ hands came away from the ground, Maiya saw that they were coated in red. Not blood, she thought, too pink and thick. Though the longer she looked, she noticed the same pinkish red substance coating its body in different places. On its bare face, along its leg, all across its rock appendages. It flowed and bubbled, creeping along the Talus’ body like a parasitic weed, dripping like acidic rain and melting the pure white snow below.

Uleh did not mention that.

She coughed, her throat suddenly dry and scratchy. “I think that’s our target.”

Revali exhaled a small cloud of air, unbothered. “Hm? That’s new. I thought we would have to lure it up from the ground. Seems it has done most of the work for us.” He pointed to the quiver of arrows on his back, some arrowheads curled and shaped to resemble a single flame. “It will go down easy with a few of these in its body. After all, a monster that relies solely on a barrier of ice stands no chance against the blaze of fire.”

He stood up, brushing the snow from his shoulder, a futile gesture as more began to rain down anyway. “No rush, it won’t be able to see us from up here.” He tapped the rock floor with his talons. “It uses the vibrations in the ground to make an ‘educated’ guess as to where its victim would be. From our vantage point, it’s like we don’t even exist.”

She tilted her head to the side, watching the Talus amble and sway from left to right, still feeling apprehensive at how relaxed Revali was in this situation. Warriors really are something else.

He brought the bow to his front, stretching his wings to the sky like he was about to go for a leisurely run and not, well, fight a rock monster that would crush you if you so much as sneezed on it. “Well then, enchanter. I do hope this seat provides you with an adequate view for the show this morning. Just sit back and get comfortable.”

Maiya stood and stalked towards him, not caring that she was invading his personal space as she stabbed a finger into his chestplate. “Get comfortable? What are you talking about?”

He took advantage of the height difference, looking down at her past the tip of his beak like he was appraising a petulant child. “You honestly believe I would let you fight that thing?”

She wanted to rip her hair out. “This venture is purely for my benefit, I am not letting you do all the dirty-work while I sit on my ass and watch like some useless piece of shi-”

The ground shuddered again. Both barely had time to react when a boulder was sent flying in their direction.

She blinked, suddenly finding herself gripping onto Revali’s front as they hurtled to the ground below. The Rito Warrior somersaulted in the air, the seconds of uncontrolled flight and pure free fall eating up the scream bubbling in her throat.

Then, his wings were outstretched, miraculously by the Goddess' grace catching the wind, slowing their descent before they hit the snow covered ground with a painful thud.

Her brain rattled, eyes fluttering and struggling to clear the fog blocking her vision. Her ears rang as she heaved in a breath, the very action making her cry out in pain. Her ribs hurt. Her hand...her hand was—!!

Shattered rocks rained above them. The Enchanter yelped, Revali’s voice loud in her ear as he gasped in alarm, wrapping his wings around her and rolling them to the side just as a large chunk of what used to be their platform stabbed into the spot where their bodies were half a second ago.

The Rito released his hold on her, standing up and equipping his bow in a single fluid motion. Through the haze of her clouded vision, she watched as he took aim, pulled the bowstring back and fired.

It surprised her how a monster without a mouth could make such a chilling sound. Cracking rock and a screech so glaringly inhuman reached her ears, making her blood run cold.

There was truly no turning back now.

In the next moment, her arm found itself in a vice grip as Revali hauled her to her feet, pulling her along as they sought cover in a nearby sparse grove of trees. Chest heaving, her brain struggled to catch up to what had just transpired. Barely, it managed to process the feeling of blue feathered wings running down her arms, tilting her head from left to right and brushing the hair away from her eyes.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Checking for injuries.” He said tersely. “Where are we?”

“Huh?”

Head snapping up, his eyes once again commanded her undivided attention. They were the same emeralds as before, except this time completely void of any kind of relaxed confidence, replaced now by a sharp focus and a clinical detachedness that made her stomach clench. “Hylian, do you know where we are right now?”

“Rospro Pass.” She said, remembering the words on Uleh’s map.

“Good. Did anything hurt when we were running towards the trees?”

Maiya blinked quickly. “No. Oh, well actually— fuck!” She screamed, hands slapping Revali’s wing away as she pulled her arms in to wrap around her aching torso. Her left hand shook and spasmed, strings of energy rattling through her veins like barbed wire cutting into her skin. This was too much. Mortifyingly, tears sprang up in the corner of her eyes. She’d been through much, much worse, but no matter how many times her rune had tortured her, pain is no different. Feeling something stuck in her throat, she spat it out to the side, a glob of fresh blood hitting the snow.

“Sorry,” Revali said quickly. “I need you to move your arms away.” With a little more prying, she agreed, too caught up in her panic for herself and the active and angry rune in her hand to feel embarrassed that he was lifting up the edge of her shirt, his wing poking the reddened, inflamed skin above her ribs as she hissed.

“One of them is fractured, but not severe enough to pierce the skin or anything important internally. At least from what I can see. Can you take some short breaths for me?”

She nodded, wincing at the sound of her wheeze.

“Then you’ll live.” Both their heads shot up to the direction of the same otherworldly screech from before, echoing not too far away from their current position. “Tch,” the Rito archer straightened up, reaching into one of his side pouches and pulling out a wide bandage. He made quick work of wrapping it around her middle, tying the knot and yanking her shirt back down. “You need to run away, enchanter. Follow the path down the mountain, there’s a guard post at the foot. Tell them to bring reinforcements.”

She glared at him, eyes red and venomous. “No! Not without you. I already told you, Rito, this is my mess and I am seeing it through.”

“We don’t have time for this,” he muttered, frantically scanning the clearing for some other kind of cover and coming up blank. “I’m still unsure as to what it is, but there is something wrong with this Talus. I’ve fought only two previous but I am confident that this one is different. It’s faster—smarter somehow.”

“And it can see us.”

“Yes, either through sheer dumb luck or something else entirely. Its movements are unpredictable. Almost like it’s being controlled from the sidelines.” He gritted out, annoyance shining clear at having to solve such a puzzle under immense pressure. He swiped the fallen snow away from his eyes, growling.

She directed her gaze to the floor, focusing on the patch of red seeping into the snow by her feet. Her blood was a stain against what was once uniform purity. Another roar echoed through the trees, this time accompanied by the crash of heavy footsteps, dragging through the snow. “I know you’re one of the best of your people, but even then there’s no way you can hold it back for that long without getting hurt.” She tried to reason.

Revali shook his head, squeezing her shoulder before turning to bolt past the grove. “I’ll distract it. Run!”

“Wait!” She reached out to pull him back, but her hand was met with only empty air. Pure dread stole the breath from her lungs as she watched him exit out the trees and into the open clearing where the Talus waited to meet him. Another jolt of pain rocketed through her hand. Combined with the stabbing ache in her chest it was almost unbearable. She inhaled shakily, moving forward and following the tracks that Revali’s talons had made on the ground, fighting for her eyes to stay open as she stumbled out into the light.

Snow lightly fell from the sky, brushing down azure feathers that fluffed at the edges as Revali levelled his bow. He fired three in quick succession, cutting a red line through the air like a shooting star. Each sunk into the Talus’ icy exterior, melting patches with a low hiss and exposing the black rock underneath.

Falling forward, the monster sunk back into the ground. Revali took advantage of the situation, sprinting away towards the cliff face to gain more distance.

Maiya took this chance to move as well, footsteps sinking into the snowy ground as she struggled forward in the direction of the Talus. The ground shuddered again as she launched herself at it, a knife in each hand. She dug the blades into its exposed interior, holding on for dear life as she scrambled to gain purchase.

“What are you doing?!” A frantic, angry voice yelled out.

“Fire more arrows!” Bracing her feet on the Talus’ surface, she took a chance and let go of one of her improvised hand holds, grabbing another knife from her bandolier and swinging it up to stab it into the last open patch of rock. She hoisted herself up, screaming out in agony but nonetheless refusing to let go. “Please!” She called out, feet slipping against the rock’s surface.

Something whistled past her ear. An arrow embedded itself into the space above her, rapidly evaporating the ice. Then came another, and another, marking a pathway up to the Talus’ zenith. Again she freed her opposite hand, fractured ribs shifting and aching as she stabbed a dagger upwards, pulling herself closer to the ore.

The strange parasitic pink substance flowed down next to her, emitting a stench of rot that made her gag. Carefully she maneuvered around it, not wanting to find out for herself what would happen if even the skin of her hand were to brush it.

Continuing to climb, she struggled against another monster, one intent on taking full control of her wavering resolve. It was a beast formed of intense fear and regret, tugging at her mind and causing her hold to grow shakier with every passing minute. Why didn’t you run away?! It roared.

The thud of another arrow spurred her forward, her adrenaline running high as she devoted her focus solely to reaching the top.

Almost there. For a moment, she could finally see the ore’s surface, shining only an arm’s length away from her. Maiya reached again for her bandolier, shaking fingers brushing an empty pocket.

“Fuck sakes,” she cursed. She was out of knives.

Clouds of air escaped her mouth as she leaned her head on the monster’s surface, an intense feeling of hopelessness freezing her movements. Everything felt heavy, the swinging scabbard at her hip weighing her down and threatening to weaken her hold on her knife.

Wait, there’s still...

Her hand drifted down to where the enchanted dagger was sheathed. In response, the rune spasmed, sending a shock through her veins in disagreement as if it knew exactly what she was going to do.

Not once did Teacher mention what would happen if she were to use an enchanted weapon of her own make. She was neither Master nor an unworthy stranger. So many things could go wrong. Would it kill her? Would it even work? What would happen if—!

Underneath her, the Talus shuddered.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Slowly, the surface began to move, lifting itself from the snow. All around her, the parasitic fluid coating its body came alive, calling out in celebration. Several arrows rained down from the sky, piercing into the Talus’ armour but failing to deter it from its course. The monster began to stand.

Maiya unbuckled the enchanted dagger from its scabbard. Grabbing the hilt, she lifted it up, and with all the strength in her body, swung up and stabbed it into the Talus’ ore.

There was a flash of light, an ear piercing screech, and suddenly she was in the air again.

It was like a bad dream. She could see the white ground hurtling towards her. Curling into herself, she braced just in time before her body collided with the snow. Something solid hit her head, rattling her brain and causing her world to turn black.

Wa…ke…!

Fire. Everything was on fire. She was drowning in a sea of fleeing people, ribbons of smoke were filling her lungs and the smell of burning and rot was choking her. A blood moon was in the sky.

Wa...ke….p

A figure was standing at the doorway of a crumbling house, calling out to her. Their feathers were burnt, dissipating into ashes as the skin underneath began to melt to the bone.

“I’m sorry, there are too many people!” She tried to scream, voice refusing to leave her lips as she fought helplessly against the tide. “Don’t just stand there! You need to run! I can’t— ”

A lilting voice, warm as sunlight, whispered in her ear.

“Hylianlla. Please. Wake up.”

In a disorienting second, her surroundings slammed back into place. Maiya sucked in a shaky breath, her cheek throbbing. Cold snow melted underneath her, seeping into her clothes and stinging like a thousand needles pressing into her skin.

The ground began to shake. A familiar voice was calling out to her. “Get up! Valloo damnit, enchanter! Stand!”

Every vein, every cell and atom in her bruised body cried out. She wanted to go back to sleep. This was too much.

Weakly, she rolled onto her stomach, the pain in her ribs causing her eyes to snap open. Coughing, she spat more blood onto the snow, her arms and knees shaking as she slowly began to stand.

She’d been thrown into the midst of an earthquake. Dazed, her head lolled upwards, watching in frozen horror as the Talus barrelled towards her, its heavy steps falling in time to the shuddering of the world underneath her feet.

Behind it, Revali furiously loosed arrow after arrow. Not one missed their mark, but not a single shot had managed to melt through its ice encasing. Belatedly, she realised that the archer had run out of fire arrows. The odds were stacked against them.

Yelling, she threw herself to the side, dodging a giant rock hurled in her direction. Desperately, she scrambled back onto her feet, avoiding one stone after another by the skin of her teeth. The monster continued to gain on her, quickly closing the distance between them.

Maiya blinked away the sweat from her eyes, the fear in her heart that had kept her alive for this long gradually losing its hold over her to the pull of fatigue. If she devoted herself to running, she wouldn’t be able to avoid the Talus’ attacks. If she slowed her run to focus on dodging, it would catch up to her in seconds.

I’m not going to make it.

Mind reeling, she didn’t notice the rock jutting up behind her. She tripped, falling face first into the snow. The monster shrieked in delight. Shaking violently, she tried to stand again, falling back down as the muscles in her legs seized from overuse.

The Talus was but a metre away at this point. Even if she tried, she wouldn’t be able to outrun it. A rare moment of peace settled over her as she slowly stood up.

If she were to die here, she wouldn’t die lying down.

As the monster approached, she managed to catch the glint of her enchanted dagger still embedded into the cracking ore. It was uncontrolled, spewing out flames in an unfettered act of rage. Her greatest creation was violent and angry, but the Talus remained unshaken. It would take days for it to make a noticeable dent.

What have I done?

Standing her ground, she watched as the Talus raised its fists to the sky, blocking out the sun as it readied itself to slam down and put an end to her life. She didn’t know what to think. Light escaped from the seams of her glove, the rune all but bursting into flames. Hylia, did it hurt. But it didn’t matter. This would all be over soon.

She kept her eyes open, making a quiet wish somewhere deep in her tired soul that despite all the odds stacked against them, Revali would escape.

A streak of red sailed through the sky.

Equal parts shocked and horrified, Maiya watched as the Talus’ movements suddenly came to a halting stop. All reality slowed. Rock arms, once raised high as a terrifying monument to her mortality, dropped to its sides as it turned around.

Facing completely away from her, the monster directed its attention to the Rito archer behind it, revealing to the Enchanter the single fire arrow protruding from its back.

Revali dropped his bow, every one of his arrows completely expended. Out of options, he unsheathed the hunter’s knife strapped to his belt, gripping it tightly between both his wings. “Hey, blockhead!” He called out, beak curved up in a mocking, open smile. “Face me.”

The repulsive pink parasite bubbled and writhed, releasing a vile, high-pitched wail. Its host shuddered to life, starting forward and dragging its hulking body along the snow in the direction of the Pride of the Rito.

Her body moved on its own.

West Rospro Pass melted into a mess of sound and colour. The pain that rippled through her chest, the frustration, the fear; all of it blended together and were cast aside as every fibre in her being rallied and converged on a single goal.

Nothing mattered beyond Getting. There. First.

Bringing her hand to her mouth, she sank her teeth into the glove, ripping it away. Energy sparked and crackled underneath her skin. Beams of blue light spilled from her scar, warming the surface of her cheek and begging for release.

“YOU STUPID BIRD!”

Revali lifted his head, green eyes stunned when he saw the Hylian sprinting closer.

The earth trembled as the Talus neared. In a last ditch effort she grabbed the Rito by his white scarf, yanking him behind her and placing herself between him and the path of the monster.

It was only steps away now, close enough for her to feel the chill of the ice on the tip of her nose. Operating on pure instinct, she raised her left arm, trying not to flinch as the shadow of the Talus’ form fell over the both of them.

Panic seized her unexpectedly. She was dumped into the ocean again and rapidly sinking, struggling to keep her head above the waves as the storm thrashed mercilessly around her.

Caught in the undertow, she fought to stay afloat.

This is my fault.

I did this.

I can’t let him die.

I can’t let him die!

I can’t—

Someone held her shoulder. Warm breath fanned the hairs on the back of her neck. Revali’s voice, lacking its usual sardonic edge, was but a gentle whisper on her skin, piercing through the water and pulling her up from the depths.

“Maiya.” He said, grounding her.

Without another thought, she plunged her glowing arm into the core of the Frost Talus. The parasite screamed and thrashed in alarm. For the first time in her life, she allowed herself to let go, letting the pull of the rune take over.

Her outstretched hand sunk past the ice with ease, beams of blue light escaping through the cracks of the rock and illuminating the Pass.

In mere seconds, her vision was full of nothing but fire. The Frost Talus, in its unfathomable enormity, was lost and overtaken in the light of the flames.

#revali #revali botw #revali x oc #botw #breath of the wild #legend of zelda #loz #botw fanfiction #rito #rito botw #botw fic #fanfiction #writing #maiya botw #firebird botw

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luneandbarbecue · 4 years ago

Audio

A variation of a theme based on @paellaplease ‘s botw OC Maiya

(Done on Musescore)

#botw #firebird #lune tunes #lunetunes #maiya

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paellaplease · 5 years ago

Text

Firebird | Chap.6

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 7

Apologies for the long wait, everyone!

Chapter 6: Of Monsters and Metals Part 1.

Strength is not measured by your willingness to meet fear’s gaze...

Revali dove, slowed, and eventually landed, talons gracefully touching down on the rocky ground below them like a falling leaf to water.

Maiya lifted her head from his shoulder, the smell and sounds of waves crashing into stone washing over her as she opened her eyes. Looking around, she saw that they were standing on a long slab of rock, hovering above the tumultuous waters of Lake Totori.

Another departure deck, her mind supplied for her.

The hylian quickly clambered off the rito’s back, the freshwater spray chilling her to the bone. She realised just how much warmth Revali’s feathers had provided her, feeling the full brunt of the elements as she pulled away. Maiya shivered, regretting her earlier decision in leaving her thicker coat at the inn.

As her feet touched the earth, her legs immediately gave way.

“Holy— ”

Revali caught her arm, steadying her moments before she smacked into the ground.

“Give it a moment.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Stubbornly, Maiya took another step forward. The rito warrior clicked his tongue as he caught her again. “You are unaccustomed to flight. Stand still and move your feet slowly, let the normal flow of blood return to your legs. Unless of course you’re extremely keen on acquainting yourself with the floor.”

