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Chapter Text

Things were nearing the end.

Link watched as the princess, no, as  Zelda,  raised her hand towards the incarnate of hatred and malice himself; how her very being radiated holy light as she unleashed a final burst of power that spread everywhere in front of her.

It was beautiful, and he was grateful to Hylia that his body had landed in a position where his head was facing the spectacle, watching as the strongest person he's ever known took the last steps to finish everything, finally stopping the entity that had plagued Hyrule for over a hundred years. 

Link watched as the Calamity roared as it attempted to fly upward, trying to escape, only for it to be futile, for the enlarging sphere of light from the Zelda was faster. The embodiment of evil could only rage as it was engulfed by her sacred power, its golden eyes vanishing in the equally golden dome. 

Then, with one final flash, it was gone, leaving utter peace and silence in a field of green.

It was finally over.

The grass swayed on Hyrule field, and the previously red and tainted sky slowly cleared away to reveal a color as beautiful as the champion's tunic Zelda had made for him, the one now torn and drenched in red.

Link went to release a sigh of relief, only to cough out blood, forgetting his critical condition.

He could feel the crimson red trickle down his mouth as he remained flat on his back, the Bow of Light off to the side and a damaged Master Sword right beside him. The grass surrounding him was stained with his blood, and he was sure that at least one limb was broken, if not taken clean off, for he couldn't feel any of them and didn't have the strength to turn his head to look.

Link knows that the state he's in is his own fault. His skills and capabilities hadn't been enough to make it out healthy, for at the moment he had fired the final arrow that freed Zelda from Ganon's core, Ganon had simultaneously fired a beam of malice that had struck him directly, leaving him where he is now. Not even Mipha's Grace would save him, as he had healed himself earlier after taking heavy damage during the Calamity's first form.

Link knows that he's going to die, but it's okay.

He had done what he had needed to do, what he had been  meant  to do, what he had been  born  to do.

He had fulfilled his role to help slay the Calamity; he had managed to free princess Zelda from her hundred-year struggle, saved Hyrule from falling, and avenged his fellow champions.

Mipha, Daruk, Urabosa, Revali, the friends he had forgotten, only to remember them once more. Even if Link didn't have all of his memories of the four, he remembered enough to know how much he had treasured them.

Yes, even Revali.

"Link?"

The champion of Hyrule blinked away the blood that had started trickling into his eyes; only his pupils could move to look up at the princess a few steps from him.

A princess whose expression could only be defined as pure horror.

"Oh Hylia." Her hands covered her mouth, tears already forming in the corners of her eyes. Link could guess just how bad he must look by her expression alone.

"No... No, no no no no." Zelda rushed over and collapsed to her knees right beside Link, breathing at a rapid pace. She put a hand under his back and gently lifted him up, letting his head rest on her forearm so that he sat upright, weakly gazing up at her.

"Y-You're okay! You'll be okay!" She sobbed, not daring to move her eyes from his as she held him, hand gently on his chest. "The Calamity is gone, w-we did it, Link!  You  did it!"

No, she was the one who had done it, holding Ganon for so long and finally taking him down. All Link had done was fix what he had failed to do in the first place. Things might have been different if he had been strong enough back then.

"You're going to be fine! I can get you help! O-Or I can take you back to the Shrine of Resurrection!"

They both knew that wasn't going to work, not when the shrine had already finished bringing him back after one hundred years, expunging most of its function. And even if it could work again, he wouldn't want to wake up a hundred more years later to a time when Zelda had already passed away; and with all of his memories gone once again.

He couldn't bear to forget everyone again.

"I-I can-! You can't-!"

Link knows he's done for, so he does the only thing he can do.

He smiles; he smiles for his princess.

Zelda stopped speaking and choked back a sob, face scrunching up in agony; she must've also realized he couldn't be saved and that he had already accepted it.

But despite this, she managed to smile back, if barely, a smile full of sorrow that she narrowly kept in check. 

"It's all over Link. You did well,  so  well." She whispered softly as the rest of the sky cleared of red malice. "You saved Hyrule, and now our friends can rest peacefully."

Her hand when up to his bangs, gently brushing them to the side, tears trailing down her cheeks.

"I-I've witnessed your struggles to return to us... as well as your trails in battle." Her shaky voice held steady. "I always thought- no, I always believed- that you would find a way to defeat Ganon. Thank you Link..."

Link watched as she lowered herself closer to him, her tears now dripping onto his cheek.

"Th-The..." She took a breath. "The Hero of Hyrule.  My  hero."

Her hand gently caressed his cheek, and Link had never felt anything warmer.

"Do you..." She sniffled, her watery eyes so hopeful yet hopeless. "Do you remember? Do you remember... me?"

Link did. He remembered everything about Zelda, yet he didn't know if he remembered her the same way his past self would've felt toward her. He had regained all his memories of her and everyone precious to him. He remembered how he had felt towards them before losing his memories, from his annoyance and admiration for Revali to his love for his father and little sister.

Oh Aryll... 

He was sure she had been in their home at Hateno Village when the Calamity had struck, so she should've been fine. Link could only hope she had lived a long, fulfilling life.

And as for Zelda... what he felt towards her was confusing, to say to least.

Seeing her right in front of him felt so surreal to Link. It was as if this was the first time he was meeting her, yet he remembered just who she was, who she IS. He could feel a level of fondness towards her different from how he felt to everyone else, only similar to what he had grown for Paya after spending so much time with her. He didn't know what it meant, and it was a shame that he wouldn't even have time to figure it out.

But what he does know is that what he feels towards her is real, at least, whether it's from the current him or past him.

So Link gave Zelda the most reassuring smile he could give her, telling her exactly what she needed to know.

And he could see the princess's eyes brighten just a bit, some light in the darkness crushing her heart.

How he wishes he could stay with her... 

Suddenly, dark spots started clouding his vision, and Link could see Zelda's expression shift into a pure, desperate panic.

"L-Link!"

He used whatever strength he had left to keep his smile as he felt the cold start to take him.

"N-NO! I just got you back!"

Link found himself thinking back through his entire journey; the places he's been, the people he's met.

Sidon, Yunobo, Riju, Teba, Impa, Paya... Oh Paya. She's gonna be so heartbroken.

"I-I can't lose you again! Please don't leave me!"

So many people he'll be leaving behind. But despite all of this, Link felt content. He had done his duty; he was no longer needed for Hyrule.

"Please! *sob* Please..."

Everything darkened, he could feel his body going numb, but even then, he could feel how warm Zelda was as she held him tightly. How glad he is for this to be the last thing he feels.

 "I... I love-"

And the darkness took him.

Ironically enough, Link didn't expect to wake up in even more darkness.

He didn't expect to be instantly conscious either, but he was. And being in an unfamiliar place so suddenly, he shot up from where he was apparently seated, all of his battle instincts kicking in. He reached behind him for the Master Sword, only to discover it  gone , along with all his other items and equipment.

Feeling defenseless, Link spun in place with vigilance, analyzing the area around him for any sign of an immediate threat to run from.

To his relief, there didn't seem to be anything of danger, but that didn't calm his nerves in the slightest, as there really didn't seem to be anything at  all . The surrounding space seemed to expand into endless darkness, with the only things he could even point out being the thin fog along the checkered floor, the dark wooden chair he had been seated on, and the fancier white chair and white stand in front of him.

Just where in the world did he end up? 

And... Why didn't he feel like he was bleeding out?

Link glanced down at his Champion's Tunic, Hylian Trousers, and the rest of his attire. What should've been torn and bloodied looked brand new, like he hadn't just battled Hyrule's worst enemy and died from it.

How was he fine?

Link's ear twitched as he heard the sound of footsteps, and he sharply turned to find a girl walking.

She looked to be the same height as him, with light blue hair that went down to her waist, matching blue eyes, and a beautiful figure overall. Her outfit consisted of blue thigh-high boots, detached white sleeves, a sleeveless dark-blue feather dress, and an... extremely short dark blue miniskirt with a yellow trim. 

The only one Link had ever seen wear something similarly showing had been Urabosa, but that was reasonable, seeing as she had lived in the desert. 

Link stared cautiously as the girl walked by, only for his eyes to blink in surprise at a detail he caught about her.

Her ears are... round?

"Link, welcome to the afterlife."

He straightened, body tensing. At least he knows where he is now, not that it made him feel any better.

"Unfortunately, you passed away moments ago." The girl continued walking past him and reached her white chair, where she then turned and took her seat, crossing a leg over the other. 

That action really didn't go well with her short skirt; anyone else probably would've already taken the opportunity that presented itself. But Link's eyes didn't move from the girl's the entire time; the cautious look stuck on his face while being stared back with a calm gaze.

"Your life was a short one, but you are, in fact, dead."

Link's hands tightly balled into fists in frustration, remembering dying in Zelda's arms and how much it must've crushed her. But he couldn't do anything about it now; he could only hope she'd be safe without him. 

So he kept staring in silence at the mysterious girl in front of him, waiting for her to explain who she was, what he was doing here, and what would happen. It's usually how he got any information, letting people tell it to him.

After about ten seconds of silence, the girl's eye twitched, and Link wondered if something was wrong, but she took a breath before continuing to speak.

"My name is Aqua. I'm a goddess who guides humans who die young to the afterlife, or Hylians, in your case." She introduced herself with a hand over her chest, smiling graciously.

Link blinked, shock evident in his eyes. 

This girl is a goddess? And it isn't Hylia? Nor Din, Nayru, or Farore? None of the goddesses Hyrule had worshiped for so long? Just how many other goddesses are there? And how many are Hyrule not even aware of!?

And... what did she say? She guides 'humans' to the afterlife? 

What's a human?

"You have two options to choose from, or at least, that's what I'd usually say!"

Link blinked, wondering what she meant by that.

The girl, er, goddess Aqua, stood up and clapped her hands together, looking rather happy.

"Normally, you'd be able to either start from square one and be reborn with a new life or go to heaven and carry on like an old man. But one of your world's *ahem* 'goddesses'-" She said with air quotes, "-has something else in mind!"

Did Link imagine the look of irritation that flashed on her face?

"You have been chosen, Link!" Aqua declared, arms up and out as she spoke louder. "There is another world just like yours! A world that has long enjoyed peace is now being threatened by the Devil King, a monstrous being of power who aims to cause havoc and destruction to all! The livelihood the world's citizens have worked so hard for is being trampled upon by his monsters! Everyone lives in fear of the Devil King's army's merciless pillaging and slaughter!"

Link blinked in bewilderment. Where did the spotlight shining down on her come from?

"And to make matters worse, the people of that world have been more commonly refusing to be reborn there after they have died, declining the population and reducing the number of souls that can oppose the threat!"

Aqua spun in the spotlight dramatically, continuing her speech.

"And since the gods have been forbidden from directly interfering with the worlds themselves, the only option left has been to find young, recently deceased souls from other worlds who hold the worthiness of being reincarnated! We then send them to this troubled world with both body and memory intact!"

She stopped spinning and struck a pose, directly pointing at him.

"And you, Link, have been found worthy of this task! Hylia has sent you here to save this other world!"

Utter silence.

Link doesn't even know what to say. There are other worlds? Are they just like Hyrule, or completely different?

And... Hylia wants him to save another one? 

Why isn't she here to tell him this herself? Why is another goddess telling him of this task? Why did she whip him from his world after death and selfishly throw him to save another without explaining or asking what he wanted?

Why does he have to keep fighting?

Link frowned, looking down at the ground in inner turmoil. A whole new world without Zelda, without anyone he's ever known. Is this what was gonna happen to him from now on? He saves one world only to be tossed into another, expected to save it as well? A never-ending loop?

As his dark thoughts rampaged, Link didn't notice Aqua staring at him expectantly, frozen in her stance, pointing at him. At some point during the next minute of silence, a vein pulsed on her forehead as her eye twitched again.

"Oi! Say something, would you!?"

Link was startled out of his thoughts, raising his head to the goddess glaring at him while stomping the ground.

"Do you know how lucky you are to be in the presence of a benevolent and humble goddess such as myself!?" The goddess... whined? 

"You should be groveling and thanking me for bringing you here for such an opportunity! Hardly anyone from your world ever gets the chance to be reincarnated to another, you know!?"

Once again, Link blinked in surprise. He should be thanking  her ? But didn't she say that Hylia was the one who had decided this? 

Something didn't add up.

"I apologize, goddess." He spoke, the speech from when he had been a knight kicking in as he bowed on one knee with his head down respectively. "I was simply afraid of disrespecting your benevolence by speaking without instruction. I'm... overjoyed for the opportunity that has been given to me."

He cringed after finishing, remembering how often he had to speak like this to snobby nobles in the castle who didn't appreciate the chosen hero being a commoner. For now, he'd play nice until he fully understood the situation.

And his words seemed to work, for Aqua blinked in surprise before crossing her arms and huffing proudly.

"You're lucky you look a tad better than all the usual mortals I send. So I'll forgive you this once!"

So much for being humble.

"If you'll permit me to speak, goddess, may I ask you a question?" Link asked, keeping his eyes low.

Aqua nodded. "Sure! As long as it's nothing creepy or perverted."

Getting the okay, Link raised his head and stared directly at her, expression hardened but still respectful.

"You stated that goddess Hylia had been the one that decided to send me to the other world, correct?"

"Yeah yeah." Aqua sighed with an uncaring wave of her hand.

"Then why is it that you're the one to have brought me here, rather than Hylia herself?"

"Urk!" Link saw Aqua freeze, eyes widening as her expression became tense, only for her to scratch her cheek with an awkward laugh as she avoided his gaze. "W-Well, Hylia is just busy with a buncha stuff, you know? S-So I decided to be generous and take it upon myself to send you over for her as old friends! Yeah, that's it!"

How could a goddess have such terrible lying skills?

It's clear something is up, but Link doesn't even know what to do about it. He doesn't have a single piece of equipment on him, and even if he did, he doubted that he'd be able to do anything to a goddess anyway.

"A-Ahem!" Aqua visibly recomposed herself and turned back, smiling at him like she hadn't obviously been lying. "And in addition to your quest, if you manage to defeat the Demon King, the gods can grant you any wish you want!"

Link's breath hitched, and he was suddenly standing again.

A wish? Any wish!?

"Does... Does that include returning to Hyrule alive?" He asked, his voice so full of hope.

Aqua turned away with a triumphant grin, seeing him take the bait.

She then turned back with the grace of a goddess. "Indeed! And you can even bring any single item of your choice when you start your journey, whether a powerful weapon or a tremendous talent!"

She opened her arms.

"So Link, will you venture forth and save this world!?"

Link still found all of this rather suspicious, especially from Aqua's cues a few moments ago, but if he'll truly get a wish, then...

'I-I can't lose you again! Please don't leave me!'

Zelda...

*Boom!*

Suddenly, the entire area shook as if taking an impact, with Link and Aqua nearly stumbling in shock.

"Oi, what gives!? Who's trying to get in my space!?" Aqua yelled, gaining her balance and looking around with a rather pissed-off expression.

As if giving her an answer, a giant orb of light burst mid-air just off to the side, causing powerful winds to rush past Link and Aqua, the latter barely reacting in time to hold her short skirt down.

The goddess stared upward at the orb of light, her anger instantly melting away into dread.

"Oh shit."

Link hadn't even heard the supposed goddess curse, as he was more focused on rubbing his eyes to recover from the sudden blast of light that had blinded him. He blinked several times to regain his vision before looking up to see what had arrived.

He froze, eyes opening completely as an involuntary gasp came out.

Floating in front of a glow of holy light was a Hylian girl with golden blond hair that went down just below her shoulders, with two braids with clips at each side of her face. Her attire consisted of brown leather sandals, an angelic golden harp in her hands, and a white gown similar to the one Zelda had worn during her prayers, although this one had loose sleeves down to her wrists. 

For a moment, Link thought he was staring at his princess, only to quickly notice that this person's eyes were a brilliant blue and as cold as ice instead of the emerald green eyes of warmth he had seen in his last moments.

Aqua squirmed in place, visibly starting to sweat as she stared at the newcomer.

"H-Heeeeeeeeeey Hylia! H-How are you? Sh-Shouldn't you be looking after your little princess right now?"

Link did a double-take at the goddess, wondering if he had heard that right, because what!?

Hylia herself!?

He didn't even have time to process the revelation of just how much Zelda resembled the goddess, for the same goddess's voice shook the entire room.

"Goddess Aqua."  She started, earning a gulp from the girl.  "What do you think you're doing, taking the soul of the  hero  from my world?"

Oh. So Hylia hadn't put him up to this?

"W-Well, I-I wouldn't say I was  taking  your hero." Aqua stammered, poking her fingertips together. "It's more like I was just, um... borrowing him?"

Hylia's eyes flashed in anger.

"How  dare  you!"

Link was taken aback as Aqua suddenly hid behind him, holding his shoulders and putting him between herself and Hylia as if that would help keep her safe.

"You and all the other gods and goddesses are well aware that it is forbidden to take mortals from my world into others without my authorization. And this is  especially  the case when they are mortals of crucial importance!"  Hylia seethed.

"I-I just wanted a better hero to take care of the Demon King! Do you know how long he's been causing havoc for my precious followers!?" Aqua managed to bite back despite her nervousness. "And it's not like this is the first time another god reincarnated a specific soul of another world without asking!"

"But he is MY legendary champion!"  Hylia's voice boomed, making Aqua shrink behind Link, who awkwardly stood in place and let it happen.  "The hero's soul that has fought Ganon time and time again, his soul has always been reborn for that purpose!"

"B-But you don't even need him right now, do you!? He's already stopped the pig demon you can't seem to get rid of!" Aqua cried desperately, her unnecessary jab making Hyllira scowl. "H-He can just defeat the Demon King! And when he dies, he can return back to your world! It's not like you were gonna do anything with him but keep reincarnating him until the pig demon comes back anyway! Wh-What's wrong with me borrowing him in the meantime!? It usually takes more than a lifetime for him to show up again-!"

"And if something of your world compromises my hero's soul!?"  Hylia hissed.  "Do you know how many of your world's dangers can damage, if not directly  destroy , my hero's soul!? You're willing to risk the entirety of Hyrule because of your lack of patience and cutting corners!?"

"B-But come on, Hylia! There are only like...  fifteen  different things in my world that can do something like that, b-but it should be fine! He  is  the legendary hero of your world, after all!" Aqua awkwardly laughed it off, patting Link's shoulder. All the while, Link stared at her blankly at what she had just said.

The glowing behind Hylia became even more intense, the goddess's face matching it in terms of fury. 

"You're truly undermining the dangers just to get things your way!? Haven't you done that enough, always causing trouble for the other gods and goddesses!?"

Aqua flinched again. "B-But-!"

"I will NOT allow this! This will be put to a stop, and the others will hear about this violation! To which you will be punished accordingly, understand!?"

Aqua hung her head in defeat as she started tearing up, her cheeks turning red and puffing.

Link probably would've felt bad had she not just tried to trick him a moment ago.

He saw Hylia's attention shift to him, her expression softening into a smile of fondness and gratitude. It helped ease the tension Link had about receiving her anger.

"Link... Hero of Hyrule. First, I must thank you for your part in preventing Hyrule's destruction by stopping Ganon once more. I am sorry this has happened to you, for you deserve to rest after all you have done."

Link's expression brightened into a smile.

"Was just doing my job, goddess." He responded, forgetting any formal etiquette, for Hylia's aura made it feel like he shouldn't use it, as if she was insisting on it. "So... will I be able to go back home?"

Can I go back to Zelda?

Hylia's expression became solemn, crushing all of Link's hopes.

"I'm sorry, Link. But the gods are not allowed to simply bring mortals back to life. You have perished during your battle against Ganon, and as much as I so desperately wish to bring you back and reunite you with the princess... I cannot. I can only have you reborn in another life where you can both meet again."

But they won't be the same.

Link felt a vice-grip around his heart, knowing that he wouldn't be able to reunite with  his  princess, that he'd never be able to see  his  Zelda again. Is there nothing that can be done!? He can understand if the gods and goddesses aren't allowed to do anything on impulse, but can nothing really be done for him!?

'Hey, if you manage to defeat the Demon King, the gods can grant you any wish you want!'

Link's eyes stiffened as he stared straight up at Hylia with as much determination as when he had fought Ganon.

"But if I go to that other world and save it, I'll get a wish, right?"

Aqua, who had been sulking in a crouch behind Link, perked her head up in hope.

As for Hylia, she had frozen in place.

"You... You'd be granted one if you're the one to defeat the Demon King, but you weren't even supposed to be-"

"I'll do it."

Never would have Link thought he'd cut a goddess off, but it was too clear what he wanted.

"I'll defeat the Demon King."

"Link..."

Before Hylia could get another word, Link fell to one knee and bowed with as much respect as he could in his position.

"Please, Hylia. I beg of you."

There was silence at his declaration, with Hylia's expression becoming conflicted. Link had expected perhaps some immediate rebuttal, but the goddess of his world simply stared at him until her eyes turned somber.

"Are... Are you certain about this?"

Link looked up at his goddess, his expression matching the seriousness of his voice.

"Zelda still needs me. I can't just leave her like that, I  won't ."

If it was for Zelda, he'd keep fighting until the end of time itself.

There was another moment of tense silence, but Link was hopeful about it, as Hylia hadn't denied his plea or even asked him to reconsider. He could only hope his feelings reached her.

And they did, judging by the sad smile that formed.

"I understand, my hero. I will grant this request."

Link literally jumped for joy, bouncing back on his feet with his face brimming with happiness.

"Thank you, Hylia! Thank you so much!"

"Great!" Aqua was also back to standing with sparkles around her as she clapped her hands together. Link had almost forgotten she was there. "Everyone's happy then!"

Hylia sent her a disappointed glare.

"Quiet, water goddess. Don't believe you'll be spared of punishment."

"Urk!" Aqua's head and arms hung in defeat, knowing she was definitely in for a scolding.

Hylia's smile returned as she turned back to Link.  "And don't thank me, Link, as after all you have done for me and Hyrule, it is the least I can do. I can only pray nothing devasting befalls you during your adventure."

A flash of realization emerged in her eyes.  "Speaking of which, I recall that to ensure that nothing of the sort occurs too soon to reincarnated souls, they are allowed to choose a boon of their choice to take with them on their journey. You, Link, should have the same benefit."

"Tsk, I already told him that..." Aqua grumbled with crossed arms.

"And I believe it is goddess Aqua here who holds the list of abilities she's allowed to grant,  correct ?"  Hylia continued, giving her a smile of expectancy that didn't match the sudden dark aura around her.

Aqua nearly crumbled as she immediately complied, snapping her fingers and producing a small stack of papers that she shoved into Link's arms.

"Choose something quick and get her out here!" She whispered in a hiss.

Link genuinely wondered how someone so rude could be a goddess, but maybe it was best not to think about it. He immediately started to scan the papers, seeing so many unique abilities that all seemed powerful in their own right, yet he wasn't sure they were for him.

He was halfway through the stack before he paused, a thought coming to mind.

"Um, goddess?" He asked, tilting his head up at Hylia. "May I request something other than the options here?"

Hylia simply directed her gaze to Aqua, who squeaked.

"Wh-Why are you looking at me!?" 

"I am not too familiar with the procedure of reincarnating a soul to a different world, as I've only interacted with my own world's souls to reincarnate back into it. I am aware of the general process, but not specifics,"  Hylia admitted.  "So may you answer,  truthfully  please?"

"Y-You can!" Aqua immediately stammered at the cold smile she was receiving. "A-As long as it's reasonable and not something that can hurt the gods in the long run, you can get whatever you want!!" She hoped that meant the mortal already had an idea of what he wanted so they could leave.

"Then... Can I bring a set of items I had on me before I died?" Link asked curiously, wondering if he could bring multiple items of lower value.

"Hah!? You wanna try getting multiple things!?" Aqua snapped at him as if his question had offended her. "Not allowed! Each god or goddess can only grant a reincarnated soul  one  thing to take with them into the other world, no matter how small! That's the rule!"

Hylia nodded understandingly, for once not acting hostile towards the other deity.

But Link blinked at the wording, glancing from Aqua to Hylia repeatedly.

"Each god or goddess? Does that mean you can both grant me a gift each?"

Aqua opened her mouth, immediately about to reject the notion, only to pause. Her face remained frozen for a few seconds before it contorted into a look that was as if she had just been told that her kohai's chest had been real this entire time.

Hylia savored the expression.

"G-Give me a moment." The water goddess muttered  calmly , turning her back to Link as a white and gold book poofed into her hands. She opened it and madly flipped through pages before getting to a particular section, to which she shoved her face in.

Link awkwardly stood to the side, curious about what she was reading but being polite and not trying to peek. He glanced at Hylia and saw her practically brimming with amusement, giving him a surprisingly cheeky grin that made the tips of his ears turn red.

She really did look like Zelda. Or is it more accurate to say Zelda looked so much like the goddess?

After about two minutes of awkward silence, Aqua slowly closed her book, then turned back to Link with a completely blank expression.

"There's no rule against it." She muttered, voice devoid of emotion. "There really isn't a rule for multiple gods each giving a reincarnating mortal a gift. It's never happened befoe, since each passing mortal is assigned a god to sort them out. And there was never any reason for multiple gods to meet with the same mortal. I can't believe there was always a loophole like this that's only becoming relevant now, and all because another goddess decided not mind her own business-"

Hylia gave Aqua a look that had her shut her up. As for Link, he was somewhat confused, wondering why goddess Aqua seemed to be freaking out over something so simple, only to think deeper about it.

It's apparent that the gods are strict towards each other about the amount of influence and involvement they can have in their assigned worlds, probably to enforce giving the living beings in them the freedom of choice. So because of this, Aqua and other deities can't do anything to solve any dangerous problems that appear in their worlds besides sending passing mortals to do it. However, they can't grant these individuals too much power, or it'd count toward directly interfering with the worlds they're primarily meant to watch over.

So for a loophole to give potential heroes even more power while still fitting with the rules, helping the gods shape their worlds how they see fit...

Huh, neat.

"You were always so wonderful at thinking outside the box, Link. Especially your unorthidox methods of travel."  Hylia teased, the very notion throwing Link for a loop.

And to make it worse, he knew exactly what she was talking about, recalling every time he had used the Sheikah Slate to Stasis a tree or boulder before flying with it.

The tips of his ears turned red once more.

"You... You saw that?" He asked, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh Link."  He never thought he'd see a goddess so mischievous.  "I've seen just as much as the princess."

So... his entire journey?

Several things flashed through his mind at once; laughing maniacally as he blazed through burning fields near-naked while riding a bear, watching in amusement in a class that taught Gerudos how to seduce men, and being left nearly dead after having stepped on a woman's flowers one too many times all instantly came to mind. 

The entirety of his ears turned red.

"And while I'd love to tell you just what that entails, I believe it is time for you to start making your decisions."  Hylia opened her arms in a praising motion, her aura shining brilliantly.  "Now, Link, my champion, choose! What is it you wish to bring into the foreign world you aim to save!?"

Having been made clear that he could only bring singular objects, Link had already made his decision.

"I want the Master Sword." He declared firmly, which brought a bigger smile from Hylia. 

"I assumed as much. It will provide quite an advantage against the Demon King, as it has against the embodiment of evil."

She played a gentle tone on her harp, to which the space in front of Link began glowing in brilliant light, lasting for two seconds before vanishing, leaving a familiar blade floating in place.

Link couldn't stop smiling as he stared at his weapon of choice, its purple hilt and long illuminating blade staring back at him. 

"That butter knife?" Aqua muttered, looking unimpressed.

But Link didn't even hear her; he simply reached forward, grabbed the hilt of his weapon with both hands, and  swung .

A small gust of wind blew around him from a single slash, followed by several more as the Hylian expertly swung his blade. Link then ended his demonstration by firmly tightening his hold on his weapon before powerfully slashing the air one last time, creating a final, larger burst of air all around him.

The young man grinned, feeling complete.

"Showoff..." Aqua grumbled with narrowed eyes, still feeling sour that things hadn't gotten the way she had wanted them to. But at least there were a few upsides to it. The world she was in charge of would soon be saved, and she discovered a new loophole in the system thanks to the mortal, one she could use with the  cooperation  of her kohai in the case another problem in her world arose.

"And now, it is goddess Aqua's turn to grant you a boon,"  Hylia spoke.  "And don't worry, despite how she is, I'm sure she's at least capable of granting you whatever you wish."

"What's that supposed to mean, Hylia!?" Aqua shouted, whining as she flailed her arms up and down. "I'm a benevolent, beautiful, and amazing goddess! I can do this much!"

Link glanced back at Hylia, looking genuinely curious. "Is she really a goddess?"

"Oi!" Aqua snapped at him.

But Hylia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.  "Unfortunately." 

Aqua's whining stopped, only for it to turn into small whimpers as her eyes immediately became watery, her cheeks puffing up before she started full-on wailing in tears.

"HYLIAAAAAAAAAA! How can you say that in front of a mortal!? So what if you and the Golden Goddesses are liked by the others!? You don't have to be so heartless to me!" 

Hylia rolled her eyes.  "Very well, my fellow 'benevolent' goddess. Would you be so kind as to provide the hero of  my  world, whose soul you had the audacity to take without  my  saying, and to solve  your  world's problem, the power he deserves?"

The cold tone in her voice and her verbal jabs had Aqua shrink and quiet down of shame, no longer wailing but still sniffling out of frustration.

She then turned to Link with a sneer, as if he was responsible for all of this.

"Fine! What do you want, mortal!?"

A glare was sent at her once more.

"I-I mean, L-Link, great Hero of Hyrule?" Aqua wilted, sweating nervously.

Link put a hand to his chin, rubbing it in thought as he gazed at the sword in his other hand.

Something else for him... Something that will be crucial in helping him take down the supposed 'Demon King.' Should he get something else from his world? The Sheika slate? But then again, although it had been crucial on his journey, its main purpose had been to get him into the shrines and pass the trials while occasionally helping him get to places or get items.

Wait... items?

He had collected quite a lot of things during his journey to beat the Calamity, and if this one would be anything like that, then...

Link's eyes brightened, and the young man raised his head at Aqua.

"Can I get a bag with as much inventory space as the one I had before?" 

A moment of silence, with Aqua's expression turning flat as she pressed her lips together.

"So... like a bag with infinite space?"

"Even better!" Link sparkled, looking as excited as a kid in a candy store.

"Oh dear, let's hope that by the end of his journey he doesn't completely ransack the land."  Hylia joked.

"Is that really all you want?" Aqua asked, still looking bland.

"Yes please, goddess Aqua!" Link nodded.

She stared at Link for a few seconds as if waiting for him to change his mind, but when it became clear through his sparkling eyes that he wouldn't, Aqua snapped her fingers, to which a leather satchel with straps appeared in front of him.

"It shouldn't feel heavy no matter how much you put in it, and if you wanna get something inside, you just gotta think about the item as you reach into it," Aqua spoke, watching as Link sheathed the Master Sword behind him and grabbed the satchel with both hands.

The Hylian raised it above him, holding it as a father would to his boy.

"Thank you, goddess Aqua." He beamed, staring in awe at the satchel.

Aqua pouted; she didn't understand this mortal at all. Was he so happy with something so simple? And instead of any broken, overpowered item or ability that he could've gotten like in a video game, all he had decided to get was his tacky sword and a bag to fit anything in it?

At least he still showed her respect despite all of Hylia's bullying making her seem underwhelming. She'd like to have someone like that as one of her precious followers, always treating her with the respect she deserves.

"Okay, now that that's all done, it's time for you to get out of here!" Aqua huffed, giving a wave of her hand.

