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It’s clear Yunobo has made his decision simply by the way he walks. His usual hunch that makes him look smaller than he actually is has evaporated, and his head is even held high. The swing of his arms is more pronounced, and his footsteps strike the earth in an almost confident manner.
“I’m worried I pushed too hard,” Zelda murmurs as Yunobo leads them back to Bludo’s house. “What if he’s just doing it because I said so?”
“You didn’t order him to,” Link whispers back. “We suggested it, and you inspired him with what you said about Daruk. His path is his own.”
Zelda bites her lip. “You’re sure?”
Link opens his mouth to answer, and he is no longer in Eldin. He is in a room in Hyrule Castle, and his father stands in front of the closed door, blocking him from the only exit.
What is going on with you? he demands. You know how important those drills are.
“Link?” Zelda squeezes his hand.
“Yeah,” he manages, voice strained. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
Fi, he thinks. Please, not now.
The Master Sword doesn’t say a word.
“Yunobo!” Bludo grins at the sight of them, turning away from the conversation he was having with another Goron. “How was Rudania?”
“It was fine, Boss,” he says. “Turns out she needs another pilot!”
“Another pilot, eh?” Bludo scratches the top of his head. “What makes you say that?”
“The way the Divine Beast functioned was exactly how it did a hundred years ago,” Zelda explains. “Before Daruk became a Champion.”
“Well…” Bludo now strokes his beard. Did he always move so much or was Link just not paying attention when talking to him on his quest? “I think almost everyone here would jump at the chance to replace Daruk. I can’t possibly make the decision by myself.”
“Who do you have in mind?” Link asks.
“Any of the Goron Brothers, Bargoh, the one who keeps watch over the city from his post near the northern mine? Then you have Krane, who I think you met, Link.”
“Anyone else?” Zelda questions, not-so-subtly glancing to Yunobo.
Bludo, unaware of her obvious gesture, cheerily answers, “Nope! I’d offer to do it myself, but with the way my back is I don’t think I could make it all the way up to the top of Death Mountain. That group there is your best opportunity for a Champion. They’re Goron City’s strongest!”
“Um, Boss?” Yunobo’s hunch is back. “What about me?”
“What about you, Yunobo?”
“What about if I want to become the new pilot?”
Link’s head spins-
Hello there, Link, A woman says to him on the streets of Castle Town, hanging up laundry to dry, a basket on a stool next to her. You’re getting big, aren’t you?
Yes, he nods, holds up five fingers and his thumb. I’m six!
She laughs. Not too long before you’re old enough to have a job and help your father pay tax. What do you want to be when you grow up?
The boss of the royal guard! he declares. I want my father’s job!
Large hands settle on his shoulders, and a kiss is placed on the top of his head.
You’ll have to fight me for it, A low rumble of a voice says, the sound filling him with warmth. Think you can win in a duel against your old man?
Yes! Link turns around and grins up at his father. Of course!
The woman laughs again and his father ruffles his hair, a knowing smile on his young face.
Good soldier, he says.
“-Divine Beast?” Bludo is asking. “I thought you were terrified of the thing.”
“I-I am,” Yunobo answers. “But…so was Lord Daruk. Princess Zelda told me all about how he became a Champion.”
“She did, did she?” Bludo peers down at Zelda, squinting his one eye. “And what did she tell you?”
“Our brothers a century ago were all cowards!” Yunobo’s raised his voice, drawing the attention of the rest of the Gorons. “When the king asked for a Champion, no one accepted the task! They forced Lord Daruk into his sash-into my sash-so he would be the one risking death instead of them!”
A murmur rolls through the City, whispered questions of, “What?” and, “But we’re warriors!”
“You are warriors now,” Zelda gently explains to the gathering crowd. “Because Daruk’s sacrifice inspired the Gorons of the past to fight for what he died protecting.”
“Lord Daruk-” Yunobo pauses. “My grandfather, with his blessing from the Goddess, with his Protection, was Hyrule’s shield. And…as his last living descendant and the inheritor of that blessing, I ask that you guys let me take his place. If something like the Calamity happened again, I’d want Goron City to have its strongest warriors here to defend it while I defended Hyrule.”
All eyes land on Bludo, who continues to stroke his beard.
“What do you think, Link?”
Now all eyes are on Link.
“Um,” he swallows, blinking the world into focus, trying to get his bearings. Where is he? What are they talking about?
He looks at Zelda, who gives him a warm, encouraging smile with concern in her eyes.
You are in Eldin, Fi helps. Bludo, Chief of the Gorons, is asking your opinion on Yunobo becoming a Champion in Daruk’s place. There is an 87% chance whatever you say will impact his decision.
“Why?” he asks, the question directed at both her and Bludo.
“You’re the one that’s worked with him,” Bludo explains. “You think he’s ready to be a Champion? Can he handle the pressure of Hyrule’s survival being put on his shoulders?”
You are the Hero, Fi adds. Your judgement means everything to a warrior.
“I…” Link swallows again. What does he even say to that? “Yunobo, Zelda and I just want to make sure you’re not doing this because we told you to, or that you think you owe it to Daruk’s ghost to follow in his footsteps. His legacy doesn’t have to be your future.”
Another headache-
He’s in a room in Hyrule Castle. His father sits across from him at a table.
What you decide to do is up to you and you alone, The man says. There are gray streaks in his dark hair and lines around his eyes and mouth. Just because I have devoted my life to the king does not mean you have to do the same.
What if... Link’s voice is hoarse, his throat feeling almost raw, and there’s surprise in his father’s face when he speaks. What if I want to devote my life to the princess?
“I’m doing this because it’s the right thing to do,” Yunobo says. Eldin. Goron City. Yunobo becoming a Champion. “and because I’m the only one who can.”
You don’t have to say a word to me ever again, but I am your father before I am your commanding officer and I am worried.
He’s at a dinner table giving a stranger a thumbs up-
“Good soldier,” Link tells him in a daze.
Zelda practically does a double take, staring at him with her lips parting in some semblance of surprise.
“Yes,” Bludo agrees, nodding and grinning wide. “Good soldier, Yunobo! I just might let you become the Champion!”
“What-Really?” Yunobo’s face lights up. “You’re serious, goro?”
“Yes! You’ll have to go through training like all of our warriors, of course, which takes as long as I want and involves countless life-threatening scenarios! By the time you’re needed to face something like the Calamity, it’ll be nothing compared to the rigorous torture we’ve already put you through!”
“Oh,” Yunobo’s voice shakes the slightest bit. “Did…you say torture?”
“Only the best for a Champion-in-training!” The Goron Brothers cheer, throwing their fists into the sky. “Torture!”
“Torture!” The rest of the city roars back.
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Zelda, laughing, lays a hand on his shoulder. “Link and I have to get going. If you need anything, send a letter to the Sheikah Chief, Impa, in Kakariko Village. She’ll have someone pass it along to us.”
“All-All right,” Yunobo holds out his hand. “It was nice to meet you!”
She smiles, shaking it. “It was nice to meet you, too.”
“Uh, bye Link!” Yunobo waves at him, drawing him out of his confused fog. “See you next time?”
“Yeah,” Link weakly waves back. “Bye.”
Good soldier. Good soldier. Good soldier.