Embarrassment colouring her cheeks, Maiya closed her mouth and turned her head away, allowing herself to lean on him but refusing to look him in the eye. She stared forward into the distance, surveying their surroundings as she waited for the tingling feeling in her legs to disappear. As her eyes adjusted, all she could see was a looming cliff before her and a thick wall of evening fog. Night had set in around them, making visibility difficult in the dying light.

“So...where is that cave we saw earlier?”

Revali’s free wing pointed down to the empty space in front of them, following along the platform until the point where she guessed it would connect to the cliff a few metres away. “On the other side of this departure deck, beyond the fog.”

The Enchanter pulled her jacket closer as another strong gust of wind blew past, mussing up her dark hair again and cooling the sweat on her brow. Small waves continued to crash against the platform, powerful enough at times she swore she could feel the ground shudder. Quietly, she marvelled at how different the scenery appeared in comparison to what she saw in the sky earlier. From afar, the cave seemed so...removed— detached in its stillness. Now up close it felt like she was in the midst of a storm.

What an odd place to have a smithy. “So your forge is cut into the rock holding your village aloft in the sky?”

The rito warrior’s jade eyes were still trained at the distance in front of them as he regarded her evenly. “We are still within village grounds, enchanter.” His expression turned thoughtful. “And that is more than just a rock in the middle of the lake. The cliff face you see in front of you is Wayrakuchuyna, or simply Wayra. She is ancient, older than Chief Kamori and many of those before him, and is the foundation from which Valoo’s Spire was carved.”

“Thats,” Maiya paused, mulling over her words. “That’s actually very interesting. I thought the Spire was carved by your people?”

“Carved by the wind.” The rito corrected her, the rarest hint of a smile in his voice. “Technically speaking, we are underneath the main village structure. Valoo’s Spire is the epicentre of our way of life. However, Wayra had been a part of my people for as long as rito could fly.”

“As such, according to Chief’s Law, so long as we are connected to her, we are always home.” He looked up, gazing at the cliff-face for a quiet moment.

Maiya tilted her head, mimicking his stance. Due to the angle from where they stood, she found it difficult to spot the Spire amongst the rocks and fog. She only managed to catch the faint details of the bridge she’d crossed a day ago, hanging far away in the air above them, illuminated by the waning gibbous moon.

Feeling that enough time had passed, she gave her leg an experimental shake, relieved that the pins and needles had finally subsided. “Hey...I think my legs are back to normal.”

“Continue forward if you must then. You are capable of making your own decisions.”

“I would but,” despite her irritation at his previous comment, she allowed a laugh to slip through. She cleared her throat and pointed to her shoulder. “You can let go now.”

Feathers rising, Revali quickly withdrew his wing, stepping to the side. “Take caution where you tread,” he groused, suddenly very interested in readjusting his pauldrons. “I won’t be responsible if your clumsiness results in you cracking a few eggs.”

The Enchanter shrugged, too tired to deal with the rito’s changing moods, and started walking.

Both hylian and rito made haste across the departure deck, the gaping maw of the forge’s main entrance slowly coming into view. The cave-like opening was tall as it was wide, and Maiya estimated it would easily fit about three of her across. Enshrouded in fog; dark and foreboding, it looked to suck all life into it until there was nothing but open emptiness.

Except it wasn’t empty.

“Someone's there.” She murmured.

Smoke escaped from the mysterious figure's pipe, making them appear like a shadow in the creeping darkness. They were leaning against a tall and looming object. Upon closer inspection it revealed itself to be a heavy metal door, several locks lining its side.

Their face flickered by the flame of a rusty sconce, wavering in the midst of blistering winds. They had feathers of mottled black and white, and a jet black scraggly beard which was pulled into two hanging braids. They stood as if dragged down by the weight of the world — a hunch curving their back and an elderly face dominated by two white-feathered brows pinched together in a scowl. Whilst unable to see their eyes, she still had a feeling that they were watching them closely, eyeing them like a hawk as they drew closer.

Above them, a sign swung and creaked in the whistling wind. Jackdaw Metalworks and Weaponry it read, complete with a carving of two rito's and an anvil resting between them.

“Yieni,” Revali said from behind her, voice unusually careful and diplomatic. He bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Allin tuta, it has been a while.”

Maiya’s eyes widened in alarm. Yieni? Then that means—

The Blacksmith lifted his head, revealing a pair of fierce, cloudy eyes. He threw Revali a questioning look, before zeroing in on the Enchanter and the dagger that hung innocently at her hip. Maiya felt frozen in place, the rito’s glare piercing in its quiet fury. It was as if he was surveying a defective sword, seeking what was left of its worth.

Revali gently nudged her with his wing, pulling her from her thoughts. "Courage now," he whispered.

Maiya grimaced, straightening her back and ignoring the rope of anxiety knotting in her chest. She cleared her throat. “Good evening, Yieni." She didn't think it was possible, but his scowl deepend. Don't panic, just continue. "I am Maiya from the land of Akkala and I’m hoping you can answer some questions regarding— ”

“Get out.”

She blinked. “Pardon me but wha—”

“I said get out! Leave this place." He rasped, smoke escaping his mouth. His eyes narrowed as he glared daggers at the blue rito. “What in the void possessed you to bring an Enchanter to my doorstep, Revali?”

The warrior raised his wings up as if in surrender. “I mean no offense, Yieni.”

“Hah!” The elderly rito hunched over as a dry cough racked through him. "I cannot imagine what inane quest has sent you here but we’ve had enough trouble brought upon by your kind, Enchanter. Now run back to your teacher and never show your face on my property again.”

Maiya’s felt her enthusiasm drain, her gloved hand warming alongside the bubbling of her unease. "You don’t understand. So much of my people’s knowledge has been lost. I know you have a level understanding of our craft. Please.” Fucking listen!

The rito shook his head. “I’ve been bitten more than once by feeding the rabid dog. I refuse to extend my arm out once more as it bears its teeth."

“That makes no sense!”

"I make no deals with Enchanters,” he spat. “Make sense of that, child.” Putting his cigar out, Yieni wrenched the heavy door behind him open, stepping through.

Maiya raced forward. “Wait, hold on!”

The door was slammed shut, cold metal inches from bruising her nose. She took a step back, bumping into the warrior behind her.

Maiya looked at him, the locked door, and slumped. “Okay, perhaps I need to rethink my strategy here." Or perhaps he really hates Enchanters and I'm just wasting my time.

Revali crossed his wings. “Perhaps?” he said, beak curving. “A welcome like that and you honestly still think you have a wing in the door?"

The Enchanter looked to the open lake, feeling cold droplets hit her face as the rain above began to fall. "This would have been a waste of time if I decide to give up now." She rolled her shoulders, ignoring Revali's muttered “Evidently” and bunched up her sleeves. “I’m not leaving til that door opens.”

The blue rito moved to the side, gesturing her forward with an exaggerated wave of his feathers. “The floor is yours.”

Maiya clenched her jaw and moved to knock again.

Knock, knock. Her first attempt garnerd no response.

Knock, knock, bang! As did her second.

“Stubborn old bird.”

She felt the veins in her left hand begin to burn again, the rune no doubt responding to the shock and stress of the day’s events. Taking the glove off, she shook her hand vigorously in the air, trying to cool down the scar which had heated up considerably in the past few minutes. The edges glowed a light blue. She hissed.

“Are you well?” Revali asked.

She looked at him from the corner of her eye. Good going, he thinks you're going to burn the place down now. “Nothing, ignore me. Stinging as always.”

Gritting her teeth, she raised her left hand again. She was inches away from slamming it into the door when the metal surface shuddered.

Reflexively, Revali reached for his bow. Maiya held a hand up, the hairs on the back of her neck rising. “Wait—”

She took a cautious step back as the clicks of several locks were heard, the unusual symphony joined by a cacophony of keys turning, latches being pulled, and bars sliding to the side. Smoke left hidden pockets located at the hinges, making a hissing noise as billowing clouds escaped from the cracks, dissipating into the surrounding darkness.

A creak and screech echoed, the sound ricocheting off the rock and making small pebbles fall from their perches. Metal scraped against metal, joining the activity as the noise reached a crescendo, building up until suddenly— there was silence.

Maiya released the breath she was holding, clutching her gloved hand to her chest. "Did I do that?"

"No,” Revali said. He pointed to a rounded mirror-like object which hung above the burning sconce, something Maiya thought was merely for decoration. "That glass is not reflecting our images…”

At that moment, the flame went out.

“Someone’s watching us.”

And the door swung open with a bang.

Lying before them was a dark corridor. It was cold and eerie, a void tunneling into the rock. Maiya was surprised to find that no one was on the other side to greet them, and wondered briefly how the door could have opened by itself. “There’s something mysterious at work here,” she whispered.

It was completely barren except for a small hanging lantern at the furthest part of the hall. The quivering flame marked the beginning of a spiral staircase, its flickering light illuminating the start of stone steps leading down.

The Enchanter stared into the darkness, fear of the unknown making her hesitate. As she retreated into herself, she took a step back, her hand brushing the hilt of her dagger. The latent energy within it sent a small spark up her fingers, and for a moment she remembered the way it spluttered and burned within the confines of the Blacksmith’s clamp.

Her mentor’s words reverberated in her mind. ‘Do not let fear dictate your freedom.’

Maiya groaned, stepping foot into the dark corridor and began walking with renewed purpose. “Into the unknown, let’s go.” She grumbled. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

She was surprised to hear Revali following close behind her, the sound of talons against stone echoing throughout the passageway. Pausing abruptly, she swivelled around to face him, taken aback by how close he suddenly was.

She backpedalled and crossed her arms, ignoring how he was only a step away. “Hold on. You’re coming with me?”

Revali mirrored her stance, folding his wings. He looked at her pointedly. “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but there’s no stairway to the Spire from here.”

“So you’re sticking around to fly me back up, huh?”

“Precisely.”

Maiya huffed, lifting her head higher to glare at him. “Chief Kamori told you to watch me, didn’t he?”

He wasn’t even looking at her, choosing this moment to inspect the feathers on one of his wings. He flexed it in front of him as a hylian would when checking their nails. “You wound me, enchanter,” he said, voice bored. “Do you really believe I’d make you scale the cliff in the dark?”

“Oh.” She laughed humorlessly, turning around to continue her brisk walk to the end of the hall. “Absolutely.”

Maiya kept a steady palm on the smooth stone column beside her as they continued deeper into the cave. In their descent, she traced the lines of the column, feeling it grow colder the further they travelled into the cavern in almost full darkness. It was one of the few times she was grateful for the dull glow of her hand, leading the way and stopping her from taking a bone-breaking tumble to the bottom floor. At least the stress did something good for once.

The spiral staircase seemed to wind forever, eventually unfurling and flattening, lantern light appearing in the distance as they reached the very last step. They eventually found themselves in an open room, under a high ceiling full of vents.

The Enchanter marvelled at the flow of the air as she watched smoke leave like ribbons through hidden pockets in the room, seemingly replaced by a fresh batch almost instantaneously with the lift of a vent in the ceiling.

It appeared that most of the heat in the room was originating from the giant metal structure sitting at its centre. Blackened and spluttering soot, its presence dominated most of the space; a metal monster with a belly reddened by flames.

The forge’s oven.

The familiar clang of hammer on iron reached her ears, followed by the hiss of steam as it was dipped in the slack tub. The hylian was immediately transported back in time, remembering the workshop in Akkala and the days she spent as a young girl observing Teacher in her workspace.

Maiya was but a novice then, but the silver-haired woman was always in her element. She could recall watching her mentor hammer out a swordsman’s blade, forgetting her notes and daydreaming instead of the moment she would finally decipher the secrets of the anvil and impress the Sheikah Enchanter with her first proper weapon.

Except you failed her, she thought bitterly. No matter how hard you try to make amends, your dagger has rejected its master. And in that, you have failed your purpose.

Maiya blinked back into reality, the figure she saw standing in the middle of the forge no longer her mentor. No, Maiya realised. The person holding a cooling blade in the air wasn't even rito.

Seeing her step into the room, the smith rested the blade on the edges of a clay bath. As they lifted the protective mask obscuring their face, Maiya's eyes caught a teal fin peeking from behind it. A fish? Her mind stuttered.

The mask was lifted further, revealing a lean face and sharp smiling teeth. They stood with a straight back, posture impeccable as they smoothed their leather apron over.

A zora!

“Good evening, Traveler,” they said, voice soft and polite as small bells. They looked at her calmly, golden eyes serene. Maiya’s eyes caught the intricate silver ornaments decorating the side of their face, hearing them clink as they removed the mask entirely.

The zora angled their head higher, finally seeing the person behind her. “What a surprise, Master Revali.”

“Uleh.” The rito nodded curtly.

Maiya looked between the two of them. She noticed some soot staining the Zora's arms and cheeks, painting their shining scales a smoky grey.

Coughing into a closed fist, they cleared their throat. “Apologies for earlier. I’m not sure what’s gotten into Mister Yieni this evening. He is usually more accommodating, but I theorise that the wine might have been more potent than usual."

"You're his assistant?" Maiya asked.

"An Artificer." They corrected. “You could say I’m on...an extended industrial study tour.” The zora smiled to themself, enjoying their own inside joke, before bowing low. “I welcome you, Enchanter. It has been many years since someone of your vocation has stepped foot in ‘Jackdaw’s. I would offer my palm for the greeting but,” they raised both their gloved hands, “I must keep these on for the time being. There is much work that needs to be done.”

Maiya blinked, still bracing herself for the anger that ultimately never materialized. “Hold on. You know I’m an Enchanter? Why then...why haven’t you yet—”

“Kicked you out as Mister Yieni had?”

“Yes.”

“I hold no quarrel against you or your people.” They said, beginning to coat the blade in clay, expertly avoiding its edges. “In fact, I want to help you.”

The Enchanter did not immediately celebrate, silent for a moment and lost to her own thoughts. As much as she was happily surprised by this stranger’s willingness to assist her, she was once again hit by a gut-punching suspicion that had been plaguing her mind since she left the village’s library.

She was slowly learning that there’s always some sort of catch.

"And what exactly does this help entail?" Revali asked, reading into her discomfort.

"Simple,” Uleh said, gently painting the finishing touches of the clay coating with a brush. "I need you to extract a rare ingredient the forge has been lacking in for awhile. After you’ve done that, I can arrange a meeting.”

Maiya shifted her weight from one foot to the other, unconvinced. “How can you be sure he would want to converse with me in the first place?”

Uleh chuckled, clipping the blade into a wooden holder to dry. "Mister Yieni can be ill-tempered, prejudiced and especially cantankerous, but he will always honour a good deal." The zora looked up at her, golden eyes gleaming. "Find him that ingredient, offer it in exchange for information, and he will answer whatever you ask him."

Maiya eyed the silver jewellery framing Uleh’s face, thin and long sheets twisted like intermingling spirals. Ultimately, it would be within her best interest to trust them. She’d just have to roll with the punches and accept the consequences of what was to come after that. She could compare her situation to skipping stones. Nothing left but to cast the rock and count the ripples from the sidelines.

Your willingness to trust will get you trouble one day, my dear. Her mentor’s ever serious voice echoed warningly.

The hylian rubbed her eyes, too tired to argue with herself anymore. Grab the ingredient and strike a deal. Easy. She thought to herself. It's okay. It will be okay. That just leaves me with...

Gazing up, she flashed Revali a tentative grin. The sharp lines of the rito’s face softened a fraction, then fell back into its default haughty glare as he looked away. "What is it?" He asked sourly.

"...are you going to help me?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Well, I'm going regardless."

Revali sent her a knowing look. "And you will probably encounter trouble along the way.

The hylian shrugged, unbothered. "It's not a given but with the increase of monster activity out there, coupled with some Yiga sightings, I probably will—"

"Then the answer is obvious."

"You don't have to be rude about it."

"You shouldn't ask moronic questions you know the answer to."

"Fine!"

"Fine."

Maiya shook her head, turning back to the zora who was still patiently waiting for her answer. She cleared her throat, trying to regain whatever professional dignity she'd shed in the past minute. “If it will grant me an audience with the Blacksmith, then I'll do it."

Uleh's face broke out into a smile. “Fantastic.”

Rising from their sitting position, the zora picked the blade up with their iron tongs, carrying it back to the oven. As they plunged it back into the red hot embers, the fire casted dancing lights and shadows against their teeth, drawing Maiya’s attention as they spoke their next words.

“Now onto business. Have you ever heard of a Frost Talus, Enchanter?”

#revali #botw #breath of the wild #revali x oc #loz botw #legend of zelda #botw fanfiction #revali botw #rito #rito botw #botw fic #fanfiction #writing #enemies to friends to lovers #paellaplease #firebird botw #maiya botw

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paellaplease · 5 years ago

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matatagi asked: 4,7,15,29 for the otp meme

Thank you for the ask! 💖

4. Favorite non-sexual activity?

Day-trips!

Maiya has a love for discovering new places in Hyrule. After being stuck studying in the Akkala forge for most of her life, she wanted the chance to stretch her legs and see the world she was missing out on.

She still has some anxieties with venturing into unfamiliar territory alone (alongside having a poor sense of direction), but her pride stops her from asking for help.

Revali’s easy fix is just volunteering to go with her anyway :) Whilst he’s well-travelled due to his role as a scout/guard/warrior, he secretly enjoys listening to her perspective. He never hesitates when she asks, because he finds her curiousity endearing it’s a good opportunity for him to show off his knowledge of history and landmarks.