Link jumped a bit as a magical blue circle emerged on the ground underneath him, his wooden chair vanishing from existence.

"Stand there and don't leave the magic circle," Aqua instructed tiredly.

Link didn't leave the circle, but he crouched down and poked it curiously, somewhat entranced by its spinning blue colors.

"Link..." 

He immediately shot up to his feet respectively, staring upward at the caring eyes of Hylia.

"Thank you for everything you have done. I wish you the best of luck on your adventure."

Link formed a big, confident smile.

"I'll make sure to come back."

"I know you will."  Hylia nodded, looking just as confident as him.  "And thank you for discovering that loophole, I'll be sure to let the higher gods and goddesses know about it."

"EH!?" A look of panic overtook Aqua. "A-Are you sure you have to do that so soon!?"

"But of course, right after this, in fact. We wouldn't want anyone taking advantage of such an exploit,  right  goddess Aqua?"  Hylia stared intensely, already knowing what she must be thinking.

And judging by how Aqua looked down and nervously tapped her fingers together, she was right on the money.

"W-Well..."

Then, out of nowhere, a  second  blue circle of magic formed right underneath Aqua, earning a look of surprise from her and Hylia.

"Eh?" The former blinked.

Link wondered what was going on until he saw a circle of holy light emerge just off to the side. And coming out of it was yet another beautiful being, a girl with short hair and the brilliant white wings of an angel.

"There is no need to report, goddess Hylia, for the elder gods are already aware of the loophole." The angel smiled with closed eyes, landing gracefully on the ground.

"Oh?"  Hylia looked somewhat surprised.  "Are they?"

She nodded. "Ever since you suddenly emerged in goddess Aqua's domain, we've been monitoring the room, so we are aware of what has occurred. The loophole you've presented will be resolved as soon as possible, however..."

The angel turned to Aqua, who had turned as pale as snow.

"Goddess Aqua, you have been found in violation of several of the rules implemented by the gods, including which, stealing an off-limits soul of another goddess. In addition, it has also been discovered that you've been overlooking your duties or have been forcing them onto Eris. As such, the gods have decided to punish you accordingly."

The blue circle around Aqua then matched Link's, forming a barrier around it too.

"P-Punish!? W-Wait, I can do better! Please don't erase me! I can't leave my cute followers alone!" Aqua pleaded, her hands and face pressing against the barrier as she burst into tears.

"Come now, goddess Aqua, the gods wouldn't be as cruel as to erase you." The angel smiled sweetly. "However, they see it fit that you take responsibility for all the trouble you've caused and make it up to Hylia for stealing her champion."

"BORROW! I WAS BORROWING HIM!" Aqua wailed as if clarifying that would save her.

"And does this punishment involve why she's in the same transporting circle as my champion?"  Hylia asked, looking curious as to where this was going.

The angel turned back to her with her head up.

"Indeed. Goddess Aqua's punishment is as follows; she is to travel with the brave hero, supporting him in every way she can while learning compassion and humility from humans. She is not to return until the Demon King has perished, but once she does, all of her past grievances will be forgiven."

Aqua made a sound akin to a dying animal while Link pointed at himself in shock at new developments.

"She's coming with me!?" A goddess going with him on his journey? Even if she didn't seem like much, she's still a goddess, isn't she?

The angel pointed her gaze at him.

"Indeed, hero." The angel partially bowed to him. "It has been agreed upon that spending time with the purest of mortals will benefit her character. And while she may not seem like much, goddess Aqua has a range of abilities that should be able to assist you on your journey, so think of her as an apology gift from the gods."

"WHY ARE YOU ALL SAYING THAT ABOUT ME!?!" Aqua cried, unable to believe what was happening to her. "Why do I have to go!? This has to be against the rules in itself! Illegal! Illegal, I tell you! I don't even have any fighting abilities to speak of! I can't beat the Demon King! Please!"

Link gave Aqua a look of pity, feeling bad for the desperate water goddess. So he turned to both Hylia and the angel.

"This seems like a bit much. I don't want to force her to come with me, isn't there anything else that can be done?"

"YEAH! What he said!"

"Do not worry, my hero,"  Hylia answered with the smuggest look Link thinks he'll ever see from a goddess.  "If anything, this is a rather tame punishment compared to what the higher gods could've done. So you should think of this as...  saving  her from harsher punishment."

Link didn't know if that was accurate, especially with how Hylia seemed to be reveling in this, but he wasn't gonna argue with the gods. So he kept quiet as the magic particles in his circle brightened, to which he and Aqua were lifted off the ground.

"Wait, wait, wait! I don't want to go to a parallel world!" Aqua kept crying, flailing her limbs all over the place as she cried. "I'm sorry! I'll take back all the times I've called Hylia and Eris flatchested, I swear!"

"Brave hero, I pray that of all the great prospective heroes that have reincarnated, you will be the one to defeat the Demon King!" The angel declared with a flap of her winds and arms upward in a preaching motion.

"That's supposed to be my line!" Aqua screamed.

"And from me, my champion, I wish you all the best that you slay the evil of that world! It will be a tough challenge, but I know that you will prevail, as you always have time again and again!" Hylia boomed, smiling happily with a hand raised. 

"Now, go forth on your journey!" The angel finished, to which a giant opening of light appeared upward, one that Link and Aqua flew towards.

"Thank you for everything Hylia!" Link yelled, flipping in the air as he neared the light.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Aqua's cries followed him as the two flew up.

Then with one bright flash, they were gone.

Chapter Text

Link opened his eyes to the sight of a modest town.

And like every time he ended up somewhere unfamiliar, he was immediately on guard and analyzing his surroundings, taking in every detail from the smallest movement to the faintest scents. 

Hooves clattered as horses pulled carts and carriages, brick houses with tiled roofs aligned along both sides of the stone road, and people walked by in clothing similar to what common Hylians would wear. Although, there were some groups uniquely dressed, whether with more revealing attire or with some special-looking equipment.

But once again, what caught Link's attention the most was the fact their ears were round. 

He'd focus on that in a bit.

Overall, the town looked beautiful, cozy, and safe, helping him relax. It reminded him of Terry Town, giving Link a good bit of nostalgia even though it hadn't been that long since he had last visited the town.

He'd make sure to visit once he gets back.

Link felt a smile grow on his face. He hadn't thought about it too deeply before since he had been so focused on returning to Zelda, but he was gonna have another adventure in a different world! And even though it wasn't meant for playtime, that didn't necessarily mean he couldn't have some fun and enjoy himself; he had learned that during his journey through Hyrule. 

Link took a deep breath of this new world, his nose picking up dirt, grass, and manure, scents familiar in every stable he had come across on his last adventure. It already felt like he belonged here.

But a whimper to the side reminded Link that he hadn't been sent alone. He turned his head at the goddess accompanying him, his expression dropping when he saw her current state.

Aqua was blubbering incoherent sounds as she buried her fingers into her hair, her head down to the point where Link couldn't see her face. A touch of concern to reach out filled him, as it always did whenever he saw someone who needed help.

"Um, goddess Aqua? Are you alr-?"

"WAAAAAAAAAAHAHAAHEUGH!!!

He was shocked as the goddess suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and started shaking him back and forth, her expression hysterical. There were tears in her eyes as she wailed, completely lost in fear and despair at her situation.

Link wondered how to calm her down and ended up thinking back to his little sister Aryll and Zelda. It wasn't like they ever had a breakdown like the supposed goddess in front of him, but there had been times when they had been similarly distressed, especially Zelda, who had so much pressure on her to unlock her sealing powers a hundred years ago.

Deciding to do what he had always done for them, Link pulled Aqua into a gentle embrace, softly rubbing circles around her back. 

"It's okay."

Aqua, for the most part, completely froze.

"I'm sorry this happened to you, I did ask if something else could be done, but now we're here. And while we're here, I'll do everything I can to get you back home, alright?"

Link continued rubbing circles to calm the goddess, only to get abruptly pushed back, making him nearly stumble over. He stared in confusion as Aqua backed up several steps away, hugging herself with a look of uneasiness and disgust aimed at him.

"G-Get your creepy hands off me, you perverted elf-wannabe! Ecchi! Hentai! Aho! Baka! I know I'm a beautiful, irresistible, and perfect goddess, but that doesn't mean you can just hold me!"

P-Perverted!? 

And what do those other words even mean!?

"Goddess Aqua, I'm sorry if I've offended you." Link held his hands in front of him in surrender, expression turning neutral. "You were distressed, and I opted to do what I had always done to my little sister and others whenever they got upset. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable in any way and will make sure to be more considerate in the future for you, goddess."

It's honestly a hassle talking to her so respectfully, but this is the person he's meant to work with to defeat the Demon King; it'll probably be better to try getting along with her in the long run.

Aqua narrowed her eyes at him but unraveled her arms with a huff, putting her hands on her hips.

"As long as you understand..."

Glad to at least be on neutral ground, Link breathed a sigh of relief. But it feels like he'll be walking on eggshells around the goddess for a while if he wants any chance of working together with her in this world. Which reminds him...

"Goddess Aqua, where are we exactly?" He asks, realizing just now that he has  no  idea where they are or even anything about the world they're in.

Aqua slumped in defeat.

"We should be in the kingdom of Belzerg, in a beginner town called Axel. It's where I've always sent reincarnated souls..." She muttered dejectedly.

"Sent reincarnated souls?" Link repeated, approaching her but respectfully keeping some distance. "You mean other people like me, sent here to slay the Demon King? Are they all training here to defeat him together?"

"Not everyone wants to go defeat the Demon King!" Aqua snapped in frustration. "Many of them just become selfish and do whatever they want! That's why we keep sending new heroes here! Everyone is just lazy or wants to do something different than save the world!"

"Oh." Link mumbled. "What should we be doing right now, then? Activating some towers? Taking some challenges in some ancient shrines?"

Aqua gave him a weird look. "Have you never read a light novel before!? You should be going to the adventure's guild to register and get a class!"

...

"Goddess Aqua, what's a light novel?" Link asked in genuine curiosity.

It was here where Aqua was reminded just where the hero came from, to which she hung her head and sighed.

"Right... Your world is still in medieval times compared to Japan." Aqua stood up straight and composed herself, taking a deep breath. "Link, in this world, there are places called 'adventurer guilds' that register people wanting to be adventurers. And it's in these guilds where you can get quests that will get you money and help you get stronger."

"Ooooh! So the adventurer guild is like one giant shrine that gives challenges for items and rupees!?" Link asked with shining eyes.

"...suuuuuuure." Aqua deadpanned. She didn't know what he meant by shrines or rupees but might as well agree with him so they could get moving.

"And one is in this city? Do you know where it is?" He asked excitedly.

Aqua looked at him like he was crazy. "I'm a goddess. There's no way I'd know about every little place like that."

Normally, Link would say her claim was fair, for he doubts gods are omniscient, but this goddess has always sent reincarnating souls to this town, hasn't she? Shouldn't she know all about the area, then? She doesn't even know where she was sending people?

It was a little disappointing, to say the least.

But Link wasn't going to let that bring him down when he felt enthusiastic about exploring this new world!

"Well, we should go look for it then! Will you accompany me, goddess Aqua?" Link smiled.

"Not like I have a choice..." Aqua grumbled. "And you can keep calling me 'goddess' if you want when we're alone. But when you can call me Aqua, so we don't cause a commotion. I don't need my followers knowing I've been forcefully dragged down by a mortal."

It was a relief that Link didn't have to keep calling her goddess, only having done so out of worry that she'd throw a fit if he didn't. He didn't even bother correcting her that it had been her own actions that had gotten her sent here, as he was actually grateful for them because it gave him a chance to return to Zelda. 

"Okay, Aqua, let's find the guild," Link said, offering her a reassuring expression before leading the way down the stone road, with Aqua following behind, still grumbling.

Link led them through the wide streets and paths that looked like they'd lead somewhere more important, mainly the center of town, where he was guessing the guild to be. A place of that much significance would probably be in such a spot.

But not long into their walk, Link started to notice something.

He thought he had been imagining it at first, blaming it on otherworldly jitters since he had just shown up in a new world, but his training as a knight made it clear that it was far more than that. It didn't take long for him to figure out that wherever he went, the eyes of passing citizens seemed to be drawn to him, with expressions of shock, wonder, and even wariness varying among them. Even if some people were trying to be subtle about it, the masses all doing it just made their attempts in vain. Some people even started whispering with one another, and it was starting to make Link nervous.

"Aqua?" He called, glancing back at the goddess.

"Hm?" She tilted her head, noticing his unease.

"Why does it seem like people are staring at us?"

Aqua blinked before glancing around, only just now noticing the attention they were getting. This resulted in a smug look taking her face as she turned back to Link, flipping back her smooth hair.

"What else do you expect being in the company of a beautiful goddess such as myself?"

No, they weren't looking at her, Link could tell. He had always made sure to differentiate whether he or Zelda was being stared at in the past to analyze potential threats that could come to her. And right now, it's clear that  everyone  was staring at him as they passed, and he didn't know why!

"Mama, why does that elf look different?" An innocent child asked, pointing right at him.

Link halted his walking, glancing at the child in confusion as the mother panicked and shushed him, apologizing profusely before pulling him away.

Bewildered, Link kept walking but glanced back at his companion.

"Aqua, didn't you call me that before? What's an elf?"

He was surprised to see the goddess looking rather annoyed, probably having realized that everyone hadn't been staring at her beauty.

"Tsk! They're a race of this world... They have good looks, and pointy ears like you do," She grumbled, motioning a hand at him. "But the difference between you Hylian elf-wannabes and elves themselves is that elves have a higher affinity with magic and bigger mana pools than the average person."

"Mana pools?" Link repeated in confusion.

Aqua sighed as she grabbed her forehead. "Everyone has them, even you. It's like a source of power inside people that lets them perform skills or cast magic, so a bigger mana pool means more attacks or adding more power behind them."

"Okay..." Link muttered, guessing he'll learn more about it when he actually becomes an adventurer. "And that's why everyone is staring at me? Cause I have more mana and magic?"

Aqua huffed as they crossed a short stone bridge over a small stream. "No, that's because you're  male . It's not surprising to see female elves around, but males are like  myths . An elven village has many more women than men, as it's rare for a male to be born. People hardly ever see them during their lives since they tend to stay away from humans, unlike females, who are much more open to leaving their villages and intermingling."

"What's a human?" Link interrupted once again, earning an eye twitch from Aqua.

" Everyone  around you; they're the most common race in this world. Think of them as Hylians but with round ears."

"Oh." At least that explained the round ears.

"Now, as I was  saying -" Aqua said, holding an informative finger up while surprisingly looking mannerly. "Male elves are hardly seen, but the few that have encountered them have all said the same thing; they're powerful mages, but they're arrogant, rude, and view other races as inferior, humans most of all. Add the fact that humans tend to desire male elves to make strong babies, and it's no wonder they all live in isolation."

Link was walking side-by-side with Aqua by now, rather intrigued by the information being spoken. It reminded him of all the times Zelda had rambled while they had traveled together in the past, where she'd tell him about anything from the flowers of the fields to the Sheikah technology she studied.

Although...

"Wait, what do you mean humans 'desire' them?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aqua rolled her eyes. "Like I said, the offspring of male elves usually become strong, ending up with high magic power and higher mana pools. That's because male elves have higher amounts of both than even females, and the traits are easier to be passed down through them. I think you can figure out what some people are willing to do to get their hands on one."

Oh Hylia, Link regrets ever asking now. And he's disturbed to think he'll have to be worried about being captured and turned into some breeding mule.

"That's..." He grimaced, unsure of even what to say.

"Don't worry about it." Aqua nonchalantly waved him off, seeming uncaring about the whole thing. "Axel is the safest place to be in. It's why the gods always send new heroes here. And I'm sure that even if anyone tries anything, you can handle it."

"Okay." Link muttered, feeling a bit reassured. "But what about that pointy-eared guy with dark skin? Isn't he a male elf too?" He asked, passing a man of that description, who was also staring at him wide-eyed with a group of humans.

"That's a dark elf; think of them as worse elves," Aqua explained. "Not uncommon to see, but they're usually meatheads swinging swords and tend to outnumber the females. They can have their own villages but are much more open to interacting with other races and usually end up traveling to find partners. And compared to elves in general, their mana isn't anything special."

They were silent for a few seconds, with Link staring at Aqua with a confused yet interested expression, one the goddess noticed.

"What?" She snapped.

Link scratched his cheek. "Aqua, forgive me for asking, but how do you know all of this but  not  where the town's adventurer guild is?" He questioned bluntly, yet still trying to sound respectful.

Aqua sputtered, pink in her cheeks. "O-Oi! Just because I don't know any small, unimportant places like this doesn't mean I don't know anything! I at least know the different races of mortals down here in case any of them choose to worship me!"

Well... at least that's useful information?

"I see... Thank you for telling me this, Aqua." Link nodded politely.

The goddess didn't return the gesture, scoffing as she crossed her arms.

"Something like this is nothing for a goddess like me!"

Link opted not to comment and turned his head forward, to which he saw a building much larger than the previous ones he's seen so far.

"Aqua! That might be it!" He pointed down the road, increasing his pace with increasing excitement.

"Huh? Hey-! Wait for me!" Aqua snapped out of her proud posture and quickly ran after him. The two made it in front of the building and went to enter, only to stop as they heard a bottle shatter inside.

Aqua jumped at the noise, immediately starting to sweat as she started having second doubts.

"A-Are we sure this is the right place, Link?"

Link wondered about that, but this place looked far too special for it to be anything else.

His expression became neutral as he marched forward, gently pushing the double doors and entering the large building. Aqua followed behind nervously, not wanting to be left behind but still looking ready to book it at any second.

As Link stepped inside, he found the interior not to be what he had expected. The floor was made of stone bricks, with short lamposts around the room. The area was decorated rather uniquely, with the skeleton of some big creature hanging around the wooden beams while other exotic items were placed along the walls. Tables and benches made up the left side of the large room, where all kinds of people were eating and drinking, a few female elves included. Young women in waitress outfits with short skirts roamed around, taking orders and delivering food. 

"Is this a tavern?"  Link wondered, glancing around curiously. He nearly assumed so, only for his eyes to catch the long counter near the back right side of the room. There, it contained open windows that attendants sat behind and a sign revealing the spot to be the guild admission desk.

It seems like they're in the right place after all.

A blond short-haired waitress holding multiple mugs of beer had her back to Link but had heard the doors open, to which she spun around with a welcoming smile.

"Welcome! If you're here to-"

Her words died as she caught the sight of Link's ears, to which a gasp came out of her mouth.

"A-A male elf!?!"

The room fell into dead silence, with everyone turning their heads at the entrance. Like everyone outside, their expressions varied but still held the common core of disbelief. Even the female elves in the room looked appalled.

Link felt nervous about all the unwanted attention while Aqua hid behind him with a look of dread.

"Th-They're staring! All these scary people are staring!" She whispered, mainly referring to all the muscular and sharp-looking men.

Link glanced back at her with a look of optimism. "It'll be fine. If the worst comes, I've taken down monsters much bigger."

He turned forward and let his gaze return to a neutral state, not wanting to show any weakness. Sure, all the eyes on him made him uncomfortable, but he was too used to it after having worked as Zelda's guard for so long.

So he ignored everyone as he marched confidently for the admission desk, where a blonde woman with large curves showing quite a bit of cleavage was operating the counter. She, too, was staring at Link in wonder, not having expected to  ever  see a male 'elf' in a town such as theirs.

"Hello." Link greeted, holding up a hand and giving her a friendly smile.

That simple greeting seemed to snap the woman out of her gaping, to which she straightened her back and unintentionally caused her breasts to jiggle, which had Aqua scowl and mumble something about 'meat-bags' while Link hadn't even noticed.

"W-Welcome! I-! What can I do for you today, sir?" The young woman stammered, trying to regain a professional stance.

"I was told this is where we can register as adventurers?" 

"Eh?" The woman was taken aback. "Y-You want to register as an adventurer?"

"Yes? Is that a problem?" Link asked curiously.

"N-No! Not at all! It's just... unexpected." She answered honestly.

Link's ears picked up on the whispers behind him.

"A male elf wants to be an adventurer?"

"Wait, does that mean we'll be seeing him a lot more around here!?"

"Did he have a falling out with his village?"

Link turned back to Aqua with an eyebrow raised, the goddess clicking her tongue at being an encyclopedia for him.

"Remember what I said about males?" She whispered. "It's unimaginable for a male elf to become an adventurer since it always involves traveling and working with humans. They don't even let anyone touch them unless it's another elf."

Link frowned at that. Should he admit that he isn't an elf, or would that cause problems for him? Would anyone even believe him?

He decided to shelf that issue for later, turning back to the woman and trying to look as friendly as he could.

"Well, I'm Link, and I want to be an adventurer." He then presented a hand forward, making the woman choke and several people gasp.

The desk lady stared at his hand as if it was some mythical creature, yet she was able to keep her composure as she hesitantly reached for it, clasping it with her own.

"L-Luna." She stammered, their hands giving a gentle shake before Link pulled his back, with Luna staring at her own hand blankly.

"Nice to meet you, Luna. Can we get registered, please?" Link politely requested.

"Huh? O-Oh! Right!" Luna scampered out of her seat in a panic, "I'll get you settled!"

Link and Aqua watched as she reached under her desk and pulled out an artifact holding a blue stone, to which she went outside her booth and beside the two in front of the counter.

"Oh!" She gasped, realizing something as she turned to them. "I'm sorry, but I must first ask for the registration fee."

Link blinked. "Registration fee?"

He looked down and checked his pockets and infinity pouch, wondering if Hylia had left him anything that could be money, but sadly found nothing, so he turned to his blue-haired acquaintance.

"Aqua, did you bring any money?"

She shook her head.

"You dragged me here without any warning. Of course I don't." She frowned.

Link supposed that was understandable, ignoring the inaccuracy of Aqua's claim that  he  had pulled her here.

So he turned back to Luna, feeling slightly awkward.

"I'm sorry, Luna. Is there anything we can do for some quick money, or to at least cover the registration cost?"

Luna rose an eyebrow, not having expected this. Normally, she'd assume that this elf had expected to march in and register for free due to his arrogance, but... he just seemed too polite for that to be the case. And she didn't even know what to make of the beautiful woman beside him. 

Some laughter cut in before she could respond to his question, and the trio turned to see a tall, well-built man with a rough-looking face approach. He was shirtless, with rose-colored suspenders connecting from his green pants to his shoulder armor. A ruffian, Link would say he looked like.

"So you're looking to be an adventurer, ay pointy-ears?" He asked, earning an 'eep!' from Aqua as she hid behind Link again. "You're quite the site to see around here, but why would a guy like yourself wanna be an adventurer?"

Link didn't detect any hostility from the man despite his imposing nature, so he gave him a proud grin.

"I want to defeat the Demon King so I can return home."

There was dead silence at his declaration, bewildered stares unmoving until the large man burst out laughing.

"Is that so!? You got kicked outta your village and gotta kill the old bastard to go back? Well, welcome to the gates of hell!"

Link was quite surprised when the man reached into his pocket and pulled out four gold coins with an insignia on them, which he placed on the counter and slid to him with a smirk.

"Can't wait to see what you can do."

Link positively shined. This was probably one of the only times someone had given him something without him having to complete a task for them first. 

"Thank you! I'll make sure to pay you back!" He declared, because what kind of person would he be not to return such generosity?

The man merely chuckled as he turned his back to him, smirking over his shoulder.

"Don't bother; just make sure to take down the bastard hiding behind his barrier. I got a good feeling about you two."

With that, he made his way back to the table where he had been drinking before, with Link making a note to definitely pay him back double later.

He then turned back to Luna with his hands outstretched with the money, and the woman couldn't help but compare the image to a child proud of finishing an errand for the first time.

The whole room was confused yet amazed at what they saw, Luna most of all. This wasn't what she had expected at all from a male elf. This one was kind, his eyes holding no arrogance or disgust that she knew was a main characteristic for them, and he wasn't even revolted touching a human, as he had let her  shake  his hand. Not only that, but there was a child-like innocence to him that made him rather charming, which was quite a danger considering his other features. His shorter nature compared to all the large and burly men in the guild, his golden brown locks with part of it done in a ponytail, his smooth but firm-looking skin, those crystal blue eyes...

Luna snapped out of her thoughts with a sputter.

"I-I'll get your change!" She took the gold coins, unintentionally touching his hands  again,  before retreating behind the counter. Link didn't even notice her freakout, busy practically bouncing in place.

Aqua stared at the sight, no longer afraid and instead pouting. What was it about the mortal that had a scary guy like that be so generous to him while everyone else gawked as if god had just descended upon them!? SHE'S the goddess, yet no one has yet to bow down and start groveling at her feet!

The guy wasn't even an elf!

"Stupid hero..." She grumbled.

As she continued muttering curses and obscenities out of jealousy, Luna returned with silver and copper coins, a little more composed but still blushing as she handed Link his change, making sure not to touch his hand this time out of self-consciousness.

"Okay, allow me to formally explain the registration process," She managed with a smile, having started to regain the rest of her professionalism. She pulled out two cards from one of her pockets, showing them off. "Adventurers each have their own occupations, or 'classes,' that they can become. And these are your registration cards, also known as adventurer cards."

She pointed at the mentioned item.

"An adventurer card keeps track of how many monsters you've vanquished, and vanquishing monsters gains you the experience points you'll need to level up and get stronger. As your level increases, you'll earn points that you can use to learn skills your chosen occupation can acquire. So please work hard to raise your level."

Link's attention was stuck on Luna like a fly on a web. So he'd be able to learn things similar to Mipha's Grace or Darruk's Protection!? All by slaying monsters that are probably tormenting people like the Bokoblins and Moblins Hyrule has!? 

Whoaaaaaa.

Luna motioned to the artifact beside her.

"Now, sir Link-"

"Ah, just Link is fine." He grinned.

He's never really cared for titles, after all.

Once again, Luna blinked in surprise.

"O-Okay... Link. *Ahem!* Please place your hand on the blue crystal. It will measure your capabilities."

Link did as he was told, stepping forward and hovering a hand over the crystal. The artifact immediately activated, glowing blue and firing a small beam of light at the adventurer card underneath it, proceeding to write information down.

The hero was absolutely mesmerized, the blue colors and lights reminding him so much of whenever the Sheikah slate had a new drop of information added to it, so familiar, yet different.

"With this, you will each learn your current status, so please choose your desired occupation based on your stats," Luna stated as the artifact finished writing, its light dying down before she took the card underneath.

"Let's see, Link..."

Luna's eyes widened before she recoiled while making a strangled noise, the sound echoing in the silent guild still listening.

"Something wrong?" Link asked with a cute tilt of his head.

"Wh-What are these stats!? Nearly all of them are extraordinarily high, with the exception being... below-average Magic Power!? And your mana capacity is only average!?"

Link frowned. What did that all mean exactly?

But judging by how much a commotion immediately rose from the guild, it seemed important.

"A male elf with nearly no Magic Power!?"

"Only average mana too!?"

"Is this why he's out of his village!? Because he couldn't measure up to the others?"

"But all of his other stats are high! That's like the opposite of what a male elf would have!"

Link tuned out the rest of their voices, giving Luna a look of confusion.

"Luna? What do my stats mean, exactly?"

The staff member, still in bafflement, blinked a few times before raising her head to look at him.

"That's right, you probably don't understand since you're probably the first male elf to leave their village to become an adventurer..."

Luna cleared her throat before looking serious, professionalism taking over.

"To best explain it, a person's stats represents their overall abilities. There are six core stats in total; Strength, Stamina, Magic Power, Intelligence, Dexterity, and Luck. And each individual stat determines something about a person."

She pointed at the top column on Link's adventurer card.

"Strength is somewhat self-explanatory. It relates to how strong you are, from how powerful your physical strikes can be to how much you can lift at once."

When Link saw how high his Strength stat was, he thought back to the thousands of monsters of all sizes he's slain, along with how many items he had carried on him by the end of the Calamity. 

He supposes that he's pretty strong.

"Then there's Stamina, which I suppose you can also affiliate with your state of well-being, also called health. It basically reflects how well a person can last in battle, like how many hits they can take or how long they can fight until collapsing. It also determines your resistance to poisoning and how well you can recover from status effects."

Welp, after having converted all the Spirit Orbs he's collected from every shrine in Hyrule, Link has  no  doubt of how high that stat is. Although, he was curious about the poison resistance part, remembering when he had tried Zelda's first and last attempt at cooking.

"Next, we have Magic Power..." At this, Luna faltered, looking somewhat nervous as if she'd end up accidentally offending him. "As the name states, it's about how much magic power you hold, which matters for casting powerful spells with magic, whether offensive or supportive."

"And that stat is the lowest? That's fine." Link nodded, not too worried at all about his lack of magic. He's always been a physical fighter, after all. The only magic he's ever used had been the abilities that his friends, the champions, had given him for each Divine Beast he freed. And he didn't feel them in his being anymore, so he doubted Magic Power would be important for him.

But his answer had Luna floored.

"Y-You're okay with it!?"

"Yes?" Link responded with an eyebrow raised, wondering if he had said something wrong.

"Hey, meat-bags, keep going!" Aqua snapped, reminding the world that she was still there.

Luna turned to the goddess in surprise, not having expected the  human  girl to be the rude one among the two, but despite the rudeness, she did as instructed.

"Okay... Next, we have Intelligence. Again, through the name, we can infer that it reflects how smart someone is and how quickly they are to understand concepts. This usually helps to understand magic abilities or puzzles."

Yup, solving the puzzles of the shrines and finding all the Korok seeds for Hestu definitely reflects how high the stat must be, not to mention his own ingenuity at times. 

"Dexterity relates to speed. It measures how fast you are and how quickly you can unleash attacks and their accuracy."

That high stat made sense, too, as Link recalled too many times when the world just seemed slow for him whenever he fought something.

"And finally, there is Luck, which is not really an essential stat for adventures. It simply influences certain skills and can increase the probability of certain things happening, but that's about it."

Link has no idea how to measure his Luck stat, but he supposed he was overall kinda lucky. Despite the Calamity striking suddenly and killing his friends, he had come out fine thanks to the Shrine of Resurrection reviving him. And even when dying again, he suddenly got this whole new chance to explore another world with the opportunity to return to Zelda. And that's not even mentioning all the useful things he coincidentally found during his travels, such as the Great Fairy Fountains.

So yea, he's kinda lucky, he guesses.

"Then there's mana capacity, which is not categorized as a stat but is still important. It simply tells you the amount of mana you hold, and mana is what a person uses for spells and skills. Having more mana means being able to use more skills in succession or pushing more power into the spells you cast. The amount of mana a person holds varies between races, b-but it should be high for a male elf, your Magic Power too..." Luna quieted down, finishing off at this additional fact while staring at Link like the anomaly he was.

And yet, the Hylian simply shrugged. "I guess I'm not an elf."

Luna stared at him dumbfounded while Aqua's eye twitched.

"Are you gonna choose a class yet!?" She urged, tired of everyone only talking about the elf-wannabe.

"Oh right, sorry for making you wait." Link apologized with a glance at the goddess. He then turned back to Luna and smiled once more. "Thank's for the explanation, Luna. So what kind of classes can I get?"

"Well..." She glanced back down at Link's card like it was a puzzle. "Anything that doesn't use magic, really. So classes such as Mage or Arch-Priest are off the table. But you'll have access to all the advanced classes that don't use magic, which is amazing for someone to get right from the start! And with your stats being so high, in time, you may even be able to gain access to skills from other classes or add another class entirely! Only legends have ever been able to accomplish such a feat."

More murmurs filled the room as Link tilted his head.

