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Vah Medoh is oddly graceful in the air. For a ten-thousand–year-old stone monstrosity, I would have doubted that it could even leave the ground, much less fly with half the grace of a Rito. For all she can do, Medoh of course does not approach my abilities, but she has grown only more graceful as I have grown more experienced in piloting her. First Warrior Karranis has expressed great interest in the Divine Beast. Knowing him, I have done my best to make it clear that the Divine Beasts are for use against Calamity Ganon, not as weapons of war. If they were misused in such a way, the destruction could be incalculable. – From The Diary of Revali, Rito Legend, entry 152. This entry is notable as the first mentioning the First Warrior’s interest in Divine Beast Vah Medoh; more would follow in the coming weeks. We also know from later entries that Karranis happened to be on Vah Medoh when Calamity Ganon struck (and how Revali felt about him on his Divine Beast; whether those feelings were general towards anyone else on Vah Medoh or merely an expression of his distaste towards Karranis is unclear).
The air was colder on Vah Medoh’s back than he remembered. Perhaps it was merely the changing of the seasons, as fall inexorably crept towards winter. Medoh’s back was quickly becoming blanketed in snow, after all. Revali reached out through their bond and felt Medoh eager to work with him. Although he had had quite a lot of experience with his Divine Beast, both King Rhoam and Princess Zelda always demanded more training. Given that the fate of Hyrule itself was at stake, Revali could not fault them for it. Still, it demanded more of his time be spent up on Medoh’s back than he otherwise would have liked. From his experience with test-firing the main weapon system, it would take hours before Medoh was able to fire it again. In that time, rather than sit uselessly high in the sky, Revali would naturally be leading the troops on the ground. They would need a leader, after all; Karranis certainly would not be one and Kheel was anything but.
The small scar on his chest where Karranis had cut him burned slightly, but Revali paid it no mind. It was mostly healed and had been lucky enough not to fester. Certainly, Revali could count himself lucky, but he still failed to forgive himself for allowing Karranis to continue in the position of First Warrior. Kheel’s voice came into his mind unbidden, but Revali pushed it away. Now was not the time to be hearing those words. What did Kheel even have for him, anyway? Revali was certain that he would be replaced soon enough. Taleneli was seeming to make a play for Third Warrior, as was Talle, and there was that officer out of Tabantha Village who was rising through the ranks incredibly quickly. What was her name again? Inali? She was Summerborn, Revali was certain of that much at least.
Medoh picked up speed as Revali began the drills that Zelda had encouraged him to practice. Even if he could not see quite where they were going through the snow, he had done the same drills for long enough that he could practically do them in his sleep. Given their bond, perhaps if he started dreaming about them, he literally could do them in his sleep. Medoh had acted without his conscious thought a few times before. The thought of her doing such a thing without him being conscious to stop it was admittedly a slight concern, but none of the other Champions had reported anything like it. Mipha had reported that Vah Ruta was occasionally acting on her subconscious as well, but he had been quickly reassured by their conversation that there was nothing to be concerned about with it.
Revali charged the main weapons system, preparing to shoot it harmlessly into empty air. Zelda had been quite insistent that every Champion be prepared to use it at a moment’s notice. Revali had certainly had the easiest time of it; so long as he did not hit Hebra Summit, there would be nothing that he could even hit this high up. Daruk similarly had to simply aim away from Death Mountain, but Urbosa and Mipha would have much greater difficulties. When he felt that they were at the right angle, Revali commanded Medoh to fire. For a brief moment, it was as bright as midday on a clear day in Faron, then brighter, and Revali could feel the heat emanating from the beam of light. The snow quickly sublimated, giving Revali a better view through the snowstorm. Looking forward, the first thing he saw was Hebra Summit. Hebra Summit with bright orange lava streaming down the upper slopes. Hebra Summit with a massive hole in it.
Oh, he thought. Oh no.