Chapter 3: Banter with a Bird (Brain)

Tadokoro Inn, 6 months before Calamity Ganon Strikes

"Alright everyone, dinner is ready!" Megumi announced while carrying two large trays of food and placing it on the rotating table in her private quarters. For the last six months, the Champions held a monthly meeting at Tadokoro Inn, which was growing a reputation through Hyrule as the best place to eat for all walks of life.

"Ah, you made my second favorite dish: Gourmet Meat and Pepper Skewers" Daruk laughed. As a Goron, Daruk preferred really spicy food after rocks, which encouraged Megumi to grow the spiciest pepper she could in a special Green house at the base of the river.

"I never knew you could use Durian in such a way" Urbosa mused, "To think it pairs with some desert exclusive produce is exquisite."

"Why are you better than the Royal Chef?" Zelda complimented, "I wish you could cook for me all the time."

"Hmmph!" Link grunted with a mouthful of food.

"Oh, this is the goosefish dish you were talking about months ago" Mipha chimed, "How long did you fish for this bottom-dweller."

"A whole day" Megumi laughed, "There's a reason it's the most expensive ingredient in my arsenal."

"The Dorayaki was ok, I guess" Revali feigned disinterest. Megumi turned to the cocky bird, examining his demeanor.

"I wonder, is that a request for another food battle?" Megumi said with her trademark smile. Revali just grinned at her inquiry.

"Oh boy, here we go again" Daruk chuckled.

"Sigh, this is the 6th time he has challenged her" Mipha shook her head, "And he's not even close to her level as a chef."

"She seems to enjoy his fruitless efforts" Urbosa laughed, "It's fun having someone challenge you regardless skills gaps."

"Given the story about her past, I think these battles reminded her of a time when things were simpler" Zelda pointed out.

"Alright Revali, shall this challenge be dessert themed?" Megumi mused.

"Sure" Revali accepted. Megumi smiled before selecting Urbosa, Zelda, and Link to be the judges. The duel took three hours, with Revali presenting first.

"This is my special Wildberry Egg Pudding" Revali announced, "Please indulge yourself."

The three judges did so, all being swept into the air by the lightness of the dish.

"Impressive" Urbosa mused, "This is certainly a dish that was inspired by Rito culture."

"It's surprising light" Zelda admitted. Link just nodded in agreement. Megumi was next, presenting a very elegant dish.

"This is my Souffle Lager de Eleanor" Megumi said with a bow. Unlike Revali's dish, Megumi's took the judges into the realm of the Goddesses.

"Amazing" Zelda gasped, "This is a dish that the Goddesses would make."

"Metaphorically speaking, this was dish was inspired by a Culinary Goddess and my best friend, Erina Nakiri" Megumi said with a soft smile.

"Wait, is this the girl you mentioned with the exceptionally sensitive tongue?" Mipha blinked.

"It is. In fact, Erina is just a Japanese variant of Eleanor. So you could say this dish is Erina's Light Souffle."

"It's also a Dorayaki" Urbosa smiled, "I think you're comment was thrown back, Revali." And it was, as Megumi beat Revali easily.

"Tsk, someday I will win" Revali averted his gaze.

"If you throw away your bow and devote your life to cooking, possibly" Megumi teased, "But that would have to wait, since beating Calamity Ganon is more important than minor rivalries." Everyone agreed to that statement. After another hour of talk, everyone made preparations for the journey back home.

"Thanks for the good meal" Zelda smiled.

"Anytime Princess" Megumi bowed, "After this over, you and the others should visit more often."

"Will do" Zelda bowed, "Before I go, I should mentioned that I asked Revali to investigate some concerning developments in the Akkala region. Since you're very familiar with the area, would you mind following him?"

Megumi was taken back by the request, since she had no desire to be alone with Revali for long periods of time. Then again, he was foolish enough to throw caution into the wind. She turned to Mipha, looking for guidance. Recognizing Megumi's silence, she nodded and spoke in her native tongue.

"If he goes too far, he will answer to me" Mipha spoke, "And this will be a good time for the both us to be free of our duties."

"That sounds like a selfish request" Megumi responded in the Zoran language, "Alone time with Link, as he's free for the next few days?" Mipha just blushed, giving Megumi the answer she needed.

"I will be happy to assist Revali" Megumi said with confidence.

"Thank you" Zelda bowed before she left the inn.

Akkala, Southern End of Lake Akkala

"You know, I normally would be miffed that the princess would send me an escort, but since it's you then I will live with the decision." Revali said as he glided over to the Citadel. They're were suppose to meet up with Robbie, to assess the concerning reports.