"Um... can I guess a list of all the classes and what they do? I think I'll also need some time to choose one if that's okay."

Luna made eye contact with one of her attendants, who immediately reached behind the counter, pulling out a sheet of parchment and quill that he passed to her.

"We carry lists of all the classes and their details, but first, allow me to cross out what classes you won't have access to. And don't worry, all you have to do is choose the desired class on your adventurer card when you've come to a decision, so take all the time you need."

"Thanks!" Link chirped. It looked like he had become the sun itself, causing several people to shield their eyes.

"O-Of course!" Luna avoided looking at him as she focused on crossing off a few things from the list given to her, which she then handed to Link. "There you are."

Link received the paper and held it above him in accomplishment, ignoring an iconic item-gained theme that played as he did so.

He then turned to his companion.

"There you go, Aqua! Sorry for holding up your turn."

The goddess let out a 'hmph!' as she stomped by him, feeling like a background character more than anything. 

Link was confused by the action but put it off as annoyance for making her wait. He walked away to look over the list of classes, intending to see which fit him the most.

Only for Luna's voice to sound once more.

"HUH!?!"

He stopped in his tracks and turned around to see Aqua's hand over the crystal now, with Luna looking to be nearing a breakdown as she read the adventurer card underneath as information was written down.

"A-Aside from your intelligence being below average, and your luck being the lowest level possible, all of your stats are drastically high!"

Aqua's eyes lit up in joy.

"Does that mean I'm amazing too? Even more amazing than Link?"

"Amazing is an understatement!" Luna picked up Aqua's card shakily, glancing up at the blue-nette. "The Mage class and other wizard classes, which require Intelligence, are out of the question, but other than that, you can be whatever you want! Crusader, Sword Master, Arch-Priest! You name it! With your stats, no matter what you choose you'll excel at it! Wh-Who  are  you people!?"

Luna looked from Link to Aqua, not knowing what to think anymore.

The rest of the guild roared in excitement, having gotten not one but  two  powerhouses. Cheers and laughs rang as people clapped or lifted their mugs in celebration.

Aqua soaked up all the attention, with none of her previous irritation present on her face.

"It's a shame there's no 'goddess' class, but in my case, I can still be just as benevolent by being an Arch-Priest who heals her allies!" She declared, hands on her hips as she stuck out her chest proudly.

"Arch-Priest! The almighty class that commands all recovery and support magic and that boasts enough power to stand on the front lines! And together with a class that'll be on the physical side-" Luna said, her eyes grazing to Link. "-it's perfect!"

Aqua waved at everyone with a happy grin as they cheered for her, not even minding how Link's name was mixed into it. And speaking of which, she turned in the direction of the elf-wannabe, looking to see his reaction to being shown up.

Only to see him smiling at her, a genuinely happy smile. He didn't look amazed or in awe at her tremendous abilities revealed, nor did he look jealous at being surpassed in terms of raw stats. He just looked glad for her, cheerful even, before turning away to look at the list of classes given to him.

What kind of reaction was that!? Why wasn't he bowing at her divinity!? Honoring her for being so amazing and powerful!? Or making some oath where he'd be devoting everything to her!?

Whatever, she'll enjoy everyone else praising her for now. But with her good looks and amazing abilities, it shouldn't be long before she has the decent-looking mortal eating from the palm of her hand!

It took quite a while for the commotion in the guild to finally calm down, as everyone had started on a whole new round of drinks to celebrate the discovery of Link and Aqua, the former sheepish from the praise while the latter bathed in it. Even now, Aqua continued to make a show out of herself by dancing and waving at everyone while Link was seated at an empty table, reading the list of classes Luna had provided him.

He was occasionally approached by people who wanted to talk with him, mostly introducing themselves and giving him their personal experiences with their classes in case he was leaning toward them. It was a relief that almost everyone seemed to stop thinking of him as an elf, or the stereotypical male one, at least. Although he noticed that many of the young women seemed to stick around a bit longer than the men. Were they more trusting towards him for some reason?

Well, whatever it was, Link had finally decided on his class by the time the next hour had passed. 

Initially, he had narrowed his options down to Sword Master, Knight, and Crusader, as he knows that he has to choose a sword-related advanced class, after all. 

But among the three, it was easy to cross out the Crusader class; it just wasn't for him. It's a tank class meant to absorb hits and deal back harder ones through heavy swords and shields, which Link preferred not to use. Not only that, but the class's skills consisted of powerful but slow attacks, self-buffing, or attracting the enemy's attention. 

Choosing between Knight and Sword Master had been a little hard, especially with the former reminding Link of his previous position by the princess. But in the end, it was Link's own preferences that had him make his decision.

The Knight class not only used lighter swords and shields but even bows, with its skills revolving around those weapons. It's a class of variety to strike, defend, and fire from afar, which reminded Link so much of his arsenal not long ago. And yet, Link didn't necessarily like shields, preferring to meet attacks head-on when he knew he could win or avoid them entirely with his speed and nimble qualities. He hadn't even used a shield that much during his last journey unless it was against tougher enemies. He had only really used them to shield surf or deflect the beams of the Guardians.

Man, he  HATED  the Guardians.

The shield surfing had been fun, though.

And as for bows, Link was confident he didn't need his class to have any focus on them. An Archer girl had told him that he'd immediately gain a basic skill of proficiency with bows if he chose any class affiliated with them, but he didn't think he'd need it, nor any other skills relating to them. 

So, in the end, Link knew he had to choose Sword Master.

The Sword Master class focused exclusively on using single or double-edge swords, whether big or small. It involves using speed and technique to strike opponents down and avoid attacks, something Link always had a talent for as a swordsman. And the skills involved with the class all have to do with either offensive slashes or better movement, which is nice.

And it wasn't like picking the Sword Master class meant that he wouldn't use bows and shields outright; it just meant that he wouldn't get skills relating to the two, including the basic proficiency skills all classes obtained for their affiliated weapons. But those skills are meant to help class owners understand their main weapons quicker, which Link didn't really need. After all, he already  knows  how to use bows and shields, and he'll be sure to carry a few around during his journey.

So Link tapped his adventurer card in content, watching as the words of his selected class light up and become locked in, gaining him his very first skill along with it, free of points. It was the passive skill  Sword Proficiency , the starting skill his class receives that's meant to increase his understanding and adaptability using a sword.

However, Link was shocked to see that it didn't stop there. For the next instant that followed, two  more  skills appeared in the slots underneath, acquired without any points as well. 

And when he read what they did, Link was left gobsmacked.

Flurry Rush:  The user's mind and senses will momentarily process information so fast that time will appear to have slowed for them, allowing them to unleash a rapid flurry of strikes faster than the eye can see. 

-Activation Requirements: User must be fully focused in battle and perfectly dodge an attack that leaves an opponent open.

Bullet Time:  The user's mind and senses will momentarily process information so fast that time will appear to have slowed for them, allowing them to rapidly draw and fire as many arrows as possible during their slowed descent faster than the eye can see.

-Activation Requirements: User must be fully focused in battle and draw an arrow midair.

Link knows these abilities. He had felt these exact descriptions so many times in his life, even when he was four when he started sparring against the soldiers his father worked with. And they had been crucial in taking down the toughest enemies and hitting the most difficult targets!

And they were skills!? Passive ones that didn't use mana, at that! Although they were somewhat specific in activation and only lasted a moment.

But still! Does that mean that people can create their own skills!? Were both of these abilities something he's always had as unique powers similar to the champion's abilities in Hyrule!? Or had they been so perfectly developed over time that they became recognized by the magic system of this world and had been added as unique skills!? And would that mean that if he created and perfected another unique move, it'd be recognized by his card and added too!?

Whoaaaaaa.

"Link!"

The Hylian jumped as Aqua slammed her hands on the table, the goddess frowning.

"All of this praise is making me hungry! Buy me some food!"

Link blinked, realizing that he hadn't eaten anything since the morning in Hyrule. He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out the remaining coins on him, staring at them in unease.

He hoped it'd be enough for a meal.

The good news was, the remaining money, or 'eris' as he had learned, had been enough to feed himself and Aqua, although not as much as he would've liked for himself.

As Zelda had written in her diary, he really was a glutton.

And as for the bad news? He and Aqua had spent so much time in the guild that it had become nighttime, with neither of them having a place to sleep. This resulted in the two taking refuge in the stables with the horses.

Link wasn't actually all too bothered to be sleeping here. He's slept in much worse while out in the wild in Hyrule.

He doesn't even sleep that much anyway, having been accustomed to getting up early in the mornings and going to sleep late at night due to his previous job guarding Zelda, whether outside her room or in the wild. His sleep schedule had followed him even after having woken up in the Shrine Of Resurrection, completely engrained into his body.

So here he was, seated with his back against the wall, reading his adventurer card while Aqua slept soundly on one of the hay stacks beside him, which he had made sure to clear off any manure for her. She had thanked him for it, at least, but she just  had  to make it sound like he was obligated to do these things for her. Link didn't mind, though. He had always done stuff like this for Zelda, even back when she had despised him and hardly thanked him for anything. So Link didn't mind indulging the goddess for a bit if it meant getting her to work with him easier, especially since her class's main focus was on support.

He was just glad they had both managed to eat earlier. It was also nice to see that the food of this world was just as delicious as it was in Hyrule, and Link couldn't  wait  to start cooking his own meals with whatever he could find, monsters included.

Hinox guts had always brought a delicious tang for him. Hm... Maybe there's a monster counterpart for it here?

Wait, no, he's getting off track. He has to start making rupees-er,  eris , as soon as possible so that he and Aqua can afford a room at the inn. He couldn't just let the goddess sleep in a place more suited to sweaty soldiers, even if he'd be alright staying here.

But he was pretty confused as to why Aqua had angrily dragged him away from both of the kind Ranger girls who had been willing to let them stay in their room; they had just been about to discuss potential payments.

Wait... maybe Aqua didn't want them to intrude on them? Wow, guess she has a considerate side after all.

Link pocketed his adventurer card and glanced up at the window across from him, where he had a clear view of the full moon. He took a deep breath, the scent of animals and manure surprisingly comforting him.

Today had been a rather hectic day for him. When he had first woken up in the morning in Hyrule, he hadn't expected to defeat the Calamity, die, and then get transported to another world to save. He hadn't expected to meet  the  Hylia either, nor discover that there are  other  gods and goddesses of other worlds besides his own. But he had taken things in stride, all things considered, but maybe that's because of all the absurd things he's experienced during his journey to save Zelda.

Oh Zelda...

Link's eyes became somber. Ever since regaining his memories, he's heavily missed being at the princess's side, and it was his own fault that he had been forced to leave. He had failed her, leaving her alone in a world where the only person left alive who knew her personally was Impa. He can't even imagine what she must be feeling right now, having him die in her arms. If only he had been better...

He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes; tomorrow would be the first official day he and Aqua would take a quest as official adventurers. He couldn't afford to mess up, as dying again would mean losing his chance of ever seeing  his  Zelda again. He had to make sure she saw him again to fix all anguish going through the poor girl's heart.

He'll make sure to return to her, no matter what.

Link's conditioned body had him wake up at the crack of dawn, where he then decided to practice his sword-swinging skills until Aqua woke up.

She slept all the way to midday, reminding Link that not everyone was like him or Zelda, who had always gotten up only an hour after he did. He knew he could've urged the blue-nette awake or left to do other things while she slept, but Link knew better than to be inconsiderate and interrupt her sleep or leave her alone in a vulnerable state.

But soon, the two were making their way back to the adventurer's guild, the eyes of the townspeople following after Link the entire way again.

Hopefully everyone gets used to the sight of him soon.

He and Aqua entered the guild, and everything quieted as heads turned to him and his companion. It seemed like some people had thought of yesterday as a dream, as a few of the ones that had been present were doing double-takes. Not only that, but others that hadn't been at the guild at the time were seeing Link for the first time, gawking or gasping at his presence.

"Ah! Link, Aqua! Good morning!" Luna beamed, cleaning the counter with a cloth. Compared to everyone else, who still looked rather confused or stunned, the guild attendant seemed to have already accepted Link and Aqua fairly well, something the hero appreciated.

Link returned the greeting with a raised hand, approaching her.

"Are you here to take your first quest?" Luna asked, leaving the cloth as she turned to him.

He nodded. "Where can we get them?"

"Right at that bulletin board." Luna pointed at the mentioned object, then gave Link a close-eyed smile. "I'd recommend taking the beginner quests that are always available to adventurers. Work hard!"

Link gave her a thankful nod before he and Aqua went to the board. 

The Hylian read the beginner quests suggested by Luna. One had to do with herb collecting not too far outside the city, another with hunting small animals instead, and the last was physical labor. All three quests had the same no-skull difficulty but rewarded minuscule payment, or at least what Link assumed to be so, having been trying to better understand the currency of this world compared to rupees.

Link frowned. He knows he can do much more than what these quests are asking, and he'd also prefer much larger payments than what's listed.

"Link, how about this one!?"

The Hylian turned his head to see Aqua excitedly holding a paper with... a dozen red skulls!?

Not even he's  that  reckless, and he's fought a Hinox naked one time using only a few wooden spears, a metal sword, and a conveniently placed lightning strike.

Link shook his head at the goddess. "It looks a little too difficult."

She frowned, then shook the paper in front of him. "Oh, come on! You saved the world before, didn't you!? Something like this should be easy for you!"

"Aqua, I don't even know what a manticore or the rest of these monsters are." Link sighed. "We should at least take something simple for our first quest, but still make sure it earns us decent money."

"How about this quest then?" Aqua asked immediately, pointing at another paper with significantly less difficulty.

"Killing Giant Toads?" Link read aloud. At least he knew what a toad was, and he was fascinated that Hyrule and this world seemed to share many common things, although some counterparts were very different, such as these apparent  Giant  Toads.

He read the description provided for the monster; humongous toads with bodies of thick fat and slime that make them not only resistant to blunt physical attacks but attacks with the water attribute too. The toads themselves are large enough to swallow livestock and humans whole, and during their mating season, they occasionally venture toward human settlements to prey on inhabitants and cattle so they can gain strength to lay their eggs.

Their meat is somewhat tough, but it's so light and refreshing that-

"!?!"

Link's eyes flashed as he quickly snatched the quest, making Aqua jump with a startled yell. He then practically teleported in front of Luna, the attending letting out a similar cry of alarm.

"I can eat them!?" Link asked in excitement, holding up the quest.

Luna blinked, eyeing the drawing of the toad. 

"Y-Yes?"

Link handed her the parchment, teeth showing with stars in his eyes.

"Can I keep any I kill!?"

Just outside the city, on a hilly landscape of pure grass fields of which you can see miles away, were where several Giant Toads were residing. And it was from the top of a hill where Aqua was seated on a rock with her head in her hands, a bored expression on her as she watched Link  chasing  a Giant Toad, an inevitability that he'd end up catching it. 

Apparently, while Giant Toads aren't smart, even they recognized danger when four of their brethren were effortlessly slain by a short guy holding a butter knife. Their corpses were spaced across the field, all having the same precise slashes around their heads that killed them quickly. It was like Link was used to slaying monsters larger than him, and there wasn't even any blood or slime on him that Aqua could make fun of him for!

It honestly pissed her off a bit by how capable he seemed by himself.

Sure, that meant she could laze around while he did all the dirty work, but she had expected him to be more... amazed, or at least excited, about her. He did have a  goddess  accompanying him, after all. And yet, he seemed more enthusiastic about  eating  these monsters than her presence.

Is it because of Hylia? That his devotion to that flat-chested skank is making him blind to the  much  better goddess in front of him? Hmph! Hylians really don't have any taste, do they? This gullible elf-wannabe doesn't even recognize her charms and won't spoil her rotten as she deserves, not while under Hylia.

But maybe she could change that?

Hm... Yeah!

Aqua shot up to her feet, a devious grin forming. She'll steal the infatuation of Hylia's little champion and have him treat her for as long as she's stuck here!

"Yes, that's it." Aqua nodded to herself, arms crossed and eyes closed, impressed with her own genius. "I'll wait until he's facing some super powerful monster and runs to me begging for help, then I'll come to the rescue and have him bowing at my feet!"

As she rambled to herself, the Giant Toad hopping away from Link caught sight of her. And with its hunger overtaking its sense of self-preservation, it started making its way to her. Link saw this and started calling out to the goddess, only for Aqua to be so lost in her head that she didn't hear him nor notice the approaching toad.

"First, I'll have him start worshiping me by calling me 'Aqua-sama,' then I'll have him join the Axis order and pray to me three times a day. And whenever I feel hungry, I'll have him buy me food! And then-"

She was cut off by the toad chomping down on her, where it then raised its head to try and swallow her whole.

Link appeared in a flash, the unmoving toad not even registering its death as it was cut clean in half in a single, precise strike. The upper portion of its body flopped onto the ground, mouth opening and spilling a slime-covered Aqua in the process.

"Aqua, are you alright?" He asked softly, placing his sword on the grass and crouching in front of her.

The goddess sitting on her knees was already sniffling, slime all over her body, as she looked up at Link with teary ears.

"Thank you, Link-sama!" She sobbed, her arms shooting forward and hugging him gratefully. "Thank you!"

Link was... pretty surprised, to say the least, considering that Aqua had called him a pervert for hugging her just yesterday. But he said nothing as he returned the hug and gently rubbed circles around her back to calm her down. He didn't even mind the slime or stench coming off of the girl, already used to having Bokoblin or Moblin guts all over him, which smelled far worse than this.

After about a minute of letting the girl cry on his shoulder, he gently pulled back from her, with no resistance coming from Aqua.

"Feeling better?" He asked, moving his hands to her shoulders.

She nodded dejectedly.

Link offered her his hand, which she took and let him gently pull her up.

"I think I remember seeing a public bath in town. We can go there and get you cleaned up."

"I can't go back!" Aqua whined, her arms flailing up and down. "If my followers of the Axis order see me like this, I'll lose their devotion! If they find out that I got bested by a lowly frog of all things, my beautiful and stunning image will be ruined!"

Link guessed that this 'Axis order' must be the religion based on Aqua, and he couldn't help but feel sorry for them, having a goddess that seemed so rude and self-absorbed.

He opened his mouth to speak, only for Aqua to release a battle cry and dash straight for another toad in the distance.

"Aqua!?" Link immediately ran after her, recalling that not only had she mentioned not having fighting abilities but remembering that the Arch-Priest class was more for support rather than offense.

"GOD BLOW!!!" To his surprise, Aqua cocked a fist back as intense, holy energy coursed around it. "A lethal fist that carries a goddess's rage and sorrow! Anything it strikes will perish! HYAAAA!!"

Her attack struck the unmoving pink toad right in its belly, to which... it did nothing but jiggle it.

Then came a moment of silence, in which even the toad looked like it was waiting for something to happen, before Aqua nervously lifted her head at it.

"Y-You know? Now that I have a good look at you, I-I think frogs are pretty cu-"

Link came flying in before she could finish, slashing the Giant Toad's head to not even give it a chance of chomping his partner as the first had.

However, due to his rush to kill the toad and Aqua's position underneath it, the head, and its partially open mouth, landed right on top of the goddess, a squelching sound ringing out.

Link landed on the ground before turning around, seeing Aqua's legs sticking out from underneath the head.

"Ah! Aqua!" He quickly rushed over and rammed the toad's head with his shoulder, shoving it off and revealing a blank-faced goddess laying on the ground, staring at the sky and covered in more slime.

"Aqua?" He crouched down beside her.

...

"Er... lady goddess?" He tried.

...

"-idn't work..."

"What was that?" Link cupped his ear.

"WHY DIDN'T IT WORK!?"

He jumped back to his feet as Aqua started wailing and flailing around on the ground, slime flinging onto Link.

"That was the power of the gods, a showing of my abilities as a water goddess! Even if my powers were weakened to fit as a mortal, I should still have the overwhelming might to take down a mere frog! WAAAAAH!!"

Link stared at the pitiful image of the goddess in front of him, covered in slime and crying like a child having a tantrum. But he did feel curious as to why her attack hadn't worked, as even he had felt the building pressure of energy behind it.

...

Wait. What did Aqua say before? A 'water' goddess?

Ah .

Link leaned down to the still-wailing girl. "Erm, Aqua, by any chance, is that attack listed as a unique skill on your card?"

Aqua stopped crying and sat up, looking insulted.

"Hah!? How can you compare a goddess's attack to a mere skill! Of course not! Something as powerful and unique as my holy power can't even be documented because of how great it is!"

So Aqua's unique abilities as a goddess weren't skills on her card, while his own abilities are? Interesting. Is it because he's mortal? 

Questions for later.

"Okay, but do you know if your powers have a water attribute? Like if they're water-based?" Link asked, offering her a hand once again.

"Water and holiness! As a water goddess like I should have!" Aqua declared with a huff, unconsciously taking Link's hand as he pulled her back to her feet once more.

Confirming his theory correct, Link wondered how to break it to her.

"Okay... Aqua, I think I know what happened."

Aqua's gaze became sharp, and she planted her hands on her hips while glaring at him.

"Well!? Answer! I can't let my precious followers know that I somehow can't beat a frog!"

Link frowned a bit at her tone but obliged, now feeling less bad about what he has to explain.

"Aqua, Giant Toads are resistant to both blunt attacks and powers of the water attribute. You told me that all of your god attacks have the water attribute, and you tried to punch the toad, which is a blunt attack."

The silence that followed was deafening.

It took Aqua a moment to process what Link said, eyebrows furrowing into an annoyed look of puzzlement, only for his explanation to click, to which her eyes shifted into despair.

"C-Come on, Link. You can't be saying that Giant Toads are my weakness,  right ? Th-That's a funny joke!" She forcefully chuckled with a strained smile.

A shadow took half of Link's face as he merely turned his head away in sympathy, and that was all it took to set her off.

"THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT!" Aqua grabbed him by the shoulders and started shaking him violently, giving Link a feeling of deja vu. "There's no way some slimy frogs are my weakness! I'm a goddess! A GODDESS! What if my followers find out about this!? What if  Hylia  or any of the other gods finds out about this!? I'll never be able to live this down!"

Aqua whined and cried in desperation as she shook the Hylian, rambling statements of denial or pleading to him as if he could do something about it. And Link let it happen, waiting for the goddess to expel her energy and calm down.

It took a few minutes before the exhaustion from crying and screaming caught up to her, to which Aqua lost strength in her legs and would've fallen had Link not caught her and gently lowered her to her knees.

"I'm a goddess... I'm a goddess..." She mumbled over and over again, a dead look in her eyes. "This is a glitch, some kind of prank from Hylia... This can't be right. I'm a goddess..."

Link patted Aqua's shoulder in comfort as he attempted to give her peace of mind. "Sorry, Aqua. I'll make sure to take care of any Giant Toads for us. And I promise I won't mention this to anyone, not even Hylia."

"If she doesn't already know..."

( In a luxurious room, Hylia couldn't stop laughing. )

Aqua looked up at him with big, watery eyes and a warbly mouth.

"*Sniff* You will?"

He nodded, then grinned.

"And on the bright side, this toad is actually our sixth one!" He waved a hand at the mentioned creature.

Aqua blinked, her face then scrunching up in confusion.

"How is that a bright side?"

Link stood back up with the Master Sword.

"Well, the quest only says we have to kill five, so Luna said I can keep any extras to cook myself!"

"Eh?"

Aqua stared incredulously at the Hylian as he turned to the fresh corpse beside them.

"Hm, since I'm gonna have to wash my clothes anyway because of the slime, it shouldn't matter if I get a bit messy to finish this faster." Link mumbled, brandishing his weapon.

Aqua wondered what he was gonna do, only to watch in absolute  horror  as Link mercilessly, and  excitedly , cut apart the remains of the Giant Toad like a complete maniac. His swift slashes with the Master Sword cut clean through flesh, blood spilling all over the grass with even a drop landing on the girl's cheek.

By the end of his 'work,' Aqua was left pale and catatonic as Link moved the mosaically censored guts to the side, having a cheerful and innocent smile that didn't suit the blood splatters all over him. It seemed like nothing was wrong to him as he opened his infinite-spaced satchel and started stuffing chunks of his victim inside, his smile becoming even  wider  when he saw the item opening larger to fit in the bigger pieces.

"L-Link-sama?"

The golden blonde paused his shoving of toad legs into his satchel, glancing over at Aqua curiously at that title, wondering what it meant. 

He saw her kneeling in a rather respectful position on the ground, nervously rubbing her hands together as she stared at him with a tense smile and sweat dripping from her brow.

"I-I just wanna say that you're pretty... cool for a mortal, you know? A-And I'm glad that I'm here with you as your  teammate . Haha..."

Link's bloody expression brightened. How nice of her to say that!

Maybe they can get along after all?

Chapter Text

"Oh! Link, Aqua, you're ba-EEEEEEEK!?!"

Luna didn't know what to expect when the newest adventurers of Axel returned from their first quest, but a terrified, slime-covered Aqua and a happy but  very  bloody Link weren't it.

For a moment, the guild member wondered if their quest had gone horribly wrong, but judging from Link's smile and how he practically glowed as he approached her booth, that wasn't the case.

She was relieved, to say the least, as the blonde had been somewhat nervous about granting Link and Aqua the Giant Toads extermination as their first quest. Usually, adventurers were encouraged to gain a few levels from the beginner quests before moving on to anything higher, but since the two have rather high stats and powerful classes right off the bat, Luna had granted them the quest with the belief that they'd be alright.

But that didn't mean Luna had expected Link to return looking like he had just murdered someone! It still baffled her how Link wasn't  anything  like what she had read about male elves!

Well, except for how...  handsome  he looked.

B-But ignoring that, he was completely covered in blood and slime but didn't look repulsed in the slightest! If he had been like any of the male elves reported in records, he'd probably be frothing by the mouth from the fluids on him!

As Luna recovered from her shock, Link approached her desk with a cheery wave, all while Aqua kept her head down while muttering incoherent things.

"What happened to you two!?" The blonde yelled as she and everyone else stared at the two adventurers leaving behind a trail of slime and blood.

The 'elf' sheepishly smiled.

"A toad caught Aqua by surprise. I was a little late saving her." It was a simple answer that seemed completely truthful from the Link's mouth.

And yet, Luna doubted that was all it was, for she could see how a trembling, downcast Aqua occasionally glanced at him in terror.

"I'm in the world with a psychopath. A psychopath..." She muttered repeatedly.

Luna decided to... wisely ignore her.

"O-Okay? If you're both alright, does that mean you've completed the quest?"

Link energetically nodded at that, once again resembling a child accomplishing a task given to him by his parents. Luna would've thought it adorable had it not been ruined by the blood and slime on him.

"I left the five toads on the fields like the quest said!" He declared.

"I see." Luna smiled, professionally ignoring the smell of slime. "May I see your adventurer card to confirm the kills?"

Link nodded before reaching into one of his pockets and pulling out his card, which... caused some slime to get on it as he extended it to her.

Luna hesitantly took the card between her thumb and index finger, holding it up to see the confirmed kills and their dates.

"A-All appears to be in order." She uttered, quickly handing Link back his card and wiping her hand on her uniform. "Although, I saw seven toads stated instead of the required five. I'm assuming those are the two extras you're keeping for yourself?"

Because before Link had accepted the quest, he had asked Luna if he could kill two extra toads to keep for himself. And the woman knew it was to  eat  them, which was once again baffling in this context.

Male elves usually preferred the finest of meals with the most high-quality ingredients, so it was a shock once more to see one act so excited as to plan to eat toad flesh, even if it was satisfying to the normal person.

...

Actually, she should probably just stop comparing Link to other elves at this point. That'd help her sanity a lot.

"Thank you, Link, Aqua. Clearing away those toads will mean fewer people going missing during the season. We all appreciate it, and I'll be sure to have the staff transport and dismember the toads you've slain for yourself, free of charge."

Link paused, looking momentarily confused, before smiling and shaking his head to deny the assistance.

"Eh? You don't want us to?" Luna questioned. Because why would he refuse free labor to gather his ingredients?

"No, I've already cut and stored them myself, so it's fine."

He what now?

Luna blinked. "You... cut them apart yourself already?"

Another nod.

"Is  that  why you're covered in blood!?" Luna shouted, mouth agape.

Link scratched the back of his head with a chuckle.

"Ah, I tend to be cleaner dismantling monsters, but I decided to be fast so Aqua and I could come back and take a bath."

"And... You've already stored the parts you've dismantled?" Luna asked, earning another nod in return.

The blonde glanced at Aqua again, noticing her shiver while hugging herself. Could the elf have carved apart the toads right in front of her?

She was so confused.

How did Link even transport and store the large toad parts with just him and Aqua? Didn't he just show up in town yesterday!? It usually required a cart and a few people to bring the Giant Toad carcasses in! And adventurers just don't learn how to carve out monsters or animals themselves unless they've lived with a family of butchers or have done it for years!

Wait, there's no doubt that Link wouldn't have been taught how to take apart a corpse in his village, as elves within them tended to strictly stick with their traditions and stayed away from meat, which meant that Link had to have learned the process of dismemberment after being kicked out.

Did... Did that mean that Link had lived so long in the wild that he had to learn how to cut monsters and animals by himself to survive? Was that why he seemed so humble? Why the slime and blood on him didn't faze him whatsoever? Because he's already faced the worst of it all?

Luna turned away with a hand over her mouth, dramatic tears forming in the corner of her closed eyes.

"You poor soul..."

Link merely tilted his head with a question mark popping above him.

Despite completing their first quest, Link couldn't receive the rewards until he and Aqua got clean of slime and blood, which made sense, he supposed. He was also instructed to ensure he and Aqua cleaned themselves off each time they completed a quest before visiting the guild for rewards.

So after a quick stop at the public baths and dealing with some staring from the men stunned at his existence, he and Aqua returned to the guild as the sun went down.

From exterminating the toads, Link and Aqua gained a total of 120,000 eris, 5,000 per Giant Toad, along with the quest completion reward.

Link had stars in his eyes at the sight of the money. 120,000 worth of these bills and coins sounded like a  lot .

But then again, compared to how much he tended to spend at the guild for food, he supposed that 120,000 shouldn't be seen as too much, or so he assumed. Not to mention, he's gonna be splitting these rewards with Aqua too.

He was gonna have to study the currency of the world so he doesn't accidentally mess up with the money he gains...

But on another note-!

"Look, Aqua, I leveled up! I'm level four now!"

Link held his adventurer card forward at the goddess with sparkles twinkling around him, clearly proud of his achievement. He and the girl were seated across from each other in the guild, the commotion of cheering construction workers getting drunk filling the atmosphere. 

But Aqua didn't seem as happy as he was, far from it. She had her head down, shoulders hunched, and her hands on her lap as if trying to look like the smallest thing in the world.

Calling out to her at least prompted a response, but it was only the girl robotically raising her head at him with a tense smile.

"C-Congratulations, Link! You sure are amazing, hohohoho!"

Link lowered his card and raised an eyebrow at her change in character.

"Um... Aqua? Are you okay?"

She flinched.

"I'm okay!? Why wouldn't I be okay!? I-I've got such a powerful mortal, er- hero  with me! One that would  never  hurt me, right!?"

A pause.

"Right?" She squeaked, nervously rubbing her hands together while staring at Link hopefully.

"Of... course?" He answered hesitantly, a little put off by the current her.

Had she gotten  that  freaked out by him cutting the toads right in front of her?

He supposed it wasn't normal to see a monster mutilated right before you... Even Zelda had looked rather queasy the first time he had cut apart a bear for them to eat.

He could only hope that Aqua would understand that he'd never hurt her and return to her old self. He certainly didn't want her to be  afraid  of him the entire time they were here.