7. What’s the first thing that changes when they realize they have feelings for the other?

Maiya opens up and relaxes more around him. I always think that she’d have the idea swimming in her head for a while, however never allowing herself to give into it until she was truly sure. Accepting her feelings is extremely freeing for her and she finds it easier to tell him more about herself and Enchanting.

In the beginning, Revali becomes very flustered whenever he’s around her. Confident and snarky- but still ruffled. So focused on his goals for all these years- the feeling of wanting something beyond friendship and deep camaraderie was rarely ever considered. Sure he’d had the odd crush here and there, but this- this was different. He is thrown into the deep end, completely out of his depth. And it perplexes him to no end why he wonders at times what it would feel like to hold her warmed hand in his wings, to make her laugh, and to see her midnight hair wild and free in the winds of the Flight Range -- a place that, though now shared, was always his.

He eventually gets used to it and reverts back to his everyday self, but Maiya still takes notice that he’s smiling more. And though it confuses her (“Is there something on my face?” ) she doesn’t mind it one bit. (“N-no. It’s nothing, Enchanter. All is well.”)

15. Who wakes up first?

Revali.

The road to becoming 'Pride of the Rito' wasn't built on sleeping in every morning. For Revali, waking early was a necessity of fulfilling his strict training schedule, which eventually became habit.

Maiya can't be fucked climbing out of the hammock then climbing down so early in the morning 🤣 Cuddle fiend and proud of it.

29. One headcanon about this OTP that breaks your heart.

(Spoilers incoming)

Maiya straightened his blue scarf, the soft material slipping past her fingers like water. Looping the waves, one over the other, she pulled them tight as the knot in her chest tightened in turn.

Finishing her ministrations, her hand landed over the symbol of Vah Medoh, and for a moment-- she couldn't release him.

"Enchanter."

The pattern was plain white and so simple. A stark contrast to the hulking metallic bird in the sky, miles away in Rito Village.

"Khuyasqa..."

A flying metal death trap that he was going to pilot for the sake of saving the world as they know it--

"Maiya."

She looked up. Jade eyes met her own, sharp and keen as knives, yet softened by the small smile on his beak. "Dawn is almost here. The Princess should be done soon. I need to go."

He brought his wings to her scarred hand, runic light peaking past his feathers, and squeezed it in reassurance. "I'm going to be okay, Enchanter."

Maiya took a deep breath, forcing her voice not to waver. "You better be."

He laughed, ruffling her hair. She managed to crack a smile in response. "So dour. Have some confidence!"

The Enchanter sighed, running her thumb over Vah Medoh one last time. Take care of him, she thought, before finally letting go.

#revali #botw #breath of the wild #revali x oc #ask meme #revali x maiya #firebird botw

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paellaplease · 5 years ago

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Revali x OC. Unpublished, additional scene to Chapter 5

Hello everyone,

A big thanks to the OG readers and newcomers to my blog and my botw fic: Firebird. Love you all. I wrote this scene some time ago in 2019, around the time when there wasn’t even a clear Ch.3 yet. Unfortunately, it had to be omitted due to pacing and plot.

Now you all get to read it, enjoy!

Warning: firebird spoilers under the cut.

[Context: It’s time for a tour. Revali is flying, Maiya is on his back. They are high-up in the air, gliding with a full view of Rito Village next to them.]

Squinting her eyes, Maiya could see the movement of the Rito and other travelers of Hyrule as they went about their business. Some seemed to be waving goodbye or closing shop, and she realised belatedly how late in the day it already was.

The Enchanter’s gaze flicked up to the sky above her. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the bright expanse in oranges, pinks and greys in one of the prettiest sunsets she’d seen in a while. The colours of the sky reflected off the crystalline lake surrounding Valoo’s Spire, painting it in the same way as if it were its own canvas. The sight made her want to sigh dreamily. It really was beautiful.

"Wow." She whispered.

"Yes, I know," Revali's voice broke through her thoughts, reminding her of exactly who she was with right now. "Witnessing my unmatched skill in flight is always sight to behold."

Maiya’s easy smile sunk faster than a faulty boat on an icy lake as she regarded the blue Rito beneath her. "Not you dummy, I'm talking about your village!"

“You said a bad word,” a high-pitched voice chirped next to her.

Maiya jumped, nearly slipping and plummeting to the ground below. “Holy crap!”

(Revali sighed, tired with her clumsiness, complained as he immediately tilted to resteady her. “Like trying to keep a sinking boat afloat.”)

“Look! Cree! She did it again. That’s three times now! I think...”

Maiya looked to her left. Following the sound of the voice, she was soon face to face with a bright yellow Rito child, her little wings beating rapidly at her sides like an excitable bumblebee.

“Oh, hello…,” Maiya scratched the back of her neck in confusion. Where did she come from?

The Enchanter wasn’t the best with children. Not that she hated them or didn’t like having them around, but more so that she wasn’t very used to it. Having grown up in a village primarily of a rotating cast of seniors and Gorons (the latter’s average lifespan outnumbering hers by generations) she always found herself as the youngest in most given situations.

“Uh. Were you flying there the whole ti-”

“Are you a witch?” The child blurted.

What?

“Also why do you only have one glove? Didja lose the other one? And why does it smell like burnt moose?”

What?!

“Inti!” Another voice piped, this time lower-pitched and a little nasally.

It was from another Rito child. He was just as small, peeking out shyly from behind his yellow feathered friend. Maiya guessed that this was probably ‘Cree’.

He was jet black in colour and slightly bald. New feathers sprouted from the top of his head, giving him an overall messy appearance. Like most Rito children, his eyes were round and wide, carrying a gleam of wariness as he peered at her. His irises were a startling blue, reminding her of someone familiar.

Cree let out a surprised chirp upon noticing that Maiya had spotted him, moving to hide behind Inti again. “P-papa said it’s r-rude to interrupt p-people…,” she heard him mumble.

“I wasn’ being rude, Cree!” Inti squawked. If there was a floor beneath them, she would have stamped her talons. “I was just asking a question. Also, why do ya keep following me?” The yellow Rito flew to the right, exasperated when Cree did the same.

“D-don’t you remember that s-scary s-story old Yieni told us?”

Inti giggled. “You really believed him?”

Her snickers turned into a belly laugh as she somersaulted through the air. “He said that enchanters had snakes for hair and would turn naughty Rito children into frogs-

“-and then eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!” Cree finished, sounding horrified.

Maiya was speechless. Dear Hylia, what do I say to that?

Inti shook her head, “You know he’s just makin’ that up! Enchanters don’t really do that, right Revali?”

Maiya was surprised as Revali angled his head to look at her, dramatically narrowing his eyes as he made a show of assessing the Hylian for any ‘frog-magic capabilities’. She returned his scrutinizing gaze, resisting the urge to bare her teeth in challenge.

He smirked, “Oh they don’t, but this one definitely does.”

If her face didn’t feel like a furnace before, it definitely did now. “I absolutely do not!”

“By Valoo, look how red her face is! She’s just about ready to attack. Don’t worry, children. I, Revali: the most accomplished fighter of the Rito...’

More like the most god-awful and arrogant of the Rito.

“...cannot be beaten by weak magic such as hers.” With that, he struck a dramatic pose in the air, making Maiya yelp as she was jostled to the side.

The Hylian scowled, fists clenched. She was seconds from snapping back when a quiet laugh she hadn't heard before stopped her.

Cree's shoulders were shaking, trying and failing to hide the little snorts and giggles that escaped from his beak. He lifted his wings, adorably imitating Revali’s pose in the sky.

So lost in his joy, he didn’t notice that he’d manage to detach himself from Inti’s side, moving closer to the two.

A gust of wind blew past them, reddening the tips of Maiya’s ears and softly caressing the ends of her messy bandana. Cold as it was up here, the breeze was mildly comforting. It swirled and whistled around them, seeming to disappear in an instant, taking her anger with Revali along with it.

It gave her an idea.

“I’ll prove it.”

Straightening her posture and anchoring herself to Revali with her dominant left hand, Maiya used her free arm to reach behind her head, picking out a few pins and untying the knot that held her bandana together.

The two young Ritos paused in their laughing to look at her, curious as to what she was doing.

After a few strong tugs the knot loosened, allowing her to yank it down to her neck and free the hair bundled up underneath. Everything fell messily over her face and shoulders.

The wind chose this as a terrible time to pick up again, sending her uneven dark locks waving wildly in the open air. It was like a blanket of midnight or coal, a dark shroud contrasting against the lavender sky of twilight.

“Pfffft, okay I didn’t think that through,” Maiya said, batting a few locks away that managed to tangle and land in her mouth, “But see! No snakes.”

Worryingly, the group went quiet. After a moment, she began to wonder if her plan had backfired. Maiya bit her lip, smoothing her hair back, feeling dejected as it returned to waving chaotically above her like before.

How dishevelled did she look right now? Was she weird? Scary?

Truly arsed it now, Maiya. This is what happens when you try to lighten the mood. Is the truth any better than the stories, anyway? Turning things to ash and burning anything that so much as startles you. The destruction at least was consistent.

Slightly disheartened, her gaze fell to both her hands. Her first few years in the forge were...tumultuous. She could recall the many times Teacher told her to stay away from the other smiths before she finally learned how to control her emotions and stifle the flames from the overreacting rune. Her left hand twitched at the memory, feeling prickly as if she was running her palm over sandpaper. A small hint of blue leaked from the glove’s burnt holes and scratches. “I…”

She looked up, about to dismiss her actions with a bad joke, when Inti reached out.

Maiya froze. A small wing gently brushed past a messy section of her hair, strands flowing over the young Rito’s feathers like a dark river over a field of rye. The little Rito gasped, marvelling at the way it twisted and turned in the wind. “It’s so soft,” she whispered. “And black like the nighttime!”

The yellow Rito flew closer, careful to dodge a few rogue strands as she picked up more hair and laughed. “It’s pretty, just like your feathers, Cree!”

Her friend hung his head bashfully, secretly smiling from the compliment.

Maiya felt the knot in her chest unwind, slowly disappearing as she gazed fondly at the two young Ritos. These kids are too sweet. Brushing her hair away from her eyes, she felt slightly better as she turned her attention back to Revali, noticing that he was looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Believe me, now?” she teased.

Revali blinked, seeming to snap out of whatever trance he was in. Hilariously, the feathers surrounding his neck puffed up.

Ha! Maiya chuckled, smoothing down the ones closest to her in pity. “Are you alright?”

He shook his head and narrowed his eyes at her, opening his beak to reply-

“INTI! CREE! WHERE ARE YOU?!”

The group flinched as a shrill voice echoed from the village below.

“Uh oh,” Inti said, “that’s my mom.”

Cree rushed back to the yellow Rito’s side, nudging her back towards the village in a panic. “We w-were supposed to b-be b-back ages ago!”

“Okay, okay! ‘M goin’!”

“Bye, Revali! Bye-uh…,”

“Maiya,” she supplied helpfully.

“Maiya!” Inti chirped. “I’ve never met an Enchanter before, but you’re nice!” She turned around then, letting Cree lead her back home. The two little Rito’s whizzed away, flying further and further till they were just black and yellow blobs in the distance. Maiya sighed, shaking her head.

She and Revali were alone in the sky once again. A comfortable minute of silence settled between them, only to be broken by the blue Rito letting out an obviously fake yawn. “It’s late. We should head back. I’ve already wasted enough time playing tour guide for you.”

“Technically you haven’t done anything, other than getting me up here.” Maiya huffed, pointing to the village below, “You haven’t even told me the names of most of these places, how am I supposed to know how to get to the blacksmiths tomorrow?”

Revali tsked, “Very well. I’ll give you the abridged version on the way to Swallow’s Roost.”

“Thanks. Also,” her voice darkened, taking on a cutting edge that she rarely used in most cases.

“What in Din’s Name was that? Diving off the ledge? Was it really necessary?”

#revali #revali x oc #rito #botw #firebird botw #maiya #extras #alas whilst this was fun to write i totally get why it didn't make it to the final

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paellaplease · 5 years ago

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Firebird | Chap.5

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 6 Chapter 7

Have a safe and happy holidays!

Chapter 5: Ideographic Approach

Many questions are asked, and very few answers are given. The Enchanter sees another side of the Pride of Rito Village.

Fire. The world was on fire. Maiya pushed through the crowd of fleeing people, ribbons of smoke filling her lungs and the smell of burnt flesh lingering in the air. A blood moon was in the sky, casting a scarlet glow that mingled with the flames spreading from the burning cottages behind her.

“...ey…hey!”

The frightening sound of wood cracking and creaking met her ears. Unsure as to why, Maiya turned her head to glance at the burning houses. In the front door of one of them, an unknown figure stood at the entrance. They were completely faceless, with features so burnt she couldn’t recognise if they were hylian or not. Slowly, the figure seemed to click back to life, lifting a loaded bow and aiming the arrow for the space between her eyes.

“Ench...er…...leep!”

She flinched just as the arrow was released. The last thing she heard was the sound of wood crashing into the ground and anguished screams of the people around her.

“Lita! Grandma! The Enchanter fell asleep!”

Maiya groaned, rubbing away the small layer of crust from her eyes. She knew she was awake, yet could still smell the stench of smoke. “What?” Her voice was croaky, strained. Something small was pulling at her shirt sleeve, and yelling.

The clatter of objects were heard in the distance, then a familiar voice. “Kaneli!”

Where am I? She cracked her eyes open, alarmed to see that she was on the ground and surrounded by several open books. Must have fallen asleep reading. Sitting up slowly, she propped herself up with her free hand. Minding her stiff neck, she scrubbed her face with one of her hands, and looked up.

A tiny rito with a snowy face stood next to her.

He was covered in wild brown feathers and a mint green poncho. Little tufts of hair stood out on his head, barely held back by several colourful ribbons which all looked as if they were tied in a storm. He wasn’t looking at her, focused on pulling at her arm again with a franticness that made his talons click and slide against the floorboards. Maiya cleared her throat.

The little bird stopped, turning to look at her with wide, shocked eyes. He dropped her arm, and stood back, face betraying his awe. “You’re an Enchanter!” He blurted.

“Uh, yes?” Maiya said, feeling a bit hesitant under the weight of child’s scrutinizing gaze.

She blinked as Kaneli’s face broke out into a sunny smile. Inwardly, she grimaced. Too bright. He stamped his little talons in childish excitement. “Wow! Just like the stories! I always imagined you would be taller. Where’s your sealing hammer?”

“I left it in the forge, but why—”

“And your anvil?”

“Well. Blacksmith’s steel is a bit heavy to carry all the way from Akkala to—”

“And your enchanted weapon?”

Maiya sighed, sleepily reaching for the scabbard at her side. “It’s right—” She stopped, hands patting nothing but air. Frowning, she looked down. “Here?” The ornate scabbard was empty.

Her breath stopped. It was like being doused with freezing cold water. A lightning bolt of clarity ran up her spine, clearing her sleep clouded mind and awakening her to the realisation of one, crucial detail. The dagger was gone.

Wide-eyed, Maiya jolted up, her whole body tilting to the side from the vertigo. She quickly righted herself, ignoring the spinning of the room and whipped around frantically, desperately scanning the room for something sharp and definitely burning. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit—

“Over here, ekantada.” Honoka’s voice echoed over her panicked thoughts like a bell in a storm.

She turned. The Elder stood by a long table at the northern end of the room, black safety goggles pulled over her glasses and obscuring her face. The kind older rito looked almost terrifying in the dimmer light, having donned a heavy leather apron and industrial half-sleeves to protect her wings. She was still as a statue, focusing as she appraised a dagger with a critical eye.

It wasn’t just any dagger. It was her dagger. Unsheathed, angry, and exposed to the chilly air.

What was most surprising however, was that instead of burning a hole through the Archivist’s floor, its hilt was held in the parallel jaws of an industrial vice. Maiya couldn't believe it. The clamp’s surface was cracked and sizzling, yet as it fought a losing battle against the red dagger, it remained miraculously intact.

Her first emotion was shock. Then—anger; molten and hot, threatening to bubble up and spill out as she marched towards Honoka, little Kaneli following nervously after her. “What are you doing? That is extremely dangerous!”

Honoka spared her an unconcerned glance and turned back to the dagger, watching as it spat scorching flames from its position at her table. The Archivist continued to write in her notebook. “Studying your handiwork,” she said, unperturbed. “You are very talented.”

“How,” Maiya seethed, fists clenching and unclenching. Her next words came out short and clipped. “How are you not burnt?”

Master Honoka gestured to a pile of ashen materials at her side, most of them emitting smoke and reduced to nothing but bent metal and rubble. “With great caution.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

Honoka replied to Maiya’s agitation with diplomatic patience. “Think, hylianlla.”

Inhaling a shaky breath, Maiya bit her lip and did as she was told. Reluctantly, she turned her back on her dagger, walking up to the pile of discarded tools and roughly picking up a set of long, warped tongs. She held it up to the scant light of the room, angling it carefully. Little dust particles were interspersed in the air around her as she zeroed in her attention on the piece of metal. The sounds of Kamori asking his grandmother a question faded away as she focused.

With her gloved forefinger she brushed away the oxidized crust, flipping the blacksmith tongs to its side. She examined it, looking for the engraving of a familiar eye-symbol to confirm her thoughts. Yet, there was none.

There is only one logical reason, she thought, but it doesn’t make any sense. "How…" she mused aloud. "I thought Teacher and I had the only ones left."

Maiya looked to Honoka, perplexed. "The Royal Family had them destroyed thousands of years ago." She continued. From the corner of her eye, the fire from her dagger flared again, only to quickly be stifled as if sucked up into an invisible vacuum in the surrounding air.