"It's because it's YOU that I was sent along" Megumi retorted, "You're way too cocky for your own good, it will be the death of you."

"I know my limits" Revali countered, "Still, being merely an assistant to that boy, it wounds my pride."

"You should swallow it and have faith in him" Megumi said she got out of the water and walked along the path to the Citadel entrance.

"Because he's the eternal hero blah blah blah" Revali grumbled, "Having someone verify the legends is irritating, for the same reasons I mentioned."

"IF you look at it in such a light" Megumi sighed, "For me, it just means that things will end as they should be."

"You're worried" Revali analyzed. Megumi stopped in her tracks.

"It's been two years since I arrived to Hyrule, and even though I consider it home now, I still feel that I pulled the short straw in the Destiny Wheel. I mean, I am not a natural warrior but a chef. And I'm entangled into an upcoming war that may end in death. If I was home, I would never be thrown into such a situation" Megumi admitted.

"...I understand" Revali said earnestly. He knew her situation was difficult and seemingly unfair, but she still manage to deal with it in time. It was clear, however, she had some lingering doubts.

They all did, as Zelda had yet to unlock her power.

"Thanks" Megumi smiled, "We should probably meet with Robbie now." Revali nodded in agreement. Once they were in the Citadel, Robbie greeted them with his odd stance and...guitar rift.

"Ah, I was expecting Revali, but not you Megumi" Robbie laughed.

"Princess Zelda requested I join him" Megumi answered.

"Oho!" Robbie chortled, "Anyways, over the last two months a Lynel has been attacking the village to the north."

"A Lynel? From Mt. Lanayru?" Megumi pondered.

"Yes" Robbie confirmed, "Beyond that, he's been really difficult to take down, we've lost 40 soldiers over the two months trying to take him down."

"So, you want to us to put him down?" Revali pondered.

"Yes" Robbie nodded, "With a Champion and a Champion's guard, I think the task is doable. But importantly, I want to you observe why the Lynel is behaving in such a way. He usually stays in the mountains."

"So, what are we waiting for?"Revali asked.

"You have to wait for the late night" Robbie answered, "He only attacks then." And so they did, hiding in a bush near the village to ambush the beast.

"Huh, that's odd" Megumi noted as she looked into the night, "It seems the moon is becoming blood red."

"A Blood Moon, would you say?" Revali questioned.

"Yeah...it's really eerie" Megumi whispered. Suddenly, the Lynel made his way to the village.

"I will draw him towards us" Revali whispered. Slowly rising from the bush, he took careful aim at the beast and fired an arrow into its backside. The Lynel made no time to charge Revali, who easily dodged using his gale. This time the Lynel was able to block the arrow, which allowed Megumi to get a good strike across the lower legs. Now the Lynel was enraged and made Megumi his primary focus. She was too quick, dodging his charges and swinging her sword at different possible openings; a few be parried with his shield. Revali then landed an arrow into his skull, causing the monster to change targets. Before Revali could react, the Lynel quickshot him with a shock arrow, which struck his left wing and caused him to crash into the ground.

'Revali!" Megumi shouted. Noticing the Lynel charging at full speed, she raised her hand and unleash a chain lightning spell that electrocuted the Lynel but healed Revali. Seething, Revali removed the arrow from his wing and galed back into the air. Eyeing Megumi, they coordinated the final blow and ended the Lynel's existence. But before it faded, both of them noticed a red glow in its eyes: the same color as the Blood Moon.

"Blood Moon?" Megumi mumbled, "The Lynel attacked the village because of the Blood Moon?"

"That's a good hypothesis" Revali answered, "His eyes gave the same glow."

"It's also a bad omen" Megumi frowned, "An omen that Calamity Ganon is close to returning, I fear." As they made their way back to the Citadel, Revali sparked a small conversation.

"When did you learn that spell?" Revali asked.

"Just recently" Megumi admitted, "It's the newest extent of my gift, dubbed as Megumi's Tenacity."

"Tenacity huh?" Revali whistled, "Sounds fitting."

"It most certainly is. Tenacity is probably my defining characteristic as a warrior. And well, I couldn't think of any other good names since my ability can be used defensively, offensively, and even restoratively. Although less on the restorative part" Megumi agreed. When they returned to the Citadel, they gave their full report.

"The Blood Moon you say?" Robbie rubbed his chin, "A high possibility, as the prior attacks where also on a Blood Moon."

"So, what does this mean?" Revali questioned.

"I am not sure, but I have a bad feeling about it" Robbie frowned.

A/N: Next Chapter is Urbosa! But things are becoming serious for our heroes, will they be ready?