"H-Hey Link?" She spoke up, sweat trailing down the side of her head.

"Hm?"

"How about we recruit more teammates!?" She quickly spoke.

The young hero's eyes brightened.

"Teammates?"

"Yeah!" Aqua responded, keeping her strained expression as she did so. "You know? Recruiting party members to help us take down the demon king! And... to protect me from psychopaths..."

"What was that last part?"

She stiffened. "N-Nothing! So what do you think!?"

Link hummed and rubbed his chin in thought. The idea hadn't come to him at all, if he was being honest. After all, despite having received the help of so many people on his quest to save Hyrule, he hadn't actually had anyone  stay  with him throughout his journey like a 'party member' would.

The constant company would be a nice change of pace for him rather than heading everywhere alone again.

"I'd love to, Aqua." He smiled, only for a sudden thought to make it fall. "But would people really join a party of new adventurers like you and me?"

"We would!!!"

He and Aqua jumped as two different girls, the elf Rangers that had offered Link lodging before, suddenly appeared at their table with their hands raised in excitement, both staring at Link rather intently.

A moment of silence carried over.

Then, before Link could get a word in, Aqua stood up and slammed her hands on the table, giving the girls the stink-eye.

"GET OUT OF HERE, YOU HUSSIES!"

The girls shrieked before suddenly dashing away, leaving dust clouds of their figures behind.

Link turned to Aqua in confusion.

"Didn't you  just  talk about recruiting others?"

"Not them! Not those harpies!" She hissed, suddenly having regained most of her usual demeanor.

"Why not? And what's a harpy?"

Rather than answer him, Aqua stood up straight and jabbed a thumb at herself, puffing out her chest proudly with a haughty attitude.

"You just leave the recruiting to me! I'm an Arch Priest, after all! I'll have the best adventurers in town lining up for me in no time! We can't have others slowing us down!"

Link was unsure about leaving things to the goddess but decided not to argue with her. She  does  know a lot more about the world than him, even if that seemed somewhat contrasting with her attitude. And at least she already has an apparent idea of what to do.

And as if to end their conversation, Link's stomach growled, prompting the Sword Master to look down.

"Let's order some food."

"Hey! What about my share of the quest reward!?" Aqua snapped, only now realizing she hadn't received it because of her momentary fear of Link.

"Oh, sorry." Link reached to the side, grabbed one of two bags of eris, and handed it to her. "I had it split-"

He didn't even finish before Aqua suddenly snatched the bag out of his hand at lightning speed.

Wow,  rude .

After eating a delicious meal of fried toad that Link was  definitely  gonna improve, Aqua disappeared somewhere with her money and came back later with... a bottle of wine.

...

Hopefully, this won't be a pattern.

And as the goddess got drunk and complained to him about worshiping her, Link took the time to study his adventurer card again.

He leveled up four times! He really does get stronger by killing monsters! Although, only one of his stats had actually gone up from the levels, much to his disappointment. But Link supposed that already having such high stats meant it'll be much harder for him to gain more.

And by leveling up he got... wait, why does he have so many skill points!? How did he not notice this yesterday!?

"Aqua?" Link looked up from his card only to see the drunk goddess passed out across from him, a dopey smile on her face as she drooled on the table.

"Nevermind..." Link turned his head and signaled one of the waitresses passing by, the short-haired blonde he had encountered the first time he had entered the guild. The girl walked over to him while carrying a tray of drinks, somewhat swaying her hips as she did.

"What can I get you, cutie?" She winked.

Whether he wasn't fazed by her flirting or even noticed, Link held his adventurer card up to her in curiosity.

"Is it normal to have this many skill points?"

The waitress blinked in surprise before smiling softly.

"Guess Luna didn't mention it to you. When someone picks up an advanced class, they also get a ton of bonus skill points to use. You also gain the benefit of reducing the costs of skills affiliated with your class. That'll allow you to access more powerful skills much easier, so everyone tends to try and get an advanced class as soon as possible."

"Oooooooh." Link nodded in understanding. "Can you also tell me more about skills themselves?"

"You're wondering what to choose?" The waitress hummed. "Well, to keep it straight with you, you should just go over your options and get the skills you'll use a lot. Most newbie adventurers have to be careful of what to get and try to preserve their skill points for more expensive skills, but since you're an advanced class, you can just choose what to get right from the start because of the cost reduction and bonus points."

She raised an instructive finger as she kept going.

"A number of skill options regarding your class are revealed to you depending on your proficiency and aptitude with your class itself, but any others are locked away with their descriptions hidden. You'll either have to gain more proficiency with your class to unlock their information or gamble with your points to unlock and receive those skills. Locked skills usually involve things you're somewhat familiar with but don't completely understand."

The waitress put her hand to her hip, smiling.

"And sometimes, you can even get skills outside of your class. But keep in mind that those will cost  more  skill points than they'd normally would and won't be as effective as if you had them with the class they correspond to. Not only that, but for an adventurer to gain access to a skill outside their class in the first place, they'd need a ton of knowledge, experience, and overall proficiency regarding the matter relating to the skill. So a Thief class would need to practice for about a year with the sword to gain access to a Sword Fighter skill, something like that. The only exception is the basic Adventurer class, which can learn practically any skill regardless of background as long as someone teaches the person how to use it. But again, this is still at the cost of more skill points while being less effective than the originals."

Link listened to every word in wonder, learning so much from the girl, with questions popping up.

"But won't everyone who has the same class also have the same skills? Couldn't they just compare adventurer cards to figure out the locked ones?"

The waitress chuckled. "You'd think so, but that actually isn't the case. People of the same class tend to have many of the same skills, but the same is true that they tend to have plenty of different ones still in that same class. Some people just don't have the ability to learn certain skills. Everyone's different, after all."

She looked up in thought.

"Like... Rune of Saber! It's a skill of the Sword Master class, but not all Sword Masters can learn it because that skill also uses Magic Power. But for someone like you who doesn't have much magic, it most likely won't appear on your card."

Oooooh, so in the end, it all still came back to a person's proficiency with certain things?

"I see..." Link mumbled, feeling a bit enlightened.

The waitress slightly bent down and pointed at a part of his adventurer card.

"You can see what skills you have access to right there."

Link zoned into where she was pointing and saw a small box of skills.

"There's not a lot..." He mumbled, evidently disappointed.

The waitress giggled before cupping a hand to her mouth and whispering in his ear.

"Scroll down."

Link brightened up and did just that, flicking downward and revealing many skills available to him, with not too many locked away.

"Ara?" The waitress's flirty demeanor gave way to surprise. "Wow, you have almost all of your class skills revealed to you. You must've used a sword for quite a long time."

Oh she has no idea...

"And you even have access to quite a few skills outside of the Sword Master class. I've never seen that in a class that wasn't Adventurer, even in advanced classes. You must've tried so many things before coming here."

Well, Link  had  trained for knighthood starting from a young age, and he's learned to pick up quite a few skills,  pun intended , along the way. And most had been things he's continually practiced over the years.

But to think that his delves into other activities have carried into skills for him!

"Thank you for the help!" Link gave the waitress a bright smile.

She returned it with her own. "Anytime, cutie. Just be careful choosing your skills. You can't unlearn them and refund the points no matter what."

The waitress sent him one last wink before strolling away, purposely swaying her hips as she left.

But Link didn't have time for hips! He had  skills  to learn!

So the Hylian immediately dove into his adventurer card and closely examined his potential skills, slowly scrolling down the list.

He first decided to look at the skills he could get outside of his class, actually feeling a bit more excited about the prospect of getting something you normally wouldn't be able to.

Let's see... Horseback Riding, Side Slash... Mixing? What does that...?

Mixing:  Improves the quality of potions made by the user.

Potions? Are they similar to the elixirs he's learned to make in Hyrule? Is that why he has access to this skill? 

Hm... While the skill seemed tempting to get, Link decided to hold off on deciding until he actually looked into these 'potions.' It'll be something to keep in mind.

He has to be careful about what skills to get, after all.

Alright, next is... Cook!?

Cook:  The user gets better at cooking.

Yes, please!

Link tapped his card without hesitation, and a familiar warmth pulsed within him, making him grin. He couldn't wait to put his cooking into practice here!

Moving on... he has the option of some Thief skills? Hold on, an Assassin one too!?

Lurk:  Reduces the user's visibility and scent to allow them to sneak around.

Deadly BackStab:  While the user is unseen and undetected, this move can one-shot an enemy from behind.

Link knew that Lurk must've come from all the teachings from the illusive Sheikah as part of his training as the chosen hero. And as for Deadly BackStab, it must've come from all the times he's snuck up on unsuspecting monsters and cut them down in a single strike.

It's just like the nice waitress said! His previous experiences are giving him access to these skills! 

It didn't take much for Link to choose both skills to learn, as both would be  very  useful against monsters. He remembers many times when he's taken out silver Moblins by sneaking up on them so that the Bokoblins with them would be much easier to take down.

Moving down the rest of the list, Link didn't find any more skills that stuck out to him as 'must haves.' Sure, there was Lockpick, which allowed him to pick locks (no doubt from all the chest's he's learned to open during his journey), and other skills that sounded useful, but he didn't know how useful they'd be for  him . He didn't want to get a skill only to never really use it; it'd just be a waste of points.

In the end, Link chose one more skill outside his class.

Parry:  Using a shield, the user can repel a melee attack and create distance from opponents. Can also be used to redirect projectiles.

Link smiled, satisfied as he felt the warmth of this new skill establishing itself in his body.

But his expression then shifted into a look of shock, for immediately after receiving the Parry skill,  another  skill suddenly developed on his card.

Perfect Guard:  If the user performs a Parry with perfect timing, they will break their enemy's stance to allow a counterattack. Can also be used to deflect projectiles back at the sender.

-Activation Requirements: User must perform a Parry immediately before an attack or projectile hits.

What!? Is this another skill unique to himself!? Was it because he got the Parry skill? Had it been some sort of prerequisite he had needed for Perfect Guard!?

And this skill itself... He could only have gotten it because-

Link stilled, his eyes dulling as the sounds of a familiar piano theme echoed in his memories.

It's probably better not to think about how many Guardian beams he's had to reflect.

Thank you, Mipha, for your grace. It had been a  literal  lifesaver so many times.

"Link!"

The Hylian was brought out of his card to the now-awake, but still-drunk, Aqua. 

"*Hiccup!* Buy me shome more wine!" She commanded, eyes droopy as she slammed the bottom of her empty bottle on the table.

Link frowned.

"Do you not have the money that I just split with you?"

"I *hiccup!* ran out!"

His expression blanched.

Don't tell him she spent  all  her money on that one bottle of wine!?

...

"Aqua?"

"*Hiccup!* What!?"

"I don't think I'm ever gonna lend you money..."

"WHY!?"

With how late it had gotten due to Link trying to explain to a drunk and angry Aqua how to use money, the former had held off on choosing the rest of his skills until the next day.

And he had plenty of time to do when the two returned to the guild in the morning, for this was when the goddess decided to enact her recruitment plan. 

Said plan consisted of simply posting a hand-designed offer on the quest board before waiting with Link for people to start showing up.

So in the meantime, Link looked over the skills of the Sword Master class and took the time to choose a few more to add to his arsenal.

Swift:  Gives a burst of speed that lasts as long as the user keeps moving. Continuously uses Mana while in use.

Combat Awareness:  The user's senses are sharpened to make them more aware of their surroundings.

Sword Expertise:  An expert of the sword, all attacks with the blade deal more damage.

Sacred Blade:  The user performs a powerful slash attack with their sword. Skills and stat changes from those struck don't affect the damage inflicted by this move.

He decided to stop at the two Advanced skills he got, Sword Expertise and Sacred Sword, to let himself better understand them firsthand before getting more in the future.

Sure, Link still had a decent amount of skill points left over, but he should probably wait to spend those until more skills are unlocked and revealed to him.

Overall, the Hylian felt pretty good about his chosen skills, as each had the potential to make his fighting style even better. Not only that, but Swift and Combat Awareness would not only help him take care of threats himself but also help him protect Aqua while doing so. 

"Nobody's coming."

"Hm?"

Link looked up from his adventurer card to the goddess, who stared ahead at the quest board with a small frown.

"Nobody's coming." She repeated, now glaring at how two muscled men took a look at their request before simply walking away.

"Hm." Link hummed as he put his card away. "What did you put on that paper?"

Aqua turned to him with a neutral expression.

"Advanced classes only."

Link frowned.

"Um, Aqua? Isn't that a little too strict? Anyone should be fine, right?"

A few female adventurers in the room perked their heads in hope.

But the goddess pouted.

"NO! We need strong party members if we wanna defeat the demon king! I don't want weak people! We already have you and me, so we just need a few more advanced classes before storming his castle so I can go home!"

Ah, so she just wants to return to heaven as soon as possible? Well, it's not like Link doesn't understand, however...

"But Aqua, this is a beginner town, right? How many people here actually have Advanced classes?"

Aqua turned somewhat red at his logical question.

"Sh-Shut up! There should be some here somewhere! We just have to wait until they notice I'm an Arch Priest! Then they'll be begging to join us!"

Link decided to just take her word for it and turn away, placing his head in his hand as his eyes glimpsed around the room for anything interesting.

He first noticed that the waitresses would occasionally glance at him before quickly looking away. Guess that the excitement around him and Aqua hasn't gone away yet.

The next thing he paid attention to was the large monster skeleton hanging above as a decoration for the guild.

And the last thing of notice to him was the girl glaring at him from behind one of the guild's pillars.

...

Wait, what?

Link blinked a few times as he registered that, yes, someone was glaring at him from afar. It was an evidently short girl; one with black hair, a black witch's hat, and a single crimson eye due to the other being covered by an eyepatch.

"Jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii." She stared.

He couldn't see the rest of the girl because she was hiding behind the pillar, but what he  could  see was the disdain on her face.

Not exactly sure what to do, Link hesitantly raised his hand and gave the girl a small wave, hoping it'd at least be a start to finding the issue.

Noticing Link's gaze elsewhere, Aqua turned her head and saw the girl, to which she narrowed her eyes.

"A child?"

The girl's eye twitched before she stepped out from behind the pillar, revealing the rest of her attire.

She wore a red dress that of a mage, complemented by her black cloak and brown leather boots. Along with this, one of her legs had bandages wrapped around it while the other had a thigh-high stocking, and to finish her outfit off, she had on fingerless gloves holding a wooden magic staff.

The girl stood confidently as she marched for their table, trying to look taller than she was as to not show weakness before stopping before them.

"I have happened to notice your recruitment poster." The girl formed a confident smile while pointing her staff at them. "That we would meet is a fate chosen by the world itself. I have anxiously awaited the arrival of those such as yourselves." 

Link stared as the girl made a dramatic pose, finding himself oddly transfixed at the sight, especially by how she moved her fingers over her glowing red eye. 

"My name is Megumin! My calling is that of an Arch Wizard, one who controls Explosion magic, the strongest of all magic!"

Link's pupils dilated like a cat.

Explosion magic!? That's a thing!? That sounds SO COOL!

He's always enjoyed using large explosives, not including the practical ones like those from the Shiekah slate. Whether to take out large groups of enemies or launch himself across the air while on something, explosions have always had a special place in his heart.

They're just  so  satisfying to make!

So he gave Megumin a small applause at her exclamation, which actually caught the girl by surprise, pausing her theatrics while earning him a flat look from Aqua.

"I-I see you recognize my superiority!" Megumin briefly stammered, unable to stop the giddy smile that formed as she regained her flare.

"Do you, too, desire my forbidden strength, which is so almighty, that I've been ostracized by the entire world?"

Link rapidly nodded with an increasingly widening smile while Aqua continued to deadpan.

His answer seemed to fuel the girl's passion even more, for her smile had changed into a giddy grin as her poses became even more dramatic.

"Then show me thine resolve to peer into the ultimate abyss with me! For when man stares into the abyss, the abyss stares back!" Megumin finished at a high volume with her hand pointing at them in a reaching motion, proud and satisfied.

"I'd love to!!" Link beamed. He didn't really know what she meant by peering into an 'abyss,' but it meant getting her to join their party, then he'd look into it with her!

"Thank you!! It's no surprise that-! W-Wait, this wasn't how this was supposed to go!" 

Megumin suddenly broke all character as she stomped her foot on the ground, her face flushing red as she glared rather cutely at Link.

For the most part, the Hylian was simply confused at her sudden change, his delight turning to perplexity.

"Didn't you come to join our party?"

"No! I mean, yes! I mean-!" The girl looked somewhat embarrassed as she clutched her staff with a groan.

"That red eye..." Aqua spoke up with a flash of realization. "Are you a Crimson Demon?"

Megumin paused briefly before all her fluster was gone and she was back in character, fanning her black cape back.

"Indeed! I am Megumin, user of the finest magic Crimson Demons possess! My lethal magic demolishes mountains, smashes... boulders..."

Link's eyes turned sharp as he noticed Megumin stumble with half-closed eyes; he then moved in a flash when she started falling forward, catching her in his arms before she could hit the ground.

"Are you alright?" He asked earnestly, lowering her and himself so they were crouched on the ground.

As if to answer his question, a loud growl came from Megumin's stomach.

The girl weakly raised her head with empty eyes and heavy breaths.

"I haven't eaten anything in three days. Do you have anything I could eat?"

Link hissed through his teeth. He could barely imagine himself not eating for  one  day. So he gave the girl a nod before turning his head and motioning a hand at another waitress, this one with short brown hair and green eyes.

"Is she alright?" The woman asked as she approached.

"Just malnourished. Could you bring her something light to start off with?"

"I'll see what I can do." The waitress nodded, then turned around and went towards the kitchen.

Link then supported Megumin before gently moving her to the table with him and Aqua, who glared angrily at how knight-like he treated her.

"They'll bring you something in a bit." Link reassured, releasing the girl when she was seated.

"Hah... Hah... Thank you... Wait, no!"

The girl regained some of her theatrical flare as she forcefully stood back up and pointed directly at Link.

"Your trying to catch me off guard, I won't let you!"

Eh?

Link's face scrunched up as Megumin pointed her staff at him despite looking strained from her hunger.

"Male elf of the woodland, I challenge thee to a magic duel to prove the superior might of the Crimson Demons!"

Link wondered if he had heard that right.

"A duel?"

"Indeed!" Megumin exaggeratedly spun her staff. "A duel where the two of us will demonstrate our raw power through our strongest spells, the victor being the one who provides the most marvelous spectacle! And the defeated will be proved of their inferiority while buying the winner's meals for a month!"

She stopped spinning her weapon and pointed it at Link once more.

"So, will you accept and allow me to trample upon your honor?" She goaded.

Link stared at Megumin blankly before turning to Aqua, his look of confusion asking the unsaid question.

The goddess sighed.

"Crimson Demons are born with high Intelligence and high Magic Power, so they're generally magic experts." She narrowed her eyes. "And all have weird names."

"Hey!" Megumin whined, only to get ignored.

"Okay, but what's her problem with me?" Link whispered.

"Crimson Demons and male elves have a history of butting heads with each other." Aqua deadpanned. "Both of them have similar talents relating to magic. But with the Crimson Demons' chuunibyou tendencies and the male elves' arrogance, they tend to fight, mostly through pointless duels. Sometimes the male elves even seek them out themselves to fight."

"..."

"What's a chuunibyou?"

"Ugh, never mind that!" Aqua snapped. "Point is, the two mix like priests and the undead! Okay!?"

Having a good understanding of the issue now, Link turned back to an impatient Megumin, who started posing once more when his sight was on her.

"So, my mortal nemesis of the Crimson Demons! What is your-?"

"I refuse."

"ACK!" Megumin would've fallen over again in pure shock had she not used her staff her keep herself upright.

She caught herself and looked at Link with dumbfounded eyes, completely breaking character.

"Wh-Why!? Don't you care about your honor or whatever you guys always say!?"

There are a few reasons why, actually. For one, Link  hated  duels of any kind that wasn't just friendly sparring, as he's had plenty of moments where the more arrogant knights of Hyrule castle had challenged him to prove themselves more worthy of being Zelda's protector. It had been such a hassle constantly going through that.

And as for the more obvious reason...

"I can't use magic."

"Eh?" 

The girl's face completely blanched.

"Wh-What do you mean you don't use magic!? Don't lie to me!"

"I'm not lying. My magic stat is below average, so I can't really learn any spells, and my Mana is only average. I'm actually a Sword Master class." Link confessed honestly.

Megumin was unable to believe her ears, having gone completely still.

"But... But when I showed up here the other day, the big-boobed lady said there was someone with even more magic power than me." 

Link simply pointed his thumb at Aqua, who looked rather smug.

"That was Aqua, but she's an Arch Priest, so I don't think you'd get a duel from her either."

Megumin stood absolutely frozen, and you could practically see the math symbols floating around her head as she tried to understand what was happening.

"But... you're a male elf, aren't you?" She whimpered.

Link shook his head. "Not really." 

He was a Hylian, after all.

"Poor guy doesn't even consider himself an elf anymore since he got kicked out of his village..." One of the eavesdropping adventurers sighed in sympathy.

"And now that girly is rubbing it in his face with a duel he can't win to exploit him..." One of the waitresses muttered.

"How cruel..." A third whispered.

By now, Megumin's entire face turned tomato red as she heard the whispers in the room; her mouth trembling out of mortification.

She's never felt more embarrassed in her life. She had simply been angry about when she had shown up to Axel, because she had wanted to make an explosive entrance through the impressive magic stat of her race, only to learn that someone with higher Magic Power had taken that glory from her. And after learning that a  male  elf was in town, she was so sure that he was the guy that did it! A person part of her clan's hardly seen, yet still most annoying, rivals!

She had just wanted to show him up. To prove their differences in raw power after tricking him into accepting a one-move duel so she could use Explosion to leave him speechless while getting free meals for a month!

But he doesn't even use magic!? He doesn't even  have  magic!?

And thinking about it now, the guy hadn't even been mean to her! He didn't call her weird like others did about her name and had even  clapped  for her! He had shown her goodwill, helping her up while sending someone to get food for her, and she had retorted with hostility because he was a male elf.

Feeling completely ashamed as her weakened body reached its limit, Megumin's knees hit the floor and her head flumped to the ground, placing her into a makeshift bow.

So out of her weakened body and humiliation, Megumin's knees hit the floor, and her head flumped on the ground as she got into a deep bow.

"I'm very sorry for saying some rude things..." She expressed in a regretful voice.

Aqua snickered while Link awkwardly chuckled.

"Um, it's okay?"

"..."

"Do you... still want to join our party?"

"Yes please..."

"..."

"Um... You can get up now."

...

"I can't..."

"Oh."

As Megumin scarfed down plates of food like her life depended on it, Link and Aqua took a look at her adventurer card.

"Yup, adventurer cards can't be forged. This girl's an Arch Wizard for sure." The goddess smiled, proud that her recruitment had gained them someone so strong. "It's an advanced job that uses powerful offensive magic. And if she can really use Explosion magic, then that's amazing! It's the most advanced magic there is!"

Link repeatedly nodded with a smile, pretty excited at their new member.

Megumin took a large bite of her food before frowning at Aqua.

"Mm! Moi! Don't carll me 'thish girl' or 'she!'" She then swallowed. "I have a name! Megumin! Me-gu-min! And don't think that I didn't hear you call my name weird earlier! That's rude! From my point of view, it's everyone else who has a weird name!"

Aqua just gave her a flat look.

"What are your parent's names?"

Megumin dropped her utensils and stood up, posing with crossed arms and open hands.

"My mother is Yuiyui and my father is Hyoizaburo!" She declared proudly.

Aqua snorted into her hand while Link simply hummed.

"Sounds normal to me."

The goddess sharply turned to him incredulously while Megumin looked overjoyed.

"Really!?" The latter asked, her face reaching halfway across the table with glimmering eyes.

Link nodded, not really thinking much of it. He's already heard plenty of unique names in Hyrule, after all, including the names of all the different monks in the shrines, from Shae Katha to Ketoh Wawai. Megumin's name didn't sound much different, nor did her parents' own. If anything, their names gave Link a sense of nostalgia, as they reminded him of all the names of all the people he's met during his first journey.

"What's the matter with you!?" Aqua's cry cut him from his thoughts. "Ever since this little girl showed up it's like you've been all over her!"

Megumin looked scandalized. "Little girl-!?"

"You even clapped for her! Why haven't you clapped or praised me for any of my amazing feats!?" Aqua fumed.

Link innocently tilted his head.

"What amazing feats?"

"GAH!"

His question had been asked without any ill intent, yet it was a gut punch to Aqua's self-esteem, and the girl visibly recoiled from it.

She then became teary-eyed as her cheeks puffed out into a large pout.

"You idiot! How could you get excited about this little girl but not me!? Are you actually a lolicon!? You're a lolicon, aren't you!?"

"I'm not a little girl!" Megumin snapped, her fist hitting the table.

As for Link, his innocent expression hadn't changed.

"What's a lolicon?"

There was an interesting pause of silence.

Megumin stared at him in bewilderment while Aqua's expression turned blank.

The goddess then hung her head in defeat as she slouched, grumbling to herself before clutching her skull. This turned into her pulling her hair in frustration as her grumbles became louder until she finally jerked her head up with a cry of suffering.

"You're so FRUSTRATING!"

She then slammed her head on the table, letting it stay there as she whimpered loudly.

Link stared concernedly at the now motionless goddess, wondering what he had done wrong. Megumin, in the meantime, had a smug grin on her, enjoying the bluenette's misery after she had been practically insulting her the whole time.

"Um... Aqua?"

All he got was more whining.

"Lady Aqua? I don't know what I did wrong, but... I'm sorry?"

No movement.

"I'll buy you some wine later?"

At that, Aqua grew silent before weakly turning her head, revealing a cute pout with teary eyes.

"Promise?" She sniveled.

"Promise." Link nodded, trying to give her the most reassuring smile he could.

It seemed enough to quell Aqua, who raised her head off the table with a few grumbles but otherwise seemed to mellow down.

Link then turned back to the other girl at the table.

"Well, Megumin. My name is Link, and this is Aqua. Thank you for joining our party."

Megumin smiled even as she embarrassingly turned her head away.

"Thank you for accepting me even after *ahem* before."

Link lightheartedly chuckled.

"Think nothing of it. But do you wanna come with us on another quest to kill Giant Toads? Aqua and I just finished killing some yesterday, but they seem common this season."

He  really  wanted to see her Explosion magic, after all.

Link missed how Aqua shuddered at the mention of toads, but Megumin didn't. And feeling a bit petty, she formed a sinister smile.

"Why I'd  love  to, Link!" She then struck a pose, holding her staff up while her single eye glowed. "I will be sure to show you the beauty that is Explosion magic!"

Seeing her eye shine red drew Link's attention to her covered one.

"By the way, is your eye okay? If it's hurt, I'm sure Aqua can heal you."

Megumin blinked in confusion before her singular eye lit up. She then stood up from her seat and shifted into character once more.

"This is the magic item that suppresses my mighty magical powers!" She made a clawing motion over her eye patch. "If I were to ever take this off, a great catastrophe would surely befall this world!"

Link flinched, flashes of Calamity Ganon roaring going through his mind. 

"Really?"

Noticing his discomfort and fearing rejection because of it, Megumin once again broke character as she started flailing her arms in panic.

"Wait no! That's a lie! I just wear it for the looks! I swear!"

Link's expression morphed into bewilderment.

"But... why lie about that?"

Megumin sheepishly rubbed her staff as she looked down.

"It makes me feel cool..."

"..."

Link opened his mouth to say something, only to close it and look down as he rubbed his chin in thought.

After thinking for a moment, he shrugged.

"Make's sense to me."

Megumin's face flashed with surprise.

Her mouth then opened into a look of pure joy.

It took about an hour's walk for the trio of adventurers to make it just out of town to the fields where the Giant Toads frolicked.

And for the entire time, Megumin couldn't stop smiling. 

Out of anyone who wasn't a Crimson Demon to appreciate her craft, it was a  male elf , the very kind her race never got along with!

He hadn't called her name weird or laughed at her for her passionate speech! Instead, he had actually  applauded  her!

To think, the male elf she had initially decided to trick and humiliate with her Explosion magic would be the one to understand her!

Was this what Soketto had meant when she had read her fortune!? That after enduring all the hardships she went through, she'd encounter wonderful new friends!? After all the times she had gotten kicked out of parties because of her single-use magic, now she had found someone to stick by her side!?

But... after figuring out the downside of her magic... wouldn't he change his mind about her?

Megumin rapidly shook her head to get the thought out.

No! Link will  beg  her to stay in his party as soon as she shows him how incredible and magnifique her Explosion magic is!

He has to!

He has to...

"Megumin?"

The girl was pulled from her thoughts as she turned to the elf she had just been thinking about, catching the excitement in his eyes.

It filled her with confidence.

"There's a Giant Toad right over there." He pointed with his sword, a rather unique-looking one now that she was looking at it. "Are you gonna use your Explosion magic on it?"

He sounded so  hopeful . And as a proud member of the Crimson Demons, it'd be an insult to disappoint his expectations!

"But of course! This distance is perfect to safely observe the spectacle soon to be!" She gave a dramatic wave of her cloak. "However, Explosion magic is the strongest magic there is, so that also means it takes time to prepare." 

She pointed her staff at the purple Giant Toad in the distance.

"Please keep that frog at bay until my preparations are complete."

Link nodded in understanding, getting into a fighting stance as he prepared to charge forward and distract the toad.

However, his new intermediate skill, Combat Awareness, let him pick up on vibrations from the ground, which cued him to turn around and catch sight of another toad, a white one, hopping towards them from afar.

Aqua noticed the toad as it got closer and screamed. "Link, there's another one over there!"

"I see it."

He glanced back at the first toad farther away, only to see it still not moving.

Nodding to himself with a quick plan, he turned to Megumin.

"Blow up the farther one, Aqua and I will take care of this one."

At his simple but clear instructions, the Arch Wizard grinned and firmly gripped her staff.

"Understood! Just be sure not to miss the glorious spectacle!"

Link smiled at Megumin's enthusiasm, then turned to his other companion.

Only to pause when he saw how nervous the goddess looked as she hugged her... staff? Wait. Where did she even get that?

Ignoring his questions for his concern, Link called out to her.

"Aqua?"

The goddess flinched before turning to him with a nervous smile.

"U-Um, Link! You got this, right? I-I'll just... support you from afar!"

Ah, is she scared of the Giant Toads now that she knows she's ineffective against them?

Oof.

Link gave her a reassuring nod.

"Stick close to Megumin. I'll be back."

He briefly saw the goddess relax as he took off across the field, Master Sword reflecting brightly under the sun. 

He was so eager to test out his new skills!

Okay, if he remembered correctly, one of them is verbally activated, so...

"Swift."

The effects were immediate. It was as if Link's entire body lightened in weight, making the Hylian grin excitedly as he practically  flew  across the grass. He had thought the sudden burst of speed would be awkward to adjust to, but it surprisingly felt so natural to him.

This was so cool! He felt even faster than all the times he had drunken speed-enhancing elixirs!

As Link quickly approached the toad, he firmly gripped the Master Sword in his hands.

Now it was time for his cool-sounding Advanced skill!

He took a deep breath and focused, mentally commanding his needed power to emerge. He felt his Mana getting taken and absorbed into the Master Sword, the powerful blade covered in luminous blue before it started  growing  in size.

Link grinned as he felt his weapon shake in his hands from the raw power within it, winding up as he reached the now-landing Giant Toad in the short time he's run.

At the last second, Link slightly bent his knees and leaped right for the monster.