“Wow…” she heard little Kaneli whisper.

After some deliberation, she finally voiced the burning question in her mind. “Are you telling me that this pile of warped metal are supposed to be Instruments?”

From the around the beginnings of her earliest memory, Maiya was taught the intricacies and history of her chosen field of study. What was left of it, at least. The first and last known makers of Enchanter's tools were the Sheikah. The books back in her mentor’s sanctum called them Instruments, tools that were essential in the smithing and Enchanting process.

These Instruments, whilst eventually breaking down, could withstand the might of most Enchanted objects, proving to be an essential part of the forge. Because of them, Enchanting became less of a lethal process, allowing the art to transition into an accessible skill thousands of years ago.

That’s all changed now, with the burying of history and the loss of almost all Instruments. Maiya knew that Teacher’s gear was passed down by her own mentor, and the mentor before them, and so on. Precious objects hidden from the Royal Family’s eyes at the price of potential treason for the protection of knowledge.

However, holding the rusted tongs in the air, weighty and industrial as they were, she did not feel the same energy running through her as she did with the tools back in Akkala. These Instruments were not of Sheikah make. Are they even Instruments at all?

Her arms dropped, shaking. She had so many questions. "Where did you get this? Who made this?"

The Archivist answered her. "These tools were given to me on indefinite loan sometime ago by the village's blacksmith."

The words were out of her mouth before she could think them through. "Is he an Enchanter as well?"

Honoka scoffed. "Hardly, and I suggest you don't call him that if you do see him. His distaste for your kind borders that of the imbecilic." She shook her head. "I digress. Did you see the oxidation and damage, young Enchanter?”

“I did.” Maiya nodded, looking at her fingers which had a smudge of rust. “I think I understand now. These tools were not properly imbued with whatever…ability the blacksmith was attempting to give them.”

She was missing something, and she had a feeling that Honoka was too. These pseudo-Instruments, warped and damaged as they are, still managed to withstand the fiery might of her dagger. For a few minutes, they bore the prolonged brunt of a weapon that had every intention to irreversibly destroy whatever touched it that it deemed unworthy. These Instruments, whilst not created by Sheikah hands, did whatever their instructions ordered them to do. Operating in the same way her scabbard and Teacher’s cloth did in stifling the flame, and they worked.

Maiya turned to look at the obsidian coloured vice at Honoka’s desk. It had begun to bubble now, softening. It was at the cusp of crumbling into pieces. Yet it continued to stand, holding her dagger and defying its predetermined destruction for several more minutes.

The Hylian pressed a knuckle to her temple, a headache building. There was someone in this village that knew how to make Instruments. No. There was someone in this village that was trying to make Instruments.

There was still another lingering thought which bothered her. "Why did you take my dagger?"

The Archivist snapped her notebook shut, prompting Maiya to glance up. Honoka reached over and picked up her cane once more, walking to her. "To get a closer look.”

“I admit,” She began as Maiya opened her mouth to retort, “your attachment is unusual, hylianlla. I was under the impression that Enchanters relinquished ownership of their creations with the final hit of the hammer."

Ouch.

The Enchanter swallowed her anger, feeling a pang of hurt in her chest. "That's because it is expected the weapon finds its Master not too long after it is forged." She paused, sensing the impending question in the air. "I'm working on it."

Elder Honoka pulled her black goggles up and onto her forehead, giving Maiya an unconcealed view of her scrutinising stare. Her grey eyes were sharp and clear, filled with wisdom and intelligence cultivated by years of research and experience.

"I'm sorry, Enchanter." Honoka said, genuinely. Wings at her side, she leaned into a low, apologetic bow.

"I…" Maiya stopped. I wasn’t expecting that. "It's alright. Just don't do it again."

Honoka shook her head once more, walking to the pile of books Maiya previously slept in. She picked up a tome from the heap. “I must explain my reasoning, hylianlla. When you showed that dagger to me the first time, something— or well, the lack of that something— caught my eye."

The rito flicked the book open, pages passing rapidly before she landed on a specific section Maiya couldn't quite discern. Kaneli next to her attempted to see the image, standing on the tips of his claws to peak into the book. The words were unintelligible, and her hands ached to take it to get a closer look.

Honoka’s head tilted to her, guessing her thoughts. “This is one of the more unusual additions in the collection. There is a powerful spell protecting it. You will fail to read it, as I have, no matter how straightforward the writing may seem.”

"However, we can still comprehend the images, and I’ve been able to develop some theories thanks to that fact. Enkantada, I implore that you listen closely. I’ve studied languages, both new and old for many years. This is one of the aspects of your people that had interested me the most."

In the dusty light, her glasses reflected what seemed to be boldly drawn lines on a page. "There are symbols made by the Sheikah that go beyond the function of the characters within the Sheikah script. These are characters that could mean entire objects, places, concepts, and in this case even instructions.”

In that moment, Maiya was acutely aware of the lines of scar tissue running along the surface of her left hand. Puckered skin that formed a symbol which had been helping her instruct the magical properties of all her failed enchanted prototypes, and the dagger which now stands burning in the corner.

“To my knowledge,” Honoka continued, “the Sheikah people from 10,000 years ago, those who have forged weapons of great elemental control, utilised these symbols. As Enchanters, you and your Teacher would have done the same. Yet,” she paused, gesturing to the enchanted dagger burning in its clamp. “Your blade bears no such markings.”

Maiya’s breath hitched. A bead of sweat ran down the back of her neck as Honoka flipped the book around. The rune for Fire stood out on the page, an almost exact mirror to the scar on her hand.

Master Honoka’s eagle eyes were trained on her again. In them there was no malice, but a cunning curiosity that made her nervous. “I wonder how that is possible?”

“I…” Unbeknownst to her, somewhere in the conversation she had set down the tongs, opting now to nervously pull at the leather glove which covered the buzzing rune at risk of burning a hole through the fabric. How much does Honoka know?

A gurgling noise echoed throughout the Archives, interrupting them. “Lita! Food please?” A small voice chirped.

The older Rito sighed, shaking her head with an indulgent smile. “We can discuss this later,” she said, pulling Maiya away from her thoughts, “You’ve been asleep for a while and lunch was many hours ago. My grandson has a point. You must be hungry.”

“Sit with me, Enchanter!”

“I’m—” Maiya cleared her throat, suddenly feeling parched. “If you just have a glass of water that would be great. You don’t have to serve me food, I can find some outside.”

“Nonsense.” Honoka said, swapping her heavy duty apron for a lighter, patterned one which hung at the back of one of the chairs. “Take a seat at a clean desk, I’ll go find some dried meats and cheeses for you.”

“Oh, and don’t forget to retrieve your dagger from the clamp.” She called over her shoulder, walking towards the backroom once more. Her voice began to trail away. “The scabbard is next to it at the table. Please do it soon. I already have a gap in my floorboards, so I would very much like to keep the rest of my home hole-free.”

Maiya silently drizzled butter over the honeyed rice pudding Honoka served as dessert, barely paying attention to the buzzing little rito next to her. Still shaken from earlier events, she felt her unease ironically lighten with the familiar weight of the dagger hanging at her hip. Kaneli, dwarfed by the towers of books around him, sat happy and content from his place at the table, swinging his legs with a bright smile on his beak. He asked her question after question, talking around his food which he dug into with cheerful gusto.

“Miss Enchanter, can you make other things? Things that are not fire?”

“Yes, or well, I should.” she replied, spooning a portion of the creamy pudding into her mouth. She hummed, pleased at the subtle sweetness. This isn’t so bad. “Historically we were able to make weapons that could emulate the power of many elements.”

“So that’s why you’re here. To see if lita’s books can help you?”

“Correct!” Maiya smirked. She chewed at her food thoughtfully. “Hey, you’re pretty observant for a five year old.”

Kaneli frowned, kicking up a sharp claw into the air. He curled his small wings into tinier fists, and tossed her the most severe glare he could muster with his big, baby blue eyes. Aww. “I’m six!”

Maiya laughed, then spooned in another mouthful of pudding. “Apologies, you are a very observant six year old.” For a second she allowed her gloomy mood to slip, stifling a giggle as Kaneli nodded to himself, as if to say ‘yes, indeed I am quite clever!’

Kaneli pouted and furrowed his brow. Puffing up his chest, he turned to look at her with mock seriousness, assessing something she wasn’t entirely sure of before saying “I forgive you.” Then, as if nothing happened, jumped straight back into questioning. “Miss Enchanter, did you find anything new in lita’s books?”

Maiya felt her levity drop like the petals of a wilted flower. “No.” And she was back to sad moping again. “Not yet, at least.”

“Oh,” Kaneli said. “Well—”

Both jumped as a loud knock resounded throughout the Archives.

Someone was outside.

“A moment!” Honoka called from the second floor. She flapped her wings, gracefully descending to the ground level. She took the cane strapped to her back, hobbling over to her front door and unlocking the gate. Seeing who was there, the older rito clicked her tongue in disapproval. “My dear, what are you doing at my doorstep instead of resting in your hammock? I keep telling you not to push yourself so far all the time! You look absolutely haggard.”

“Good evening, Master Honoka.” A familiar voice said, blatantly ignoring the previous admonishment. “Allin ch’isi, Amaut'a. I’ve brought something for you from the mountain vendor.”

Honoka moved to the side, giving Maiya a chance to peak at the mysterious stranger standing outside the door.

Oh.

Honoka sighed. “Hah, Master Revali. Qoyllur-cha. What am I going to do with you? Come inside and have some arroz con leche.”

Maiya quickly averted her eyes as the blue rito walked into the room. She could feel her heart beating to the sound of his talons lightly hitting the floorboards. He hasn’t seen me yet, she thought, and for a brief moment she weighed up the pros and cons of hiding underneath the table like a dumbass.

“What are you doing?” The little rito seated next to her asked, tilting his head to the side in confusion when he found the Enchanter sinking deeper into her seat, already halfway down.

She cringed, caught. “Uh…”

Then, the young rito’s head perked up, finally seeing who had entered the room. “Vali!” Kaneli yelled. Shoot.

The little rito bolted from his chair. He flapped his tiny wings, flying a few centimetres off the ground before colliding into the blue rito’s stomach with a muffled ‘ooft’. To her surprise, Revali chuckled, hoisting Kaneli high into the sky, before setting the laughing child on his shoulders.

He then turned, their eyes meeting. Maiya was sure that she’d hallucinated the easy smile he had a minute ago, as now a big irritating smirk dominated the rest of his face.

“Ah, what a coincidence, enchanter. I was wondering where you were.”

“She’s trying to hide from you, Vali!”

“I am not!” Maiya sat up quickly, accidentally slamming her kneecap into the table. Ow!

Honoka clicked her tongue again, watching the scene with a small, exasperated smile on her face. She held a bag of parsnips in one wing. “Alright, enough of that for now. Take a seat Master Revali, and please, put my grandson down.”

“Aww! But lita!”

Maiya returned to reading soon after, an air of awkwardness lingering as both rito warrior and hylian guest attempted not to pay attention to the other. She finished the rice pudding quickly, diving back into taking notes from the multiple books around her as Honoka and Revali discussed the events of the day. On the floor not too far away, Kaneli lay on his stomach, kicking his legs in the air and busying himself with his crayons and paper.

“Thank you for the parsnips, Revali. These will go very well in a soup. Is June still selling his produce up there? I heard the weather and bad-company has gotten worse lately.”

“As it always does on the approach to the winter months, Master Honoka. With regards to the sudden rise in Yiga activity, Chief Kamori had increased patrols along several of the mountain routes. I’m confident we’ll have the rabble cleaned up by the end of the Solstice.”

The Enchanter adjusted her chair, accidentally jarring the careful stack of books in front of her. The tower wobbled and shook, sending the volume at its top tumbling to the side. Maiya reached her gloved hand out, quickly swiping it from the air before it could hit the ground.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she gazed down at the book in her hands, letting out a bewildered “Huh?”

It was the same book that Honoka had held a while ago. This close, and she could tell that it was torn and quite dirty. Gently, she blew out a small breath against its surface, watching as dust particles lifted and departed, floating in the air. What she thought was a light, grey cover, was actually an extremely faded blue. It was barely holding on by its bindings, looking as if it had been thrown out a window, dragged through the dirt—

And perhaps set on fire, Maiya thought, running a finger over its singed corners.

She looked at its title, eyes tracing over the lines and grooves of the foreign symbols, committing them to memory. She blinked once, then twice, then took a few minutes to consult Honoka’s language guides. Confused, Maiya found herself unable to remember what she’d just seen.

The Enchanter frowned, reading the title once more. The Sheikah-like characters sharpened then blurred, as if her brain was refusing to cooperate and make the final connection. There was that feeling again, that turning sensation in her gut that she was missing something.

The book was completely incomprehensible.

Great, I can’t read. Maiya rubbed her eyes, cracking it open. Page after page of text and runes produced the same results. Finally, she landed on a purely illustrated section. Unlike most of the book, it wasn’t a rune that dominated the page. Instead, a complicated pyramid like structure stood out to her at its centre. Carefully drawn, it was divided into two, showing a simplistic exterior and greatly detailed interior of trap doors and hidden chambers.

What stood out to her the most, however, was the short column at its doorway, building up and forming around a flat, disk shaped platform at its top. It was a terminal pedestal, but without an ornamental sculpture.

Odd choice for decoration, she thought.

The pedestal was the darkest and most inked part of the blueprint. The artist had painted a swathe of colour, a bright ribbon of vivid sapphire, to mimic the movement of a river or a snake. It ran from the terminal’s top and into the ground and roots below, flowing and following the bottom border until it disappeared at the end of the page.

“What do you have there?” A voice whispered near her ear.

“Nothing.” Maiya said quickly. Slamming the book shut, she turned around, lips sinking into an automatic frown at how close the blue rito stood.

Revali raised a feathered brow, leaning away. “Very well. I hate to cut your research short, Hylian, but I have orders to escort you around the village before sundown.”

Maiya frowned. “Explain.”

The rito sighed, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there. "Chief Kamori believes that as a guest who had never stepped foot on our village grounds before, it would be rather injudicious of us not to give you a tour of the town."

Maiya opened her mouth to refuse, citing that she'd already had a good enough look around, before a pair of tiny wings pushed a piece of paper in front of her nose. "Look, Enchanter!" Kaneli smiled.

A poorly drawn sketch of a red dagger was on the page. It was shooting flames like a sparkler, lending its light to a few fireworks in the sky. Several thick arrows were positioned near the edge of the weapon, pointing to a section of the blade. Maiya's eyes followed them, seeing that they were leading her to the dagger's fuller, where a few squiggles were gathered together.

"The stories say a long, long time ago, Enchanted weapons had drawings that helped them make fire or ice and stuff." The young rito bowed his head, shuffling his feet. "Yours doesn't though, so I drew some to help."

Maiya was silent, staring at Kaneli's interpretation of runic inscription. Her mind flashed to the way her dagger spluttered and fought as it was held in the vice grip of the melting clamp. The blacksmith. She needed to find him.

According to Honoka he had a dislike for Enchanters. Fine. It made things difficult, but Maiya knew that she needed to find him. A potential lack of cooperation was just another setback she had to overcome. Visiting Honoka had left her with more questions than answers, and this knowledge of the village’s blacksmith having an interest in Instruments was her best lead so far. It would be a waste to ignore it.

"Thank you, Kaneli." She said sincerely.

The young Rito beamed.

"Very well," Maiya decided, crossing her arms. She angled her head up to look at Revali, trying to appear as authoritative as possible. "I'll go, but I want you to show me where the village forge would be. I'm curious as to what your local weapons look like." For a second, she saw hesitancy flash in both Revali and Honoka's eyes. They turned to each other, a silent battle ensuing as the two ritos communicated via raised eyebrows and pointed looks.

"I can learn a thing or two as well whilst I'm there." She added, trying to sound reasonable.

Finally, Revali sighed, walking to the front door. “Sure, whatever. Now say your goodbyes and catch up will you?"

Maiya rolled her eyes. I don’t appreciate your tone, jerk. Carefully, she placed Kaneli’s drawing into her journal and stored them both into her backpack. Whilst Honoka was preoccupied scolding Revali about his sleep patterns, she slipped the unusual book inside as well.

Honoka held her grandson’s wing as she walked her guests to the door. “Young Enchanter, I expect to see your face again. Don’t keep the collection waiting. I hope to hear more of your findings at a later date."

“I’ll try to be back soon.” Maiya said noncommittally, hoisting the small bag over her shoulders.

Elder Honoka playfully swatted Revali’s back with her cane. The aforementioned rito jumped in surprise. "Take care, Qoyllur-cha. Don’t get the hylian in any sort of trouble.” Honoka smiled, crows feet creasing as she adopted a mischievous tone. “Now that I’ve met her, I do agree with what you said yesterday. She is quite an interesting visitor.”

Revali pinched the space above his beak. “Please stop talking, Master Honoka.”

The silence that ensued as they left was tense, but expected. Revali walked up the main staircase quickly, Maiya keeping up behind him with minimal difficulty. Once they reached the top floor, the rito’s pace slowed. He looked behind him once to ensure she was there, leading her to one of the nearby departure decks.

With his back to her, Revali approached the edge of the platform, stopping before the drop. His eyes were trained on something in the distance, and for a moment he stood very still, seeing or feeling something she couldn’t. Maiya looked around, taking in the panoramic view of mountains and treetops around them. It was a few minutes before sunset, a hint of orange already beginning to appear behind the grey cumulus clouds that had gathered throughout the afternoon. In the trees beyond, wild birds began to chirp. It felt nice. Serene even.

“Get on my back."

