Couple of the Wild (ZeLink)

Chapter 97: The Passing of the Torch

The top of the mountain sat in peace as the gigantic Divine Beast, Vah Rudania, sat over the edge of the volcano, peeking its open faceplate head out from its depths as it scanned the fields of Hyrule from its perch. A little way down the path leading to the volcanic opening, Zelda and Yunobo stood side by side, watching as Link stood motionless only a few meters away. Yunobo couldn't help but fidget around, repeatedly adjusting his blue neckpiece, playing with his large fingers, and muttering a bit to himself. After minutes of unbearable silence, he turned to Zelda.

"Is this normal?" Yunobo asked as he glanced back at Link. "Is he... Is he gonna be alright?"

"He'll be just fine," Zelda said in a monotonous tone, keeping her eyes fixed on Link as well. She stood still with an almost stern expression, however, Yunobo couldn't help but notice that she was fidgeting as well. One of her hands seemed to be playing with a faded corner at the lower end of her tunic. Despite her claim just a second ago, she then cleared her throat before saying, "I hope..."

"But he seems pretty quiet..." Yunobo insisted, raising his finger just slightly to gesture at him. Zelda bit her tongue.

"He's always quiet when he does these, Yunobo," she answered. "In fact, silence is quite the specialty of his..."

"Is there anything we can do to help him?" he continued to question.

"Unfortunately, there isn't," Zelda said quietly. "Believe me when I say that I wish there were a way we could be of assistance."

"Just the both of you being here to support em' is plenty helpful, Tiny Princess," a deep voice came from behind the two. While Yunobo quickly turned in surprise, Zelda turned in expectancy to see a large Goron walking towards them from behind. His arms were spread out wide in greeting as a large, warming smile was stretched wide across his bearded face. Just as the two champions before him, he was covered in an otherworldly light, with turquoise flames dancing at his feet. Yunobo 's gaze of surprise turned to excitement as he smiled just as big as their new visitor.

"It really is you! It has to be!" Yunobo squealed in delight. "You're... you're the Great Daruk!"

"Of course it is! Though I'd prefer if you, uh, would drop those formalities," Daruk laughed as he placed a large hand on Yunobo's shoulders. "I'm glad you're here. I think I saw you right when ol' Rudania and I set our sights on Ganon. If I saw right, you helped the little guy get into my Divine Beast!"

"O-Oh!" Yunobo said as he raised his own large hand to the back of his head. "I, uh, I didn't do much at all really. I was just the... ball."

"Nonsense," Daruk said gently with a hint of sternness. "It takes a lot o' courage to be sent towards Rudania, and in a cannon no less! You did well out there, kid. It's good to know that the Gorons are still going strong."

"Oh, gee... T-Thank you, Great Da- I mean... Daruk," Yunobo said, still rubbing the back of his head as he looked towards the ground in embarrassment. Though he looked downwards, a smile of pride could be seen on the young Goron's face. Daruk gave another hearty laugh as he gave Yunobo a heavy pat on the back (tripping the young Goron slightly), before turning to Zelda, who was watching silently with a small smile on her face. He got down on one knee, surprising Zelda as he looked her in the eye.

"Tiny Princess, I want to say I'm sorry for not being able to do my part a hundred years ago," he said solemnly. "You went through a hundred years of battle due to my short comin'."

"Oh, Daruk, please don't say that," Zelda said sadly. "If it weren't for my inability to awaken my powers, you all wouldn't have had to fight those blights for so long, maybe even not at all. It is I who should apologize."