"Sacred Sword!"

The moment Link swung his blade, a giant arch of blue energy exploded, completely engulfing the Giant Toad that had just noticed him.

Light blinded the area as a powerful shockwave kicked up, sending torrents of wind in every direction.

This wind lasted for several seconds before the power pulsing in the area slowly began to die down, the blinding blue light dimming with it.

As visibility returned, the first thing seen through the remaining clouds of dust was a giant dirt patch where the Giant Toad had been, with no trace of the monster left behind.

What was revealed next was Link standing on his feet right before the patch of dirt. His mouth was wide open, with his pupils replaced with stars at his raised weapon, in complete awe at what he had just done. 

Advanced skills are so cool!

Although, he could feel the large chunk Mana it took from him... he should probably be careful about that.

Link was cut from his trance as he felt the wind pick up and blow his bangs.

He turned his head, eyes widening at seeing the crystal in Megumin's lifted staff drawing dark blue Mana into it. The girl's cloak flowed in the wind as her determined eyes shone brighter red. Aqua stood beside her, also staring at the accumulating Mana in unease as she started scooting away from the Arch Wizard as if touching her would blow them all up.

"Darkness blacker than black and darker than dark, I beseech thee, combine with my deep crimson."

Megumin's tone was powerful, with Mana and wind spiraling into her staff like a black hole absorbing all.

"The time of awakening cometh. Justice, fallen upon the infallible boundary, appear now as an intangible distortion."

The atmosphere darkened as her power increased in intensity, as did her voice.

"Dance, dance, dance! I desire for my torrent of power a destructive force; a destructive force without equal!"

A whirlpool of wind and Mana circled above the purple Giant Toad on the field, the monster staring up cluelessly at what was happening.

"Return all creation to cinders, and come from the abyss!"

The whirlpool violently spun in chaos as bright particles flashed.

"This is the mightiest means of attack known to man, the ultimate attack magic!"

Megumin pointed her staff forward, eyes reflecting the brilliant spectacle.

"EXPLOOOOOOOSION!!!

Her staff flashed in vibrant color and triggered the giant accumulation of Mana to collapse on itself, creating a chain reaction of several flashes before all combining right on the toad, completing one giant detonation that erupted into the sky.

A shockwave bigger than anything Link had ever felt shook him to his very bones. The Hylian was forced to stand his ground and cover his eyes as the bright flash and powerful winds swept past him, the shaking world attempting to knock him off his feet but unsuccessful. 

As light and smoke dimmed after the initial blast, it was revealed that  nothing  was left. The Giant Toad had all but been wiped out of existence, only leaving behind a massively scorched crater over three times its size.

Link lowered his arm and stared at the sight ahead of him, eyes enlarged and mouth wide open in stunned stupefaction.

This... is magic? This is what magic can do?

All of this power? All this  annihilation?  A power able to take out a small village on just a whim!?

He lowered his head, body shaking.

Megumin's magic was dangerous on so many levels. 

It's too destructive.

It's too merciless.

It's too...

Too...

COOL!

Link's head shot up as he trembled in excitement, his childish smile fluttering.

He's never seen an explosion as large or powerful as that before! And this was only just one spell!?

A part of Link almost felt disappointed that he wasn't an Arch Wizard, because being able to do  this  was just awesome!

"Ha ha..." Megumin panted from afar, having fallen facefirst to the ground with her staff and hat to the side.

She turned her head in Link's direction, a big smile on her otherwise strained face.

"W-Well, Link!? Was my overwhelming magical power to your expectations!?" She shouted as best as she could, craving the awe she wanted towards her.

And she got it in the form of a brilliant grin and thumbs up given to her from afar, which she used the rest of her strength to weakly return.

As for Aqua, the goddess was on her knees, her jaw locked open with lifeless eyes, the utter devastation from Megumin's spell making her shake.

"I-I'm surrounded by psychopaths." She uttered with a strangled voice.

The image of Link gutting Giant Toads and Megumin's sinister smile with her explosion flashed through her mind.

"Psy-Psy- Psychopaths !" She trembled.

She was gonna die here, wasn't she?

And as if on cue, the sound of rumbling came from the earth, the ground shifting and crumbling right behind Aqua, with beady eyes popping up from the dirt.

Link's eyes widened as he saw a new Giant Toad rise from the ground behind the goddess, and he immediately bolted towards her.

"Aqua!!" He called out.

"Eh?" The blue-haired girl saw a shadow loom over her, to which she stiffened. She then robotically turned her sweating face around and looked up at the Giant Toad that had appeared.

"Eh!? EHHHHHH!? NO! NOT AGAI-!"

*Nom!*

The Giant Toad chomped down on Aqua's upper half before she could start crying, then raised its head upward to start swallowing her.

"Swift!"

But Link dashed to the scene in a fit of speed, leaping right by the toad's head with a slash of his sword, then landing behind it in a still crouch.

For a moment, it seemed like nothing had happened. But then a thin red line formed on the Giant Toad's neck before its head slid clean off, Aqua falling with it.

"Oooh, nice." Megumin praised from the ground, pretty impressed by the theatric pause before the slash's results.

Link turned around while flicking the toad's blood off the Master Sword, then sheathed his weapon before rushing to the monster's head on the ground, finding only Aqua's legs sticking out.

"Aqua?"

The response he got was a muffled scream and flailing legs.

The Hylian crouched down and pried the dead toad's mouth open, then yanking Aqua out of it.

The goddess fell on her back, covered in toad slime once more. Her face was teary, and her cheeks swelled as small whines came from her.

Link sighed, already knowing what was coming.

"WAAAAAAH!!" Aqua wailed into the sky with shut eyes, feeling the slime getting under her clothes. "I stink! I feel so slimy! I hate Giant Toads! I hate being here! I should be getting spoiled and praised by everyone like the goddess I am, not fighting monsters and getting covered in slime!! Screw that fetish!"

Link silently crouched beside Aqua as he gently lifted her into a sitting position, where he then proceeded to softly rub circles on her back as she continuously wiped her eyes of accumulating tears.

Prone not too far away from them, Megumin raised an eyebrow.

"Goddess?"

The young man turned in her direction with a shake of his head, which she understood as him telling her not to think much of it.

And of course, Megumin didn't, because a person self-proclaiming themselves as a goddess is someone she one-hundred percent shouldn't take seriously.

Aqua's cries continued to be the only sound in the area for about a minute, slowly calming down thanks to the gentle and warm circles around her back.

When her wails turned to sniffles, that was when Link stopped and gave her a reassuring pat on her shoulder.

"We'll get you cleaned up when we get back. Then I'll get you that wine I promised, okay?"

The goddess weakly looked up at his face with watery eyes and a quivering mouth.

"Can I get two bottles?"

Link sweatdropped. He didn't want to give an implication to the goddess that he'd keep buying her wine, nor did he want to condone her doing it herself. But if he denied her, she might cry or get angry again. 

Well... He's always had to compromise with Zelda about her safety; guess this won't be much different.

"Lady Aqua," he started, giving respect to her name. "If we keep spending money from each quest to buy wine, we'll never be able to save enough to move out of the stables. Don't you wish to settle somewhere fitting of your standing?"

Aqua didn't immediately rebuttal. But Link could tell by her pout that she was considering whether getting wine daily or getting a new place over time was worth it.

"And what if your followers learn that you're sleeping with the horses? Wouldn't that paint a bad... 'image' of you?"

Link didn't like the thought of using Aqua's followers against her, but he could guess how much she cared for her appearance when it came to them.

And sure enough, the water goddess paled.

She then grabbed his shirt and shook him back and forth.

"I CAN'T LET MY FOLLOWERS FIND OUT I'M SLEEPING IN THE STABLES! LINK, WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!"

The hero let her shake him for a bit before he gently grabbed her wrists to stop her.

"And we will." He said earnestly. "But not fast if you keep spending money on things for yourself, okay?"

Aqua quickly nodded her head in desperation.

Link smiled in relief.

"Good. I'll make sure to buy you two bottles when we get a new place, alright?"

Aqua stopped and brightly perked up at that.

"Really!?"

"Really." He nodded. It'd be a suitable reward if she really held off on wasting money.

"Okay!" The goddess nodded back.

Phew, thank god. Oh, er... thank her?

"Um, sorry for interrupting, but..." Link turned his head at Megumin's bashful form. "Can you help me up, please?"

He gave her a look, only now realizing that the girl had yet to move from her spot on the ground.

"You... can't get up yourself?"

There was a pause before Megumin spoke.

"While my mystic art, Explosion magic, possesses tremendous might, it also consumes tremendous magic power."

Link and Aqua stared at her.

"In short... I used magic exceeding my limits, so now I can't move a muscle."

Their mouths opened in an 'o'.

They hadn't even assumed that maybe Explosion magic might be  too  powerful, including for the wielder.

Link walked over to the girl and crouched to one knee.

"So how many times can you use Explosion magic in a day, exactly?"

Megumin averted her eyes.

"Once... Twice with enough time or if I refill my Mana with enough potions."

...

Link flipped the Arch Wizard onto her back before moving his arms under her knees and back, lifting her up in a princess carry. The action made the girl's cheeks redden  significantly  as she squeaked.

"Well, your Explosion magic is really amazing." Link said as he started walking forward, making the girl brighten. 

"But it leaves you too indisposed and vulnerable. So please only use it in emergencies."

Megumin's expression shadowed.

"I can't."

Link stopped, looking down at Megumin with an eyebrow raised. Behind them, Aqua looked similarly confused.

"I can only use Explosion magic." She elaborated. "I can't use any other type of magic."

The two stared at each other with neutral gazes, and it was Aqua who spoke up.

"Wait, but if you're an Advanced class and got all those skill points to use Explosion magic, shouldn't you be able to learn to use other magic too? Even I didn't learn all the Arch Priest spells until after I learned all the Party Trick skills."

Link turned to her with an unbelieving look.

"You've been spending your skill points on party tricks?"

"Irk!"

In hindsight, that was probably on Link. He should've taken the time to review Aqua's class, too, to make sure she chose her skills wisely after knowing... how she is.

Deciding to address that later, he turned back to Megumin.

"So? What's the issue?"

The small girl initially looked sheepish before she took on a look of pride.

"I-I'm an Arch Wizard who loves Explosion magic above all else! I don't like any other magic in the Detonation family! I only like Explosion magic! I could easily go on adventures if I learned other magic, but that just won't do! I only  love  Explosion magic! Even if I can only use it once a day, or I collapse after using my magic, Explosion magic is the only magic I'll ever love! I chose the path of an Arch Wizard  solely  so I could use Explosion magic!" She finished passionately.

"So you're willing to die because it?"

Megumin's determined gaze dropped immediately as a shiver went down her spine.

"E-Eh?"

She nervously stared at Link, who stared back with a neutral gaze. There wasn't anything she could read from it. No anger, no disappointment, just an impassiveness that left her uncomfortable.

"Using that magic will only leave you in danger of everything around you. And you'll be leaving everyone else with the responsibility of saving you from the battlefield. You're willing to handicap yourself because of your attachment to your one magic, and one day that'll get you killed."

He sounded so... cold yet dignified, completely different from the cheerful and easily excited young man that had been so eager to see her magic. Even Aqua looked put off by it, especially since she hadn't heard Link speak with more serious wording as he was now.

But despite being unnerved by both Link's logic and change of speech, a bit of defiance filled Megumin.

"B-But a-anything else I learn will just be a waste of time for me! I-I don't want to learn to like other spells! Explosion will always be the only magic I love!"

There was a moment of silence where Link only stared at Megumin after her claim, and it caused her to start sweating. He was gonna abandon her too, wasn't he? And she can't even do anything about it because he had every reason to. She knows how she's being stubborn and unreasonable, but... it's just how she is. Explosion magic is everything to her, and she didn't want to lose herself in anything else!

"Megumin." 

She stiffened at Link's address, knowing this was the moment he was gonna drop her off and leave. She was ready to cling and beg him to stay in his party. Because not only was he her only chance left to remain in one, but he was someone, no, the  only  one who's shown himself to be pretty accepting of the Crimson Demon's unique quirks and even be appreciative of them.

"I don't want you to end up as someone else I failed to protect."

"Eh?" The Crimson Demon hadn't expected this answer and blinked at him. She then noticed a change in the elf's expression, a solemn look in his eyes.

"I'm not asking you to change what kind of magic you love, Megumin. And I won't ask you to immediately start learning other spells. I'm sure that'd be too sudden for you because of your passion. But... just know that I can't protect you if you make it harder for me to do so."

A cold fit of shame swelled in Megumin's heart. Because she could see something behind those kind, blue eyes.

Someone who spoke those words from experience.

"Just think about it, please." Link finished, giving her a small, if not sad, smile. 

Megumin looked down in thought as the male turned back to Aqua, the goddess staring nervously at him.

"Let's go back." He offered.

"Y-Yeah..."

As the two started returning to Axel, Megumin, still in Link's arms, shyly looked up at him.

"Um... Does that mean I'm not kicked out of the party?"

Link chuckled and shook his head.

"No, you're not, I'm a little worried about leaving you alone after saying you haven't eaten in three days. And besides..."

This time, Link flashed Megumin a radiant, close-eyed smile.

"You're Explosion magic is still really cool."

Megumin felt her heart flutter.

Maybe... Maybe with enough time,  one  spell wouldn't hurt...

B-But she'll only think about it! That's it!

~{Link's Skillset}~

Sword Master Class:

Sword Proficiency:  Increases the user's understanding and adaptability using a sword.

Swift:  Gives a burst of speed that lasts as long as the user keeps moving. Continuously uses Mana while in use.

Combat Awareness:  The user's senses are sharpened to make them more aware of their surroundings.

Sword Expertise:  An expert of the sword, all attacks with the blade deal more damage.

Sacred Sword:  The user performs a powerful slash attack with their sword. Skills and stat changes from those struck don't affect the damage inflicted by this move.

Cook Class:

Cook:  The user gets better at cooking.

Thief Class:

Lurk:  Reduces the user's visibility and scent to allow them to sneak around.

Assassin Class:

Deadly BackStab:  While the user is unseen and undetected, this move can one-shot an enemy from behind.

Knight Class:

Parry:  Using a shield, the user can repel a melee attack and create distance from opponents. Can also be used to redirect projectiles.

Personal Skills

Perfect Guard:  If the user performs a Parry with perfect timing, they will break their enemy's stance to allow a counterattack. Can also be used to deflect projectiles back at the sender.

-Activation Requirements: User must perform a Parry immediately before an attack or projectile hits.

Flurry Rush:   The user's mind and senses will momentarily process information so fast that time will appear to have slowed for them, allowing them to unleash a rapid flurry of strikes faster than the eye can see. 

-Activation Requirements: User must be fully focused in battle and perfectly dodge an attack that leaves an opponent open.

Bullet Time:   The user's mind and senses will momentarily process information so fast that time will appear to have slowed for them, allowing them to rapidly draw and fire as many arrows as possible during their slowed descent faster than the eye can see.

-Activation Requirements: User must be fully focused in battle and draw an arrow midair.

Chapter Text

The silent trip back to Axel was somewhat awkward for Link's party.

For Aqua, it was because she was sulking from being covered in toad slime once again, still eternally devasted by how they were a direct weakness to her current self.

As for the hylian, he reflected on his words to Megumin and realized that maybe he could've been a little nicer about them rather than stating them so coldly. And by how Megumin had her witch hat covering her face as he carried her, he couldn't help but think she was sore about it now.

As for the Arch Wizard mentioned, she only hoped that her witch hat was hiding her red cheeks. Link hadn't been able to carry her on his back since it'd be uncomfortable with his sword being sheathed there, so he had ended up resorting to the fabled princess carry that some of the girls in her clan had dreamily spoken of. And while Megumin, too, had been curious about how it'd feel...

SHE HADN'T EXPECTED IT TO EVER HAPPEN TO HER!!

It wasn't even just the concept of the carry itself! Since she had lost all her strength, she was barely even able to keep her head from craning back like a corpse, so Link had positioned her in a way that she was lying right against his shoulder while making sure to hold her close in an almost cradling manner.

It just felt so intimate!

"Are you alright, Megumin?"

And the worst part was that she knew that he wasn't doing this for any reason besides making sure she was comfortable, because he'd been asking that very same question every ten minutes or so with his hands never straying once from their firm grip.

"Y-Yeah. But, um, did you have to carry me like this?" She asked honestly. Because despite how warm it made her feel, it was also very embarrassing.

"Well... It was either this or carrying you over my shoulder."

"This way is fine." Megumin immediately deadpanned.

She'd rather have this than be carried like a sack of potatoes.

They continued until they made it back to the city, where they drew the eyes of everyone, many in disbelief to see Megumin being carried by Link, who they considered a male elf.

Megumin noticed as some girls swooned.

...

Okay, a lot of girls swooned.

...

Wait, why are the men swooning, too!?

"Should I take you to the baths and leave you with Aqua?" Link asked, either oblivious or completely ignoring the eyes they were receiving.

"Eh? Oh, yes that'll be fine. I should be able to move again by the time we get there." Megumin said, still staring oddly at the number of swooning men they passed.

Link nodded before craning his head back at the still slime-covered Aqua.

"Want to eat after we get the reward?"

Aqua nodded dejectedly, some toad slime dripping off her.

"With wine... right?"

He nodded in return before turning back to Megumin.

"Do you want to join us?"

Megumin tipped her head up, her hat moving back to reveal her widened eyes.

"Can I?"

Another nod. "It's not like we only have to interact when doing quests."

Megumin brightened. "Of course!"

Maybe she could even talk him into joining her daily explosion walks while they eat at the guild!

Or... so she had thought they were gonna eat at the guild...

Megumin's flat gaze from the stump she was seated showed precisely what she felt right now.

"I know you asked if I wanted to eat with you, but..."

The sound of snorting horses and distant chirping filled the area.

"Why are we outside the stables of all places?"

Link paused in the middle of placing a cauldron he had gotten from the stable's owner and turned to her.

"Oh. Um... It seemed like the best place to make it myself?"

Megumin raised an eyebrow.

"You cook?"

He nodded rapidly, and Megumin couldn't help but compare it to an excited puppy.

"Cool. I was just kinda expecting we'd eat at the guild." She shrugged.

She didn't expect Link to suddenly look so sad.

"Oh."

It was such a small sound, but the sheer hurt and disappointment from it had Megumin recoil.

"Would... Would you prefer it?" He asked, face matching his voice.

ARGH! What the hell is that sudden damage to her heart!?

"No, no! This is fine!" Megumin frantically waved her hands while quickly shaking her head. "I-I was just surprised!"

She saw Link literally illuminate with a smile before going back to setting up the cauldron.

Megumin sighed in relief before slumping in her seat.

She hadn't expected that. 

Seriously, since when does a guy look that adorable?

Wait.

Ignoring that stirring thought, Megumin turned in Aqua's direction to distract herself with whatever she was doing, only...

"Haha... Sho nice..."

The Arch Priest was sprawled out on a stump of her own, clutching a bottle of wine Link had bought her while she and Megumin had been bathing.

The Arch Wizard stared with a flat look, wondering how the drunk had even gotten into Link's party in the first place with how she was.

Wait, can't she just ask?

"Hey Link?" She called, turning back in his direction. "How'd you and Aqua meet?"

She saw him pause for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing to set up the cauldron.

"We've only met just the other day." He said without looking at her. "She was... sent away from her home like me, so we came here together."

A twinge of guilt hit Megumin's heart as she remembered challenging Link to a battle of magic only to hear that he didn't have any magic and had been kicked from his home because of it. Because even though Megumin had left her own village, that had been by choice.

As for Aqua... while it might be rude, it wasn't hard for Megumin to guess why the blue-nette might've been sent out, and she's only known her for a few hours.

"Um..." She sheepishly looked down with her hands on her lap. "Sorry about... you know, how we met."

Link hummed as he finished setting up the pot.

"It's okay."

He didn't say anything else, maybe because nothing else needed to be told. It did make Megumin feel a little relieved as she watched Link stand up with a satisfied look at his setup. The cauldron stood with the ground slightly dug underneath it, the table Link put beside it was cleaned, and he had a set of utensils on it that he had quickly bought from a random shop.

Guess it was time for the fire. Megumin opened her mouth to offer help in gathering some kindling- 

Eh? He just carries sticks and plants in his pouch? Okay then... but he'll still need-

H-Huh? Did he just pull a few logs out of that same pouch? Did she miss something?

What in the-?

!?!

What the fuck!?

"Wait wait wait! How are you DOING that!?" Megumin blurted as she shot to her feet, jaw dropping after just watching Link pull out GIANT TOAD parts of all things.

Link paused yet again, staring at Megumin as his gifted infi-pouch opened wide and filleted toad parts plopped onto the table.

"...magic pouch?"

...

"Th-That doesn't explain anything!"

Really? He thought that'd explain enough.

Link held out the pouch in a presenting manner.

"It's a pouch with infinite space."

Megumin blinked before marching over with a hand ready to snatch it, only... she reconsidered at the last moment and gently took the pouch offered, holding it in both hands.

Her blank gaze stared into the pitch-black opening inside, the sight almost drawing... her... in...

...

Giving into impulse, the Arch Wizard shoved her face into the pouch, her entire head disappearing inside.

Then she fell like a puppet with cut strings.

Link yelped with widened eyes as he caught Megumin's body, lowering her to the ground with one hand holding her upright while the other quickly pulled the pouch off her head.

Megumin's expression had become akin to a cultist reaching enlightenment, overwhelmed yet awestruck as she stared into the air, breathing hard as if having just run a marathon.

"Th-Th-The abyss! I-It stared back! I-I found it!"

Link blinked at that reaction, then looked at the pouch in his hand.

Was this what she had meant before about staring into an abyss together? 

...

Despite what he just saw happen to Megumin, Link slowly put his head into the pouch until it was completely enveloped inside.

Miraculously, he didn't drop like the Arch Wizard had, but he did stiffen.

Then he slowly pulled his head out, revealing a blank gaze.

(Watching him, Hylia wondered what the hell kind of pouch Aqua had given him.)

After getting over their initial shock, Link had gone back to cooking as if nothing had happened, while Megumin just blankly stared in the air from the stump the hylian had gently sat her on. Aqua hadn't stirred from her drunken state, still sleepily sprawled out on the stump next to them.

Link filled the cauldron with buckets of water from a nearby river before lighting up the logs and kindling with flint he had picked up.

That's when he finally started cooking, returning to the old habit as if he were still in Hyrule.

He decided to make a variant of his Creamy Meat Soup using the Giant Toad parts as the main base, adding a few small things he's picked up while outside. He made a broth using some vegetables and some of the toad bones before adding chunks of the evenly sliced toad meat into the cauldron.

During the process, Megumin's nose picked up the scent. Her stunned eyes dilated as they regained their sanity, and she suddenly sat up, heavily sniffing the air like some kind of dog.

She looked just in time to see Link gather some rock salt between his fingers before... fancily spreading it into the pot by having his elbow bent to hold up his hand, letting the salt sprinkle as he raised it up, then opening his fingers to let the remaining chunks fall in.

Weird...

Then she saw him grab a wooden spoon and scoop up a small portion of meat and broth, using his fingers to move some of his brilliant hair behind his ear as he blew on it.

It actually pissed her off how sexy he looked without even trying.

No, seriously, she should be the one with the bewitching womanly charms, god damn it!

*Grrrrrooooooooowl!*

Link halted just as he was going to sample his meal, glancing back at his new companion, whose stomach made a sound he was quite familiar with.

Megumin's face burned as she grabbed her witch hat and pulled it down.

"Stupid stomach! Stupid, nice-smelling soup! Stupid, nice elf!"

As the Arch Wizard whined to herself, Link gave a chuckle of understanding and stood up, gently carrying the spoon over to Megumin. He then crouched to eye level and offered it forward.

Megumin felt Link's presence and looked up, finding him in front of her with the wooden spoon by her face. She glanced at it and immediately became hooked on the smell once again, eyes dilating and mouth watering.

But she realized two things: One, Link was going to feed her, and second, he had just been blowing into the spoon.

And despite how red-faced she became, Megumin let the elf gently move the spoon to her lips, her eyes unmoving from his as she swallowed it, to which she started sparkling.

"Mmmmm!!~"

Holy MOLY! That was so good that she swore all her clothes had blasted off for a moment!

Link smiled at her reaction and gently patted her head before standing up and returning to the cauldron.

The action irritated Megumin, who felt she was being treated like a small child. She pouted and glared at Link from afar as he put the finishing touches on their lunch.

The not-elf took a spoon of soup of his own that he blew, then took a sip of.

Megumin watched as his eyes closed and his face scrunched in bliss before performing a chef's kiss that turned into an 'ok' gesture with his fingers.

How weird...

And it only got weirder when Megumin swore she saw the soup start jumping around in Link's cauldron, only to land into a finishing concoction with a poof.

Did she just imagine that?

Finally, Link filled two bowls with his newly created Creamy Toad Soup, smiling happily at the results as he crouched down and handed one to Megumin.

"Careful, it's hot."

Megumin eagerly accepted the bowl, blowing into it as Link turned away to give Aqua her own.

The sleeping goddess conveniently started coming to just as Link approached her, her body twitching as she did so.

"*Snort!* Hah?"

The intoxicated woman groggily opened her eyes, barely able to sit up with her empty bottle of wine rolling off her lap.

Aqua blinked absentmindedly before sniffing at the air, to which a drunk smile took to her swaying face.

"Whacht's that shmell?" She slurred. "It's sho nice..."

Link kneeled beside Aqua with the bowl in hand.

"Here."

The goddess sleepily turned her head at him.

"Link...?" She blinked a few times in quick succession. "Have I eva told ya that yer pwetty?"

The hylian paused, confusion evident in his eyes.

"...No?"

"GOOD!!" Aqua suddenly shouted with raised arms, almost knocking the bowl out of his hands. "*Hic!* I'm shapposed to be the pwetty one! Not you! Your'a shapposed to be the plain, boring generwic main character! Everyone is gunna love me! Naht ya!"

Link could only stare and wonder what half of those words even meant.

"Okay, Aqua." He simply responded.

With it clear that the goddess wasn't sober enough to eat her food without risking making a mess, Link started pulling back the bowl.

But Aqua caught another heavenly whiff of the soup as it passed her nose, and as if cleansing her, all the drunkness faded from her eyes as they dilated in desire.

"Gimme!"

Link managed to jump in time to hold up the bowl and stick out his hand as Aqua rushed forward, her face finding itself in the hylian's palm as she comedically stretched her arms in an attempt to reach out.

"Lady Aqua," Link started respectfully but sternly with a frown. "Please stop abruptly snatching things. You could've burned yourself just now. Do it again, and I won't cook for you the next time."

Aqua gasped as she recoiled back, scandalized.

"Y-You can't do that to me! I'm a goddess! You're supposed to be spoiling me rotten and make sure that all my needs are above your own!"

Link merely gave her a flat look.

His expression didn't change as he stared a pouting Aqua down. But thanks to another small gust bringing the heavenly smell over the goddess, her focus once more shot at the bowl in his hand, to which she pursed her lips in frustration.

Finally, she whined.

"Grrrrr! Fine! I won't do it again! Happy!?"

With a nod of acknowledgment, Link slowly lowered the soup to hand to the girl, only to slightly pull back when Aqua moved a little too quickly to grab it. At the very least, the goddess immediately realized what she did wrong and pouted once more, looking nearly to the brink of tears as she patiently held her hands out like a child waiting to be given their toy back.

Feeling satisfied, Link finally lowered the bowl into Aqua's hands, the thick wood composition making it so it wouldn't burn her.

"Be careful, it's-"

He didn't even get to finish, as Aqua had already sat down and shoved two spoonfuls of toad stew into her mouth with a look of bliss.

...to which her eyes bulged, and she released a cry of agony as her mouth opened and spewed steam.

"ACKK! HAWT!!"

Link sweatdropped as he watched the girl desperately breathe in and out of her steaming mouth to cool it down.

Hopefully now Aqua fully understands the dangers of soup.

It was somewhat after their meal that Link realized it was reaching late afternoon, so he took a moment to speak with Megumin about their future as a party. It was only a few simple but otherwise essential things that he wanted to check with her. 

First was establishing the days the Arch Wizard would be meeting up with him and Aqua, which came to simply assuming that they'd meet up at the guild every day unless said otherwise. Second was how they would split any reward money from quests, which, of course, was to always split equally. There was also a list of supplies that Link wanted her to keep on her person at all times, mainly potions and other healing aids she could access at any moment, whether in or out of a battle.

Megumin had paid rapt attention to Link the entire time, somewhat in awe at the experience of a prominent veteran who'd clearly been in the line of battle before. He was a competent person, shown by how he had effortlessly slayed those giant toads, yet he had been a saint to let someone like her be one of the first members of his party. Especially when he could have practically anyone line up on their knees for him.

It... sort of made her feel bad about being a bit of a hindrance...

J-Just a bit! Her explosion magic will be more than enough to convince him to let her stay!

With the sun starting to go down, Megumin promised to get the inventory Link wanted her to and keep it on her, before then taking her leave. As for Aqua, despite eating Link's food like it was heaven, she was suddenly hit again by her initial drunkenness, so she decided to sleep off in the stables.

And Link? He decided to go back to the guild and plan for the future.

He asked Luna for a pencil and paper before sitting alone at one of the tables and started writing. He was thankfully left in peace within the nearly empty building, with those inside noticing the look of concentration on the hylian's face and leaving him to himself.

A frown made its way to Link as he noted things down. Megumin was clearly unfit and, more concerningly, malnourished. Obviously, this must've been caused by her lack of funds for food and the absence of exercise, which she probably didn't believe she needed with her being a magic user. He'd have to devise an exercise plan to get her into shape. Not necessarily anything crazy like he does, but enough for her to move better in a pinch. Oh, and now that he's thinking about it, he should also tell her to keep a dagger on her at all times, Aqua, too.

Speaking of Aqua, he should probably get her to join Megumin in whatever plan he comes up with, especially since he doubts she's ever exercised a day in her godly life.

Wait, would Aqua's body even change at all? Or is her current form like some sort of unchangeable interpretation of her 'godly perfection,' like how her stats are already maxed out? Is that why she's not concerned with drinking too much wine, because she won't get alcohol poisoning?

As Link tapped the pencil against his head in contemplation, he suddenly picked up on the sound of clanking armor heading towards him. Whoever it was clearly wasn't trying to sneak up on him anyway, so he glanced back to see who was approaching.

His expression blanched.

He saw a tall woman, one taller than him, which... isn't saying much, considering how it felt like everyone was taller than him, Zelda included. Only Mipha had been slightly shorter than him, but she had still been growing...

Curse his short height.

But moving on, the woman was still clearly young and evidently pretty, with blue eyes practically the same color as his own and even with her own set of blonde hair, although hers was brighter and done in a ponytail that went past her shoulders. Her clothes were clearly some sort of knight's attire, consisting of a yellow and black sleeveless dress with silver trimmings but mixed with armor such as shoulder pads and a cuirass with a red bow. But what brought about Link's reaction wasn't anything about the woman's physical appearance; rather, it was the posture and aura engrossed in her very being.

That air of pride and nobility was something he'd recognize anywhere.

This woman is a noble, and that had Link immediately on edge. From his regained memories, he knows he's never really liked nobles or most royalty because of their pompous attitudes and how they treated those they viewed beneath them. Hell, he even remembered finding Zelda a hassle for a while because of how hard she had made his job of watching her. The only royalty Link ever remembered liking from the start had been Mipha and King Dorephan, who had only ever been welcoming.