The Enchanter paused, looking at the rito wide-eyed as a blush began to colour her face. "P-pardon—”

Revali exhaled a deep, world-weary sigh, before bending down on one knee, bracing both wings on the ground as if preparing for a sprint. "Farore Above, have the winds carried your hearing away? Get on my back, we don't have much daylight left."

Maiya blinked, walking forward. Unsure of what to do, she threw all caution to the wind and grasped his shoulder, hoisting herself up. The hylian shifted uncomfortably, slipping to the left as her hands tried to find purchase on the blue rito's back.

Yanking a bit too forcefully, a feather came loose in her grasp. Mortified, she sucked in a shaky breath. She quickly pocketed it, lest her reluctant chauffeur were to see and drop her as soon as they were in the air. "Is this...is this really necessary?"

"Believe me," Revali replied, looking over his shoulder to throw her an expression akin to that of a poked Honeyvore Bear, "I'm asking myself the same question right now, but whatever Chief Kamori says, goes."

"...Even if the request is utterly pointless and extremely undignified." He muttered to himself, the aside purposefully loud enough for her to catch it.

Asshole.

"What was that?"

Oh, shit!

"Uh," Maiya blanked, "I said, 'that's cool'".

Another awkward silence settled between them as she finally decided that kneeling on his back and bending down to throw both arms around his shoulders to stabilise herself was the best course of action. The only issue being that this placed his head uncomfortably close to her own, his bronze pauldrons nearly brushing her cheek.

The winds on the edge of the departure deck blew heavy in her face, making her eyes feel irritated and watery.

Maiya looked away, focusing on the rito in front of her instead. This close and she could see the minute imperfections on his yellow beak. There was a small white line, about four centimetres in length, running along its side as thin as a thread.

A gust of air blew past them, making goosebumps appear on her arms. Reflexively, she gripped him tighter, holding him close to feel the warmth of his back against her shivering chest. She exhaled, the heat of her breath mingling with the cold air, creating a white cloud in the space between her mouth and his cheek.

Revali froze.

The Enchanter briefly wondered if he had reached the end of his patience. Didn’t an important warrior like himself have other pressing matters to attend to today? She wouldn’t be surprised if he was ready to toss her back onto the wooden deck and walk away, Chief’s orders be damned.

"Hey, you know, if this too weird I can always walk."

"No.” The rito warrior spoke, voice heavy with irritation. "Let's just get this over and done with."

Suddenly, the lean muscle beneath her tensed. Revali’s wings extended with a dramatic fwip, fanning at his sides in preparation. His feathers were a sea of blue around her. Filling her line of vision, everywhere and in her peripheries.

One flap, and they hovered. Maiya bit back a vulgar swear as her grasp around his shoulders tightened.

He laughed mockingly. "Is the mighty enchanter afraid of heights?"

"No. I'll be alright, just give me a warning before we fl— AAAAAAAAH!!!"

Without a word, Revali dove off the edge, and the world tilted.

Maiya shrieked, feeling her stomach drop as Revali sent them both into freefall. She shut her eyes, clutching onto him for dear life as the winds around them twisted and turned, whipping past at unbelievable speeds. It was loud. Deafening. Howling like the call of a storm.

Gravity sat heavy on her back, pressure building around her as the ground steadily raced to meet them. Maiya’s heart began to beat rapidly, hammering a heavy rhythm like a war drum in her chest. A warm blush crept up her neck, filling her cheeks and the tips of her ears with a rosy hue. She had to remind herself to breathe.

Amidst all this, she could still briefly register the fresh scent of pine and feel the icy snap of air rushing around her. Cold. Untouched. Free. It was like all her senses were alive, her brain firing messages faster than her mind could fully process.

Inching and creeping like a troublesome snake, Maiya could register the small warning pinpricks of pain travelling along the surface of her left hand. Her eyes widened, no longer in excitement but in panic. Her mind flicked to her gloved hand braced tightly around Revali’s shoulder, already imagining the blue light leaking from the scar’s edges. This is bad, this is very bad. The rune was going to activate at any second and fry both her and her pilot.

The adrenaline rush was terrifying. Amazing. Though if it didn't stop soon, it was going to kill them both.

I’m safe! She mentally chanted. She willed the bubbling energy to recede, her panicked thoughts escaping her as whispered words lost in the wind. “I’m safe. I’m safe. I’m safe.”

As if in hearing her, she felt the speed of their plummet slow, followed by the sound of wings flapping. The pair dipped further, the blue of the waters below getting closer, then suddenly. Whoosh. They changed trajectory—arcing up.

Revali caught the gale, cutting and carving a path away from the ground. Hastening them forward to meet the sky.

From the small cracks between her eye-lids, Maiya could see the light shifting as the world re-oriented itself once more. Her ears popped from the dramatic change in pressure. Head spinning, she briefly contemplated letting go completely and letting herself fall into the depths below. Which was unusual since it involved saving the life of the rito she disliked so much at the expense of her own safety. Damnnit. She knew the fire was going to reach him anyhow, and when it did it was going to send both of them falling anyway. There was not enough time. This was it. Make a decision! This is—

“Ahem.”

Revali cleared his throat, wrenching the Enchanter from her racing thoughts.

"You can look up now."

Maiya peeked an eye open, noticing with belated embarrassment that she had burrowed her face into the rito’s feathered neck. Scrunching her nose in disgust, she pulled away, eyes blinking to adjust to the bright light around her.

Whilst the breeze still blew heavy in her face, the world had stopped spinning. It sat before her now, drifting in a haze of orange and blue. The cacophony of sound in her ears had also dulled to a light whistle, leaving her ears ringing.

Yes. Evidently, they had ceased falling.

Remembering the near disaster from awhile ago, Maiya quickly lifted her gloved hand, ignoring Revali’s questioning look. Sighing in relief, she found that the fire had not activated, the single glove’s surface free of scorch marks. That was too close.

Reigning in her galloping heart, Maiya took three careful breaths and lifted herself back up into a semi-kneeling position. Chancing a look at the world they were currently soaring above, she gasped.

They were high-up.

Extremely, high-up.

They were flying several metres above the apex of the village, the zenith of Valoo’s Spire slowly materializing beneath as the canopy of clouds surrounding them began to clear. The winds at this height were strong, but Revali expertly navigated around them, tilting his wings and angling in a way that placed them at an easy glide.

From their vantage point in the sky, the entire Tabantha Frontier was spread out before her. All around them were trees upon trees, forests filled with conifer evergreens still lush with emerald leaves even in the approach to the colder months.

In the west, rocky cliff faces weathered by time took up most of the view, whilst in the east she could vaguely see the way in which the earth cracked and dipped. It was Tanagar Canyon, cutting through the land like a jagged scar.

To the north were the Hebra Mountains. Dangerous and dignified. If the stories were correct, it was home to all kinds of monsters and secrets. Their snow-covered peaks rose to the sky as if to stab the blue expanse, disappearing under the misty cloud cover that rose higher than the height even she and Revali were at right now.

And in the middle of all this, directly below them, was Rito Village. Maiya could feel the terror in her heart fizzle as she took in the village in its entirety. She’d never seen anything like it before.

Valoo’s Spire stood tall and proud in the centre of a massive body of water. It served as the main supporting structure for the Rito’s huts. Like lanterns on a hook, albeit heavier and less fragile, the huts hung from rock formations which jutted out from the spire like outstretched arms. Maiya noticed that most of the homes were wooden brown and slightly curved, reminding her of baskets or bells.

Instead of spreading out horizontally like most places in Hyrule, Rito Village was built upwards, a vertical village reaching to the sky. From this vantage point she could see the whole grand staircase which ran along the spire like an unravelling spiral, splitting into various departure decks at random intervals closer to the top. Buildings and smaller huts appeared in each level, with patterned cloth banners decorating almost every home, waving in the wind and painting the village in various swathes of vivid colour.

"Wow…," she whispered.

"Yes, I know," Revali's voice broke through her thoughts, reminding her of exactly who she was with right now. "A fine specimen such as myself in flight is a sight to behold."

Maiya’s easy smile sunk faster than a faulty boat on an icy lake as she regarded the blue rito beneath her. "Hylia, not you. I'm talking about your village!"

Squinting her eyes, Maiya could see the movement of the Rito and other travellers of Hyrule as they went about their business. Some seemed to be waving goodbye or closing shop, and she realised belatedly how late in the day it already was. Amongst the various houses she could pick out the few that she’d been to; Kamori’s Hut, Swallow’s Roost and even Honoka’s Archive.

The question left her mouth before she could reign in back in. “Where’s your place?”

“Over there, the hut with the blue banners, a floor below Kamori's.” Revali replied.

Maiya fidgeted, leaning forward to get a closer look. The rito grunted. “Hey, watch it! Keep throwing your weight too far to one side and you’re gonna tip us over.”

But it was too late. The Enchanter continued to peer to the side, inadvertently bracing herself to the left, off-balancing the pair and sending them into a brief spin. Maiya yelped in surprise as the calm world around her fell away again. “Shoot! Sorry!”

Revali made an irritated sound at the back of his throat, wings straining as he reeled them back into their previous glide in seconds.

Silence reigned as the pair regained their breath. Revali angled his head to scowl at her. “Did you leave your brain back in Honoka’s Archive, or have you always been this senseless?”

Maiya hung her head sheepishly, attempting to avoid his gaze and failing horribly. “Okay in all honesty, my bad. Learned my lesson there.”

Revali sighed, briefly considering if pushing the subject was worth it, and ultimately decided to let it go. Instead, the annoyance on his face slid into an expression of thinly veiled suspicion. “Why did you ask?”

Maiya tilted her head, confused. “Ask what?”

“Why did you want to know where I lived?”

“Not really sure,” she admitted, looking back at the village next to them. In one of the upper levels, a pink feathered villager stood at the front porch of a hut, waiting as the main door was opened by another rito who swept them up into a tight embrace. The Enchanter smiled. “Perhaps I’m just curious. Everyone’s going home, tonight. Isn’t your family waiting for you?”

He snorted. “How old do you think I am?”

Maiya coughed. “Age has nothing to do with it! I meant l...well— I'm not asking if you're married with kids or anything." She paused, realising how that came out. "Which is totally fine if you are. There's nothing wrong with that at your age. Which I don't know. It's really a personal preference kind of thing anyway and— "

“Twenty-six.”

“Pardon?”

Revali sniffed derisively, shaking his head. "I'm twenty-six years old. I have no attachments, romantic or otherwise. I'd discovered long ago that they're mere disturbances in my journey to achieve my goals."

"That's fair." She said quickly. Unbeknownst to him, the Enchanter frowned, remembering the grandfatherly way in which Chief Kamori regarded him and the admiration in young Kaneli's eyes when he entered the room. A life alone, even in dedicating yourself to your dreams, couldn’t be an easy one.

Look who’s talking, the nagging voice in her head said.

Well, that’s because I didn’t have much of a choice. She mentally shot back.

Maiya stared at the back of Revali’s head, looking at him the same way one would assess a difficult puzzle. Surely he hasn't pushed all of them away.

She wondered briefly what kind dream he was working towards to warrant such isolation and focus, making a move to ask him, but decided against it when a strong gust of wind blew past them. Revali gracefully caught it, sharply angling them to the side without a word. Maiya yelped, gripping onto his back to avoid slipping and plummeting to a certain death.

The wind ruffled her hair and dislodged her bandana, the piece of cloth unknotting.

"Wait, no!" Maiya cried. Alerted by the sound of her voice, Revali glanced at her, watching as she reached out helplessly as the yellow cloth slipped through her fingers and was taken away by the breeze. To her dismay, it disappeared into the white sheet of clouds, gone from her line of sight in seconds.

Immediately, her uneven midnight hair opened and fanned around her, tangling and waving in the crisp windy air. Maiya growled, resisting the urge to grab the rito and shake him. "Shit! We really need to work on you saying something before you do something like that."

Revali’s jade eyes rose to look at her, and Maiya steeled herself for the retort. Brushing her hair away from her eyes, she gritted her teeth. Glancing down, she was surprised to see that the rito’s beak was snapped shut. He was staring, but not in irritation, looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

Maiya felt her annoyance grow. “What? Admiring your handiwork?" She hastily grabbed the flying locks, attempting to bundle them up and tuck them into the collar of her jacket.

Very creative haircut indeed. You could even call the means of achieving it 'lethal'! What an ass.

Revali blinked, seeming to snap out of whatever trance he was in. Hilariously, the feathers surrounding his neck puffed up. "It's nothing." He said, voice clipped. Immediately, he tore his eyes away from hers, turning his head back around.

She rolled her eyes. “Sure.”

The pair continued to soar above the village. After a few minutes, Maiya felt an unusual buzzing in her legs, pins and needles making her feet go numb. It was a precursor to the anxiety stemming from her prolonged lack of connection to the solid ground, and the fact that the chances of her surviving a fall right now would be rather miraculous.

She swallowed her fear, facing forward and forcing herself not to think about it. “I know Chief Kamori wanted you to take me on a tour, but any reason why it had to be up here instead safe on the ground? ”

“If you stop catastrophizing then perhaps you’ll find out in a minute.”

Maiya freed a hand to scratch the back of her neck, “Fine.” She conceded. I need a distraction. “Then actually give me a ‘tour’ of your village and tell me about the houses below us.”

Revali’s response was nothing but diplomatic. “Very well. There’s a few to get through. It would be helpful if you could be more specific.”

“Okay, how about the one with the lanterns still burning bright. Near the bottom of the Spire. Everyone had dimmed their lights, how come they’re the exception?”

“You’re looking at either Slippery Falcon or Brazen Beak. Those two shops are one of the first to transition into their winter hours. Business lasts long after dark, and they capitalize on the tired tourists who walk in during all hours of the night searching for gear or a warm meal. The owners had been competing with each other for generations.”

Maiya was surprised that she did not detect any hint of derision in his tone throughout the entire explanation. “Are their wares any good?”

“They are some of the hardest workers in this village. There is little else to explain.”

She nodded to herself. Interesting. “Alright. Tell me about the one with the blue flower boxes.”

“If it has three white flags with the green cross, that’s the clinic. It’s also the home of our healer, Ahn. They can stitch anything back together, even whilst asleep— as the rumour goes.”

Maiya thought about it for a second, trying to imagine what that would look like. “Stitch anything, huh? Including you?”

He snorted. “No comment.”

She thought of the scar on his beak. “You would think that a warrior gets hurt pretty often.”

“An obvious hazard of my occupation, but it had seldom given me any issue.” Revali said, unbothered. If he wasn’t so focused flying, he would have tossed a wing up as if to say ‘Bah! Preposterous!’ “My use of the bow and command over the sky takes precision. It’s very rare that an enemy lands a hit on me.”

Maiya chose to ignore his humble brag and changed the subject. “What’s that cave over there? The one just above the water?”

Revali huffed at her obvious diversion but chose to let it go. He looked at the direction she was pointing to, and suddenly fell quiet. Unlike his previous responses, he took a moment to mull over his reply. His next words to her were unusually tentative, short. “The blacksmith.”

“Excellent,” Maiya smiled. “You can drop me off just outside his door. I’ll find my way back up from there.”

Another gust of wind flew past them, and Revali tilted along with it. But she was prepared this time, grabbing his shoulders until he righted them once more. “Why are you so adamant to see him?” He asked after he had steadied them.

She rolled her eyes. “Why are you and Elder Honoka so concerned about him meeting me? I can take a grumpy rito.” In fact, I’m doing that right now.

“He won’t be as accommodating as many of the others you’ve met recently.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll find a way.”

Revali turned to look at her again, green eyes sharp, assessing her. “You’re serious?” She glared back defiantly, unwilling to fold. The rito raised a yellow feathered eyebrow in her direction and clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Very well, but don’t say we didn’t tell you so.”

“Tell me what?”

He sighed. “You’ll see.”

She opened her mouth to ask what that meant, but stopped when she felt the temperature of the wind around her change. Braids waving in the air, Revali smirked at her. “You should stop gaping at me and look around you, enchanter.”

Maiya disregarded his teasing but nonetheless acquiesced, tilting her head up.

Eyes meeting the sky, she gasped.

It was as if the goddess Hylia herself had taken her brush and dragged it across the sky. The world around them had exploded in colour, painting the bright expanse in reds, pinks and greys to form one of the most dazzling sunsets she had ever seen. From their place in the sky, Rito Village looked like a sparkling jewel. Encased in light, the beauty of the eventide had cast a comforting glow against many of the bell-shaped wooden structures, filling her with a nostalgia for a place that was entirely new to her.

Emboldened by the warmth surrounding her, Maiya took a chance and gazed at the ground below. Like a mirror, the heavens were reflected off the crystalline lake surrounding Valoo’s Spire, both clouds and the village mingling with the glow of the sinking sun.

Revali glanced at her, expression pleased at her obvious wonder. “Seeing as you’re only here for a limited time, I thought it would be a shame for you to miss this.”

"Rito Village is already quite beautiful from the ground," she heard Revali murmur, his voice reverberating into her chest. The metal beads in his feathers glinted in the orange light, "but nothing can compare to what it looks like from the sky."

Maiya hummed in agreement. The blue rito would have seen this sunset for all his life, yet it was nice knowing he still felt awed at the phenomena. The way he spoke of his village in this light, it was like he was looking at it for the first time. The thought warmed her, making her heart beat deeply at the wistful and reverent tone of his voice.

The sunlight glinted off his pauldrons, making her squint as it momentarily blinded her. Maiya rubbed her eyes, in that moment remembering where she was and who she was thinking about. She mentally flushed her previous thoughts away, feeling silly. The high-altitude is getting to you.

