Legend of Zelda, Age of Calamity

The Ceremony of Champions

(A Few Days Later, Hyrule Castle)

The Day the Calamity would awaken had been revealed, putting everyone on edge, however, Hyrule had prepared a ceremony for the newly formed Champions to ease the people's worries, as a few days had passed, the day of the Ceremony finally came, Hyrule Castle and Castle Town were busy getting ready for the celebration, and the noise outside woke a sleeping princess, sitting up, she began looking around, it was daytime outside, but her room was a mess, clothes scattered around, turning her head, she saw Link, still asleep

"Link, time to wake up", Kate muttered

"Five more minutes", Link mumbled

"I wish, but we got to get ready for today", Kate reminded

"Never stopped us before", Link said

"True", Kate said, laying back down in her bed, only for someone to knock on her bedroom door, alerting both Link and Kate

"Sis, are you in there", Zelda asked

"Just a second", Kate called out, the two shooting out of bed, cleaning up the place a bit, Link then hid under the bed as Kate put on a robe, then opened the door

"Sorry for the wait, everything ok", Kate asked, staying calm as Zelda entered the room

"Yes... I thought I heard something", Zelda said

"I... kinda fell out of bed when you knocked", Kate lied

"Sorry", Zelda said

"It's alright, what I get for sleeping in", Kate stated, earning a laugh from Zelda

"Here, I had given the others theirs, I couldn't find you last night", Zelda said, handing Kate a blue tunic

"I was outside, Link and I were training", Kate explained

"I see, you better get ready, the ceremony starts soon", Zelda stated

"Don't worry, I'll be there", Kate said as Zelda left the room, a few minutes then went by and no noise was heard in the hallway, "all clear",

"That was a close one", Link stated, emerging from underneath the bed,

"Too close for comfort, just get dressed and go, I'll catch up", Kate stated as Link nodded his head, getting dressed, he soon left the room, Kate then dressed herself, and followed, everyone meeting up by the doors of the Throne Room, then, the doors opened, the Champions walked forward, standing in front of the King, Zelda standing ahead of them

"Welcome warriors, I'd like to thank you for joining me here today, and for your bravery in accepting this... fateful task", King Rhoam explained, "I officially appoint you Hyrule's Champions and bestow upon you this sacred garb, that blue is a symbol of the Royal Family, one that has been passed down for countless generations, those garments you now wear were all crafted by my daughter, Zelda, Zelda, I trust you with the task only a daughter of the royal family can fulfil, lead our Champions, Princess, and together, protect our kingdom from the threat of Calamity Ganon",

the crowds cheered, Zelda turned her head toward Kate who gave her a reassuring nod, which she returned with a smile, as things died down, the champions left the throne room, all arriving at a secluded garden near the castle, everyone gathered around to take a picture, then began chatting with everyone, the pieces were in place, all that was left to do was to help Zelda awaken her powers.

"I think today was a good day", Link said

"Yeah, only if you leave out almost getting caught", Kate muttered

"But we didn't", Link reassured

"All that's left to do is to prepare for the Calamity... Zelda seems happy with the role she's given", Kate stated

"With your support, alongside the others, I have no doubt she'll unlock her powers", Link said, the two joining the group, only for the Champions to be interrupted by the guards

"Everything alright", both Zelda and Kate asked in unison

"The King requests the Hylian Champions to come to the throne room, immediately", the guard said, both Link and Kate shared a worried look as they followed the guards

"Something's wrong", Zelda muttered, the champions following behind, meanwhile, Link and Kate arrived in the Throne Room, it was empty, and the look on the king's face wasn't a happy one

"Father, what's going on", Zelda asked, the Champions arriving

"Something came to my attention, this if for them, and them alone", King Rhoam said

"They are Champions, whatever concerns them concerns us", Zelda stated

"...Fine, Link, Kate, are you or are you not married", King Rhoam asked sternly, making all the Champions shocked, both Link and Kate jumped at the question, "by the look on your faces, this is true",

"Father, I can explain...", Kate began

"There is no need, Link, you are to be confined withing the guard's quarters, both of you are forbidden to see each other", King Rhoam stated, "and you'll be lucky if you're still here after the Calamity",

"Father, I cannot allow this", Kate stated

"My word is final", King Rhoam shouted in anger

"Fine then... if you won't listen to reason, then count me out", Kate explained, everyone's attention turned toward her in shock, "I'll return the sword, you'll be down a champion, I'll abdicate the throne as well, and you'll never see me again",

"There is nowhere you can go that I or others won't find you", King Rhoam stated

"...Not if I'm dead", Kate said, the whole room was silent, King Rhoam found himself backed into a corner, if she were to leave, Zelda would have to take her duties while trying to awaken her powers, and without her wielding the sword, the Calamity would surely win.

"...Alright... I will forget about what happened... Link... if you hurt my daughter in any way, shape, or form, I will not hesitate to recarry the sentence", King Rhoam threatened, dismissing the group, everyone went their separate ways, toward their rooms in the castle

"Kate, may I talk with you", Zelda asked as Kate nodded her head, "How long were you...",

"Almost half a year", Kate muttered

"How", Zelda asked

"After we came back from your research, Father took my freedom away, so I ran away", Kate explained, "throughout the search parties, Link was the one to find me, rather than bringing me back to the castle, we stayed out for a bit, enjoying whatever freedom I had left, the next thing we knew, we woke up the next day married, I told him that he could walk away from it and we'll forget it ever happened, but he said no, then we kept it a secret till today, how father found out is beyond me",

"You could've told me about your secret", Zelda said in a calm tone

"I know... but we were afraid that father would find out, I'm sorry", Kate said, Zelda said nothing, but hugged Kate

"I understand why, and I forgive you", Zelda said, Kate smiled and hugged Zelda back.

(Days Till Calamity, 15 Days)