Oh, and Sidon, too, but who wouldn't like Sidon?

And no, not King Rhoam. Sorry, but Link isn't simply ignoring how he had treated Zelda and her passions before the calamity.

But more to the point, Link wasn't sure what to expect from this person. He wasn't a chosen hero or princess's guard anymore, so he didn't have much protection that had kept nobles from harassing him before.

He braced himself with a neutral expression as the woman stopped before him, a dignified gleam in her eyes.

"I happened to see your recruitment poster."

Link blinked in surprise. 

That hadn't been what he was expecting. A noble as an adventurer? Was this a common thing? Or was he actually mistaken about her?

"Are you still recruiting party members?" The woman followed up, her voice serious and mature.

He hesitantly nodded, which brought a smile of relief from the young woman.

"Thank goodness. I have anxiously awaited the arrival of someone such as yourself."

Link raised an eyebrow at that. One like himself? Does she mean a Sword Master? Or did she go to him with the impression that he's an elf?

He found himself suddenly recalling some of Aqua's words.

'Like I said, the offspring of male elves usually become strong, ending up with high magic power and higher mana pools.'

'I think you can figure out what some people are willing to do to get their hands on one.'

A knot twisted in Link's stomach. He hadn't even thought about how the nobles of this world would react to him, someone akin to an exotic animal because of his elf-like appearance. 

Was that why this noble was here? To find a way to bind him to her?

He didn't glare, but the cold and composed look perfected during his knight days was maintained.

"What I ask what you mean by that, exactly?"

"My name is Darkness!" The young woman squeaked, seemingly ignoring Link's question entirely. Her breathing turned somewhat rapid, only for her to close her eyes and clear her throat, regaining her composure but with... a blush? "My calling is that of a crusader."

Link frowned in confusion as he watched her flushed cheeks and breathing pace. This didn't feel like a noble trying to 'get' him; this felt more like... 

Actually, why did this remind him of the time he had found that woman holding a shrine ball but had really been into guardians? The one who had named the ball Roscoe?

"P-Please let... Please let me..."

This girl, Darkness, was even starting to breathe just as hard as the other had been.

"-j-j-join your PARTY!"

By the end of her words, the crusader had a full blush on her cheeks with a quivering smile and hopeful eyes, her hands clenched together as she anxiously waited in place.

"You... what?"

Link's face showed all it needed to about how confused he felt. He didn't know how, but the dignified nobility he had felt from this seemingly older girl was completely gone. He didn't think that was even possible for royalty.

"Would you please let me join your p-p-party?" Darkness asked once more, this time with a hand to her chest.

"Um-"

The hylian didn't even get to speak, for the bright blonde practically shoved herself into his personal space. Her hands grabbed hold of his wrist on the table as she breathed hard, her unblinking eyes unmoving from his.

"Th-That slimy lady earlier was your companion, right!?"

"...you mean Aqua?" Link tried nudging her hands off but found them firmly taking hold.

"So she was! What in the world did that to her!?" Darkness asked excitedly.

...why is she breathing even harder!?

A discomfort started growing as Link as he tried to figure out what was going on. He attempted to scoot back to make space between them, but the young woman's iron-clad grip held him in place.

"A Giant Toad swallowed her and-"

" What !?" Darkness gasped, eyes dilating as her grip grew even tighter, making Link's hand twitch, for it was starting to ache.

"Lady Dar-"

"I-It's worse than I imagined! No, wait-!" Darkness leaned even closer, excitement all over her face.

"Please let go-"

"A-As a knight, I cannot overlook such horrors befalling a girl of such a tender age!"

Between her hard breathing, scary expression, and the tight grip on his arm, Link was starting to reach the end of his patience.

The woman panted. "P-Please let me-!"

Link felt a crack in his arm, and that was enough.

One moment, Darkness was standing in front of the fabled male elf; the next thing she knew, she was being flipped into the air.

"GWAH!?"

The crusader was slammed on her back from an overhead throw, bouncing off the ground before rolling to her side, twitching.

The waitresses and guild staff concerningly watching the exchange hissed with winces.

"H-He threw her with no hesitation." Luna paled.

Now that was a bit of a male elf that was expected, yet ironically, it seemed entirely out of character for Link.

She felt so conflicted.

As for the hero, he stood over Darkness with a frown, rubbing his throbbing wrist. He hadn't wanted to throw her, but she had clearly not been listening. He's usually never physical when someone annoys or disturbs him; just look at all his moments with Revali, but it's different when it feels like someone is going to end up breaking your arm.

Ah, but isn't she a royal? Or at least, he had thought she was...

Oh, Hylia, this might be a problem.

"Y-You threw her?"

At the timid voice, Link turned his head and found the short-haired blonde waitress who had helped with his skill points yesterday staring in a mixture of shock and horror.

He just tilted his head in confusion.

"Yes?"

The woman blinked at his innocent tone, sputtering.

"B-But... she's a woman!"

...

Link's gaze went from Darkness's trembling form to the waitress again.

"...yes?" He repeated, still not really understanding. 

This wasn't anything new to him. He's had to fight women plenty of times before. There was the training or spars with Mipha, Urbosa, Impa, and other Sheikahs, and then there were the occasional female assassins from the Yiga or other groups he wouldn't hesitate to take down. Why should he worry about gender when someone is hurting or going to hurt him?

But his response left the waitress floored, leaving her opening and closing her mouth, speechless. Even the other waitresses in the room didn't seem to know how to process his words.

"Heh heh... Hah~"

Link's attention returned to Darkness as he heard giddy giggles and harsh breathing from her shivering body.

He hadn't thrown her too hard, had he?

He went on one knee by Darkness's head, going to speak out in concern, only for her ragged voice to make him pause.

"...fect."

He leaned his ear down. "Hm?"

Darkness abruptly raised her head, both eyes and mouth open in pure joy with...

Are those hearts in her eyes!?

"P-Perfect! You really are the one!"

Say what now?

She pushed herself up to her hands and knees as Link stood and backed up in bewilderment. Next to him, even the waitress had frozen with a blank expression.

"A-A perfect male elf! The cruelest in character and willing to commit such savage acts without hesitation! I can't pass this up!"

She crawled over and grabbed Link by the hem of his shirt, bringing a shiver down his spine.

"Please! You MUST let me join your party!"

Link didn't get this at all. Honestly, this was both disturbing and even a little scary for him. His mind was in scrambles as he tried to comprehend all of this. He had thought this crazy woman was a noble, but no noble would act as she was. Then there's the fact that she wants to join his party because she thinks he's an elf, despite knowing how a typical male elf would usually treat someone. And she only seemed to be even more sure to join him once he had thrown her to the ground; why!?

It was almost as if she was-

...

Oh dear Hylia.

Finally connecting the dots, Link's face erupted in red as he stared down at the crusader in complete bafflement. Her rapid breathing, her deep blush, her loving yet lustful eyes...

"A-Are you aroused right now?"

Everything seemed to freeze, including Darkness. There was a shock in her eyes as she stared at him, starting to open her mouth yet struggling to get any words out.

"Wh-What?" She only ended up uttering.

"Are you..." Link cringed as he tried to figure out the phrase some of the knights had used when describing this, wondering if it'd explain better. "Are you actually... turned on by this?"

"I-I, well..." Darkness lost a lot of her steam, not having expected the complete bluntness. She let go of Link's shirt and sat in a seiza, fiddling with her fingers while looking down with a nervous smile. She didn't say anything, unexpectedly feeling embarrassed in a way she didn't expect from being suddenly put on the spot in this manner.

An awkward silence occurred between her and Link, one stretching to the rest of the guild, until the hylian hesitantly spoke up.

"Um, forgive me if I'm misunderstanding, but do you... like it... when people hurt you... physically?"

"I-I, er..." Darkness shifted in discomfort. "A-Also... v-v-verbally?"

Another moment of silence, with Link looking like he was trying to solve a complex shrine puzzle in front of him despite how awkward it felt. His face scrunched up as he attempted to get a read on the girl.

"But... why?"

It boggled his perspective. How could someone actually like being hurt that way? He knew that those like Darruk and Urbosa always enjoyed a good battle. But wanting to get hurt? It wasn't even the subject itself that bothered him; it was that he just didn't understand it. It just didn't make sense at all!

Darkness's hands embarrassingly rubbed together on her lap. "I-It's more about the h-humiliation and... m-moral... d-degradation...? It just... u-um, I don't..."

By now, she was blushing harder than ever, with her entire head tomato-red and her smile turning into a trembling line of shame. 

This wasn't how this was supposed to go. She's never actually had to explain her interests to anyone before. Everyone who's ever discovered them had simply run away or refused to party with her. No one had ever bothered to actually try to understand. What was she even supposed to say right now!? Especially when every one of the guild staff was listening in!?

Darkness refused to look up as embarrassed tears started swelling in the corners of her eyes, her blue orbs becoming swirls of panic as she felt so many eyes on her. She was feeling humiliated, but not in the way she liked. This was making her feel self-conscious beyond measure, and it was leaving her absolutely mortified.

It all inevitably ended up being too much for her.

"E-EXCUSE ME!"

Covering her face, the crusader abruptly stood up and ran out of the guild, comedic tears leaking out as she moaned and busted out the doors.

Link stared as she disappeared, completely dumbfounded.

He turned to the similarly stunned waitress, who looked rather dead inside, and shrugged his hands.

The next day, Link was up before the sun was, still trying to figure out whatever in Hylia yesterday was.

He evidently decided to give up trying to understand enjoying pain and humiliation sexually, as it felt both awkward to think of and would be a waste of his day. Instead, he used the darker morning hours to try and recall his previous exercise routine from when he had been a knight, choosing to have a long morning run.

Despite having most of his key memories back, there were still many things Link didn't remember, much to his sorrow. It felt like he knew Zelda, but not everything he should, and the same was true for every other important person he remembered. The shrine of resurrection had been a last resort for Hyrule but had been anything but perfect, hence losing his memories in the first place.

The hylian used the run to try and jog his memories, no pun intended, and hopefully remember any small things he might not have recalled before.

He felt... complicated, to say the least, like he was someone who had gained another person's memories, almost like he was an imposter. 

Is he really the same Link as before the calamity? He doubted it, for he remembered that even after Zelda had broken him out of his shell, he had still been more serious around her than when he had been after... waking up.

As in, he would've never considered riding a Lynel like a horse before the calamity.

...

Okay, there were a lot of things he probably would have never done before the calamity.

But at the very least, what he felt didn't change, especially his fondness for Zelda.

That warmth he feels whenever thinking of the princess was something you couldn't fabricate from previous feelings or memories; they were their own thing. He missed his princess, and he missed all of his friends, he missed his little sister... he missed so much.

Link got so absorbed in his melancholy remembrance that he didn't realize it had turned noon until he had finished running around the entire circumference of Axel. Megumin and even Aqua were most likely up and waiting for him at the guild by now.

So the chosen hero took a quick rinse in the large river that went through the city before quickly making his way to meet up with his new companions, wondering if he should tell them about the crusader, Darkness.

Entering the guild, Link heard a surge of noise from a small upstairs area with a wooden railing. Looking up, he saw the familiar blue hair of Aqua as the goddess held up two blue foldable fans and balanced a cup on her head. She moved gracefully as her fans spurred water upward like a fountain, filling the perfectly balanced cup of water until a beautiful pink rose sprouted and bloomed, sending petals scattering about.

"Tada!" She finished with a beaming smile.

"WHOOOOOOAAAA!!!"

The seated crowd of adventures before the goddess all cheered with applause, Link joining in with politely clapping hands. He's seen plenty of performances in Hyrule while serving royalty, and Aqua's would have undoubtedly brought about several faces of awe.

Zelda would've loved to try and pick apart how her trick worked...

"Thank you! Thank you!" Aqua bowed her head while somehow still balancing the cup, something Link somehow found even more impressive, before turning and catching sight of him.

"Oh! Look, Link! What do you think of my newly acquired skill? Isn't it befitting of a water goddess like myself?"

Link gave her a suspecting look.

"You spent more skill points on party skills?"

Aqua squeaked.

"N-No! This is one of the ones I already had before you told me not to!"

The honey-blonde stared at her in silence, raising an eyebrow.

"Really!" Aqua insisted.

Choosing to believe her, Link nodded.

"Oi, Aqua! Give us an encore!" One of the burly men seated said, bringing joined cheers from the rest.

"Ah, of course!" Aqua turned back to them with a smile before continuing to perform.

Seeing that she'd be busy for the moment, Link looked around for their other party member, finding her seated at another table on the ground floor while eating a simple meal of meat and veggies, to which he walked over to her.

Megumin chewed her food without much enthusiasm, her eyes missing some of their spark as all her meal did was make her crave more of that soup Link had made her yesterday. While reminiscing on that homely yet rich taste, she saw the Sword Master approaching, instantly making her perk up her head at him with brightened eyes.

"Mm! Morni-ACK!" Forgetting that she had been chewing food, Megumin inhaled her carrots and started choking, eyes bulging as she started coughing hard.

Seeing this, Link quickly ran over and roughly patted her back to help her free her clogged airway.

Not a good start to the morning.

It only got a little worse when Link hit her a little too hard, successfully getting the carrot out, but also causing Megumin to splat facefirst into her plate.

Link cringed.

"Sorry..."

Unmoving from her plate, the Arch Wizard weakly raised her right hand into a shaky thumbs up. 

All was good.

"I'll get you another meal." The hylian said, turning to call a waitress over.

But a small hand grabbed his wrist, making him pause and turn back.

Megumin looked up from her food, face holding chunks of mashed potatoes and sauce, as her single uncovered red eye sparkled in intense interest.

"Can you cook again?

Blinking in surprise, Link's expression softened with a small smile.

"Maybe at dinner," He answered, pulling out a handkerchief and proceeding to clean the young girl's face, bringing a blush from the magic user. Link continued to wipe all the residue from her, this scene seeming faintly... familiar...

'Link! You don't have to!'

Hyrule's best fighter ignored his princess's pleas as he continued to wipe her cheeks away of cake and fruity residue, deadpanning all the while.

'Oh come on, I'm not some wild animal, Link!' Zelda refuted, backing up on the grass field the two were resting in.

Still deadpanning, Link slowly turned to the all-but-demolished fruitcake on the stone next to them, looking as if it had been mauled by a Lynel, before turning back to her.

Indignantly blushing, Zelda turned her head away.

'I-It's not my fault you made it too good! You've practically ruined all other fruitcakes for me!" She huffed in embarrassment.

The achievement brought a proud and teasing smile to Link's face, to which he scooted closer and brought his handkerchief to Zelda's face once again.

'Wha-!? Link! I can do it myself! Link? Link-!?"

"Link?"

The young man blinked several times and breathed, realizing he had stopped doing so for a moment. He brought his attention back to the young girl before him, who was looking at him strangely.

"Sorry... Got lost in thought," was all he said before continuing to clean Megumin's face.

The younger girl seemed to sense there was something more to it but didn't say anything as her face was finished being wiped off.

"There." Link smiled, patting her head, which made her eye twitch.

But before she could say anything, the familiar sound of rattling armor made him tense.

He didn't turn around this time, hoping that maybe Darkness would be too embarrassed to approach him again, but those hopes were dashed when he heard those heavy steps come close.

"I've been looking for you."

Megumin curiously looked at the new arrival while Link held back a sigh of defeat, keeping his expression neutral as he turned around to address the crusader.

Surprisingly, she didn't show signs that she had run off crying the previous day. Rather, the regal aura around her was back as she kindly smiled at him like they were old friends. Link briefly noticed two other teenage girls seeming to be watching from afar, one with fair skin and the other tan, but he didn't think much of them considering how much he's been stared at already.

"I'm sorry for..." Darkness's bravado showed a hint of weakness through the pink in her cheeks as she sat across Link. "...leaving so suddenly yesterday. Shall we continue from our previous conversation, then?"

Link tilted his head.

"You mean about why you get sexually aroused by pain?"

"NOT THAT!"

He and Megumin jumped as Darkness's palms slammed the table.

The crusader's face burned in crimson once again, not comfortable at all about having to actually explain herself for why she was the way she was. It's like answering a question about your identity and having a crisis because of it!

As for Link, he stared blankly at the large cracks now on the table, suddenly remembering the times Darruk had done similar things to the castle's furniture at times.

That's... promising...?

Next to him, Megumin blinked, registering what Link just said about the new girl.

"Wait, she gets what-!?"

" I -!" Darkness cut off Megumin's confusion loudly. "-was talking about letting me join your p-p-party!" She urged, leaning across the table to face him with a bashful yet unflinching gaze.

Link frowned. With how excited the woman had been, believing he was a male elf, it wasn't hard to see what she was looking for...

"My apologies, but I don't believe it would be suited for you."

"WHAT!?! Why!?" Darkness abruptly cried out in despair, the table groaning under her, and that was when the two watching women approached.

"Darkness! You can't be that pushy with him!"

Link looked at the one who spoke.

She was a teenage girl with purple eyes, short silver hair with a blended violet tint, and a small scar on her right cheek. She had a somewhat revealing outfit that was actually common for the rogue-ish classes he'd seen in Axel so far, consisting of a light blue scarf, a short elbow-length green cape, a bikini-like grey top, a pair of black elbow gloves with brown gloves on top, short blue jean shorts, white knee-high socks, brown boots, and a sheath with a dagger attached to her leg.

The girl seemed embarrassed for her friend before turning to him, to which she froze, her cheeks lightly pinkening as she stared at him with something akin to sparkling awe.

A giddy smile took to her face as she waved.

"Oh! H-Hi! I'm Chris! I'm a big fan!"

Link did a double-take.

He has a fan? But he's only been in the town for like a day?

"What she means is-" Chris's companion cut in. "She admires how different you are from the standard male elves, treating everyone with basic decently."

Turning to the other girl, Link found himself freezing at the sight of two beautiful blue eyes. For a moment, he thought he was staring at Hylia again, only to blink and realize this was someone completely different. Like Chris, she also appeared to be a slim, tomboyish girl, but unlike her friend, she had the pointy ears of an elf and darker skin, which seemed to be tanned rather than the natural skin color of a dark elf.

Her clothes expressed a youthful and adventurous air for the girl: a violet-cropped tank top, an open dark blue sleeveless vest, a red bandana tied around her neck, bandages wrapped around her wrists, white shorts going just below her knees, leather bandit sandals, and a red cloth tied around her hips as a belt with a curved sheathed scimitar attached to it.

The girl's golden blonde hair was uniquely styled into a tall bun curing on her head, with her bangs somehow styled into simple lightning bolts. Her brilliant blue eyes glimmered as she smiled at Link, hand on her hip as the other gave him a wave.

"As for me, I'm Tetra! I'm a thief class with Chris. Nice to meet ya!"

"Hello." Link greeted back neutrally, curious as to why these girls approached him. "Did you come to join our party too?"

Chri's shy smile lit up to something more akin to excitement.

"I'd-!"

"Sorry!" Tetra cut in, wrapping an arm around her friend's shoulder with an apologetic smile. "We've got our own thing going on." 

That seemed to cue Chris on something, for her eyes shifted in realization before showing evident disappointment yet understanding.

"Yeah, sorry..."

Tetra sympathetically patted her on the back before addressing Link again.

"I'm friends with Chris, and Chris here is something of a friend to Darkness, so we're just here to help her find a nice party to settle with, get me?"

Link nodded in understanding.

"So, how about it? Could you consider letting this lost soul find a place with your new group?" Tetra asked, beaming at Link while patting Darkness's shoulder.

Link turned back to the crusader, who anxiously waited in place while rubbing her legs together with a shy smile.

While Darkness seemed as nice (and strong judging by the cracks on the table) as someone could be, it still greatly bothered Link how... ' excited ' she was at the prospect of pain and humiliation, especially when she expected it to be by him personally. 

Link didn't have any personal sexual experience with a woman, as having been trained as a knight and pulling the Master Sword at a young age had set his path and forced him to focus on it. However, despite that, living with many of the rugged knights of the kingdom has granted him plentiful information in those regards, as drunken nights with drunken knights boasting their sexual desires and escapades have given him a large picture as to what sex was and the tastes people could have. He's listened to the knights share their appeals and desires, along with any discovered desires they've found from any woman they've successfully managed to bed. 

Not once did Link hear anything about what he essentially viewed as desired abuse. But those talks had made him much more aware of Zelda... although it actually wasn't hard for someone as disciplined as himself to ignore those thoughts or keep them from coming up in the first place.

...

Okay, he might've let a few thoughts slip here and there.

...

Look, he's had to guard the princess while she sat in a white gown in a pool of water, alright!? Could anyone blame him for slipping up a few times!?

Wait, where was he going with this?

"Why can't she join us? You were looking for advanced classes anyways." Megumin finally spoke up beside him, food forgotten.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Link turned to her.

"The issue is she wants to join under the assumption I'd satisfy her sexual desires by abusing her."

"I did hear that right before!" Megumin blurted out.

"Y-You don't have to say it out loud, you know!?! You shouldn't expose a woman's darkest secrets like that!" Darkness shouted, scandalized.

Chris raised an eyebrow.

"That was meant to be a secret?"

Darkness groaned and slammed her head on the table.

Which... promptly collapsed under the impact.

The guild was silent as the group stared at the broken wood and scattered remains of Megumin's previous meal.

"Um... You'll have to pay for that." One of the guild staff piped up.

Darkness covered her red face with her hands, shamefully nodding.

"Ahaha... what a quirky one." Tetra awkwardly chuckled while Chris turned away in embarrassment for her friend.

"Ara? What happened?" It was at this moment that Aqua appeared, having finished her performance and finding the gathered group quickly. She raised an eyebrow as she looked from Link and Megumin to the three new girls. "Who are they? Wait, they aren't more harpys, are they!?"

"I still don't know what those are." Link deadpanned.

"Emergency quest! Emergency quest! 

Link abruptly shot up to his feet, his expression shifting into a calm, neutral stare as his posture turned into that of the focused warrior he'd always been. 

"All adventurers, please gather at the front gate at once! I repeat: all adventurers, please gather at the front gate at once!"

He was already out and running the first time Luna spoke, heading towards where he knew the main gate was.

"Eh? Hey, Link! Wait for us!" Aqua called as she ran after him, Megumin and even Darkness joining afterward.

That left Tetra and Chris as every other adventurer rushed to get a move on.

The former turned to the latter with a smile.

"So? What'd you think?"

Chris sighed in delight, staring longingly at the exit.

"He looked even more gallant in person... After watching all his adventurers, I can't believe he ended up here of all places."

Tetra chuckled.

"You can thank your senpai for that."

Link stood in front of Axel's gates, Master Sword in hand, as he scanned the fields for any immediate threats as everyone else started showing up behind him.

He saw a large green patch of... something heading towards the town. Was it like a wave of moblins? No, the orbs seemed too small and too many to be those tall monsters, not to mention that they were moving at a relatively fast pace. Something like a swarm of keeses instead? If that's the case, he'll have to be patient and let them come to him since he doesn't have any of his bows-

"Oi! Point-ears. This is your first time, ain't it?" 

Link's calculating thoughts stopped as he turned to his right, finding the ruffian that had lent him money standing beside him with a grin.

"First time?" He repeated as a question, wanting him to elaborate.

"Yeah! You know? For the cabbage harvest!" 

The sound of a record scratch rang through the blonde's head, bewilderment breaking through his hardened face.

"Come again?"

"Link! You forgot to bring baskets for the cabbages!" Aqua called, arriving with several large straw baskets, Megumin and Darkness in tow.

"Cabbages?" Realizing he heard that right, Link blinked several times. "The threat is cabbages?"

"Oh right, you don't know." Aqua cheerfully put down her stacked baskets beside them, to which she closed her eyes and faced Link in a wise voice. "In this world, cabbages fly."

Yup, that made perfect sense.

(No it didn't.)

Link stared incredulously at the goddess; she had to be messing with him.

He was quickly proven incorrect as Aqua continued, explaining that as cabbages reach their optimal flavor, they don't let themselves be eaten. Instead, they rampage through cities and grasslands, crossing through continents until they quietly pass away in a desolate wasteland...

"So we'll grant them salvation! We'll catch as many as possible and make them into delicious meals so they won't pass alone; for their sakes and for ours!" Aqua finished with hands up and a bright glow behind her.

"...so I can eat them?"

"What's that lackluster reaction to my benevolent preaching!?"

Link ignored Aqua as he turned back to the open land, eyes dilating very intensely as he stared afar at the accumulation of green orbs getting closer. Sure enough, he could make out flying heads of cabbages with black eyes heading toward them at the speed of cannonballs.

This world is incredible.

"Everyone! The annual cabbage harvesting season has arrived!" Luna happily called through a makeshift paper megaphone. "This year's cabbages are of fine quality and will go for 10,000 eris per head as long as they're not too damaged!"

Oh this is getting better and better.

Link remembered how he and Aqua got 125,000 eris total after the Giant Toad quest, and splitting it gave them each 75,000...

And just killing eight of these cabbages would get him more than that much?

Hyrule ain't raise no fool!

"Link! This is a perfect opportunity. See my ability as a crusader with your own-! Eh? Link!?"

Darkness had been speaking when Link's eyes flashed before he abruptly blazed forward with Swift, dashing toward the army of monsters and bringing many shocked cries at the dust he blew behind him.

"Oi, pointy ears! Don't get ahead of the pack like that!" The ruffian called despite his grin of mirth.

"C'mon, everyone! Don't let him get all the loot!"

""IT'S HARVEST TIME!!!""

*Cabbage! Cabbage! Cabbage!* The oncoming cabbage swarm flew downward at a low altitude, the first wave heading right for the lone hylian ahead of the group.

Link grinned as he brandished the Master Sword to his side, waiting until the first few cabbages attempted to collide with him head-on.

But at the last second, Link dodged, and the word slowed.

He flipped to the side to avoid the first few cabbages, moving in slow motion as did the rest of the world, but the moment his feet touched the ground, he blurred forward, swinging his sword again and again as he slashed through one cabbage after another.

And with one finishing slash through four cabbages, time returned once more, with perfect halves of the monsters falling to the ground with Link between all of them.

Gods, he loved his Flurry Rush.

"Oi, what was that!?" To the adventurers, they had seen the apparent male elf running head-first into the swarm before suddenly dodging, only for a series of blurry afterimages of the man to appear as he sliced through groups of cabbage, leaving them all in perfectly cut halves on the ground.

The rest started splitting into smaller groups in panic, which Link chased down in giddy glee.

"Whoaaaaa! Look at him go!" A warrior pointed in awe as the singular man of his race started rapidly slashing through more cabbages.

"He really is amazing!"

Link slashed through another bunch.

"Yeah!"

Another two packs were sliced.

"Ah, wait a minute..."

Three consecutive slashes got seven more.

"Isn't he just-?"

Another batch of 50,000 eris worth was claimed.

"H-Hey! Wait wait wait! Leave some for us!"

Suddenly, a massive sense of urgency took over the adventurers of Axel as they started rushing around in panic to find cabbages for themselves. They scampered through the fields with weapons as they sought to grab or shoot down as many of these monsters as they could, as despite there being so many of them, they had a feeling they'd be practically getting robbed if they didn't take this seriously.

"Outstanding." Darkness stared in awe at Link's swordsmanship as each cabbage he cut through fell in perfect halves, leaving a trail of them behind. Not to mention, there was a crazed grin on the elf's face as he cut through everything, sending shivers down her spine, this time, the kind she actually likes.

"I-I have to prove my worth!" She gasped, taking out her sword and rushing into the fray with a war cry.

Link had just cut through another four cabbages when he caught sight of Darkness running towards another group and, being curious, he halted his genocide to watch her swordplay.

It was-

...

Dear gods.

What is THAT?

Link stared in absolute horror as Darkness's sword missed swing after swing, at most creating powerful gusts of air that sent the cabbage monsters flying about. Being a swordsman at heart, the pathetic sight left Link a little dead inside.

Is this how Zelda felt seeing him eat Darruk's rock roasts sometimes? Or how Paya felt when she first saw him arrive in Kakariko village riding a bear in only his underwear?

...

Good times.

But not even those memories nor that funny little rhyme just now was enough to calm Link down. Calling Darkness's ability swordplay was absolute blasphemy. It was so bad that it just couldn't be natural because there was no way someone was that horrid with a sword. He almost wanted to go over and beat swordplay into the girl himself.

Then again... that's probably exactly what she wanted.

Ew.

At some point, Darkness missed another dozen roaming cabbages before catching sight of Link staring at her like she had just killed a puppy. She froze in place, watching as his disturbed expression shifted into one someone would have when telling someone that their pet had died.

So sympathetic, so pitying.

The exact opposite of the kind of looks she wanted to receive.

Cheeks turning red, she turned her head away.

"A-At least say something instead of just staring!"

The young man just shrugged in a 'what am I even supposed to say?' gesture.

They were both suddenly interrupted by the sounds of meaty thwacks and several cries of pain. Turning their heads, they saw several adventurers getting slammed by cabbages and sent sprawling to the ground, some even getting knocked unconscious by the impacts. 

Link frowned, about to move in to help, only for Darkness to rush first.

"I'll save you!"

He watched as the crusader threw her sword away and moved between some collapsed adventurers and a concentrated group of cabbages flying toward them. 

"Uwa!"

"Hah!"

"Mmm~!"

At first, she shielded her head with her arms as cabbage after cabbage slammed into her body, the blows occasionally taking off pieces of her armor, but then Darkness simply opened her arms with a look of pure bliss that the others somehow took as pain.

"How could I ever abandon those who have fallen!?" She cried out.

Link to say... was disturbed.

His stare became completely blank, his entire body black and white as he stared at the sexual arousal evident on the crusader's face. He didn't understand this at all, so much so that it scared him a little. For a noble(?) lady to purposely stand there and take hit after hit and still be completely fine-

Wait a minute.

Link squinted his eyes as he watched Darkness get absolutely pummeled by cabbages but didn't seem to be getting overwhelmed or injured in any way. By the sound of each impact, each flying cabbage almost seemed like one of Urbosa's kicks, especially with how people were getting knocked out by them. So for Darkness to be taking so many of these hits without any evident damage, especially in only her skintight underclothing with her armor having been knocked off...

That's actually pretty impressive. You'd hardly ever find that type of physical defense in Hyrule. Even Daruk couldn't just take hits with a grin on his face.

Wait, shouldn't he be helping her out right now? 

But, well... if she's enjoying this, then he shouldn't interrupt... right? Is that how this works?

"Oh, blackness shrouded in light..."

Link blinked as he turned his head back to the main entrance of Axel, where he saw Megumin's manic glee despite the distance. The blue crystal of her staff gathered mana while a fiery-red magic circle formed underneath her, also bringing another whirlpool of wind and mana circling above the gathered cabbages where Darkness... stood...

!?!

Jumping in realization, Link activated Swift and blazed toward the crusader currently in ecstasy, slashing through a few intercepting cabbages along the way.

"Frenzied blaze clad in night..."

He made it to Darkness in no time, getting in front of her as he swung his blade.

"Sacred Sword!"

Using his new skill, he blew away the rushing wave of green monsters, creating a brief period without them.

"Eh!?" Arms still open, Darkness looked utterly heartbroken by the action. "Why did you-?"

Link didn't even give her a chance to speak as he grabbed her, threw her over his left shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and proceeded to run as fast as he could back to Axel's main gate, all in less than a few seconds.

"In the name of crimson demons..."

"Wah!? Y-You brute! So you've finally revealed your true colors, snatching me up so boldly while everyone is watching!?"

The girl's cheeks flushed with a happy squeal as she felt Link's firm grip around her waist, her unarmored breasts bouncing up and down due to his fast pace.