From the corner of her eye she saw some of the feathers in his wings change direction, a telltale sign that they were going to descend very soon. “Hey, hold on.” She had one more thing to bring up. “Before we head back down there to the blacksmith,” her voice darkened, taking on a cutting edge that she rarely used. “What in Din’s name was that a while ago? Diving off the ledge? Was that really necessary?”

He didn’t waste a second. “The additional weight meant it was especially imperative for me to generate enough force to catch the wind and get us in the air.” As scientific as his explanation was, his voice was thick with arrogance, haughtiness back in full force. “Sustaining flight with the additional baggage is not an easy feat, mind you. It’s not my fault that a Hylian such as yourself can’t appreciate the art of my technique.”

Did he just call me heavy?

Maiya seethed. “Still, a little warning would have been great.”

She was shocked by his speedy response. “Alright.”

The Enchanter scoffed. “Well that was easy.”

Quickly, Revali changed the direction of his wings, the muscles below her tensing again as he angled downwards. He chuckled. “You might want to hold on tight.”

“What?!”

“And that was your warning.”

Maiya screamed again, hiding her head in the crook of the rito’s neck once more. Her angry swears were only matched by Revali’s raucous laughter, echoing in her ears as they plummeted for the second time that day.

If a person below gazed up at that moment, they would have believed a shooting star had raced across its canvas. As a streak of blue, volatile and electrifying, left a frantic trail of sapphire light in its wake, piercing through the fading light.

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paellaplease · 5 years ago

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Firebird | Chap.4

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7

Chapter 4: Seeker

Look for the truth where the past has buried it.

After exchanging a few more words with Kamori about her extended stay, the meeting concluded. Maiya bowed politely, bidding the two Ritos goodbye. Before she left, Kamori stopped her at the door, pressing an envelope to her hand. “Follow the address in this letter, my dear. The innkeeper there will take care of the rest. Winds be fair to you, hoo.”

Maiya returned his smile, touched at his grandfatherly kindness. Her eyes briefly lingered on Revali's burnt feather before she turned away, the guilt she felt at indirectly hurting him still caught in her throat.

She avoided Talako’s wary gaze as she stepped out of the hut, not wasting any time in making a hasty exit. One foot after another, careful not to trip, she descended the many village stairs.

The young Enchanter released the breath she was holding as she cleared two levels. “So that happened,” She said aloud. The anxiety was creeping back in. Her heart felt like a butcher’s mallet. Thump! Thump! Thump! If her chest was a piece of meat, it would be well tenderised by now.

First order of business. She needed paper and a messenger pigeon-person-thing...Whatever they used in this village. Chief Kamori already assured her that a missive would be sent to her mentor’s private letter box first thing tomorrow morning explaining the whole situation. However, she knew that she needed to write to her mentor separately. Relaying whatever she can in great detail was of utmost importance if she wanted even a smidgen of a chance of surviving the Sheikah’s ire.

Calm...calm. I am calm.

Teacher was going to kill her!

Round and down she went, lost in her thoughts but aware enough to dodge around a yellow Rito child that was playing tag along the railing. Opening the note, she followed the address written at the top in Kamori’s cursive. That’s a lot of levels down . Nodding to herself, she increased her walking speed, making her way towards her accomodations for the next few weeks.

The inn was located only a floor above the village’s main entrance, making it one of the first things travellers would see when they arrived. Like most structures situated around Valoo’s Spire, a flat platform jutted out from its doors, connecting the main arterial staircase to the wooden, circular, double-story building that was Rito Village’s one and only inn.

The building exterior was painted a deep red, with white curtains billowing from its many open windows. Planter boxes were hung up along the railings of the second floor, pink daphnes and other winter blooms peeking from their containers.

Another staircase, though this time shorter and much more narrow with steps worn from years of use, ran flush along the inn’s side. Maiya theorised that it supposedly gave customers a means of accessing their rooms without having to pass through the reception area. That said, she was unpleasantly surprised to find that whilst most rooms were situated at the building’s second floor, the inn still offered beds on the first. In its lobby.

...

What?

Eyebrow raised at the arrangement, Maiya tiptoed past sleeping travellers and made her way to the front desk. Tourist season must be in full swing, with most of the beds filled and a small sign above the front desk announcing a limited vacancy. A customer’s snores echoed from the corner.

This is, um, unpleasant. She thought. But arguably not as bad as when Uncle Rohan had to crash at the forge after he and Teacher had too much to drink. Maiya grimaced at the memory. That Goron blacksmith’s snores were loud enough to wake Death Mountain...but I still wouldn’t complain if this place offers earbuds.

A burgundy Rito with a short side braid and golden hooped earrings smiled sunnily as she approached. “Welcome to Swallow’s Roost,” she whispered.

Maiya mumbled a shy ‘hello’ back. She set her pack down and fished out her identification papers and coin purse. A leaf flew out of her open wallet. Oh damn. It was then that the Hylian realised, with much embarrassment, just how filthy she was from weeks of travel. The quick wash at the stables that morning took care of most of the grime, but her travel pack was still covered in mud and leaves. From the moment she entered the inn, she was already tracking dirt on the massive blue circular rug that covered most of the wooden flooring.

I am the queen of good first impressions.

“I would like to book one of your beds until the Winter Solstice, please.” Maiya said, glancing at an open bed warily, noting the thin divider between it and the traveller sleeping a few steps away.

“Not a problem, but you won’t be placed in any of the ones down here, that is, unless you really want to,” The innkeeper said. She giggled at Maiya’s confused expression. “My apologies, let me clarify. These beds are reserved for single day travellers.”

From out of nowhere, the innkeeper pulled out a graph. It was framed, hitting the table with a dull thud . She grabbed a piece of charcoal to the side and pointed to a random line. “See here?” Maiya nodded, not sure what she was seeing. “We noticed that many visitors of our village have been on the road for quite a while and simply needed a place to rest for a few hours. By implementing this we’ve Roost Boosted our business by 15%!” The Rito grinned proudly. “It’s our solution for the short-stay traveller without breaking the bank!”

Not one to be rude, Maiya replied. “That makes sense.” So I’m not sleeping in the lobby? Nice.

The innkeeper didn’t even try to hold back an amused laugh at Maiya’s expression. “Ha! Relieved now, aren’t you? You’re adorable. My name is Cheska by the way, owner of this lovely establishment. I’m guessing you’re also on the search for a warm bath and a good meal?”

“And the softest bed you got,” Maiya said, recalling the difficult evening she had the night before.

“You’re at the right place, have you heard of our world famous Rito down-beds? Of course you have. Let’s sort you out!”

The room was sparsely decorated in a cosy sort of way. The place was free of knick-knacks or paintings, and it soon became obvious that everything there was there for a purpose.

On the right was a double bed and a wooden chest sitting at its foot- open, unlocked and empty. Opposite this, to the far left of the room, was a small fireplace. Stocked with logs, it was ready to be lit to ward against the later evening chill.

Maiya pulled the cloth door further, stepping over the threshold. On the wall directly across from her was a window. The surrounding waters of Lake Totori and the leafy green Tabantha forests were visible from within its four corners. To Maiya's relief a writing desk was positioned beneath it, paper, inkwell and quill already supplied. Her mentor wouldn't have to wait too long for a response.

The place felt untouched, as if frozen in time since the last tenant vacated. She liked it. It smelt like honey and sage.

“Forgive us for the dust,” she heard Cheska say. The Rito swiped a few feathers on the top of the window sill, frowning at the dirt that came off it. “It has been a while since anyone’s set foot into this room. Would have offered one of our vacant newer ones too, but Chief Kamori suggested in the note that you could stay here.”

“Where’s the original owner?” Maiya asked.

“They left many years ago, when I was just a chick. Mama was the innkeeper at that time as I was still too young to learn the ropes.” Cheska tilted her head, earrings glinting. “I can’t really remember their face, but my ma described them as always a bit intense. 'Too many eggs in one basket makes a person go crazy, Ches!’ She would say. Whatever that means.” The Rito wiped her wing on her apron. “Wonder if that’s why they left, huh?”

Maiya racked her brain for something to say, “Uh…”

“Anywho! Communal baths are a Spire floor up. Complimentary soap from the front desk will be handed out if you remember to cheer 'Swallows Roost Boost!' Oh! And clap twice. Don't forget that. That's very important."

She felt a headache creeping up. "Is it really?"

"Nope." Cheska grinned. "But it’d still be a good idea to have a wash before you knock-out for the day. Sorry to say it, hylianlla , but you stink!"

The young Enchanter worked quickly to acclimate herself to her new surroundings. Whilst this was the first time she’d travelled so far outside Akkala, she knew it would be smart to be curious and observant. Everyone had their patterns, and the Ritos were no exception to this. Much like it did with enchanting, figuring out how things worked early around these parts was going to do her a lot of good in the long run. And not making a fool of herself by missing simple social cues was always a plus.

Day one was when Maiya realised that Rito Village rose before the sun. The smell of freshly baked bread and the sounds of haggling at the markets began as early as the crack of dawn. Sitting on the railing just outside her room and picking apart her mandarin, she also found that some fruits tasted better here.

She swung her feet. The cool mountain breeze and view were enough to brave the drop, and she surprisingly found herself at relative peace as she finished her meagre breakfast. It was a big change from earlier that morning.

Maiya had awoken before first light, bleary eyed from another nightmare she couldn’t quite remember. Walking outside to catch her breath, she spotted a squadron of warrior Ritos flying overhead in the early twilight. She’d nearly called out and waved to them, doubtful that they would hear her anyway, but thought better of it when she caught the familiar sight of blue amongst their ranks.

The Hylian exhaled, tilting her face to the warming sunlight. Watching the sky now, about three hours afterwards, she saw a dull orange Rito depart from one of the upper floors, flying in the same direction towards the mountains. She wondered if they were a warrior too.

She bit into her fruit, chewing somberly. A warrior. She was supposed to find a worthy warrior. But how could she now when the dagger rejects one of the best fighters this village could offer?

Perhaps I have to look harder.

Maiya closed her eyes, the rune on her hand aching. "Where do I even start?"

On the list of tasks to complete whilst she was here, another began to weigh heavily on her mind. She remembered that Teacher said this was her opportunity to gather more information for her studies. Where books on Ancient Weaponry were limited, tomes on Enchanting were extremely rare. Most were burned, buried or lost to time when the Sheikah were subdued 10,000 years ago.

Enduring information survived in bits and pieces, some being handed down by word-of-mouth through stories and secrets. Whilst this worked to protect knowledge, it made finding consistent techniques difficult. And with all known Enchanters aside from her and Teacher either lost, dead, or in hiding, finding instruction beyond her mentor’s library and her mentor herself felt almost impossible.

Feeling hopeless, Maiya stared at the new glove which covered her left hand, lifting it so that the eye-shaped scar underneath would be at level with her own. The rune was quieter today. She turned her hand, examining the neat seams at its sides and the small tufts of feathers which cushioned her palm. The fit was perfect. She wondered how much study and practice it would take to make something this good.

A memory of one of her Teacher’s lectures came to mind.

“Most Enchanters encountered in legend are Sheikah, however this does not mean that they are the only beings with an aptitude to enchant. ” Her mentor’s voice echoed in her head. She could visualise the moment easily, see the tall woman in a dark hood pace the room, her long pendant of a weeping eye lightly swinging.

“In fact, were it not for the Goron People in Eldin and the teachings they kept of their late-Enchanters, I would have never fully mastered the flame for my first weapon. Hence, I would have never become Enchanter were it not for me seeking their guidance. We are nothing without the teachings of others.”

“I am nothing without the teachings of others.” Maiya repeated, words eaten up by the cloudless sky.

All of Teacher’s old books said that the Hebra Highlands were the original birthplace of ice enchantments. Rito Village, with its close proximity and history of keeping physical records, was her best bet in finding actual information regarding Ice Enchanting or even runes if she were lucky. She needed something , whether it be a book or an old myth. Anything to lead her in the right direction for her research. And she had no idea where to start.

Questions, questions…

“Why so glum, hylianlla? ”

“Shit!” Maiya jumped, dropping her fruit, she tipped forward, body seconds from falling into the waters below.

“Woops! Hold on there.” A wing reached to grab the collar of her jacket, pulling her backwards.

The young woman fell onto the wooden decking behind her. She groaned, rubbing her back as she rolled and stood up gingerly. Familiar burgundy feathers, braids, and now silver triangular earrings met her gaze. “Good morning Cheska, nice earrings. Please don’t do that again.”

The Rito looked slightly apologetic, tossing her mop’s handle from one wing to another. “I’m sorry for that, you see I was just cleaning out the room next door- terrible stuff really, the man left a smell that you can’t just scrub out- when I saw you sitting here all sad looking and lonesome.” She looked a bit bashful. “I was going to leave you to your thoughts, but then you said something ominous out loud and my curiosity got the best of me.”

Note to self, don’t repeat Teacher’s top ten quotes in public.

Cheska continued, “Were you thinking hard? I don’t think you blinked once. You looked like you were trying to set something on fire with your eyes.”

Maiya laughed dryly. “Would you believe me if I said you were not the first one to tell me this?”

The Rito’s curious teal eyes seemed to gleam even brighter. Those apparently were the wrong words to say if she wanted the feathered woman to leave. If she didn’t before, Maiya well and truly had Cheska’s attention now.

The innkeeper placed the mop she was holding to the side, and with a flap of her wings was over the railing and seated next to Maiya as if she’d been there the whole time. “Alright! What ails you on this fine morning, little traveller?”

Maiya sighed. Might as well . “Is there a place here that stores information?”

“Depends,” Cheska said, holding up three feathers, lowering them with each suggestion as she ticked off a mental checklist. “Fifth floor we have a library for general stuff. Cookbooks, numeracy and literacy texts, some basic readings on science. The elders use it as a resource in the syllabus for the young’uns.”

“If you want some political and business advice, or a long winded talk on our current economics, then ask Chief Kamori how his day is going. Don’t get me wrong, I love our fearless leader, but he needs to get out more.”

“How about old information? Like old history?” Maiya tried.

“Old history, huh?” Cheska went quiet for a moment, looking at the final feather she held up. “Then you should definitely see Honoka in the Archives. She knows heaps about old teachings. More than anyone else in our little llaqta. Got a whole collection on dead languages and legends not even Old Man Yieni would tell- not that he does much storytelling anymore but I digress!”

Sounds promising . Maiya smiled. “I think that’s it, Cheska.”

“Is it really? Oh, I’m happy to have helped. It’s the fourth level from the top by the way! Might be a difficult climb, for a Hylian I mean. A lot of stairs. Don’t get too winded on your way up. Take your time.” She pushed off the railing, flapping her wings and hovering in the air. “You don’t owe me anything by the way. Just maybe let me know if you find something interesting. Actually, definitely let me know if you find something interesting.”

“You’ll be one of the first,” Maiya said, pushing off from the railing she was leaning on. “Thank you, Cheska. For the help and the directions.”

“Not to worry, Miss Maiya!” She did a somersault in the air, and dipped down past her sight. A few seconds later she resurfaced, picking up her mop and buckets with her talons. “Oops forgot these! The things a girl would do to get some good gossip around here. Good luck, hylianlla! You’ll need it! ”

Maiya took Cheska’s advice, ascending the spire whilst taking time to enjoy the village with a more wakeful and less anxious mind than the one she had yesterday. A range of colourful shops and little wooden houses were found on every level. It was refreshing to see how open everything was. Doors were mostly long pieces of cloth, rolled up to air out the home and let the wind in. Children ran to and fro, some who were old enough to fly zipping around the clotheslines. There was so much laughter in the air. Their elders sat and gossiped on the front porch, a few leaning out their windows or resting in their rocking chairs.

It was loud, full of energy, and Maiya loved it.

There’s an antique store on this level. The pottery is so beautifully shaped! Are those little clay wings?

A jewellry shop. The fine details are so exquisite! I wonder how they got the metal to bend like that without snapping?

A tavern! I’ve never been to a tavern before!

Distracted by the sights, it took her an extra few minutes to reach her destination.

Meeting the Head-- and only-- Archivist of Rito Village, Master Honoka, was, well for lack of a better word, interesting. A security gate behind the main cloth door rattled and shook as the Rito Elder unlocked it, pulling it back in a single motion. She peered at Maiya through the thick glasses which rested at the top of her beak, cautiously taking in the appearance of the small human woman who awkwardly stood at her doorway. Even whilst leaning on an ornate silver cane, the Rito stood three heads taller, practically towering over her. “Unfortunately, we don’t take walk-ins,” the old woman said. Her voice was intelligent, educated, and extremely tired.

“I’m not here to sight-see,” Maiya said. “Are you...are you the Archivist?” She shuffled in place, willing herself not to stare at her shoes. “If so, nice to meet you. Do you have any texts on arcane weaponry? Something that mentions blue-energy, or ice magic?”

Master Honoka expression softened, but her grip on the gate did not waver. “I’m sorry, hylianlla , but the Archives do not welcome tourists anymore. If you wanted to know how to make ice arrows however, I suggest you see the bowyer a level down. Though don’t get his shop mixed up with the blacksmith’s, that bird is a gruff one. Now have a good day.” She shuffled back, pulling the gate to shut her out.

Her rune flashed. “Wait!” Maiya said, unsheathing the flame dagger. Its orange gleam was as bright as ever, catching the morning light. Her hands shook minutely as she presented it in front of her in a nervous hurry.

Perhaps shoving a knife with little explanation in front of an elderly lady was a bad idea, she thought. Honoka’s eyes widened, a small gasp escaping her beak. She gripped her cane tightly. Maiya’s gloved hand warmed. She panicked, wondering if it was going to hit her. However, as the Elder advanced, her eyes caught the light of the red flame, feeling the radiant heat which ran under the metal of the dagger. The rito stopped, eyes widening in recognition. “Enkantada,” Honoka whispered.