"D-Don't think I'll succumb so easily! No matter what you do to me, I'll never waver! No matter what devious ways you ravish me or how many times you use my body as you please, you'll never have my heart-!"

"Lady Darkness, please!" Link interrupted, keeping forward with both cheeks and ears red, "I'm trying to save you!"

"Eh?" The knight paused, blinking in confusion.

"Let the collapse of thine origins manifest..."

At this point, Darkness noticed the darkened atmosphere and turned her head to find Megumin's accumulating mana intensely concentrated over where she had just been.

"Wait..." Her eyes widened. "W-Wait!"

Realizing what she was going to miss, she started struggling like her life depended on it.

"L-Let me go!"

"Summon before me the root of thy power..."

Link kept a tight grip on Darkness as he cut a path through more cabbages, not looking back or answering the girl.

"Let me go! Let me go! You brute! You monster! You despicable man! How dare you!"

This time, funny enough, Darkness fully meant her words and the genuine emotion behind them as Link carried her away from the blast radius, away from what would be a highlight of her life!

"Hidden within the lands of kingdom demise!"

"Don't do this to me! When I wanted you to be cruel, I didn't mean in this way! Don't deny me this! PLEASE!"

"EXPLOOOOOOOOSION!!!!"

"NOOOOOOOO!!!" Darkness reached a hand outward in tears, like watching a dear friend left behind to their death.

Her screams were cut off as a giant explosion flared, light blinding the area as collective screams of fright were smothered by the loud roar of destruction itself.

Link finally looked back at the giant pillar of fire erupting into the sky, watching as all those flying balls of money turned to a crisp as they disappeared behind the rampaging flames.

As a scavaging man who learned to never waste anything, the sight crushed his soul.

All that money... 

Gone, reduced to atoms.

By the time he made it back to Axel's entrance, he and Darkness were teary for different reasons.

Link's mood significantly improved when he and his party ate dinner at the guild.

Sure, he had promised Megumin another bowl of soup earlier, but both had agreed to try the meals involving the high-quality cabbage that's been gathered up, especially when it would be a basis for the following meal Link makes using the cabbages he's stored.

To think that a simple meal of stir-fried cabbage could taste so delicious! No wonder the guild bought them for so much money! He didn't come to this world to fight cabbage, but it was an immensely worthwhile experience!

"I'd expect no less from a crusader!" Aqua praised from his left, pointing forward with her fork. "It's no surprise those cabbages had a tough time breaching your iron-clad defenses."

"Hnnnn..."

Rather than any words of thanks, Link heard the groaning whine coming from his right, making him pause his chewing. Turning his gaze, he saw Darkness refusing to look at him, cheeks red and puffed up in a pout with angrily teary eyes.

"How dare you play with a maiden's heart..." She grumbled.

Link sweatdropped. He didn't think she'd be this sulky for saving her; had she really been that confident in taking a giant explosion right in its center?

"Oi! I'm praising you here!" Aqua snapped, seeing as she hadn't been responded to, yet the crusader just continued to pout.

"Hey, is Darkness gonna join our party then?" Meguimin asked from the opposite side of the table.

That finally had the female tank gasp in realization.

"Th-That's right!" She abruptly stood up and faced Link, putting a hand over her chest with a big smile. "Even though I had been... denied in demonstrating my full capabilities as a crusader, you should still have seen enough of my abilities to make an accurate judgment on accepting me!"

Link stared at Darkness with an analytical gaze, thinking back on what he'd seen from her so far.

He frowned.

"There's still an issue we have to discuss."

"Wh-What?"

The smile fell from the taller woman and turned into shock, as if she had simply expected him to immediately let her join.

"From what I've seen from your fighting ability on the field, you have the inability to strike your targets." Link stated bluntly.

That immediately brought an embarrassed blush on the woman's cheeks.

"I-I'm the proudest of my defense! I'm a wall that will stand tall and always defend those behind me!"

"We're not talking about your defense, we're talking about your accuracy." Link forcefully steered back to the issue, stern gaze unmoving from Darkness. "In all my time as a swordsman, I've never seen someone so naturally deficient at using a sword. Have you never practiced with a blade before?"

Darkness shamefully turned away.

"I... I know the basics, and can at least use a sword in either hand, but..." 

She played with her fingers self-consciously.

"I... am clumsy..."

Link raised an eyebrow. That's how she's explaining it?

"It was difficult for me to say, but while I have confidence in my strength and stamina, n-none of my attacks ever hit my mark."

"Shouldn't there be skills that help with that?" Aqua asked curiously.

Darkness didn't respond, merely getting redder.

"Can we see your adventurer card?" Megumin requested with an outstretched hand.

Still not looking at them, Darkness reached into her pocket and pulled it out, handing it to the Arch Wizard, who examined it with her other two companions.

Link's face blanched, Megumin nodded understandingly, and Aqua merely tilted her head in curiosity.

When Darkness had said she was confident in her strength and stamina, she had meant it. The two categories were the highest of her stats by overwhelming margins. Hell, her strength in itself was twice as high as his.

But then shock turned to complete disbelief when the hylian saw her other stats. The issue wasn't her average intelligence and luck, nor was it her low magic power from being a physical fighter...

The problem was that her dexterity was practically at rock bottom.

From what Link remembered from Luna's explanation, part of the dexterity stat involves influencing a person's accuracy in their attacks, so for it to be this low...

No wonder this woman can't hit anything!

Not to mention, every skill she obtained had to do with either defense or increasing some kind of resistance, and she hardly had any skill points left to gain more.

He'd ask why she had done this to herself, yet... he knew why.

But that didn't mean he wasn't baffled by it all! Is she that obsessed with becoming some kind of training dummy to thrash on!?

"A-As you can see-!" Darkness abruptly spoke, gaining their attention as she turned back to them with a facade of proud bravery. "I'm best fit as a shield in the front lines! I could've even taken that explosion and been fine! I'd be a perfect addition to your group!"

"You..." Link didn't even know what to think with what he'd discovered. Did his group really need someone who could take anything yet not hit a single thing?

"Welcome aboard!" Megumin suddenly said, giving a thumbs up.

"Really!?" The now overjoyed woman stammered.

Link turned to the Arch Wizard in disbelief, wondering why she had accepted someone limiting themselves by being too specialized.

But then he realized who Megumin was.

He facepalmed with a groan. Of course she'd personally relate with Darkness so much that she'd readily accept her in their group. In her eyes, the crusader must be like a fellow sister in arms.

"She's still a crusader, of course we should have her!" Aqua joined in. "We'll have four advanced classes then! It's too good to pass up!"

Link rubbed his temples in frustration but didn't immediately deny accepting Darkness. Sure, the only real issue with her abilities was actually one of the biggest problems a person could have, but...

Maybe he could salvage this.

"I'm teaching you."

"Huh?" Darkness and the other two girls turned to Link.

"If you're joining us, then we have to fix your weakness as soon as possible." Link said sternly, showing complete seriousness. "So I'll teach you how to use a sword."

Hopefully, with enough practice, they'd mitigate that weakness of hers. It was the only thing holding back the crusader from being an absolute menace on his field. And even if training her doesn't actually increase her dexterity, they could still at least develop some kind of fighting style or technique for her so that she wasn't completely redundant in hand-to-hand combat.

Darkness blinked in surprise, but then her face flushed as stars twinkled in her eyes.

"Y-Yes! Please! Be as rough as you want with me! Throw me, kick me, don't hesitate to use me in any way-!"

"I will do no such thing!" Link cut her off. Despite his expression unchanging, he couldn't hide the red in his ears.

"What!? Why not!?"

What followed was an argument where Link insisted he wasn't simply a 'male elf' that put down others, while Darkness seemed to just question him or be utterly convinced that he was hiding some savage side deep down inside him. Aqua didn't help, for she kept trying to confirm that the hylian definitely had a brutish (more like psychopathic...) side to him, and as for Megumin, she just kept staring at Link's ears with twinkling eyes, finding it absolutely precious how red they were on such a 'cool' person.

"...is he really gonna be okay?"

Seated at another table across the room, Chris and Tetra stared at the new party from afar as they ate their stir-fried cabbage, the latter looking highly concerned while the former looked scandalized at such a question.

"What do you mean!? Of course, he will! Link is the hero! No matter what the demon king throws at him, he'll pull through, just like he always does!" Chris stated passionately.

Tetra slowly turned her head and gave her friend a flat look.

"I was talking more about his own party..."

Chris faltered.

"I-I mean..."

She hesitantly glanced back at the chosen hero, finding him looking full of dread as Darkness held both of his hands across the table with heart eyes while Megumin struggled to pry them off, all while Aqua had somehow gotten her hands on another bottle of wine and was drunkenly leaning against Link with drool falling on him.

Chris turned around but avoided looking at her friend.

"They'll... probably be helpful? J-Just give it a chance!"

Tetra rubbed her temples with a groan.

Why did she have a feeling that fighting the calamity would have nothing on what's coming for Link going forward?

Chapter Text

Link woke up at the crack of dawn, immediately changing into his champion's outfit.

It was the day after the cabbage harvest, with yesterday having ended with the hylian gaining a new party member in Darkness. Link was still confident that the young woman was some sort of noble or had at least interacted with them, but as long as she didn't bring it up, he also wouldn't pay it any mind and treat her like any other person.

If anything, it was relieving that he wouldn't have to repetitively kneel or address the woman with constant formalities; he'd done that enough before the calamity. Sure, he had imposed that on himself at the start because of the pressure of being the chosen hero guarding the princess, but after having learned to open himself up to Zelda, in addition to his fun, carefree experiences during his journey to save Hyrule, he didn't want to go back to stuffy formalities so soon.

After he finished reattaching his belt and the Master Sword to his back, Link left the stables with Aqua sleeping once again to head for the guild.

Going back to the center of Axel, where the building lay, Link entered to find it barren of anyone except the waitresses and other staff, some of whom had the grogginess of non-morning risers in their eyes.

"Ah, Link! Good morning!" Wiping the counter, Luna welcomed him with a big smile, earning a wave back. Having been on the field to advertise the cabbage quest, she had been one of the many people to witness the man's capabilities firsthand. Safe to say, she had been giddy at what she saw, overjoyed at having such a capable (not to mention gallant) adventurer in Axel. It'd be great publicity for the city, and having him achieve many successes here would guarantee bonuses for the guild!

It's safe to say the woman was starting to become a big fan, and that didn't even account for the soft spot she already has for the elf after 'figuring out' that he learned his butchering skills from living in the wilds all alone.

"Are you doing well? Is there anything we can get you? If you need something, all you have to do is ask," the woman insisted.

"I'm fine. I wanted to ask about my profits from the cabbage harvest." Link responded as he stopped at the counter.

"Oh! Let me get that for you real quick!"

Luna eagerly went back and searched a few files before turning back to him.

"Congratulations, Link! As of now, you're three and a half million eris richer."

Link's eyes swelled with joy.

He'll finally be able to get him and Aqua out of the stables!

...Ah crap, that means she's already gonna go back to drinking, too, especially since he promised her two bottles. He'll figure that out later, but he won't let that deteriorate his mood.

All hail the great cabbages!

"Would you like to create a monetary account with the guild to keep your eris? It'll only be a small fee." Luna encouraged, getting a nod of agreement from Link.

After filling out a quick form, the hylian checked the quest board. Having a few hours to spare until his new party would show up, he might as well look and see if he could finish something simple in the meantime.

He glanced at the sheets of parchment on the noticeboard. One in particular caught his eye, with seven red skulls and a drawing of a large wolf creature with a spiked collar being walked on a leash by a man.

~I want someone to search for my lost pet wolf~

Looking at the giant wolf's size compared to the man, Link thought back to fond memories of the bear he had ridden into the Sheikah Village not long after waking up.

...

A large smile reached his ears.

~{A few hours later}~

"I thought Link would've been here by now."

Seated in new armor at one of the tables, Darkness, in her newly repaired armor, looked around the guild for any sign of their resident Sword Master, only not to see him anywhere. In front of her, Megumin was hugging a newly purchased staff tight in her arms, rubbing her cheek and legs against it with overjoyed panting.

"Irresistible, Irresistible~ The luster of this Manatite staff brimming with magical power! Ohoho, oho~!"

...Is that how she looks to others?

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I'M GETTING NO MONEY!?"

Aqua's unholy screech cut through the atmosphere, making Darkness and Megumin turn their heads to find the woman holding a nervous Luna by the front of her shirt.

"W-Well, I'm sorry Aqua, but um, most of what you caught is actually lettuce..."

"Haaaa!? Why is there lettuce mixed in!?"

While it is true that lettuce has a low appearance rate in the harvests, Aqua having most of her catches only be it was... some rather bad luck.

Realizing that she had no hope of getting money, Aqua angrily let the woman go and turned around, stomping back to the two of them.

"Where's Link!?" She snapped without even a hello.

"Shouldn't you know, seeing as you both live in the stables together?" Megumin returned with an eyebrow raised.

"He gets up earlier than me to do things, why would I know!?"

Both Megumin and Darkness gave her flat looks.

"Okay... So what do you need him for?"

It was then Aqua's anger snuffed out into genuine distress.

"I need him to help me! I thought my reward for the harvest quest would be pretty hefty, so I used up all the money I had! I thought I'd rake in so much money that I have a bar tab of nearly one hundred thousand eris!" With tears in her eyes, the goddess pointed off to the side where two thuggish-looking men waited, one even licking a dagger maliciously.

Megumin's and Darkness's eyes widened, the latter shooting to her feet with her hands slamming on the table, red-faced and panting.

"Th-Those fiends! If they get their hands on you, they'll never let you go! Y-You'll be forced to be at their beck and call, unable to r-refuse any sullying order given until you p-p-pay them, and even then, by the time that happens, y-you could already be their p-p-plaything and could never go back!"

"DON'T SAY SOMETHING SO SCARY!" Aqua wailed as she grabbed at her hair in panic.

They missed the two thugs uncomfortably take two steps back.

"Didn't Link tell you to stop drinking until you managed to get your own place?" Megumin pointed out.

"I thought I'd have enough to move out too! I didn't think I'd only get lettuce! Now if I don't pay by the end of the day, I'm a goner!"

Darkness gulped. "I-If you wish, I can take your place-"

"Excuse me-!" Luna approached their table nervously, having still been more than close enough to hear the whole thing.

"If you're looking for Link, he actually took a quest in the morning."

"What!? Without us!? What kind!? Answer me!" Aqua grabbed the front of the blonde's shirt again, shaking her and her bountiful chest back and forth.

"H-He went to look for a Light Blood Fang and bring it back to its owner!" Luna cried.

Megumin's eyes widened.

"A Light Blood Fang!?"

Aqua stopped and curiously turned to the Arch Wizard.

"What's that?"

"They're wolves stronger and larger than the regular breed of wolves and are even resistant to magic! They're not exactly high-level monsters, but they're definitely dangerous!" She explained in a slight panic. "Someone had that around here as a pet!?"

"What!? He left to find such a monster!? But if he dies, then I can't pay my tab!" Aqua turned back to the distressed Luna and shook her again. "How much did he make from the harvest!?"

"Th-Three and a half million eris!"

Silence filled the entire guild hall. They had all been listening to the rather loud conversation, and hearing the enormous amount of money made from a single quest dumbfounded them all.

Aqua's grip on Luna slackened, but her hands remained outstretched and shaking, her eyes growing cloudy.

"Three... Three and a half... million..."

After standing silent for a few seconds, the goddess turned and exploded into a sprint right for the door.

"LIIIIIIIIIINK!"

"We've got a runner!"

Both thuggish men intercepted Aqua's path and didn't hesitate to tackle her to the ground. Then they yanked her up by an arm each, dangling her in the air.

"Hey-! Wait a minute! Wait! I can pay, I can! Let me go!" Aqua wailed and cried as they started carrying her to the door. "I just have to find my follower and charm him into lending me some change, I swear!"

"She has no shame..." Most of the guild sweatdropped.

"It'll only take a moment! Just let me-!"

*BANG!*

Before anything else could happen, the front doors of the building suddenly slammed open with alarming force, letting the morning light pour in. A silhouette ran in on all fours before leaping upward above the trio closest to the door.

The men holding Aqua dropped her and jumped away with high-pitched screams, and the goddess only had a split second to look up at the large frame falling... toward... her...

"Eh?"

The shadow over Aqua grew as a large beast descended on her.

"EAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

A thump echoed in the room, followed by dead silent adventurers either frozen on their feet with weapons in hand or guild staff hiding behind furniture with trembling bodies. Right before them was a white and golden wolf twice the size of a large man. Accessories such as smooth golden cuffs around its ankles, another attached to the base of its fluffy golden tail, smaller ones on large white braids on each side of its head, and a black spiked collar around its neck showed that it was at least personally cared for, yet no less ferocious.

With feral golden eyes, the wolf growled as it barred its sharp fangs down at the goddess pinned beneath its head.

"N-N-Nice doggie, g-g-good boy." Aqua stammered, a shivering mess as she stared at the monster above, its drool dripping right next to her head.

The only reason the adventurers in the room hadn't already rushed to slay the wolf in front of them was their sheer shock and dumbfoundedness, the cause of which being their upstart elf riding the monster's back with the most innocent smile on his face.

And only wearing his boxers.

Link's lean but decently muscled frame was presented to everyone, a body with few scars but skin still smooth enough to rival a healthy woman's. On his hip was his utility belt with his infi-pouch attached, but aside from that, he indeed was only in his underwear.

And he just happily waved at everyone like all was normal.

"AAAAAAAHHH!" Darkness's feminine scream filled the room before she covered her face in her hands and turned away with an atomic blush.

"Wh-Wh-Why are you naked!?" Megumin screamed, covering her own face similarly. But unlike Darkness, the girl was subtly peaking through her fingers to get a view.

The hylian naively tilted his head at the question.

"I'm still wearing underwear?"

"B-But you're-! Why aren't you wearing your other clothes!?"

Link blinked in confusion, wondering what the issue was, only for his eyes to snap to realization.

"Oh!" He sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry, it's a habit."

"You have a habit of stripping down to your underwear!?"

"Only when riding wild animals that aren't horses. It lets me bond with them better." He admitted, affectionately patting the growling wolf's head.

The ferocity in its eyes abruptly vanished, replaced with what one could only describe as googly eyes as it hung its tongue out and started panting excitedly.

"See? He's a good boy!" Link beamed.

No one had a proper response to this. In fact, many people in the guild weren't even in a position to respond.

Nearly every waitress had fallen over, passed out with goofy grins.

Most of the female adventurers and even a few men were all staring at Link with bleeding noses.

The rest of the crowd trembled at the frankly insane person casually riding a dangerous monster while near-naked.

And to top it all off, the wagging tongue of the derpy wolf had drool pouring right on top of Aqua, the previously trembling woman now completely still with a dull look in her eyes.

"Link?"

Standing straight but stiff, Luna approached with closed eyes and a frozen smile. Despite the woman's impressive professional composure, there was no hiding her red cheeks and the bloodied tissues up her nose.

"Why did you bring the Blood Fang here?" She asked politely.

He shrugged.

"I don't know where the Homestead Haven is. And I couldn't ask anyone since they all ran away when I was coming back."

"...I see."

Luna motioned a hand at the door. "Leave the guild and follow the left road until you pass the river, then immediately turn right and follow the path until you reach an intersection. From there, turn left and you won't miss the building."

Link smiled at her.

"Thank you!"

He patted the wolf's head and whispered gently in its ear, earning a bark from the monster before it turned around and dashed out of the guild before taking a left out of sight.

The sounds of screaming and crashing immediately followed.

Aqua was now curled up into a ball, covered in drool and looking dead inside.

Her head creaked toward the two thuggish men hiding behind a pillar.

"Take me away, please." She requested soullessly.

Funny enough, this was the moment the men felt sympathetic enough to leave her be for another day.

When Link returned, he did pay Aqua's tab for her, though not without giving the goddess a look of disappointment. This, for some reason, seemed to terrify her to no end, enough that she apologized several times.

It was nice to see that she was becoming more aware of the bad things she did.

As for himself, he was a little embarrassed to realize that he had fallen back into that old habit of riding an animal into town near-naked. Apparently Axel is a lot more strict on public indecency here than the wilds of Hyrule had been after the calamity had initially struck.

You'd be surprised how many people in the different regions would completely overlook a hylian running around in his underpants.

But that clearly wasn't the case here, and Link knew he was lucky he didn't get arrested.

After some initial awkwardness of Darkness and Megumin being unable to look at him and Aqua unable to stop shaking for some reason, he put their focus back on essential matters.

"We have a few things to do, so we won't be taking any quests today." He started with his party seated around him at the table.

"What!? Why not? Is it because you did one for yourself already?" Megumin glared with red cheeks, still somewhat miffed at how absolutely brazen the elf to the side of her was.

"No, that was because I got up really early and wanted to do something. I can offer you the quest reward if you need it."

"Really!?"

"Not you, Aqua."

The goddess's cheeks puffed before opening her mouth to argue and whine, only for her to pale as several images of Link's manic grins went through her mind, including his most recent on top of that ferocious wolf.

She sat up straight in her seat. "Y-Yes Link-sama!"

The hylian raised an eyebrow at the address but didn't think much of it since it seemed like Aqua was taking his words without complaint.

"I don't need the reward," Darkness spoke up. "But I really would've liked to go on a quest as a party to demonstrate my-"

"I already know your abilities and weaknesses." Link deadpanned. "There's a big problem with the second."

Darkness shivered and started hugging herself with a drunk smile.

"N-No hesitation to talk me down! Ngh~"

Link recoiled with a different kind of shiver.

He still had absolutely no clue how to deal with the blonde crusader who expected pain and debauchery from him. He'd have to establish something with her later, but for now, he needed to focus on fixing some of the faults of his party.

Quelling his fluster, he turned to face his other companions.

"Aqua, Megumin, we'll be going out to buy you equipment."

Both females' eyes widened.

"What? But I already have a new staff!" Megumin said, proudly showing off the new object in her arms.

"I mean armor. You both need some."

"What!? I'm an Arch Priest! I don't need armor!" Aqua's fear gave way to scandalization. She was a goddess! She wasn't going to put on some generic tacky equipment!

Link eyed her up and down.

"I'd understand if it's part of a fast, acrobatic fighting style, but if you're not fighting then you need the protection."

"I have protection!" Aqua angrily yanked off the pink cloth around her shoulders and shoved it in his face. "This hagoromo is a holy relic. It defends against abnormal statuses and provides great durability! It's a heavily enchanted precious artifact! There's no other equipment better than this!"

Link looked at the plain-looking article of long clothing in surprise.

"Yes, really!" Aqua answered without him even asking.

...He still thought she needed some, but she seemed so confident in it. So it should be fine?

"Armor would only be heavy! It'd only get in the way of my capabilities as an Arch Wizard!" Megumin complained next.

Link turned to her. "I'm aware. I remember you mentioning that your robe and cape have magic-boosting properties. So for you, just shin guards and different boots to run in different terrain conditions would be enough."

"I'm not changing my boots! They're part of my aesthetic!" Megumin complained.

"Then maybe have some special soles placed instead? This is primarily to allow you to move while chanting in case something tries to interfere while you're doing so. We don't need you getting hurt or slipping mid-explosion."

It honestly confused Megumin how Link could go from a quiet or short-sentenced guy to suddenly this wise, detailed veteran, and that was without taking in the questionable parts of his character. Yet, as she listened to the sort of good points he made, along with making sure it didn't change her style too much, it sounded kind of acceptable.

"...If it doesn't look cool, I'm not wearing it!"

Link nodded before turning to Darkness, the woman straightening up at the sight of his intimidating (and slightly arousing) glare.

"You've repaired your armor, so you're fine. But after I buy a few items for Aqua and Megumin, we'll spend a good portion of the day going over your swordplay."

Visible excitement flashed in her eyes.

"Y-Yes! Be as stern and rough as you need to be! Don't hold back, drive me into the ground, throw me around and show me how much I-! Wait, where are you going!?"

While getting lost in her perverted fantasies, Link had already grabbed Aqua and Megumin and bolted out the door.

"While this is humiliating in its own right, even I'd feel sad to be left behind like this!" Darkness whined as she ran after them.

"...I guess this is okay."

Standing in a blacksmith's shop, Megumin looked down at the new additions to her outfit bought by Link using his recently gained fortune (He insisted on paying for anything he had the idea for them to get). New, red-scaled shin guards were present, partially going into her boots since her footwear nearly went up to her knees, but thankfully, they were spacious enough to fit them without any discomfort. In addition, new soles were implemented on her boots; their designs of simple black and didn't change her look much, so it was acceptable to the Arch Wizard.

Not to mention, the soles technically made her a little taller.

However, she also had a pair of... daggers sheathed and attached to the leather belt wrapped over her robes. The thought of using them against someone made her feel queasy, but she knew Link had a point in ensuring she had them. Just having a blade on you was crucial for the time you need it, even if you never do.

Besides, he hadn't even said a word about making her use magic other than Explosion, so she could at least not complain about this.

"Are you sure you don't need any armor, Aqua?" The elf in her thoughts asked as he showed the self-proclaimed 'goddess' shin and arm guards in a box.

"I don't! Like I said, my hagoromo gives me all the defense I need! Do you think I'd lie about something like that and not think about getting hurt!? Nuh-uh!" Aqua answered, shaking her head.

"It must be a fairly powerful artifact to provide the defenses you're claiming..." Darkness notes, staring suspiciously at the frankly normal-looking article of clothing.

Megumin herself still wasn't sure if that pink scarf-looking thing was that great, but Aqua did seem rather insistent on it...

Link reluctantly accepted her words, returning the light armor box before turning to the Arch Wizard.

"How is your equipment, Megumin?"

"It's fine, but are you sure I can just have this? You paid for it and everything..." She couldn't help but feel guilty. Ever since meeting him, the elf has only been treating her well. He appreciated her explosion magic enough not to dismiss her from the party; he cooked her a fantastic meal, and now he was buying her armor she would have never considered. And what had she done for him in return? Absolutely nothing...

"It's fine." Link smiled in a way that made him look way too pretty for a guy. "You'll be safer this way."

The Arch Wizard's cheeks pinkened.

"Damn pretty boys!"

"Th-Thank you for the equipment I'll... I'll check out what Darkness is looking at!" She quickly disappeared to another aisle of the store where the blonde crusader was exploring, leaving Link tilting his head in an innocent image of perplexity.

"Link!"

His attention turned to Aqua, who was... making a cute, begging face with puppy eyes.

"Instead of buying me armor, do you think you can-?"

"No."

"I didn't even finish asking!?"

"No money."

As if he needed to let her finish to know what she wanted.

"But why!?" Aqua grabbed him by the front of his shirt and shook him back and forth. "You're rich now, aren't you!? You can start pampering me! Didn't you promise me that you'd buy me two bottles of wine once we fixed our money problems!?"

Link frowned and grabbed her wrists, stopping her in place.

"I said that I'd buy you them once we've bought somewhere to live. But do you think you still deserve it after making me spend one hundred thousand eris because you irresponsibly drank yourself into debt?"

Aqua flinched yet still had the audacity to keep looking him in the eye with a nervous smile.

"Um... yeeeeeeees?"

...

"Why are you looking at me like that!?"

Link's disappointed stare made the goddess shrink in on herself, not liking the uncomfortable squirming it brought to her stomach.

Nearly a minute of silence went by as Link desperately hoped that the goddess would realize the selfishness of her words and retract them, only to realize just who he was expecting this from. So, with a deep, tired sigh, he released Aqua's wrists and crossed his arms.

"Aqua, what is it that you really want the most?"

The bluenette seemed surprised by the sudden question, blinking a few times in confusion before raising an eyebrow.

"What do you mean? I just want to buy some wine!"

"Then you don't want to go home?"

She looked at him like he was stupid.

"Hah!? Of course I want to!"

"Then why do you keep insisting on wasting our funds on alcohol instead of saving them for essential items?"

"B-But wine is an important item! It, um..." Her defiant tone trailed off as she struggled to come up with a strong reason, nervously squirming in place before weakly smiling. "...keeps me relaxed?"

If by 'relaxed,' she means becoming a sloppy drunk that tends to pass out, then yes. And if she keeps following the habit, it'll have permanent consequences.

"Aqua, you can't keep drinking too much. It's unhealthy and will harm your body over time." He stressed.

"Huh, what are you talking about!?" Aqua retorted, looking absolutely scandalized at the claim. "Who do you think I am!? I'm a goddess; mortal diseases and sicknesses don't apply to me!"

Curiosity gleamed in Link's eyes.

"They don't?"

"Of course not! My body is perfection and will always stay that way no matter what!"

"But... then how can you get drunk?"

"Gods can get drunk! Our bodies just don't spoil from it!"

So she can get as drunk as she wants and will never suffer organ failure?

Huh, now that he's thinking about it... so far, Aqua hasn't actually been that bad for him to handle when drunk. Sure, he has to watch over her while in that state to make sure nothing happens, like with that tab she had grown last night, but when she has a ready batch of alcohol to keep her satisfied, all she does is get really whiny and flail around. At worst she just moved into his personal space while begging for more wine or money, but she was overall more bearable to watch when relaxed in wine...

In fact, two out of the three times she's gotten drunk during their few days in Axel had resulted in her passing out... which meant him not actually needing to be too careful in watching her aside from making sure no one takes advantage of her.

Hell, he remembers Zelda being an even worse drunk, though... that's because of how personally bad it was for his heart. It was some time after saving the princess from the Yiga when they and the champions had spent a night drinking in the castle. Safe to say, all of them had been quite shocked at just how bad the princess could handle her alcohol, learning that she was both an emotional and very affectionate drunk, one who had latched onto him the most...

He couldn't remember another time Urbosa had ever laughed so hard.

But back to Aqua. In the short time Link's known the goddess, he's learned quite a bit about her character. First, she really loves drinking to the point where it's practically one of her priorities. Second, she's lazy and spoiled to the point where she expects everyone else to do work rather than herself. Finally, her bad luck, in tandem with her lack of impulse control, can lead her to all kinds of trouble, such as her most recent debt. The most troublesome aspect is that he doubts the goddess even learns much from her experiences, leading her to return to her bad habits and get into danger once more.

So theoretically, if he wants to keep Aqua from acting out...

...

Oh dear Hylia, he never thought he'd ever get so low to think that the best course of action to keep a woman from causing trouble is by repeatedly getting her drunk.

Link's head slumped with a defeated sigh.

"Megumin..."

"Hm?" Hearing her name called, the Arch Wizard returned from another aisle.

"You live in an inn within Axel, right?" He asked as he turned to her.

"Yeah. Are you thinking of getting rooms there?"

He nodded while grabbing his infi-pouch, reaching in and pulling out a decent amount of eris that he then handed to the girl.

"Please take Aqua and get two rooms for us." He momentarily glanced back at the goddess, who was angrily pouting at him in thoughts of having been brushed off.

With another sigh, he turned back to the younger girl.

"Get her two bottles of wine on the way..."

Both girls' eyes widened.

"Really?/Really!?" Both asked, one with suspicion and the other with joy.

Link nodded in hesitant confirmation.

"Just watch her and ensure she doesn't leave to cause trouble."

"Wait, what'll you be doing?" Megumin questioned curiously.

"I'm going to spend the rest of the day working on Darkness's swordsmanship."

A crash echoed in the next aisle before the mentioned crusader appeared before them with eager eyes and excited breaths.

"Truly!?"

Trying, and he meant really trying, to ignore the flushed excitement from his fellow blonde, he kept his gaze on Megumin.

"Tomorrow we'll take on a quest together. I already know your power, but Darkness needs a more personal touch before we go."

"P-P-Personal touch?" Darkness's hands found her cheeks with a silly smile. "What devious and outrageous acts are you planning to make me go through!? What sort of twisted mind does a brutish male elf, known for their arrogance and ruthless superiority, have to prey on an innocent maiden-"

"That's racist." Megumin deadpanned.

"Eh?" Darkness lost the wind in her sails.

"You're making negative assumptions about Link because of his race." She narrowed her eyes while Link uncomfortably inched away from the crusader.

"What!?" Said crusader recoiled like she had just been shot. "I-I'm not racist!"

"I thought you were better than that, Darkness, expecting the worse from someone because of what they are. For shame." Megumin shook her head in overexaggerated, teasing disappointment.

"I'm not racist!" Darkness voiced in desperation, her face burning red. "I-I'm just expecting him to be merciless when he strikes me around, that's it!"

"Hm, I don't know..." Surprisingly, Aqua of all people spoke up. "If that's coming from an assumption made from his race, then I think that's racist."

Darkness was nearly in tears.

"I'M NOT RACIST!"

"And didn't Megumin expect something similar from Link when they first met?" Aqua innocently recalled as an afterthought.

The smug Arch Wizard paled.

After a lightning-fast escape from Megumin, taking a startled Aqua with her, it took a few minutes of hysteric denial and Link's reassurance to calm Darkness enough for the two to head out. Just off the side of the path right outside Axel, both sword users stood across from each other in a circle of logs, their blades out and ready to be used.

"So." The male started, letting the Master Sword hang loosely from his hand. "Your most potent traits are your strength and defense, both at levels of impressive scale."

Darkness stood tall in pride.

"However-" He stressed, making her flinch. "We cannot ignore the fatal flaw you bear; you're absolute inadequacy in your swordplay."

Despite having her embarrassing shortcomings pointed out, Darkness noted the eloquent posture and language of the elf before her in surprise. Courteous to an almost noble degree...

"Darkness, how extensively have you been tutored with a sword?" Link asked in complete seriousness.

The question not only snapped the woman out of her thoughts but also had her slump in shame.

"Truthfully, I only know the essential basics since all of my past tutors dismissed me because of my, um... c-clumsiness."

Ah, so she's been neglecting her dexterity for that long...

"And you've only been investing your skill points into defensive skills? Why haven't you considered putting them into any for accuracy?" Link asked in genuine curiosity.

Once more, Darkness turned sheepish, avoiding Link's eyes and nervously playing with her sword.

"W-Well, my strength is rather, um, high. High enough that I'd most likely end up killing enemies before they could do any damage to me."

...what?

So her choice of low accuracy wasn't just a consequence of favoring defense all the time, but it was a conscious decision to keep herself useless in striking just so the enemy would stay alive to hurt her?

Link took a deep breath. He's met plenty of... questionable characters in his life, but never has he ever met someone so confusing and baffling to understand. The closest he could compare her to was that one hylian girl caressing an ancient orb she had named Roscoe.

Nevertheless, they were here to address the issue.

"But now that we're at this point, will you be investing future points into skills for accuracy?"

Rather than any enthusiasm to fix her flaws, Darkness gasped in scandalization.

"But if I do that, then I won't be able to enjoy myself!"

Link's eye twitched at the unbelievable statement she made without hesitation. Did she really not care about the issues her preferences would cause for herself and others!?

"Darkness," he started earnestly. "Your personal pleasures should be kept separate from your obligations on the battlefield. Have you ever thought about the potential consequences of trying to... indulge yourself there? The risk of others being hurt because of it?"

Darkness straightened up with a genuine, serious look of regal form.

"As a crusader, I fight for the sake of the innocent! I value their lives and wouldn't ever falter in defending them no matter what comes my way!"

...

Her declaration would've been almost inspiring if she hadn't followed up by avoiding his eyes with flushed cheeks.

"I-I just happen to also have a personal benefit for doing so... It isn't like I can't both fight and e-enjoy myself..."

"Except you're purposely hindering yourself in favor of gaining-" He cringed. "-sexual enjoyment out of your fights... And as a result, you're risking others being harmed because of it. If you can't even strike down your opponents and reduce their numbers, how do you expect to protect people being attacked by them in groups?"

"I'll simply throw myself in front of them without hesitation!" Darkness announced excitedly. "N-No matter what they do to me, no matter how much my body is abused and d-defiled, I'd never waver!"

...

Ganon damn it.

"And what if your enemy is strong enough to kill you? If your only hope is to strike them before they'd inevitability strike you or others around you?" He tried, his outrage rising at the woman's inconsideration of potential consequences.

"Don't worry, I have confidence in all of my defenses! I'm a wall none will go through!" She responded proudly, clanging a fist on her armor.

...

Okay, the hard way it is.

"Darkness, you assume that you'll be able to defend against any enemy that comes your way."

With an impassive stare, Link raised the Master Sword before him.

"That just tells me you've yet to feel the threat of death."

When Link said he'd be training her personally, Darkness had been ecstatic.

Being a noble, she's long since been taught many important matters growing up, from poise to etiquette. A basic understanding of races and monster species had been among the many lessons taught to her, but as she got older and started developing her... tastes, they became the most important. Learning the dangers of the world had inspired her to become an adventurer. Knowing all the horrible and dreadful monsters just made her excited- er, determined to go out and fight as a crusader, as a protector!

Her studies on the different races of people recognized had only been an afterthought for her, for there was only one race that affiliated their males with a disrespectful and scummy nature; elves. Darkness hadn't ever entertained the thought of going out and somehow finding them, yet she had been blessed to encounter one right here in Axel!

They were arrogant men! Regal and courteous to those of their own race but essentially complete barbarians to those not among them!

Th-They wouldn't hesitate to treat a human woman l-lower than the dirt under their heels, and without feeling any remorse for it because of their belief of superiority!

And that was precisely what Darkness had been hoping for when meeting Link.

When she first heard the gossip that a male elf had become an adventurer of all things, Darkness had felt an excitement like no other, the feeling only growing when she caught sight of the man and one of his companions covered in slime (no doubt an act to deliberately humiliate the poor woman!)

And when Link slammed her to the ground with no hesitation?

She knew he was the one-

Er-she knew she couldn't just let it stand! She couldn't stay back and do nothing as he treated his companions so r-ruthelessly! So she bravely offered herself into his party to reduce the burden, to take all his impulsive p-p-punishments on her own, keeping his attention away from the others!

Although... he was a lot more polite than she expected him to be, and she hadn't received as much harsh treatment as she had expected... but now it was finally time! Link was going to personally train her, no doubt using this chance as an excuse to unleash all of his deepest, darkest desires upon her, debasing her as nothing more than his p-p-plaything! The same thing Aqua had been afraid of becoming earlier in the day!

She did wonder why he was wasting his time with the notion of her inaccuracy... Sure, he may have a point about it, but that's what her defenses are for! She's supposed to be a wall, a decoy for him to throw in front of monsters at every chance; why would that be a problem for him? Wouldn't he enjoy using her in such a manner?

Wait, he just wants to humiliate her for her weakness, doesn't he!? Hngh!

"Darkness, you assume that you'll be able to defend against any enemy that comes your way."

Ah, he's raising his blade!

She mirrored the motion, her anticipation high as she readied herself for the full discipline of-

"That just tells me you've yet to feel the threat of death."

What?

*Fwoosh!*

It was completely sudden. One moment, Link was standing ahead of her, then the next, he moved.

To her naked eye, it was a blur in the airspace, but that blur only took a split-second to end up right before her, a glint of metal flashing.

Darkness's instincts screamed.

She raised her sword and blocked the blade coming at her, the power behind the blow making her shiver as she was forcefully pushed back a couple inches.

She didn't even have time to think, for the blade pressing against her own suddenly flicked upward, forcing her sword to be raised above her head.

She yelped as she felt her body starting to fall backward from the loss of balance, taking two stumbling steps backward in an attempt to regain it, only to grunt as she was abruptly kicked in her undefended stomach with merciless force. Her sword flew out of her hands as she flew back onto the grass with a loud thump.

Darkness groaned as she sat up and opened her eyes-

Only to see her opponent thrusting the tip of his blade right at her.

Link's aura was sinister, seeming to distort the air around him, producing a monstrous pressure unlike anything Darkness had ever felt in her entire life. It blurred his appearance into an unclear shadow with cold blue eyes piercing through her very soul, leaving her pale and breathless, with her body shivering down to her bones. She saw what was happening, where he was aiming, the trajectory of his sword moving toward the center of her eyes.

For the first time in her life, Darkness thought she was going to die.

She felt her blood turn to ice as her brain went into overdrive, time appearing to slow to a crawl as she realized the danger she was in. A sword was coming right for her, and the one holding it looked more dangerous than anything she had ever seen.

She suddenly saw her father, the man who raised her with all the love and care in the world after her mother had died. The man who only wanted the best for her; always trying to find a suitable match for her to marry. Not for political reasons but because he genuinely wants her to find happiness.

The man she was going to leave at any moment.

She's going to die, she's going to die! No, please, she can't-!

And then it stopped.

The pressure abruptly vanished on the spot, and Link's sword halted inches from her face, the abrupt stop erupting a rush of wind behind her, making her ponytail flail while she remained frozen on the ground.

Link was unmoving in his thrusting stance, disapproving eyes staring at her with his sword outstretched at her with one hand. He then stood up and lowered his blade, towering over the girl looking up at him in a mixture of fear and confusion.

"Wh-What just happened? What was that!? D-Did he really just try to-!?"

"Do you know what you felt just now?" He asked.

Darkness hesitantly opened her mouth, but no words came out, only deep, desperate breaths as a cold sweat formed.

"That, Darkness, was killing intent, also called bloodlust."

He lifted his sword and sheathed it on his back before crossing his arms.

"That's how it feels to fight someone with the ability to kill you... and intends to do so."

K-Killing intent? A-Able to kill her?

The noble masquerading as a crusader weakly raised a hand as she attempted to speak, only to stop as she noticed herself... shaking?

She looked at her palms and found them trembling uncontrollably, the rest of her body just as shaken. Yet, despite being conscious of it, she couldn't stop the heavy feeling from making her a quivering mess.

"Do you think monsters will actually indulge you and your fantasies, Darkness? The weaker ones will hardly ever do enough damage for you to genuinely enjoy it. And those able to induct fatal blows?"

He narrowed his eyes, bringing a tingle down Darkness's spine.

"What...?"

"If they're intelligent and efficient, then they'll snuff out your life before you even get a chance to relish in any pain. While the savage ones will make your death as gruesome and bloody as possible. Is that truly what you want from an enemy?"

"Th-This feeling-!"

It felt completely different from the usual doses of pleasure she'd experienced before! It felt more... dangerous. It made her small and vulnerable, knowing that her life was at the mercy of someone who proved he could end it in a flash. It was a sensation of fear and yet... another feeling was building up, a quivering warmth spreading through her body even as cold sweat trailed down the side of her head.

The feeling only further increased as Link kneeled down to her level, his crystal blue eyes stopping her breathing by how they bore into her.

"And against people? If by chance you meet those who'd inflict all of the worst kinds of pain and torture onto you, are you willing to let yourself get taken or abused just for your own enjoyment? Ignoring those who it'll affect, how those who care about you will feel?"

An unseen pressure built up in Darkness as her pale cheeks reddened, her eyes dilated at the imposing figure, and a sweltering heat rose inside her.

"I-I-!"

"Don't be a burden, Darkness. You'll be in the party, but I'll need you to at least try and make an effort to improve. You and Megumin. You both limit yourselves because of your own desires, and that's going to get you killed."

"I-I'm gonna-! G-G-Gonna-!"

He leaned forward to her, eyes boring deep as he dangerously whispered.

"Understand, Darkness?"

That was the tipping point.

"MNNNNNNNNPH!"

Every surrounding bird abruptly took off into the sky.

...

...

Link froze, staring unblinkingly at the collapsed form of Darkness. The girl had fallen on her back, her body quivering as a euphoric, drunken smile took to her face.

What just happened?

"...Darkness?" He weakly called out to her.

The only sign of the blonde hearing him was weakly turning her head in his direction, giving him cloudy, adoring, worshipping eyes full of hearts.

"Yes *huff* master~?"

He paled.

Oh Hylia no.

Link's brain blared with alarm bells, and he didn't hesitate to turn around and book it for the town, forgetting all notions of developing Darkness's swordplay.

"Hah, heh... Eh-? Link? Link!?"

Blinking the haze out of her eyes, Darkness registered the man running off. A look of heartbreak took to her eyes as she forcibly pulled herself back to her feet despite her trembling legs.

"Wait, come back! Do that again, Link! I promise I'll do better if you keep doing that!"

She struggled to run off after him, never realizing what she had called him before.

~{The Next Day}~

Yesterday was a disaster.

In hindsight, trying to scare a perverted woman who enjoys pain and humiliation into understanding the true dangers of the world probably wasn't his best idea.

Granted, Link's had many questionable ideas he's committed to even though he really should've known better, like trying to ride a Guardian Skywatcher up to Vah Medoh, or trying to eat Purah's cooking; he really should've known how his most recent idea would've ended. His idea of intimidation had worked against the more arrogant fighters of Hyrule, but Darkness wasn't like them, and that should've been his first realization.

Meeting up with the party the next day was a little awkward, for the crusader was pouting while not taking her eyes off him as he ate, cheeks puffed yet showing tinges of red. Aqua didn't pay attention to them as she ate an omelet with signs of disappointment, seemingly comparing it to something else in her head. As for Megumin, she looked from Link to Darkness, noticing the weird atmosphere.

"Did something happen between you two?"

Darkness 'hmphed!' and crossed her arms under her bountiful chest.

"He played with a maiden's heart again..."

Megumin turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

"I didn't hurt her like she wanted." Link deadpanned.

"Ah." She nodded in understanding while Darkness gasped in outrage.

"How dare you dismiss it as just that! You inflicted on me a feeling unlike any other, something I've never felt before in my life! A-A-And then you just left me there, quivering on the ground! You didn't even have the courtesy to fully carry out the rest of your actions!"

She challengingly pointed at him.

"Take responsibility!"

Megumin choked on the juice she was drinking. The rest of the listening guild would've no doubt been left in stunned silence at the declaration, but Link didn't even hesitate to rebuke.

"No."

Darkness recoiled like she had just been slapped, only to start breathing heavily.

"T-To deny me with no hesitation-! Mnph!" She moaned. "Y-You truly are a despicable man, aren't you!?"

Link put his head in his hands.

Finished coughing out her lungs, Megumin huffed and slammed her hands on the table with her face rushing with blood.

"C-Can we talk about literally anything else right now!? Like what quest we're gonna take today!?"

That was when Aqua finally looked up from her meal in interest.

"Oo! Link! I saw one about a dragon-!"

"No."

"Why not!? It'd rake us lots of money!" Aqua cried in outrage.

"Too dangerous." Link didn't even have to go look at the quest she mentioned to know that.

Still panting, Darkness's expression lit up.

"I know! I heard that there's an infestation of Giant Toads just outside the town-!"

"NO!"

Aqua's shrilling cry cut her off; the goddess crouched on the ground while clutching her head, foggy eyes telling stories of untold horrors.

"No. More. TOADS!"

Darkness looked absolutely heartbroken. "B-But why? Toads are easy prey and rather easy to make money from at this time of year!"

Ah yes, that's undoubtedly her only reason to want to take the quest. Her flushed cheeks meant absolutely nothing else.

"Apparently, Aqua has been eaten headfirst and covered in slime twice now," Megumin told their newest member.

"H-Headfirst? C-Covered in slime!?"

Link pointedly ignored the heavy breathing that followed.

"I'll find a quest." He said, standing up.

It'll be their first official quest with their new member, so he shouldn't get anything too difficult. Not to mention, there's absolutely no way he's taking any complicated quests with the unreliable state of his group. Sure, each girl has impressive abilities in specific areas, but they are too specific. Until he gets them to broaden their skills or find a way to compensate for their lack of versatility, he'll have to be careful about which quests he takes.

"S-Slime... Eh? Ah, wait!" Darkness called just as he was about to check out the board. "If Aqua doesn't want to handle toads, then what about hunting the undead?"

Link tilted his head, motioning for an elaboration.

"There's a public cemetery outside of Axel that's being plagued by them at night. It'd be perfect for helping Aqua level up since they're the most effective monsters for priests to hunt. Cleric classes don't have many offensive attacks, but their healing effects hurt undead as if they do."

Link put a hand to his chin in thought. Just by the name he could infer that the monsters they'd be facing would be zombified and cursed somehow. At a minimum, they'd most likely be like the stalkoblins from Hyrule, just somewhat meatier.

He nodded before turning to the others.

"You two?"

Aqua was back on her feet with a triumphant smile.

"If it's against smelly undead, then I'll be invincible!"

"I'm down." Megumin shrugged.

Then it was decided.

~{Hours Later}~

"So what are you making this time?"

Despite trying to be nonchalant with her question, there was no hiding the sparkles in Megumin's eyes.

"Meat curry." Link responded with eyes just as sparkly, his ladle stirring his most recently purchased cooking pot. The sun was hitting the horizon just off in the distance, warning the group that it'd soon reach nighttime, but they had time for a quick meal.

"I'm using the rest of my toad meat as the base, but I'm also gonna be using some of the cabbage I kept."

Megumin's eyes blinked and lost their excitement, replaced with confusion.

"Wait, but haven't you had that in your since the other day? Shouldn't it have turned bad by now?"

"Nope." Link said happily as he stirred the pot. "It stays fresh; I checked.

Her wide eyes stared unmoving at the back of his head.

"So what you're telling me... is that not only can you cook delicious meals, but you can store them in your magic pouch to eat anytime as if they're fresh?"

"Mhm."

Megumin looked as if she had just witnessed a god descending upon them.

"Er, while on the subject," Seated on a decently flat stone across from Link and Megumin, Darkness stared at the pouch attached to Link's side in baffled fixation. "That pouch you have... where did you get such a thing? I've never seen any item that could store inventory like that! You pulled out that cooking pot and then that toad meat! None of it should've fit!"

"Fufufu~" Aqua wore a smug grin as she crossed one leg over the other from her seat. "Of course you've never seen such an item, it was created by yours truly!"

Darkness and Megumin's heads swerved in the goddess's direction.

"Y-You made that, Aqua!?" The former gasped.

"Yup! I gifted Link with that very item! I'm amazing, aren't I!" Came the conceited response.

"Really? You of all people?" Megumin narrowed her uncovered eye.

Veins popped out on the bluenette's head.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!? I'm a goddess, you know! Making something like that tacky pouch is child's play!"

Both Megumin and Darkness gave her flat looks.

"...Uh huh."

A scandalized Aqua shot up to her feet and pointed at them.

"Link, tell them I made it!"

"She did," The hylian readily admitted with a nod. After all, while the Master Sword had been Hylia's gift for him, the infi-pouch had been Aqua's. He didn't know that she had manifested it into existence, but he supposed that creating such an item was pretty simple for a deity that even Aqua could make it without failing miserably, unlike in other things.

"You thought something rude about me just now, didn't you!?"

"Of course not, Aqua." He responded smoothly.

Their other companions were evidently shocked at the admittance, with their Arch Wizard even looking slightly impressed.

"Huh, sorry Aqua. Guess I underestimated you."

The goddess haughtily smiled, but then Megumin smugly kept going.

"I thought you were just some no-good drunk taking advantage of Link's kindness while causing problems and complaining about everything without ever doing anything actually useful, but I guess you actually do have you moments."

Aqua dove for her not a second later.

"You take that back, you damn loli!" She shouted, grabbing hold of the girl's cheeks and pulling them.

"MMnh! 'M nah ah LAWLI!" Megumin retaliated by reaching out and yanking Aqua's boobs with both hands.

"AHHHHHH! THAT HURTS! They'll come off! THEY'LL COME OFF!" The goddess shrieked, stretching Megumin's cheeks in retaliation.

"Ngh~! So jealous..." Darkness sighed in longing.

"Stop fighting or I won't cook again." Link's stern voice cut in.

*Woosh!*

Both girls returned to their spots in the blink of an eye, stiffened in their seats.

"Fighting? Who's fighting!? We're weren't, right Aqua?" Megumin laughed with nervous sweat.

"Y-Yeah! We're as friendly as, um... friends!" Aqua responded just as forcefully.

Link nodded while Darkness stared perturbed at the two.

"To invoke such a reaction, is Link's cooking truly that good?"

Turning in the male's direction, she sniffed the air.

*GROOOWWWL!*

"..."

To his credit, Link didn't even look back at the crusader, only pausing his stirring for just a moment before returning to it. The same couldn't be said for Aqua and Megumin, who were now staring at the source of the sound in dumbstruck silence.

Darkness, on the other hand, was absolutely mortified. Her eyes swirled with embarrassment, and her mouth locked open with a silent scream. She looked down and covered her face with her hands, ashamed of her body's reaction to the heavenly scent she picked up.

"Why is it THIS kind of humiliation!?" She whined.

Thankfully, no one decided to point it out, not even Aqua, though she most likely didn't want to make Link mad and not give her food.

Link turned to them with a big smile, holding a plate of toad curry and rice mixed with cabbage.

"Here you go!"

A minute later, the girls were scarfing down his food like they hadn't eaten in weeks, eyes glowing with joy and satisfaction. It was hardly even five minutes before they finished their food and Link was putting everything away. By now, the remaining sunlight had finally turned into the dark of twilight, meaning it wouldn't be long until the undead and their makers showed up.

"We're supposed to slay undead and something called 'zombie-makers,' but what exactly are they?" He asked, leading the group of young women.

"They're evil spirits that enter corpses and take control of surrounding zombies. They don't really have any special skills besides controlling the undead, and even then, they can only control two or three of them at a time." Megumin helpfully chimed in.

He nodded in appreciation. "So as long as we're careful and don't get swarmed, we'll be fine."

"Oo! Link, I can easily take out such a large group with-!"

"No Explosion."

"What!? But why!?" Megumin cried out.

Link simply craned his neck back and motioned at the gravestones.

"Oh right."

The group trekked through the graveyard quietly, with Link listening carefully to his surroundings while Megumin and Darkness kept vigilant for anything noteworthy, all while Aqua flinched at every slight noise she heard.

Link abruptly lifted a hand to halt them, resulting in Aqua yelping and falling. He cupped his other hand around his long left ear and pointed towards a hill.

"There."

Nothing else needed to be said as they hiked up to the top of the small hill and crouched down while peering over, only to see something they didn't expect.

Bright lights lit up the grass in a space between many gravestones. The source was a glowing blue magic circle emitting white rays which seemed to be attracting half a dozen humanoid undead to surround it. And in the center of that circle stood a robed figure with their arms up, their glowing hands indicating they were the cause.

"Is that a zombie maker?" Link asked with a tilt of his head.

"I don't think so. They wouldn't be able to make magic circles like that..." Megumin muttered in confusion. "But even if it isn't a zombie maker, anyone at the cemetery at this time of night is most likely an undead, so they still shouldn't be too much of a problem."

Nodding, Link started devising a plan in his head... only for Aqua to loudly gasp and stand up.

"YOU!"

Link's eyes widened as the goddess took off for the robed figure.

"Aqua, wait!" The Hylian reached back and unsheathed his sword before chasing after her. With a quick cast of Swift, he dashed down and caught the woman just as she neared the circle, sternly pulling her back by the arm. "Don't rush in!"

Aqua turned to him angrily as she pointed at the robed figure, who sharply turned in their direction. "But that's a lich! I can feel it!"

"Lich?" Link repeated and took a look at the startled person.

"Who are you!?"

They were undeniably female, but she also sounded rather timid and skittish for someone he expected to practice dark arts of any kind.

"A lich is one of the foulest creatures among the undead! They desert their mortal bodies with magic to become immortals that lord over the dead! Their very existence is an offense to nature and the gods!" Aqua quickly explained before pulling her arm back and repeatedly stomping on the magic circle before her.

"We don't know what a lich is doing with that weird magic circle around all those undead, so I gotta destroy it!"

"W-Wait! The circle helps lost souls find their way back to heaven! Without it, the cemetery will be overrun with undead!" The lich spoke up in a panic and rushed at her.

Link almost brandished his sword at Aqua's defense... but not only did he not sense any killing intent from the lich, but her hood flew back to reveal not a hideous monster but a beautiful young woman with pale skin, long dark brown hair, and matching eyes with, most importantly, tears in their corners.

Not to mention, the undead scattered around the circle weren't actually moving to attack them... was she keeping them back?

"Stop! Please stop!" The lich fell to her knees and hugged Aqua's waist from behind to stop her from stomping the circle. "It's really to help the spirits reach the heavens! Look, look! You can see them now floating into the sky, right!?"

Link looked up, and sure enough, many wispy bluish-white souls emerged from the magic circle and rose upward.

"Is that really a lich?" Megumin, who had caught up together with Darkness, asked with a frown of confusion.

"Wiz...?" The crusader beside her muttered in shock.

"Hah!? Let go of me!" Aqua tried pushing herself out of the woman's grip but was unsuccessful. "You put on a pretty good nice-girl act, but I'm onto you! I've got a solution for your 'lost souls!' Watch me purify them along with you! TURN-!"

"Aqua, stop."

Link's firm command made the Arch Priest flinch and halt the mana forming around her palm, to which she shakily turned back to him.

"B-But she's a lich!" She nervously defended, pointing down at the one still holding on for practically dear life.

"I'm not evil, I swear!" Said lich clamored, sending a pleading look in Link's direction, only to see what he was and gasp.

"A-A male elf!?"

Link was surprised by the apparent awe glowing in the woman's eyes as she let go of Aqua's waist and looked up at him.

"I've never seen one before!" She sparkled. "You really look as gallant and pretty as I've been told in the stories my mother read me!"

A pause.

"Um, wait, I-I mean-!" The woman's joy broke into a flushed expression as she realized what she said, clumsily backtracking.

Then she abruptly froze, her pupils shrinking as she locked onto Link's hand, or rather, the item in it.

"I-I-Is th-that-?"

Blinking, he looked down at his palm.

The Master Sword was glowing.

The blade of evil's bane, the sword that seals the darkness, was glowing in the presence of evil in the area. At first, Link thought that maybe it was responding to the undead standing around them, but as he raised his blade forward... it started shining even brighter in the woman's direction, confirming what she was. She's an entity built from evil in some way, like any of Ganon's monsters and creations. She's a monster the sword had recognized as corrupted in essence and dark in nature. The signs meant that he should be slaying her right where she kneeled.

And yet... looking at her, Link couldn't see any sign of a genuinely evil person causing malicious intent. If anything, the woman was back to forming tears while shaking at the sight of his blade.

The Master Sword has the power to vanquish evil, yes, but thinking about it... it didn't account for anyone evil in character, just in magical nature. Otherwise, the blade would've reacted and been far more devastating against bandits and those from the Yiga. Rather, the blade reacts to whatever it recognizes as dark in design, such as the undead lich in front of him who Aqua had explained used dark magic to become undead, dark in nature.

But looking at the cowardly woman, he just couldn't see any malice like he's always fought.

"YOU HAVE A HOLY SWORD!?"

The volume of Darkness's scream made him wince. Turning to the crusader, he found her and Megumin staring at him with stunned, bulging eyes.

"O-Only those chosen by a deity can ever hold such a blade! Y-Your a deity's champion!?" Darkness stammered in complete disbelief.

Oh, he should have realized they had those here, too, with him being only one of many people sent here.

"Mhm." He nodded.

"A-A chosen hero... All this time? I-I didn't think, how-? When did you-?" Darkness was at a loss for words. She was in a party with a deity's champion!? Someone meant for ultimate bouts of heroism!? Meant to help save the world!?

And she... she's disgraced herself in front of him several times!?

The thought was as mortifying as it was exciting.

As for Megumin, she was catatonic, staring at Link with an open mouth and shaking pupils.

"See! Even your butterknife knows she's evil! Let's vanish her without a trace!"

Link sharply turned back to Aqua, seeing her cracking her knuckles with hostile intent. And somehow, the woman on the floor seemed to pale even further than she already was, bowing down repeatedly with hands clasped together.

"Wait, I beg of you, please have mercy! I mean no harm! I'm only here to guide the lost souls back, I swear! Please don't erase me!" She desperately cried.

It was pretty sad to see.

"Aqua, step away." The goddess raised an eyebrow but did so as he stepped forward and kneeled down to the quivering woman.

She looked up at him with adorably teary eyes that showed no signs of thinking to strike even with them so close with their guards down, thus confirming his decision.

"Miss lich, why come to this cemetery?" He asked, trying to look friendly in his approach.

He seemed to succeed, for the woman calmed a margin and cracked a small, relieved smile.

"My name is Wiz, and um... th-this is a communal graveyard, so most of the people here died poor and didn't have proper burials. Because of it, they remained her as spirits that roam every night, unable to move on to the afterlife. Since I'm an overlord of the dead, I can hear their cries, so I periodically visit this place and help them move on."

Wow. That's really nice.

"Don't believe her, Link! There's no doubt she'll turn you into an undead the moment you-!"

"Aqua." With just her name, she got the warning and shut up with a tense.

"It's a wonderful thing you're doing, Wiz." He smiled, making the lich's gaze light up. The protruding hair on her head wagged side to side in happiness like the dogs he'd seen in towns or stables back in Hyrule.

Adorable. She actually somewhat reminded him of Paya.

There's no way a Paya could be bad.

"Wait, but the local priests should be around. Shouldn't you leave the job to them?" Darkness asked, still somewhat shaken at the revelation of Link's status.

At that, Wiz looked down with sad eyes.

"Because the priests in this town are, um, materialistic... A-As in, they mainly care about money. The poor tend to be left on waiting lists and... forgotten, something like that. So the clergy rarely ever visit this place."

Welp, he's never visiting the churches.

"T-Truly!?" Darkness gasped in horror.

"The 'great followers of Eris,' huh?" Megumin deadpanned.

"And the gathered undead?" Link asked next, motioning at the still-standing corpses around them.

Wiz shrunk in on herself.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm not trying to call these little ones! The intact corpses react to my magic power and reanimate every time I come. I don't mean to do it, really!"

Link rubbed his chin in thought.

They were supposed to slay zombie-makers, but there actually weren't any.

Wouldn't this mean failing the quest?

...

Oh well.

He stood up and sheathed the Master Sword before offering a hand to the woman.

"Apologies for the trouble. We'll leave."

Wiz looked at his hand like an exotic animal, shakingly reaching out and taking it.

Link noted the cool touch of her skin as he helped her back to her feet; it was interesting, especially since it was his first time being on friendly terms with any kind of dark figure.

"Link!?" Aqua gawked at him. "You can't be serious!? She's a lich!"

"It's fine." He said, turning to the goddess. "She's nice."

"Wha-!? Bu-!?"

"Let's go back." He left no room for arguments as he started marching off.

Wiz stared at his back in wonder before realizing he was leaving.

"Um-!" She called out, making him pause and crane his neck back. "Thank you! I have a small magic item shop back in town! If you visit, I-I can give you a discount! If you just ask around for Wiz's shop, you'll find it!"

She bowed in earnest thanks multiple times, making her voluptuous chest jiggle.

Link just smiled and raised a hand in acknowledgment, making off to leave. Aqua seemed to work on autopilot as she followed him with a dead gaze.

Megumin and Darkness looked confused and conflicted about what to do before quickly running after Link, the latter confronting him.

"Wait, hold on! We're not ignoring the fact that you're a deity's champion! Why did you never tell us!?"

Link just shrugged.

"You never asked."