In an instant, the door was pushed back. Maiya jumped as a wing wrapped around her wrist, quickly pulling her into the hut.

Immediately, the familiar smell of dust and books filled her senses. Maiya blinked, looking up. All around her, covering the walls and reaching the ceiling, were shelves upon shelves of precious books.

The collection was massive .

Maiya gasped. A part of her, the giddy childlike excitement at discovering something new, jumped for joy. It’s like she was standing in the middle of a perfect storm. Some books were hardbound, the titles on many of their spines in languages she’d never heard of before. Others were nothing but just paper and twine, on the verge of falling apart and standing on their last legs. She saw books with paper backs, and books wrapped in animal skins. The top of her banada felt warm, with beams of white, dusty daylight shining from the oculus above her.

Someone cleared their throat. Maiya whirled around. The elderly rito stood only a few steps away, cane outstretched. The metal stick nudged at the arm which held the dagger, lifting it up higher to the dusty light that filtered in from the glass ceiling.

“Who are you?” Honoka said, cautious yet not unkind. She reached for a dial at the side of her glasses, turning it. The lenses on her spectacles moved and folded into a focal point, magnifying her vision. She leaned forward, examining the dagger with a critical eye. “An Enchanter? I can’t believe it. I thought there was only one of you left.”

Maiya’s shoulders sank, sinking the dagger back into its sheath. “Two now, actually. I was only given the title a few weeks ago. I’m sorry for the confusion.”

“It’s no trouble, dear,” Honoka said. “I apologise as well, we’ve had an issue the past few months with thieves. The Yiga Clan have been pretending to be travelling scholars looking for precious, old books in our collection. We’ve lost many in the past month and I didn’t want to take the risk.”

“That sounds terrible.”

“It is,” Honoka said, looking close to tears. She sniffed, squaring her shoulders. “Nevermind that. What brings you here, Young Enchanter?

“I’m learning how to enchant Ice Weapons. Someone told me that you’re a collector of old knowledge.”

“I’m a historian and archivist, enkantada. Not an antiquarian. However, yes, I believe I might have something along those lines. And who was this Rito that directed you here?”

“The innkeeper.”

Master Honoka sighed, taking her glasses off and rubbing her head. “Of course it was Cheska. That girl never has the sense to not stick her beak where it doesn’t belong, especially if she can get a story out of it.”

“Do you know her?”

The old rito hobbled to the middle of the room, cane glinting in the early afternoon light. “She’s my niece.” She tapped her cane to the ground, giving the floor two experimental wacks.

Maiya stood to the side, not quite sure what was going on anymore. “Uh...what are you doing?”

The Archivist raised her cane over the floor once again, stabbing its end into a barely noticeable hole in the planks. She twisted the cane and stepped back, lifting up a long piece of floorboard. It came away easily, nailed-in less tight in comparison to the others.

Underneath there seemed to be a deep gap in the floor, holding what looked like four mysterious rectangular stacks.

Maiya bent down to get a better look. The inside was dusty, probably from having not seen the light of day in several years. As she moved closer, she realised that the stacks she saw were actually books, all faded and leather bound.

“Many years ago,” Honoka said, looking down at the cobweb covered tomes. “I was asked to burn these. Me, being the stubborn woman I was back then, followed my heart and decided to hide them instead.”

“Why?”

“Knowledge is never supposed to be destroyed,” she said, looking at Maiya seriously. “We should not fear mistakes nor the things we don’t fully understand. If we did, then we would never learn from our shortcomings and continue making regretful decisions.” She turned away, walking towards a back room. “I will be in my study, the tomes are free for you to peruse. Let me know if you don’t understand anything, I have a few cipher guides you might find useful.”

“Thank you, oh wait!” Maiya couldn't help her curiosity. “Who asked you to burn them all those years ago?”

Honoka paused before she closed the door. Her back was turned, the intricate weaving and patterns of her multicoloured shawl contrasting with the pale peach-almost white of her feathers.

“It was the King of Hyrule, young Enchanter.”

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paellaplease · 5 years ago

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Firebird | Chap.3

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7

Chapter 3: Trust is a Double Edged Sword

Hyrule’s Icarus is punished for his hubris.

He didn't have time for this.

"I don't understand what's gotten your feathers in a twist, so much as to resent my presence to this extent." Revali said, standing awkwardly by the doorway. He threw a quick glance behind him, wondering when Kamori was coming back.

The young Hylian glared at him from her seat in the middle of the room, one hand submerged in a dinged-up bucket of water. The heat from her palm was causing the liquid to simmer, steam rising from the surface. Her pointed ears were turning red.

"People generally don't respond kindly to the bird responsible for nearly murdering them."

Revali scowled.

He expected this to be over by now. Meet the enchanter, whatever that was, set a good impression, add “acquired blade of fire” to the sprawling list of accomplishments in his journal, and be home in time to prepare dinner.

Nothing is ever easy, is it?

He strolled past her, walking towards one of the bookshelves near the back wall and plucking a random tome from Kamori's collection. "Then perhaps now you'll think twice before you decide to carelessly trapsise through another forest."

Ah, if looks could kill. A loud pop and fizzle echoed in the room as the water in the bucket transitioned into a rolling boil. He rubbed a feather in the space between his eyes, exasperated.

Revali believed as one of the more well-travelled and seasoned warriors of the Rito tribe that he had seen his fair share of anomalies, many of which were unexplainable or untethered to the fundamental laws that the Goddess Nayru had blessed them with. Hyrule, with all its strange monsters, rotting treasures, and drab prophecies, was beginning to become rather predictable.

He didn’t even blink when Chief Kamori summoned him to his office a few days prior, informing him that a young enchanter from the mountains of Akkala was en route to the village. With her, a dagger forged from the knowledge of the Sheikah and imbued with the gift of flame.

It had the ability to cut through the toughest of enemies with ease, he remembered Kamori explaining, and critically injure the ice monsters that usually frequented their neighbouring Hebra Highlands with little as a single blow. It was extraordinary, extremely powerful, and almost impossible to break.

He stopped listening at the point the Chief began a speech as to how an alliance like this would be momentous for the village yes, yes, diplomacy and all that entails...It wasn't hard to grasp. Enchanters exist and one of the only two known alive today was on their way to give him a magic dagger. Done. Noted.

He had bigger fish to fry. His mind at the time sank, lifted, and flew, drifting to the various aerial techniques he had analyzed that morning, wondering despite all these new successes, if he was any closer to achieving a breakthrough.

Unfortunately, fickle as fate was, the same scuffed Hylian that he had met yesterday was none other than the enchanter herself. Albeit, with less dirt on her face and far angrier than he expected. She stood there, gaping like a beached trout.

Then, a minute after he stepped into the room, her hand decided to burst into flame.

Revali felt his composure careen into a wall. All manner of diction suddenly escaping him. His confusion manifesting as a simple, ill thought out statement.

Well, that is certainly something you don’t see everyday.

Farore must have been smiling down upon them as nothing else in the wooden hut caught flame, save for the sacred tapestry which hung over the back wall, its fringe set alight.

The guard, Talako, flew into the room after detecting the scent of burning cloth from outside, managing to stamp out the flame with his talons. He didn’t seem as surprised, muttering “Knew she was trying to set fire to something ,” under his breath as the last of the flames went out. The damage was minimal, merely singeing some of the fibres and blackening the tassels, but the enchanter sure knew how to clear a room.

Chief Kamori had immediately ordered Talako to scout the village for water to neutralize the woman’s flaming hand, before leaving the office himself with an excuse that he had to retrieve an item of importance.

Which brings us back to the present: the enchanter’s hand in a bucket and Revali left behind with a rather hostile conversation partner.

"See it this way." Revali called over his shoulder as he thumbed through a particularly dry recollection of Tabantha Wheat and Why We Knead Them . "Keep this up, and perhaps you'll need to find another warrior worthy to take on your enchanted bucket."

“That’s not how it works!”

He looked at her. “Right, I forget that setting harmless objects on fire was rather essential to the task.” He detected the exact moment when anger shifted into resentful bitterness on the Hylian’s face as the words left his beak, the small whisper of grief in her eyes almost making him take it back.

The enchanter gritted her teeth. "You’re an asshole,” she growled. The water in the bucket sloshed. “But that’s not the only reason why you aren’t worthy. I’m not sure if you and your Chief fully understand, but it is more than my opinion that matters. You just don’t feel,” she scratched the back of her neck in frustration, “you just don’t feel right !” Goddesses preserve him. “I know this dagger will reject you in an instant.”

With that she stood up, adjusting the yellow bandana on her head with a small sigh. The woman removed her hand from the bucket, using the edge of her grey tunic to dry it. She glanced up and seemed to flinch from the judgement in his eyes, tearing her gaze away and choosing to look upon the burnt tapestry instead.

They stood in silence for a few minutes, the only sound being the ambient noise of the village below, idle chatter and a child’s laugh carried upward by the wind. He flipped a page in his book. So forces beyond her own were at play here, yet she was able to discern his unworthiness based on her own subjective feeling. What does that even mean?

Revali briefly caught the thick line of scar tissue running across the top of her hand before it was hidden from him by the confines of charred leather. The enchanter fiddled with the button of her ruined glove, giving up and lifting her pack with a defeated grunt.

She shook her head. "I should go. I don't want to waste your village and Chief Kamori’s time any longer," she said, voice quiet.

He opened his mouth, mocking reply at the ready, when the bells chimed from outside, the sound of heavy talons clicking across the floorboards. The presence of another person in the room caused Revali and the Hylian to startle, turning their heads to the doorway.

Master Kamori had returned, downy grey feathers rustling as he ducked under a low hanging beam, gripping an object in one of his wings. "Hoo! Forgive me, that took longer than expected. Brazen Beak was uncharacteristically busy at this time of day.”

He tilted his head when he spotted the woman with her pack slung behind her, expression rather regretful.

“Do not worry yourself, young enchanter," the Chief said to the Hylian. "Your presence here inconveniences no one." Evidently, he had heard what she’d said earlier. One would suspect his Chief for eavesdropping, but Revali knew the bird had exemplary hearing ever since his injury.

The enchanter opened her mouth, no doubt ready to protest, but Kamori calmly stopped her by holding out a wing. A small object he couldn’t quite see rested in his palm.

"A gift," he smiled at her questioning look.

Chief Kamori unfurled his feathered appendages, revealing what was a tan, leather glove. “Tabantha moose leather, sturdy, but enough aeration to avoid your fiery hand from overheating.” The Rito sigil was stitched into its surface. Unscratched and unmarred, it was of Rito make but for Hylian hands. Inara’s doing, probably, Revali thought. The man always had a soft spot for tourists.

"Thank you," the enchanter’s voice was slow, cautious. "How much is it?"

"Free," Kamori laughed. "Hoo! As all gifts are. It is to replace your old one."

The woman froze in place. She stared at the glove as if it were a stone pebblit about to sprout arms and break her nose with a well-timed rock hurl. Revali's frown deepened from behind his book, noticing how the Hylian's hands lightly shook as her eyes flicked from the glove, to the tapestry behind them, then back up to the Chief . Several emotions crossed her face.

Valoo’s Crooked Teeth just accept it already!

As if in hearing his thoughts, in a flurry of sudden movement the enchanter whipped around to face him, so fast he wondered if she cracked her neck. He felt her glare rather than saw it, sharp as the row of throwing knives strapped to her chest. The temperature in the room began to shift.

Nonplussed, he continued to read, feeling not a single ounce of concern. Was it always this humid?

“One feather.” She said.

Revali didn’t let a second pass. “Kindly clarify that statement?” he started, still not looking at her. “Are you referring to my feathers? Chief Kamori’s? Or perhaps even the ones decorating the rafters outside. I’ll be sure to ask the hatchlings during the next molt-”

Shwing!

The unmistakable sound of a blade sliding from its sheath met his ears, grabbing his attention and making him look up with a raised brow.

There she stood, facing him completely, expression of intense determination. The enchanted dagger was held tight in her gloved hand, blade exposed to the free air, already emitting a low hum and heat which filled the room and dissipated the surrounding chill.

She was surprisingly deft in handling it- the dagger he meant, not her expression. Gloved fingers danced around the hilt as she spun the knife, turning the sharp end to face her while its handle pointed to his beak. She began to cross the room.

“I’ll permit the dagger to pass judgement onto you, Pride of the Rito." The way she enounced his title was no different to how one would sound after eating something particularly repulsive. It made his anger flare, but he was quick to taper it as he caught Kamori’s warning expression.

The enchanter stood before him now, close enough that he could smell the burnt leather again. "However! You may only touch it with a single feather. I may be its maker but," she hesitated, worry flashing across her eyes before it was quickly overtaken by her steely gaze once again. "I don’t know exactly what will happen should it reject you."

Revali snapped the book he was holding shut, placing it back into its place on the shelf. Without a second thought, he extended a wing out, filled to the brim with confidence.

The dagger was exquisite, blistering orange and as red as war. A low, humming energy surrounded it, encasing the blade like an invisible shield. A cloud moved to cover the sun as he reached, filling the room in momentary shadow. Like sunlight on fractured glass, the visible elemental energy from beneath the knife’s surface cast splintered warm lights on the wooden walls and floorboards. It illuminated the enchanter’s face, emphasising the lift of her cheekbones and the burnt umber of her eyes in a way he hadn’t seen earlier. Revali reined in his focus, quickly discarding the thought.

The buzzing in his ears increased as his wing edged closer. He could then actually feel the energy surrounding. It repelled his outstretched feathers away like a magnet would to its like pole. A warning.

It did little to deter him. If anything, it more so irritated and prompted his insistence. So he pushed further, the invisible barrier relenting and parting ironically like water, around the end of one of his blue feathers. He reached out and brushed the dagger’s pommel.

Nothing happened.

Revali smirked. “Are Hylians always of such little faith? Or is it just you- argh!”

The low hum once a benign annoyance in his ear increased in volume to become a grating, monstrous roar. As this happened, a burning sensation began from his outstretched feather, and raced up the length of his wing and shoulder, making him reel back in pain. He felt dizzy, the room blurring and spinning. Like his nerves were suddenly set alight. It was excruciating.

Immediately, the dagger was stashed away. Someone in front of him gasped and Revali felt gentle, shaking hands reach for his wing. It was the enchanter. He quickly backed away. “I’m fine,” he hissed.

Revali took two deep breaths, then straightened up. He willed himself to relax, noting with displeasure at how some of his feathers stood on end. Damn it all. He scanned his wing for any damage, flexing his primaries to assess for changes in his range of movement.

As expected, he was relatively unharmed. Everything looked to be where it should, all except for a single feather. The one that made contact with the blade, singed black and as fragile as ash.

Feeling another pair of eyes on him, other than that of the enchanter who had now resorted to bumbling apologies as she tried to glimpse at the damage on his wing, Revali nodded, signalling to the Chief that he was alright. Kamori was wise enough to know that it would take greater things to phase him, but having been taught by the old Rito for most of his life, it was easy for Revali to tell that he was worried. No matter how aggravatingly calm the old man appears to be.

Revali ignored the panicked woman in front of him, reaching for the dagger. “It’s nothing serious. Let me try again.”

“No!”

The Hylian shook her head, shouldering her pack and backing away. Her eyes were wide as a frightened mountain doe. "I'm sorry Chief Kamori. I can't stay. I know Teacher won’t be happy but I don’t deserve your kindness. After all the patience you've shown me even though I burned-"

"The winter solstice." The Chief said.

"What?"

Two pairs of eyes were upon him.

Revali noticed belatedly that he and the Hylian had spoken at the same time. "Go on," he grumbled, slightly embarrassed.

Kamori flashed him a warning glance, directing his attention back to the woman. "Stay until the winter solstice," he repeated, gesturing to the land outside the many windows and to the village below. "That is all I ask. You have travelled all this way, my conscience cannot rest if you were to leave now without taking time to recuperate and collect supplies for the journey ahead of you."

The winter solstice, Revali repeated in his head. That was in a month. Two weeks was generally enough time for someone to rest, restock and recuperate. A month was more, if not plenty. He leaned against the bookshelf, eyes trained to the Chief and enchanter. He narrowed his eyes. What are you playing at, Master Kamori?

“Here.” From the corner of his eye, Revali could see Kamori holding the new glove out once more to the Hylian woman. This time, the old Rito placed a comforting wing on her shoulder, making the enchanter jump as she peered up.

“I will send news to Nisandrey. And do not worry yourself, no mention of what occured with the tapestry will leave this hut.”

The Chief smiled down at her encouragingly, as a grandfather would to a fledgling before its first flight. "Perhaps you'll find another warrior to take on this dagger in that time," Kamori said, voice light in an attempt to ease the low mood of the room. "Hooo! Or maybe you'll even find a way to forgive Young Revali for his previous transgressions. Although I’m still unsure of what exactly occurred in your first meeting, perhaps another time..."

Revali lifted his head from the sound of his name, guessing from the Hylian's expression that "don't hold your breath" was a unanimous thought shared by the both of them.

At least we are in agreeance of one thing.

The enchanter was quiet for a moment.

"Alright," she said after a breath. The Hylian accepted the glove with unnecessary gentleness and placed it in one of her coat pockets. “I will."

"Hooo! Splendid." Kamori smiled.

“But if this,” she pointed to the rune, “and this,” she pointed to her dagger, “cause any more issues, I will understand if you want me gone from this village sooner than what was agreed upon.”

“I don’t believe it will come to that, but I will keep it in mind, child.”

"Thank you, Kamori. For the glove and for…," she stuttered. She looked at Revali, fumbling through an apology "Sorry about your…," she gestured awkwardly.

“It’s nothing,” he said, perhaps too acerbically as she took a small step back.

"All is forgiven,” the Chief replied. “However, I will be honest in that I am exercising more caution in handling this matter from here on out, enchanter. It is unfortunate but we are lucky it was but a single feather."

The Chief waved a wing at the tapestry as if to dispel the heavy mood weighing down the air. "Let us put this behind us. And if it’s the tapestry you are worried about, I’m sure that the Divine Valoo is pleased that his fire has managed to jump so well from the page. Hoo, it looks very realistic now doesn't it?"

"The scent very much so," Revali muttered.

His eyes strayed to the windows again, noting how high the sun still sat in the sky. It was past noon, but enough daylight left for him to complete most of his training regiment and errands. He still had some time left to muster some productivity and make up for this interruption.

He felt someone watching him. Revali looked down, noticing that the Hylian was looking at him, brown eyes dark as murky pools of water. Two can play at that game . He stared back at her with equal attention, cocking his head to the side.

She was first to speak. "We've met before but I don't think I've ever told you my name."

"No," he said, "I don't think you have."

"Maiya."

"Revali."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Revali." As she said this, she carefully removed the ruined glove from her left hand. She paused in her movements, remembering what had just transpired a few minutes ago, sighed and shook her head.

After a minute of deliberation, she surprised him by extending her left palm to him anyway, all five fingers flat and pointed to the sky. Inwardly, Revali smirked. How formal of you, Enchanter.

He stared at her outstretched hand for a second, the rune at its top glowing as if in challenge. Tentatively, he held out his wing, minding the burnt primary as his feathered appendages positioned themselves in a way to mirror hers.

As his wing met the flat of her palm, he was surprised to feel no sting, but only warmth. As if he held a heated stone once plunged into a fire, whose hot embers had now since burned away. Her bare fingers met the blue of his feathers, rough and calloused, joining them in what was the traditional Hyrulean greeting.

"Likewise, Maiya." He said despite himself.

It may have been a trick of the light, but a part of him couldn't help but notice how her hand seemed to glow a fraction brighter as he spoke her name.

Revali was not one to do things by halves. He was sure of his strength just as he was sure of the sun rising in the east every morning. He wasn't blessed by any cosmic being with powers beyond that of nature's laws. No divine goddess had bestowed upon him a task which required him to be the best of his kin. He simply was and will be. And if he had to prove himself to cement his title, even to a glorified knife of all things, then so be it.

He'll show her what a true, worthy warrior looks like.

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paellaplease · 5 years ago

Text

Firebird | Chap.2

Summary: 105 years before the hero’s resurrection, a young woman trained under ancient knowledge once forgotten- enchants her very first weapon. For the sake of research and in search of a warrior worthy to wield it, she is sent to Rito Village, immediately clashing with the local archer, Revali, a bird too prideful for his own good.

Surviving deadly road-trips, sudden drops, and a hand bearing a Sheikah rune with a penchant for catching fire, she slowly begins to uncover the secrets behind who she once was and the old evil that lies asleep in the mountains beyond.

Chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7

Chapter 2: The Chief

Good news and bad news. Fate plots her course and laughs in her face.

The enchanted dagger hung heavy from inside its decorative scabbard as she ascended the multiple wooden steps taking her near the summit of Rito Village. Along with her backpack full of notes, books and supplies, she was also unnecessarily armed to the teeth, by her standards at least.

Teacher carries twice this many weapons to a village picnic.

Maiya felt silly, listening to the dagger at her hip clank noisily alongside the sound of her other sheathed throwing knives. She felt more like a bag of metal than a mysterious enchanter from a land far away. The thought made her snort.

The young woman adjusted her now shoulder length hair, tucking it underneath her newly acquired bandana. She quietly mourned for its comforting weight when it used to hang long and healthy at her waist. Brushing it out in the morning was one of her few indulgences, and now with it gone she felt an uncomfortable gap in her usual routine.

The bandana was yellow and scratchy, but it was cheap and did the job in hiding her lopsided haircut. This is your punishment for not paying attention to your surroundings.

Maiya shrugged, clicking her tongue and clutching the railing at her side with a bit more force than necessary. There were more important things to worry about.

It’s just hair.

Humming a cheerful old folk-song, she attempted to summon her final dredges of courage as the number of stairs left began to dwindle. She was nearing the top and getting closer to the Rito Chieftain’s office.

As much as she hated to admit it, the near second brush with death had rattled her enough to have cost her sleep the night before. And she found herself more of a nervous wreck this lovely morning than she usually was. Comfy and plush the bed may have been at the Rito Stable, she spent the evening tossing and turning, plagued by night terrors.

For a moment, she thought it was the same nightmare she usually saw. Skeletons on horseback, metal clashing on metal. Voices, so many voices, calling out for her to run .

However this time instead of a sword plunging into her gut as she turned away, it was an arrow, coated in blue feathers, soaring straight and true towards her, piercing her skull’s soft flesh just between her eyes.

Maiya had awoken early that morning, finding it difficult to return to sleep. She packed her things and tipped the stablemaster, setting out for the village which blurred the lines between earth and sky, and reaching the connecting bridge by early afternoon.

Anxiously, she flexed her gloved left hand, willing the aching buzz of energy emanating from the rune underneath to recede. The soft glow seemed bluer, it’s shine reminding her of the Rito she had met the day before.

Not all travellers that passed by the forge at Akkala were sunshine and rainbows. Some were quite icy, or downright uncivil, her mentor not wasting any time to throw them out should they had overstayed their welcome.

However…him. What was his name again? That Rito. He was rude, callous, and absolutely full of it. Which made his willingness to help her all the more suspicious and confusing.

Maiya half expected the oversized bird to lead her towards a bokoblin camp in revenge to her interrupting his target practice. However, she was pleasantly surprised to find that his directions were indeed correct, and that she found herself back onto the Highway within hours instead of days.

What a weird guy.

At her thoughts, her hand glowed brighter. Surprisingly, the usual accompanying pain felt dulled. Almost…non-existent.

She glared at her left hand, pulsing like a blue beacon underneath her glove. Hush , she thought.

Another worrying memory gnawed at her brain as she climbed the final steps, clutching the railing to catch her breath. Back there, faced with the threat of imminent death, the rune on her hand reacted accordingly, reaching out to neutralize whatever threat was heading towards its host.

In hindsight, the protective fire wouldn’t have made it anyway, and the arrow would have killed her instantly. But the memory of a glowing blue light and the confusion she felt at a heavily feathered something running towards her still remained.

Maiya grimaced, looking out at the bright, blue sky to her right. ‘Helpful’ as the Rito archer may have been, she wonders how friendly he would be if he finds out she nearly burnt him to a crisp. Good riddance. I hope we never cross paths again.

Three more steps, two, then one. She reached the entrance of the Chieftain’s office. What was a light breeze from below was now a strong gust of wind at the summit, playing with the wisps of hair that had escaped her bandana and making her clutch her brown traveler’s coat tighter as she suppressed a violent shiver.

The outside of the hut was decorated with colourful silks and cloth, all printed with a white symbol of an oddly shaped half-circle with two wing-like geometric shapes fanning out from either side. She recognised it from her history classes with her mentor, the sacred Rito sigil. An emblem that had survived centuries of history.

Along with the banners, shells and chimes were strung up and hung along sections of the hut. They danced merrily in the wind, creating soft music which worked well in reducing some of her nervous panic. She wondered where they came from, the shells in particular, some looked to be from mostly molluscs.

Someone to her left just cleared their throat.

“Uh…Miss? Are you alright?”

Maiya blinked, shaking her head and turning to whoever just spoke.

It was a Rito, clad in brown leather armour. He had piercing blue eyes, which stood out like two bright stars against the coal black of his plumage. The partisan spear gripped in his right wing, and the bright red sash with the Rito emblem secured neatly to his waist indicated that he was probably some sort of guard.

One second passed. Then another.

Oh dear.

“I was staring off into space again wasn’t I?”

Surprisingly, a small, shy smile graced the guard’s severe stony face. “Perhaps,” he said, shrugging awkwardly. “You looked like you were trying very hard to set that yellow cloth on fire with your mind.”

Maiya let out a shaky laugh. Yikes, bit too close to home, birdie.

“Sorry,” she said. Rocking back on her heels and scratching the back of her head in embarrassment. “Anxious habit, I guess I’m a bit nervous to meet your chieftain…”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about.” The guard smiled kindly. “Chief Kamori is a wise and just leader. He has been dedicating himself to our village since I was a chick."

He quickly surveyed her appearance. Though his gaze was purely calculating, Maiya still felt a tad self-conscious as his eyes took in her worn coat and old leathers. The guard seemed to understand where some of her stress was coming from, beak quirking into a serene smile. "He worries little about formalities, Hylian guest, so do not feel concerned over not packing your finest silks and messing up your curtsey,” he winked good-naturedly.

Thank Hylia .

The guard turned his head towards the Chieftain’s hut, “I’ve watched him govern our great village for many years now. He treats all that meet him with respect and honesty.” The Rito then stood to attention, stamping his staff on the ground and making Maiya jump.

“We only ask that you do the same.”

Filled with new understanding, Maiya’s shoulders relaxed. “That’s a reasonable request to ask for,” she smiled.

She stepped forward to the cloth door, “Oh! By the way,” she said. “My name is Maiya, what’s yours?"

"Talako,” he said. “Protector of the Chief and Guardian to the peoples of Rito Village."

"Thank you Talako, hope to see you around I guess?”

“I hope so too, Miss Maiya."

And with that, she pulled the curtains back and stepped inside.

The Chieftain’s office was small and humble. Minimally decorated save for the large oak table which sat at the corner of the room. Glass lamps strung with carefully woven rope hung from the high ceiling, swinging lightly in the breeze.

Tall windows surrounded her from all sides, all kept wide open as the cool Tabantha air danced and whistled through the room, carrying the sweet scent of flowers and fruit. Beyond was a stunning view of the snowy Hebra mountainside, with rolling hills and white capped peaks which disappeared into the clouds.

Finally, in the middle of the room sat the Chieftain.

The Chief’s eyes were kind. His right eye was a dark shade of green, the same colour of grass after rain in the lush fields of her hometown. It was relatively clear, unharmed, contrasting with the milky white of his left eye, a long, old scar running jagged across it.

He was a rather large Rito, widely built and towering over her by a fair margin. His brown feathers were fading to grey in his old age, with the ones that grew under his beak decorated with silver plates and beads, braided to resemble a three pointed beard.

She’d never met a Chief before. Maiya didn’t know what she was expecting. Someone grander maybe? A throne instead of a rocking chair? But a part of her felt relieved. This Chief looked understanding, fair. He was dressed conservatively in simple cream clothes, the only splash of colour being a green scarf printed with the Rito emblem tied neatly around his neck.

Maiya’s eyes continued to roam the room, noticing the tapestry that hung at the back wall. Shells and feathers were woven into the fabric, with splashes of beautiful colour laced into its intricate weaving and embroidery.

It depicted a surprisingly wingless Rito, golden light surrounding them like a halo. They were dressed in a red and gold robe, which fanned out dramatically across the tapestry like a crashing wave. Flying down from the heavens to meet the flightless bird was a giant serpent like dragon. Its scales were the colour of wildfire, with outstretched claws that gripped and curled around a snow-white mountain. The Rito was reaching an arm up, as if to grab the bright star which rested in the beast’s gaping maw.

It was beautiful.

The Chieftain held out a wing, "Hoo! Hello!” he gestured for her to step further into the room. “Come in, let me have a better look at you! These eyes aren’t the same as they used to be, more a bat than a hawk unfortunately.”

The leader of the Rito squinted his good eye at her as she approached, widening as she stepped into the light. The expression he had on his face was puzzling. Open, almost trusting. As if he recognised the person standing before him now. Which would be impossible as this was their first meeting.

Stop overthinking.

“Hoo,” he smiled, “Are you the young Maiya that Nisandrey has been telling me so much about?”

That caught her off-guard. It was rare that she ever heard her mentor’s name spoken out loud. Let alone so casually by someone she’s never met.

“Yes…that’s me. Do you know my Teacher well?”

“Hmm,” the Chieftain said, turning his head to the stack of letters on the oak table. One of them was still rolled open, her mentor’s signature in the bottom in her favourite red ink.

“She and I have been friends for a very long time, young one.” He breathed, voice as light as the wind around them. “She says that you are progressing well in your studies.”

Maiya felt her ears go red, biting her tongue and clasping her hands behind her back to stop her from yelling out and fist pumping in the air. HOLY SHIT! YES! Yeah! Woohoo-

Instead.

She bowed her head bashfully. “Thank you, Chieftain. That is good to hear, especially coming from her."

The wise Rito chuckled, "No need to be so humble, young Maiya.” He then began to sit up slowly, minding his back as his talons touched the floor. “Where are my manners? I am Chief Kamori of the Rito Village. But you may just call me Kamori if you wish."

He walked to the side of the room, pulling a chair towards his and gesturing to her with an open wing to take a seat. "It has been a long time since an Enchanter had stepped foot on this village.” She thanked him and sat gently into the plush chair. Rito furniture, there’s just nothing else like it!

“Hardly an Enchanter,” Maiya said, relieving her shoulders from the weight of her travel pack. “I was granted the title just a moment before I left.”

Kamori smiled, eyes far away. “Ancient tales say that to be called an Enchanter means to have endured years of hard-work and intense study.” Sadness seemed to mingle with his voice as he continued. “Regardless of when it was made official, you are what you are now, do not belittle the efforts which have brought you to this point.”

She gazed down at her left hand, wondering to what extent her mentor revealed to Kamori of her abilities. Enchanting was a science as old as ancient history, but the methods she used were rather unconventional. Moreso magical even- an opinion Teacher would never agree with. If she focused hard enough, she could feel the active hum of energy running through the veins and nerves underneath the lines of her scar. The rune on her hand made everything easier, but the pain and fatigue that followed almost always trumped the allowances.

Many evenings she wondered if it was truly her skill and knowledge aiding her, or the rune acting as a permanent crutch. She was happy with her accomplishment, she wouldn’t deny that, but making a point to constantly take credit felt wrong somehow. Like she was cheating.

Maiya’s lips curved, bitter. Pride was never her forte anyway.

A short pause settled between her and the Chief when she finally remembered why she was here in the first place. Business now, self-deprecating internal rant later. Quickly, she reached down to the enchanted dagger at her side, unbuckling the scabbard and presenting it to the Rito Chieftain. “It will not harm anyone while sheathed, but please still be careful not to touch it,” she said.

“There’s a defect I still need to work through. From what I gathered, the elemental energy infused within it is still tied to mine. Teacher believes the ancient masters met this issue as well in the beginning stages.” She frowned, shaking her head. Don’t think he would appreciate a lecture . “The dagger burns all except for me, a powerful enchanter, and…"

“The warrior you deem worthy to wield it,” Kamori finished, smiling knowingly.

Maiya’s shoulders dropped. There it is. “Yes,” she breathed. “And you probably know that’s the reason why I am here.”

“Hooo, you are correct child. Dear Nisandrey…”

Maiya shivered. Such an endearing term before such a terrifying woman’s name was so unnatural.

“…has informed me of the details. You are very lucky, we have already named the village’s most skilled archer and fighter a few years ago. During the time, Nisandrey was invited to survey our new line of lightweight armour and weaponry, but unfortunately she had to decline due to previously scheduled…appointments.” The way his voice rose and dipped at the word appointments in a rough imitation of her mentor’s own accent made her laugh in surprise. Kamori sat back in his rocking chair, pleased.

"I warn you enchanter, the Rito warrior is skilled, but young. He can be quite vocal of his achievements and I’ve been told this can be slightly off-putting at times,” He paused, deliberating over how he should salvage her opinion of their chosen after his quick admission. “However, he is inherently good of heart and extremely diligent. I’m sure you will both find a way to get along.”

A bell chimed in the distance, accompanied by the sound of flapping wings.

"Hoo! I believe that is him now.”

Maiya stood from her seat, sheathing the dagger and turning to face the mysterious Rito that had just entered the room.

“Welcome back home, Revali, Pride of the Rito.”

Growing up, Maiya never really had much in the way of an extended family, or friends rather outside from the other smiths who frequented the workshop.

Hence, she can’t say she’s ever had the honour of experiencing the specific, delicious concoction of embarrassment, anger, and surprise from being on the other end of a prank or practical joke. And for many years, she was happy to keep it that way. Till now.

This is a joke right.

Her eyes were wide. Scanning the newcomer in disbelief.

Jade anklets, blue feathers, a familiar scowling beak.

Haha…

I’m in danger.

The chair behind her let out a loud screech , and she belatedly realised that she was unconsciously backing away and towards the nearest exit, which in this case was a window opening up to an at least 30 story drop.

She could feel her heart galloping in her ears.

To make matters worse, in response to her panic, the rune underneath her glove started to glow once more, sizzling the leather. A trail of black smoke rose from the ruined material, making her predicament obvious even as she tried to hide her hand behind her back.

Across the room, the Rito known as Revali stood, royal blue feathers ruffling as he slowly began to process who exactly he was looking at.

“What are you doing here?”

Maiya raised her smoking hand and waved awkwardly, “Uh…hello again.”

'Idiot! You big dumbass! What the hell was that?’

I don’t know I panicked!

“Hooo,” Kamori smiled, oblivious to the heavy cloud of animosity that now hovered over the two. “It seems you both already know each other. Excellent.”

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